SENIOR CITIZENS

Addresses

Health Care: Representative Capps, E383-E385 [19MR]

Amendments

Crime: establish a national center on volunteer screening to reduce sexual and other types of abuse against children, the elderly, and the disabled (S. 1868), S10738 [17OC]

Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act: make pension and individual retirement arrangement provisions permanent (H.R. 4931), H3798 [21JN]

———make pension and individual retirement arrangement provisions permanent (H.R. 4931), complete congressional action (H. Res. 544)—consideration (H. Res. 547), H6667 [25SE]

Medicare: establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure (H.R. 4954), H3929 [25JN], H4226, H4297 [27JN]

Social Security: provide additional safeguards for certain beneficiaries with representative payees (H.R. 4070), S11316 [18NO]

Articles and editorials

Accounting—Stronger Reforms, Please, S5265 [10JN]

Alzheimer's Disease, S11309 [18NO]

Breaking the Contract, H668 [5MR], E297 [7MR]

Daschle Blames Bush Tax Cut for Failure on Prescription Drug Reform, S7423 [26JY]

Enthusiasm Ebbs for Tough Reform in Wake of Enron, S5264 [10JN]

Finding a Formula for Medicare Drug Benefits, S7623 [31JY]

Lower Payments Force FPs To Risk Personal Loss for Their Patients, Practices, S8370 [9SE]

``MediFair'' Is Workable Answer, S5567 [14JN]

Murray's Bill Rights Medicare Inequity, S5567 [14JN]

Murray's Medicare Plan a Step in Right Direction, S5566 [14JN]

Neglected to Death—Preventable Deaths in Nursing Homes (Special Report Series Summary), S10607 [17OC]

Rescue the Uninsured From Sea of Uncertainty, E275 [6MR]

Social Security Fine—Why Rush To Fix It?, E639 [26AP]

Three Point Plan for SEC Reform, S5266 [10JN]

We Filled the Prescription, E1452 [29JY]

Bills and resolutions

Bankruptcy: provide a right to be heard for participants and beneficiaries of an employee pension benefit plan of a debtor in order to protect pensions of those employees and retirees (see S. 3139), S10676 [17OC]

———provide for a creditors' committee of employee and retiree representatives of a debtor in order to protect pensions of those employees and retirees (see S. 3028), S9845 [2OC]

Capital Construction Fund: provide for qualified withdrawals for fishermen leaving the industry and for the rollover to individual retirement plans (see S. 1962), S897 [15FE] (see H.R. 3898), H780 [7MR]

Committee on Aging (Senate, Special): minority party appointments (see S. Res. 256), S3560 [30AP]

Commodity Supplemental Food Program: modify the eligibility criteria for supplemental foods (see S. 2108), S2577 [11AP] (see H.R. 5107), H4553 [11JY]

Corp. for National and Community Service: reauthorize and reform national service laws (see H.R. 4854), H3072 [24MY]

Crime: increase penalties relating to conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, and ERISA violations (see S. 2717), S6573 [10JY]

———prevent and increase penalties for crimes such as health care, pension, and telemarketing fraud, and nursing home abuse and fraud (see S. 2240), S3303 [24AP]

———promote elder justice (see S. 2933), S8565 [12SE]

———support programs and activities to prevent perpetrators of fraud from victimizing senior citizens (see H. Res. 443), H3562 [13JN]

Dept. of HHS: establish the Medicare Benefits Administration (see H.R. 4988), H3824 [21JN]

———expand and intensify research programs concerning elder falls (see S. 1922), S488 [7FE] (see H.R. 3695), H226 [7FE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: construct a comprehensive veterans medical center in southern Nevada (see H.R. 5610), H7892 [10OC]

———extend the period for provision of noninstitutional extended care services and required nursing home care (see S. 2043), S2260 [21MR]

Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act: freeze and repeal portions of the tax reduction and apply savings to a comprehensive Medicare outpatient prescription drug benefit (see H.R. 3757), H366 [13FE]

———make pension and individual retirement arrangement provisions permanent (see H.R. 4931), H3561 [13JN]

———make pension and individual retirement arrangement provisions permanent (H.R. 4931), complete congressional action (see H. Res. 544), H6559 [24SE]

———make pension and individual retirement arrangement provisions permanent (H.R. 4931), complete congressional action (H. Res. 544)—consideration (see H. Res. 547), H6558 [24SE]

———make pension and individual retirement arrangement provisions permanent (H.R. 4931), consideration (see H. Res. 451), H3774 [20JN]

Education: establish the Silver Scholarship program to provide transferable educational awards to older individuals who perform certain volunteer services (see H.R. 3837), H655 [4MR]

ERISA: provide emergency protection for retiree health benefits (see S. 2904), S8300 [5SE]

Federal employees: clarify computation of annuities for air traffic controllers relative to law enforcement officers and firefighters (see H.R. 4957), H3668 [18JN]

Health: national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (see S. 2042), S2260 [21MR] (see S. 2502), S4145 [9MY] (see H.R. 5269), H5994 [26JY] (see H.R. 5321), H6059 [4SE]

———support Federal and State funded in-home care for the elderly (see H. Res. 503), H5790 [25JY]

Housing: improve the quality of, and provide housing for the elderly (see H.R. 4817), H2944 [22MY]

Key West, FL: enable residents of the Bayshore Manor assisted living facility to continue to receive supplemental security income benefits (see H.R. 3878), H736 [6MR]

Medicaid: provide the disabled and elderly with equal access to community-based attendant services (see H.R. 3612), H35 [23JA]

———require HMO's and other managed care plans providing medical assistance to beneficiaries to pay for assistance by health centers in federally-assisted housing for the elderly (see H.R. 3949), H833 [12MR]

Medicare: allow beneficiaries direct access to physical therapists without a physician referral (see S. 2386), S3505 [29AP]

———area wage adjustments under the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facility services (see S. 1955), S853 [14FE]

———assure fair and adequate payment for high-risk beneficiaries and establish payment incentives for furnishing quality services to people with serious chronic conditions (see S. 2970), S8918 [19SE]

———assure that enrollment in any prescription drug program is voluntary (see H.R. 5236), H5790 [25JY]

———clarify definition of homebound relative to home health services (see S. 2085), S2485 [10AP] (see S. 2848), S7899 [1AU]

———clarify right of beneficiaries to enter into private contracts with physicians and other health care professionals for services not payable under Medicare (see H.R. 4702), H2355 [9MY]

———conduct demonstration program to examine the clinical and cost effectiveness of providing medical adult day care center services (see H.R. 4153), H1200 [10AP]

———consolidate and restate Federal laws relative to social health maintenance organization projects, make such projects permanent, and require a study on ways to expand such projects (see S. 2782), S7308 [24JY]

———coverage of certain self-administered intramuscular and subcutaneous drugs (see H.R. 5719), H8731 [13NO]

———coverage of chronic disease prescription drugs and disease management services (see H.R. 5219), H5790 [25JY]

———coverage of compression sleeves and stockings for the treatment of lymphedema (see H.R. 4154), H1200 [10AP]

———coverage of diabetes laboratory diagnostic tests and other diabetes screening services (see S. 3086), S10223 [9OC] (see H.R. 5666), H8021 [16OC]

———coverage of drugs and biologicals (see H.R. 5167), H4931 [18JY]

———coverage of marriage and family therapist services (see H.R. 3899), H780 [7MR]

———coverage of medication therapy management services, including disease specific management services, for certain high-risk patients (see H.R. 5539), H6982 [2OC]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (see S. 2625), S5584 [14JN] (see S. 2757), S7033 [18JY] (see H.R. 3626), H78 [24JA] (see H.R. 3684), H141 [5FE] (see H.R. 4751), H2607 [16MY] (see H.R. 4984), H3824 [21JN] (see H. Con. Res. 328), H366 [13FE]

———eliminate the geographic physician work adjustment factor used to adjust payments under the physician fee schedule (see S. 1953), S853 [14FE]

———enhance access of beneficiaries who live in medically underserved areas to critical primary and preventive health care benefits and improve the Medicare+Choice program (see S. 2067), S2326 [22MR] (see H.R. 4000), H1002 [19MR]

———enhance beneficiary access to quality health care services (see S. 3018), S9714 [1OC]

———ensure the quality of, and access to, skilled nursing facility services (see S. 2490), S4145 [9MY]

———establish a demonstration project under which incentive payments are made in certain areas to improve access to primary care services (see S. 2542), S4702 [22MY] (see H.R. 4845), H3036 [23MY]

———establish a prescription drug discount card endorsement program (see H.R. 4930), H3561 [13JN]

———establish a program for the competitive acquisition of items and services (see S. 3098), S10359 [10OC]

———establish demonstration programs to improve health care quality (see S. 2752), S7033 [18JY]

———establish minimum geographic cost-of-practice index value for physicians' services (see H.R. 4215), H1283 [11AP]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure (see S. 2, 2729), S6808 [15JY] (see H.R. 4954), H3668 [18JN] (see H.R. 5019), H4068 [26JN]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure (H.R. 4954), consideration (see H. Res. 465), H4068 [26JN]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure (H.R. 4954), consideration (H. Res. 465), same-day consideration (see H. Res. 464), H4067 [26JN]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug discount and security program (see S. 2736), S6867 [16JY]

———expand medical residency training programs in geriatric medicine and provide for reimbursement of care coordination and assessment services (see S. 2057), S2260 [21MR]

———express importance of modernization, ensure solvency, and provide coverage options and prescription drug coverage (see S. Res. 269), S4330 [14MY]

———extend a temporary increase in payment for skilled nursing facility services (see H.R. 5411), H6417 [19SE]

———extend authorization for appropriations for certain rural grants (see S. 2135), S2723 [16AP] (see H.R. 4452), H1337 [16AP]

———extend the Social Health Maintenance Organization Demonstration Project (see S. 3043), S9901 [3OC]

———freeze the reduction in payments to hospitals for indirect costs of medical education (see S. 2447), S3843 [2MY]

———geographically adjust the amount of premiums based on the use of health care items and services in the State in which the beneficiary resides (see S. 2605), S5285 [10JN]

———improve access to benefits for certain individuals and provide financial assistance to individuals who are too poor to afford premiums (see H.R. 4684), H2235 [8MY]

———improve access to health care and extend solvency of trust fund by reforming the health care liability system (see H.R. 4942), H3561 [13JN]

———improve access to services in rural hospitals and critical access hospitals (see S. 2615), S5454 [12JN] (see H.R. 4515), H1483 [18AP]

———improve disproportionate share payments to hospitals serving vulnerable populations (see S. 2854), S7899 [1AU]

———improve Medicare Incentive Payment Program (see S. 2529), S4492 [16MY]

———improve outpatient vision services (see S. 1967), S1208 [26FE]

———improve payments for physicians' services and other outpatient services (see H.R. 4986), H3824 [21JN]

———improve the provision of items and services to beneficiaries in rural areas (see S. 2555, 2568), S4839 [23MY] (see H.R. 4850), H3037 [23MY] (see H.R. 4962), H3720 [19JN]

———improve the qualified beneficiary and special low-income beneficiary programs (see S. 2855), S7899 [1AU] (see H.R. 5276), H5995 [26JY]

———include new medical technologies under the inpatient hospital prospective payment system (see S. 3042), S9901 [3OC]

———make a technical correction in the definition of outpatient speech-language pathology services (see H.R. 4927), H3513 [12JN]

———prepare audit reports based upon financial auditing of Medicare+Choice organizations and make such reports available to the public (see H.R. 5171), H5086 [22JY]

———promote access to health care services in rural areas (see H.R. 4112), H1153 [9AP]

———provide a direct supplemental insurance option (see H.R. 3976), H931 [14MR]

———provide appropriate incentive payments for physicians' services furnished in underserved areas (see S. 2914), S8384 [9SE]

———provide coverage for kidney disease education services (see S. 2218), S3014 [22AP] (see H.R. 3770), H523 [14FE]

———provide equity in payments (see H.R. 5045), H4324 [27JN]

———provide fair payments under the hospital outpatient department prospective payment system (see S. 2547), S4702 [22MY] (see H.R. 5234), H5790 [25JY]

———provide for equitable payments for health care services furnished to beneficiaries in hospital outpatient departments (see H.R. 5450), H6558 [24SE]

———provide for equitable reimbursement rates for thin prep pap smears tests (see H.R. 3835), H655 [4MR]

———provide incentives to attract educators and clinical practitioners to underserved areas (see S. 1954), S853 [14FE]

———reclassify certain counties for purposes of equitable hospital payment rates (see H.R. 4745), H2511 [15MY]

———reductions in prescription drug prices for beneficiaries and women with breast cancer (see S. 2747), S6947 [17JY]

———reform (see H.R. 5451), H6558 [24SE]

———reform payments to rural and other health care providers (see H.R. 5246), H5993 [26JY]

———reimbursement for services provided to eligible veterans by certain Dept. of Veterans Affairs facilities (see S. 2232), S3165 [23AP] (see H.R. 4890), H3291 [6JN] (see H.R. 4939), H3561 [13JN]

———repeal outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps (see H.R. 3834), H655 [4MR]

———require home health agencies to conduct criminal background checks for all applicants for employment as patient care providers (see H.R. 5170), H5086 [22JY] (see H.R. 5565), H7171 [7OC]

———revitalize the Medicare+Choice program, establish a Medicare+Choice competition program, and improve payments to hospitals and other providers (see H.R. 4985), H3824 [21JN]

———reward and expand the number of health care providers delivering high-quality cost-effective health care to beneficiaries (see S. 1948), S852 [14FE]

———use estate tax revenue to finance an outpatient prescription drug program (see H.R. 4136), H1199 [10AP]

———waive late enrollment penalty and provide a special Part B enrollment period for certain military retirees (see S. 2688), S6249 [27JN]

Medicare/Medicaid: establish a national abusive and criminal background check system for patient care workers (see S. 3091), S10359 [10OC] (see H.R. 3933), H832 [12MR]

———improve access to long-term care services (see S. 2655), S5851 [20JN]

———improve advance directive requirements to ensure compliance with individual health care decisions (see S. 2857), S7899 [1AU]

———reform Federal survey and certification process for nursing facilities (see H.R. 4030), H1087 [20MR]

———require certain staffing in nursing facilities (see H.R. 4715), H2470 [14MY]

———streamline regulatory processes for home health agencies (see H.R. 4659), H2100 [2MY]

National Fraud Against Senior Citizens Awareness Week: designate (see S. Res. 281), S5041 [5JN]

National Health Corps Loan Repayment Program: count fellowship training in geriatric medicine or psychiatry as obligated service (see S. 1975), S1351 [28FE]

Older Americans Act: anniversary of elderly nutrition programs (see S. Res. 200), S32 [23JA]

———authorizing appropriations for supportive services to older individuals who reside in naturally occurring retirement communities (see S. 2842), S7899 [1AU] (see H.R. 5134), H4766 [16JY]

Older Americans Month: designate (see S. Res. 259), S3625 [1MY] (see H. Res. 407), H2019 [1MY]

Pensions: establish grant program to provide financial and retirement education programs to reduce financial abuse and fraud among mid-life and older individuals (see S. 2982), S8918 [19SE]

———prevent the wearing away of an employee's accrued benefit under a defined plan by reducing future accruals under the plan (see H.R. 4181), H1282 [11AP]

President's Commission To Strengthen Social Security: enact certain reforms (see H.R. 4022, 4023, 4024), H1087 [20MR]

———oppose reductions in guaranteed Social Security benefits (see S. Res. 230), S2261 [21MR]

Public Health Service Act: amend relative to mental health services for elderly individuals (see H.R. 5077), H4424 [9JY]

Social Security: clarify level of benefit payment in the month of the beneficiary's death and increase lump sum death benefits to reflect cost-of-living changes (see H.R. 5404), H6373 [18SE]

———credit prospectively individuals serving as caregivers of dependent relatives with deemed wages for up to five years of such service (see H.R. 4743), H2511 [15MY]

———deny benefits to fugitive felons and individuals fleeing prosecution (see S. 2387), S3505 [29AP]

———eliminate the waiting period in the disability insurance program (see S. 2942), S8673 [17SE]

———extend rural Advanced Life Support intercept services to other areas (see H.R. 3715), H283 [12FE] (see H.R. 5464), H6692 [25SE]

———improve benefits for aged survivors, disabled survivors, and divorced spouses (see H.R. 4671), H2164 [7MY]

———improve patient safety (see H.R. 4889), H3291 [6JN]

———modify attorney fee assessment system and extend attorney fee direct payment system to improve representation of disabled claimants (see S. 2700), S6318 [28JN]

———promote smoking cessation under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Maternal and Child Health Program (see H.R. 3676), H140 [5FE]

———protect beneficiaries against any reduction in benefits (see H.R. 3981), H931 [14MR]

———provide additional safeguards for certain beneficiaries with representative payees (see H.R. 4070), H1089 [20MR]

———provide for personal retirement savings accounts, increase individual control over retirement income, protect surpluses, and reform certain benefits (see H.R. 5734), H9023 [14NO]

———provide miscellaneous enhancements in benefits for women (see S. 2533), S4568 [20MY] (see H.R. 4069), H1089 [20MR]

———reject proposals to partially or completely substitute private saving accounts for benefits provided through Social Security (see H.R. 4780), H2734 [21MY] (see H.R. 5541), H6983 [2OC]

———restrict application of windfall elimination provisions to certain individuals (see S. 2521), S4387 [15MY]

SSI: clarify that the value of certain funeral and burial arrangements are not to be considered available resources (see S. 3144), S10676 [17OC] (see H.R. 5444), H6558 [24SE]

———disregard certain gifts in determining income (see H.R. 4908), H3453 [11JN]

Taxation: adjust for inflation dollar amounts used to calculate credit for the elderly and permanently disabled (see S. 2131), S2675 [15AP]

———encourage retirement savings for individuals by providing a refundable credit for individuals to deposit in a Social Security Plus account (see S. 2693), S6250 [27JN]

———increase interest rate used in determining funding requirements for defined benefit plans which are not multiemployer plans (see H.R. 3919), H781 [7MR]

———increase the age at which distributions must commence from certain retirement plans (see H.R. 4978), H3774 [20JN]

———provide certain credits to expand retirement savings for moderate and lower income workers (see S. 2733), S6867 [16JY] (see H.R. 5190), H5194 [23JY]

———provide for Universal Retirement Savings Accounts in lieu of the various individual retirement plans (see H.R. 4482), H1482 [18AP]

———provide health care incentives relative to long-term care (see H.R. 4946), H3600 [17JN]

———repeal tax increase on Social Security benefits (see H.R. 4789), H2943 [22MY]

———repeal tax increase on Social Security benefits and increase the distribution age for certain retirement plans (see H.R. 5568), H7172 [7OC]

———treatment of flexible spending arrangements relative to long-term care insurance (see H.R. 4002), H1002 [19MR]

———treatment of home-based service workers (see S. 2129), S2675 [15AP]

———treatment of Social Security benefits (see H.R. 4790), H2943 [22MY]

Transportation: improve transit service in rural areas, small urban areas, and for the elderly and disabled (see S. 2884), S7900 [1AU]

———increase investments in rural areas (see S. 3134), S10676 [17OC]

Women: provide comprehensive pension protection (see S. 2707), S6319 [28JN]

Cost Estimates

Medicare coverage of outpatient prescription drugs: CBO, S7024 [18JY], S7537 [30JY]

Social Security Program Protection Act (H.R. 4070): CBO, S11559 [19NO]

Explanations

Social Security Benefit Enhancements for Women Act (H.R. 4069), H2415 [14MY]

Factsheets

Medicare Incentive Payment Program Improvement Act (S. 2529), S4502 [16MY]

Letters

Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act: Galen Miller, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, S7924 [1AU]

———Karen Orloff Kaplan, Partnership for Caring, Inc., S7924 [1AU]

———Robert D. Evans, ABA, S7925 [1AU]

Beneficiary Access to Care and Medicare Equity Act: Senate Rural Health Caucus, S10662 [17OC]

Medicare coverage of outpatient prescription drugs: several health care organizations, S7545 [30JY]

———William D. Novelli, AARP, S10532 [16OC]

———William D. Novelli, Cecil Malone, and Maria Reynolds-Diaz, AARP, S7100 [19JY]

Medicare demonstration project under which incentive payments are made in certain areas to improve access to primary care services: Samuel W. Cullison, Washington State Medical Association, S4710 [22MY]

Medicare Hospital Outpatient Department Fair Payment Act: Rick Pollack, American Hospital Association, S4719 [22MY]

Medicare Incentive Payment Program Improvement Act: Kenneth Brummel-Smith, American Geriatrics Society, S4502 [16MY]

———Richard G. Roberts, American Academy of Family Physicians, S4502 [16MY]

———Sara E. Walker, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, S4502 [16MY]

Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act: William D. Novelli, AARP, H4288 [27JN]

Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Act: Barbara Kennelly, National Committee To Preserve Social Security and Medicare, S5586 [14JN], S7021 [18JY]

———Charles M. Loveless, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, S5586 [14JN], S7021 [18JY]

———Edward F. Coyle, Alliance for Retired Americans, S5587 [14JN], S7021 [18JY]

———James Firman, National Council on the Aging, S5585 [14JN], S7020 [18JY]

———Kathleen Jaeger, Generic Pharmaceutical Association, S5587 [14JN], S7020 [18JY]

———Ronald F. Pollack, Families USA (organization), S5586 [14JN], S7021 [18JY]

———William D. Novelli, AARP, S5585 [14JN], S7020 [18JY]

———William Samuel, AFL-CIO, S5586 [14JN], S7021 [18JY]

Medicare reimbursement rates in certain Pennsylvania counties: Berwick Hospital Center, S6568 [10JY]

———C. Richard Hartman, Community Medical Center Health Systems (business), S6349 [8JY]

———Conrad W. Schintz, Geisinger Health System (business), S6348 [8JY]

———James E. May, Mercy Health Partners (business), S6350 [8JY]

———Michael J. Clifford, Wayne Memorial Hospital, S6351 [8JY]

———Thomas L. Heron, Marian Community Hospital, S6568 [10JY]

———Tyler Memorial Hospital, S6569 [10JY]

———William J. Schoen, Allied Services (business), S6350 [8JY]

———William R. Host and Michael D. Scherneck, Wyoming Valley Health Care System (business), S6350 [8JY]

Medicare voluntary outpatient prescription drug discount and security program: William D. Novelli, AARP, S7210, S7217 [23JY], S7283 [24JY]

Retirement Savings Security Act: Norman P. Stein, H3783 [21JN]

Senior Nutrition Act: Barb Packett, National Commodity Supplemental Food Program Association, S2582 [11AP]

———Frank Kubik, Focus—HOPE (organization), S2581 [11AP]

Senior Self-Sufficiency Act: Barry Rosenberg, Jewish Federation of St. Louis, S7909 [1AU]

———Ronald W. Cates, Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services, S7909 [1AU]

Social Security Benefit Enhancements for Women Act: Barbara Kennelly, National Committee To Preserve Social Security and Medicare, H2417, H2418 [14MY]

———Cindy Hounsell, Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement, H2417 [14MY]

———Edward F. Coyle, Alliance for Retired Americans, H2418 [14MY]

———Nancy Mitchell Pfotenhauer, Independent Women's Forum, H2417 [14MY]

———Terry Neese and Barbara Kasoff, Women Impacting Public Policy (organization), H2417 [14MY]

———William D. Novelli, AARP, H2416 [14MY]

Memorandums

Medicare Reimbursement Rates in Certain Pennsylvania Counties: Bernard C. Rudegeair, Greater Hazleton Health Alliance, S6348 [8JY]

———Robert J. Spinelli, Bloomsburg Hospital, S6351 [8JY]

———William Roe, Moses Taylor Healthcare System (business), S6349 [8JY]

Social Security Program Protection Act: Chris Chaplain and Alice H. Wade, SSA, S11351 [18NO]

Messages

Social Security Agreement Between the U.S. and Australia: President Bush, S1781 [12MR], H816 [12MR]

Motions

Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act: make pension and individual retirement arrangement provisions permanent (H.R. 4931), H3809 [21JN]

Medicare: establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure (H.R. 4954), H4297 [27JN]

Petitions and memorials

Colorado: national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures, E1108 [20JN]

Press releases

Social Security Benefit Enhancements for Women Act: National Council of Women's Organizations, H2418 [14MY]

———National Women's Law Center, H2418 [14MY]

———United Seniors Association, H2417 [14MY]

Proclamations

Tribute to Anna Radu: Representative Ney, E538 [16AP]

Questions and answers

Proposal to provide Medicare coverage of outpatient prescription drugs, S7624 [31JY]

Remarks in House

Brooklyn Chinese-American Association: anniversary of Eighth Avenue Senior Center, E1764 [4OC]

Broome-Tioga Association for Retarded Citizens: anniversary, E1713 [2OC]

Broward County, FL: National Association of Counties Achievement Award recipient, E1373 [25JY]

Campbell, Margaret: AARP Andrus Community Service Award recipient, E1720 [2OC]

Citrus County, FL: tribute to sheriff's office volunteers, H3840 [24JN]

Club 60 (organization): anniversary, E618 [24AP]

Committee on Appropriations (House): appropriations allocation revisions to H.R. 4954, Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act, H4322 [27JN]

Corp. for National and Community Service: reauthorize and reform national service laws (H.R. 4854), H3813, H3814 [21JN], H4433 [10JY], E932 [24MY]

Crime: support programs and activities to prevent perpetrators of fraud from victimizing senior citizens (H. Res. 443), E1468 [29JY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: GAO study of a pilot project with the Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, TN, to provide medical care to veterans, H4881 [18JY]

Disabled: ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to vote, H4388-H4392 [9JY], E1635 [23SE]

Douglass Distributing, Inc.: Experience Works (organization) Outstanding Employers of Older Workers award recipient, E1854 [11OC]

Drugs: discrepancy in prescription drug prices between U.S. and foreign countries, H659 [5MR], H3207 [5JN], H3427 [11JN], H3495 [12JN], H3581 [17JN], H3645, H3646 [18JN], H3815, H3819 [21JN], H4485-H4491 [10JY], H5068 [22JY]

Dunlap, J.E., Jr.: Experience Works (organization) Arkansas Outstanding Older Worker of the Year award recipient, E2086 [15NO]

Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act: make pension and individual retirement arrangement provisions permanent (H.R. 4931), H3789-H3812 [21JN], E1157 [27JN]

———make pension and individual retirement arrangement provisions permanent (H.R. 4931), complete congressional action (H. Res. 544), H6563, H6678-H6681 [25SE]

———make pension and individual retirement arrangement provisions permanent (H.R. 4931), complete congressional action (H. Res. 544)—consideration (H. Res. 547), H6660-H6669 [25SE]

———make pension and individual retirement arrangement provisions permanent (H.R. 4931), consideration (H. Res. 451), H3781-H3789 [21JN]

———make pension and individual retirement arrangement provisions permanent (H.R. 4931), motion to recommit, H3809, H3810 [21JN]

Espinola, Oliver: Madera, CA, District Chamber of Commerce Senior Farmer of the Year award recipient, E1353 [25JY]

Falling Spring, PA: anniversary of AARP chapter, E219 [27FE]

Fleming, Romaine: Experience Works (organization) Pennsylvania Outstanding Older Worker of the Year award recipient, E1608 [19SE]

Florida: tribute to ``A Child Is Missing'' program, E828 [16MY]

Food Stamp Act: improve nutrition assistance for working families and the elderly (H.R. 2142), H1623 [25AP]

Fresno, CA: anniversary of California Armenian Home, E1644 [25SE]

Harewood, Grace: Ecumenical Seniors Day honoree, E952 [5JN]

Health: classify multiple employer welfare arrangements as association health plans, E127 [12FE]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures, H1053 [20MR], H4540-H4545 [11JY], H5092 [23JY], E274 [6MR], E1108 [20JN], E1240 [11JY]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (H. Con. Res. 99), E1255 [15JY]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (H.R. 1200), H2111 [7MY]

———support Federal and State funded in-home care for the elderly (H. Res. 503), E1369 [25JY]

———tribute to adult day care programs, E1810 [9OC]

House of Representatives: partisan views on senior citizens, H4670 [15JY]

Housing: improve the quality of, and provide housing for the elderly (H.R. 4817), E895 [23MY]

Houston, TX: anniversary of Goldberg B'nai B'rith Towers, E1948 [21OC]

———tribute to Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services, E792 [14MY]

IRS: enforce pension age discrimination laws relative to conversion of defined benefit plans to cash balance plans, H5333-H5336 [24JY]

Joint Public Affairs Committee for Older Adults: anniversary, E2005 [14NO]

Keller, Joyce: Michigan Assisted Living Association Spirit of Service Honor Award recipient, E1618 [19SE]

Maney, Dave: Experience Works (organization) Georgia Outstanding Older Worker of the Year award recipient, E1587 [17SE]

Martin's Food Store (business): Experience Works (organization) Pennsylvania Outstanding Employer of Older Workers Award recipient, E1608 [19SE]

Medicaid: provide the disabled and elderly with equal access to community-based attendant services (H.R. 3612), H6289 [17SE], E1469 [29JY], E1929 [17OC]

Medicare: coverage of chronic disease prescription drugs and disease management services (H.R. 5219), E1386 [25JY]

———coverage of compression sleeves and stockings for the treatment of lymphedema (H.R. 4154), E488 [10AP]

———coverage of diabetes laboratory diagnostic tests and other diabetes screening services (H.R. 5666), E1888 [17OC]

———coverage of drugs and biologicals (H.R. 5167), E1302 [18JY]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs, H83, H85 [29JA], H1027, H1052, H1071, H1084 [20MR], H1690 [30AP], H2109, H2133, H2134, H2135, H2136 [7MY], H2169, H2170, H2227-H2233 [8MY], H2648-H2654 [20MY], H2664, H2665, H2815-H2820 [21MY], H2837, H2916, H2919 [22MY], H3076, H3143-H3150 [4JN], H3165, H3166, H3167, H3206 [5JN], H3299, H3300, H3301, H3397, H3398, H3399, H3437-H3442 [11JN], H3495, H3501-H3507 [12JN], H3548 [13JN], H3566, H3587-H3593 [17JN], H4342 [8JY], H4664-H4670 [15JY], H4678 [16JY], H4771 [17JY], H5093, H5094 [23JY], H6032-H6036 [4SE], H6078, H6079 [5SE], H6258, H6259, H6295-H6298 [17SE], H6352-H6357 [18SE], H8062 [12NO], E689 [3MY], E742 [8MY], E773 [10MY], E878 [22MY], E1014 [12JN], E1582 [17SE], E1611 [19SE]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs for women, H4075, H4150 [27JN]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (H.R. 3626), H740 [7MR], H910 [14MR]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (H.R. 3684), H4291 [27JN], E71 [5FE]

———establish minimum geographic cost-of-practice index value for physicians' services (H.R. 4215), E507 [12AP]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure (H.R. 4954), H3605, H3610, H3613, H3641, H3652-H3659 [18JN], H3673, H3674, H3676, H3677, H3702, H3712-H3719 [19JN], H3725, H3726, H3727, H3728, H3750, H3753-H3760 [20JN], H3779, H3780, H3781, H3812 [21JN], H3827, H3828, H3841, H3842-H3849, H3852-H3854 [24JN], H3861, H3862, H3864, H3866, H3917-H3920 [25JN], H3932, H3933, H3934, H4030, H4031, H4032, H4039-H4045, H4051-H4056 [26JN], H4073, H4074, H4075, H4076, H4078, H4182-H4320 [27JN], H4330 [8JY], H4356 [9JY], H4578, H4664, H4665 [15JY], H4772 [17JY], H5093, H5094 [23JY], H5321 [24JY], H8027 [17OC], H8760 [14NO], E1107 [20JN], E1199, E1201, E1202, E1203 [8JY], E1220, E1223 [9JY], E1226 [10JY], E1913 [17OC]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure (H.R. 4954), consideration (H. Res. 465), H4166-H4182 [27JN]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure (H.R. 4954), consideration (H. Res. 465), same-day consideration (H. Res. 464), H6241 [12SE]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure (H.R. 4954), motion to recommit, H4318, H4319 [27JN]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure (H.R. 5019), H4029 [26JN], H4338-H4342 [8JY], E1161, E1163 [27JN]

———improve outpatient vision services (H.R. 2484), E612 [23AP]

———improve reimbursement payments to physicians, H2667 [21MY]

———improve the provision of items and services to beneficiaries in rural areas (H.R. 4962), E1107 [20JN]

———improve the qualified beneficiary and special low-income beneficiary programs (H.R. 5276), E1449 [29JY]

———increase reimbursement for screening mammography services and funding for additional radiology residents and radiologic technologists (H.R. 1354), E1878 [17OC]

———maintain availability of health insurance from HMOs to senior citizens, H2841 [22MY]

———make the social HMO a permanent option under Medicare+Choice program (H.R. 2953), E611 [23AP]

———privatization, H83 [29JA]

———promote research for health promotion and disease prevention and add preventive benefits (H.R. 2058), H511 [14FE]

———provide coverage for kidney disease education services (H.R. 3770), E172 [15FE]

———provide fair payments under the hospital outpatient department prospective payment system (H.R. 5234), E1379 [25JY]

———reductions in prescription drug prices, H6295-H6298 [17SE]

———reductions in prescription drug prices (H.R. 1400), H2650, H2651 [20MY], H3145 [4JN]

———reform, H1416 [18AP], H6696 [26SE]

———reform (H.R. 5451), E1643 [25SE]

———treatment of certain counties relative to reimbursement rates, H2911 [22MY], H2976, H3027, H3028, H3029 [23MY], H5222 [23JY], H6732 [26SE], E911, E931, E937 [24MY]

———treatment of certain New York counties relative to reimbursement rates, H3023 [23MY]

Medicare/Medicaid: reform Federal survey and certification process for nursing facilities (H.R. 4030), E433 [21MR]

Miami, FL: tribute to volunteer workers and organizations, H7887 [10OC]

Michigan: tribute to nursing homes in the 10th Congressional District, E790 [14MY]

Murray, Willis (Snake): Florida Foundation on Active Aging C. Colburn Hardy Older Advocate Award recipient, E1629 [19SE]

National Community Residential Care Month: observance, E678 [2MY]

National Nursing Home Week: observance, E790 [14MY]

Nursing homes: compliance with certain Dept. of HHS staffing level and training requirements, E799 [14MY]

Older Americans Month: designate (H. Res. 407), E802 [14MY]

———observance, E675, E677 [2MY], E689 [3MY], E878 [22MY], E887 [23MY]

Overdeer, Elner G.: Dauphin County, PA, Senior EXPO Outstanding Senior Award recipient, E944 [4JN]

Pennsylvania: anniversary of Columbia Montour Home Health Services, E1877 [17OC]

Pensions: reform, E151, E155 [14FE]

Perry, Betty: Older Women's League Chapter Leader Award recipient, E2091 [19NO]

Political campaigns: exempt communications pertaining to veterans, military personnel, and senior citizens from restrictions on noncandidate campaign expenditures, H433-H436 [13FE]

Postal Service: urban and rural post office renovation and repair funding, H5332 [24JY]

President's Commission To Strengthen Social Security: enact certain reforms (H.R. 4022), E438 [21MR]

———enact certain reforms (H.R. 4023), E438 [21MR]

———enact certain reforms (H.R. 4024), E438 [21MR]

———oppose reductions in guaranteed Social Security benefits, E425 [21MR]

Public debt: ceiling, H1492 [23AP]

Rockville, MD: anniversary of the Rockville Senior Center, E577 [18AP]

Saboury, Jason: Glendale (CA) News-Press Ellen Perry Award for Service to Seniors recipient, E807 [15MY]

Schechter, Joyce Proler: Houston, TX, Seven Acres Jewish Geriatric Center Spirit of Life Award recipient, E1949 [21OC]

Social Security: budget treatment of trust funds, H111, H133-H138 [5FE], H146-H154 [6FE], H658, H659, H669 [5MR], H689, H690 [6MR], H788-H790, H792, H823-H828 [12MR], H837 [13MR], H909 [14MR], H941, H942, H944, H983 [19MR], H1007, H1008, H1022-H1024, H1027-H1029, H1044, H1045, H1047-H1052, H1057-H1071, H1081 [20MR], H1318-H1324 [16AP], H1417, H1420, H1422-H1427, H1437-H1452 [18AP], H1757-H1762 [30AP], H2145-H2151 [7MY], H2668, H2669, H2686-H2688 [21MY], H2910, H2913, H2915, H2916, H2919, H2922, H2923, H2924 [22MY], H2952, H2955, H2961, H2965, H2991-H2994, H3014-H3022, H3026-H3032 [23MY], H3250, H3253-H3257, H3283, H3284 [6JN], H3428 [11JN], H3463-H3471 [12JN], H4036 [26JN], H4399 [9JY], H4748, H4750 [16JY], H4924 [18JY], H6533-H6544 [24SE], H6990 [3OC], H8014 [16OC], E289 [6MR], E639 [26AP], E934 [24MY], E947 [5JN], E1956 [24OC]

———computation rule application to workers attaining age 65 in or after 1982, E227 [28FE]

———divert percentage of payroll taxes into personal retirement savings accounts, H7173-H7176 [8OC]

———ensure solvency, H667, H676 [5MR], H720-H728 [6MR], H837, H894-H899 [13MR], H1624 [25AP], H3548-H3555 [13JN], E297 [7MR]

———guarantee the right of individuals to receive certain benefits in full with an accurate annual cost-of-living adjustment (H.R. 3135), E584 [18AP]

———improve benefits for aged survivors, disabled survivors, and divorced spouses (H.R. 4671), E736 [7MY], E878 [22MY]

———investment of trust funds in private financial markets, H722, H728 [6MR], H823-H828 [12MR], H7173-H7176 [8OC], E1956 [24OC]

———issue certificate to guarantee the right of individuals to receive certain benefits in full with an accurate annual cost-of-living adjustment, H722, H723 [6MR]

———preserve all budget surpluses until legislation is enacted to strengthen and protect Social Security and Medicare trust funds, H152 [6FE]

———provide additional safeguards for certain beneficiaries with representative payees (H.R. 4070), H3888-H3900 [25JN], E420 [21MR], E1157 [27JN], E1196 [28JN], E2131 [22NO]

———provide miscellaneous enhancements in benefits for women (H.R. 4069), H2413-H2422 [14MY], E416, E435 [21MR]

SSI: disregard certain gifts in determining income (H.R. 4908), E1024 [12JN]

Taxation: increase individual income tax rates and deposit increased funds into the Social Security trust funds (H.R. 2935), E117 [7FE]

———provide certain credits to expand retirement savings for moderate and lower income workers (H.R. 5190), E1339 [24JY]

———provide health care incentives relative to long-term care (H.R. 4946), H5107-H5114 [23JY], H5608 [25JY], E1451 [29JY]

———repeal tax increase on Social Security benefits (H.R. 4789), E887 [23MY]

———treatment of flexible spending arrangements relative to long-term care insurance (H.R. 4002), E387 [19MR]

———treatment of Social Security benefits (H.R. 4790), E887 [23MY]

Taylor, T.J.: Experience Works (organization) Tennessee Outstanding Older Worker of the Year award recipient, E1495 [4SE]

Thomas, Dorothy B.: Experience Works (organization) Georgia Outstanding Older Worker of the Year award recipient, E1589 [17SE]

Williams, Jean: Senior Resource Development Agency Senior Citizen of the Year award recipient, E1023 [12JN]

Winter Park, FL: anniversary of Slovak Garden, E243 [28FE]

Woodbridge, CT: anniversary of Woodbridge Senior Center, E788 [14MY]

Worcester, MA: anniversary of Senior Meal Program, E522 [12AP]

———tribute to March for Meals Campaign, E522 [12AP]

Remarks in Senate

Bankruptcy: provide a right to be heard for participants and beneficiaries of an employee pension benefit plan of a debtor in order to protect pensions of those employees and retirees (S. 3139), S10708 [17OC]

———provide for a creditors' committee of employee and retiree representatives of a debtor in order to protect pensions of those employees and retirees (S. 3028), S9847 [2OC]

Broward County, FL: tribute to Dr. Nan S. Hutchison Broward Senior Hall of Fame inductees, S2943 [18AP]

Capital Construction Fund: provide for qualified withdrawals for fishermen leaving the industry and for the rollover to individual retirement plans (S. 1962), S907 [15FE]

Committee on Aging (Senate, Special): minority party appointments (S. Res. 256), S3576 [30AP]

Commodity Supplemental Food Program: modify the eligibility criteria for supplemental foods (S. 2108), S2580-S2582 [11AP]

Cox, Mary: Experience Works (organization) Missouri Outstanding Older Worker of the Year award recipient, S10671 [17OC]

Crime: establish a national center on volunteer screening to reduce sexual and other types of abuse against children, the elderly, and the disabled (S. 1868), S10773-S10777 [17OC], S10877-S10879 [13NO]

———increase penalties relating to conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, and ERISA violations, S6545-S6551 [10JY]

———prevent and increase penalties for crimes such as health care, pension, and telemarketing fraud, and nursing home abuse and fraud (S. 2240), S3310-S3316 [24AP]

———promote elder justice (S. 2933), S8592 [13SE], S9899 [3OC]

Democratic Party: national agenda, S4555 [20MY]

Dept. of Agriculture: nutrition programs funding, S651 [12FE]

———Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program funding, S4020 [8MY]

Dept. of HHS: expand and intensify research programs concerning elder falls (S. 1922), S493 [7FE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: extend the period for provision of noninstitutional extended care services and required nursing home care (S. 2043), S2265 [21MR], S10797 [28OC]

Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act: make pension and individual retirement arrangement provisions permanent (H.R. 4931), S5966 [24JN], S5969 [25JN]

Food stamps: equalize asset eligibility rule for senior citizen and disabled recipients, S610, S612 [12FE]

Health: national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures, S423 [6FE]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (S. 2042), S2262-S2265 [21MR], S2321 [22MR]

Health care facilities: abuse and neglect in nursing homes, S10606 [17OC]

Jett, Richard H.: Experience Works (organization) Kentucky Outstanding Older Worker of the Year award recipient, S8670 [17SE]

Maggard, Robert P.: Experience Works (organization) Montana Outstanding Older Worker of the Year award recipient, S9110 [24SE]

Medicaid: increase Federal matching contributions to State programs, S164 [28JA], S204-S207, S216-S219 [29JA], S266 [4FE], S335 [5FE]

Medicare: area wage adjustments under the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facility services (S. 1955), S860-S862 [14FE]

———assure fair and adequate payment for high-risk beneficiaries and establish payment incentives for furnishing quality services to people with serious chronic conditions (S. 2970), S8927 [19SE]

———clarify definition of homebound relative to home health services (S. 2085), S2487 [10AP], S3835 [2MY]

———clarify definition of homebound relative to home health services (S. 2848), S7913 [1AU]

———consolidate and restate Federal laws relative to social health maintenance organization projects, make such projects permanent, and require a study on ways to expand such projects (S. 2782), S7311 [24JY]

———coverage of diabetes laboratory diagnostic tests and other diabetes screening services (S. 3086), S10224 [9OC]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs, S2383 [9AP], S2909 [18AP], S3550-S3552 [30AP], S3589-S3591, S3606, S3607 [1MY], S3793-S3795 [2MY], S4087, S4088 [9MY], S4192 [10MY], S4293 [14MY], S4345 [15MY], S4513 [17MY], S4742-S4744, S4824, S4833 [23MY], S4933 [4JN], S5024 [5JN], S5341 [11JN], S5465-S5468 [13JN], S6802, S6811 [15JY], S6814, S6816-S6818 [16JY], S6887, S6890-S6892, S6894, S6922-S6926 [17JY], S6969-S6971, S6976-S6992, S7019-S7026 [18JY], S7095-S7100 [19JY], S7134-S7158 [22JY], S7180-S7189, S7194-S7207, S7216 [23JY], S7244-S7246 [24JY], S7327, S7359, S7366 [25JY], S7423, S7424 [26JY], S7446, S7464 [29JY], S7505, S7514, S7535-S7551, S7565, S7614-S7616 [30JY], S7618-S7633, S7642, S7646, S7647, S7649-S7651 [31JY], S7840, S7849-S7851, S7853-S7858 [1AU], S10408, S10410 [15OC], S10532-S10546 [16OC], S10637, S10655 [17OC]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (S. 10), S4618 [21MY]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (S. 2625), S5585-S5597 [14JN], S5663 [18JN], S5792-S5794 [20JN], S6180-S6182 [27JN], S6600-S6603 [11JY]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (S. 2757), S7041 [18JY]

———eliminate the geographic physician work adjustment factor used to adjust payments under the physician fee schedule (S. 1953), S860-S862 [14FE]

———enhance access of beneficiaries who live in medically underserved areas to critical primary and preventive health care benefits and improve the Medicare+Choice program (S. 2067), S2326 [22MR]

———enhance beneficiary access to quality health care services (S. 3018), S9715-S9717, S9776 [1OC], S9779, S9840 [2OC], S10531-S10546 [16OC], S10610, S10655, S10661 [17OC], S10884 [13NO]

———enhance beneficiary access to quality health care services (S. 3018), unanimous-consent request, S9939, S9940 [4OC], S10531, S10532 [16OC]

———ensure the quality of, and access to, skilled nursing facility services (S. 2490), S4153 [9MY], S10659 [17OC]

———establish a demonstration project under which incentive payments are made in certain areas to improve access to primary care services (S. 2542), S4709 [22MY]

———establish a floor on area wage adjustment factors used under the prospective payment system for hospital services, S5116, S5117 [6JN]

———establish a program for the competitive acquisition of items and services (S. 3098), S10378 [10OC]

———establish demonstration programs to improve health care quality (S. 2752), S7035 [18JY]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure, S6856-S6858 [16JY], S7001-S7005, S7022-S7026 [18JY], S7093-S7100 [19JY], S7134-S7146, S7157 [22JY], S7180-S7189, S7194-S7207, S7210 [23JY], S7464 [29JY], S7514-S7516, S7543-S7547 [30JY], S7621, S7626, S7627 [31JY]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure (H.R. 4954), S5823 [20JN], S6594 [10JY], S6729 [15JY]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure (S. 2), S6811 [15JY], S6873 [16JY]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure (S. 2), unanimous-consent request, S10536 [16OC]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program and modernize and reform payments and the regulatory structure (S. 2729), S6873-S6875 [16JY]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug discount and security program, S6753 [15JY], S6924-S6926 [17JY], S7207-S7218 [23JY], S7249-S7263, S7282, S7283 [24JY]

———express importance of modernization, ensure solvency, and provide coverage options and prescription drug coverage (S. Res. 269), S4334 [14MY]

———extend authorization for appropriations for certain rural grants (S. 2135), S2727 [16AP]

———extend the Social Health Maintenance Organization Demonstration Project (S. 3043), S9907 [3OC]

———geographically adjust the amount of premiums based on the use of health care items and services in the State in which the beneficiary resides (S. 2605), S5286 [10JN]

———improve access to services in rural hospitals and critical access hospitals (S. 2615), S5458-S5460 [12JN]

———improve disproportionate share payments to hospitals serving vulnerable populations (S. 2854), S7917 [1AU]

———improve Medicare Incentive Payment Program (S. 2529), S4501-S4503 [16MY]

———improve reimbursement payments to physicians, S8370 [9SE]

———improve the provision of items and services to beneficiaries in rural areas (S. 2555), S4843 [23MY]

———improve the provision of items and services to beneficiaries in rural areas (S. 2568), S4862 [23MY], S5563-S5566 [14JN]

———improve the qualified beneficiary and special low-income beneficiary programs (S. 2855), S7918 [1AU]

———increase the payment amount for inpatient hospital services and freeze the reduction in payments to hospitals for indirect costs of medical education (S. 839), S3588, S3594 [1MY]

———provide adequate coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for certain transplant patients, S7366 [25JY]

———provide appropriate incentive payments for physicians' services furnished in underserved areas (S. 2914), S8386 [9SE]

———provide fair payments under the hospital outpatient department prospective payment system (S. 2547), S4716-S4720 [22MY]

———provide incentives to attract educators and clinical practitioners to underserved areas (S. 1954), S860-S862 [14FE]

———reduce geographic disparities in payment rates, S8246-S8249 [5SE]

———reform, S4781 [23MY]

———reward and expand the number of health care providers delivering high-quality cost-effective health care to beneficiaries (S. 1948), S856 [14FE]

———treatment of certain counties relative to reimbursement rates, S5187, S5188 [6JN], S6347-S6351 [8JY], S6568 [10JY]

Medicare/Medicaid: establish a national abusive and criminal background check system for patient care workers (S. 3091), S10363 [10OC]

———improve access to long-term care services (S. 2655), S5856 [20JN]

———improve advance directive requirements to ensure compliance with individual health care decisions (S. 2857), S7920-S7926 [1AU]

Milburn, Charles E.: Experience Works (organization) Montana Outstanding Older Worker of the Year award recipient, S9110 [24SE]

National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month: observance, S11309 [18NO]

National Assisted Living Week: observance, S8375 [9SE]

National Fraud Against Senior Citizens Awareness Week: designate (S. Res. 281), S5055 [5JN], S5200 [6JN], S6295 [27JN]

National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center: funding, S11710 [20NO]

Older Americans Act: anniversary of elderly nutrition programs (S. Res. 200), S48 [23JA]

———authorizing appropriations for supportive services to older individuals who reside in naturally occurring retirement communities (S. 2842), S7909 [1AU]

———funding, S4833 [23MY]

Older Americans Month: designate (S. Res. 259), S3638 [1MY]

———observance, S4618 [21MY], S4833 [23MY]

Pensions: establish grant program to provide financial and retirement education programs to reduce financial abuse and fraud among mid-life and older individuals (S. 2982), S8932 [19SE]

———improve the retirement security of families, S4246 [13MY], S4788 [23MY]

———reform, S5263 [10JN], S5970, S5971 [25JN]

President's Commission To Strengthen Social Security: oppose reductions in guaranteed Social Security benefits (S. Res. 230), S2289 [21MR]

Republican Party: national agenda, S3257 [24AP]

Schramm, Walter J.: Experience Works (organization) South Dakota Outstanding Older Worker of the Year award recipient, S8617 [13SE]

Senate: accomplishments, S7440 [26JY]

———legislative priorities, S10402 [15OC], S10613, S10637 [17OC]

Social Security: budget treatment of trust funds, S157 [28JA], S257, S259 [4FE], S312, S316 [5FE], S2907 [18AP], S2999 [22AP], S3460 [26AP], S4293 [14MY], S4364 [15MY], S5338 [11JN], S5393 [12JN], S6934-S6936 [17JY], S7866 [1AU], S8714 [18SE], S8892-S8894 [19SE], S9654 [1OC]

———deny benefits to fugitive felons and individuals fleeing prosecution (S. 2387), S3509 [29AP]

———eliminate the waiting period in the disability insurance program (S. 2942), S8677 [17SE]

———ensure solvency, S984-S986 [25FE], S3597 [1MY]

———modify attorney fee assessment system and extend attorney fee direct payment system to improve representation of disabled claimants (S. 2700), S6320 [28JN]

———provide additional safeguards for certain beneficiaries with representative payees (H.R. 4070), S11343-S11352 [18NO]

———provide miscellaneous enhancements in benefits for women (H.R. 4069), unanimous-consent request, S9703 [1OC]

———provide miscellaneous enhancements in benefits for women (S. 2533), S4537 [17MY]

———repeal Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions (S. 1523), S7572 [30JY]

———treatment under balanced budget constitutional amendment (S.J. Res. 2), S8668 [17SE]

SSI: clarify that the value of certain funeral and burial arrangements are not to be considered available resources (S. 3144), S10710 [17OC]

Taxation: adjust for inflation dollar amounts used to calculate credit for the elderly and permanently disabled (S. 2131), S2678 [15AP]

———allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums (S. 1022), S7464 [29JY]

———encourage retirement savings for individuals by providing a refundable credit for individuals to deposit in a Social Security Plus account (S. 2693), S6253-S6255 [27JN]

———provide certain credits to expand retirement savings for moderate and lower income workers (S. 2733), S6870 [16JY]

———repeal tax increase on Social Security benefits (S. 237), unanimous-consent request, S10620 [17OC]

———treatment of home-based service workers (S. 2129), S2678 [15AP]

———treatment of restoration of a historic hotel in Iowa and use for low-income housing, S3408 [25AP]

Transportation: improve transit service in rural areas, small urban areas, and for the elderly and disabled (S. 2884), S7950 [1AU]

———increase investments in rural areas (S. 3134), S10696 [17OC]

U.S. Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs for Seniors in the 21st Century: recommendations, S850 [14FE]

Voting: provide funding for protection and advocacy agencies to focus on voting access for persons with disabilities, S1143-S1149 [26FE], S1390 [1MR]

Women: provide comprehensive pension protection (S. 2707), S6320, S6321 [28JN]

Wyatt, Russell: Experience Works (organization) South Dakota Outstanding Older Worker of the Year award recipient, S8617 [13SE]

Reports filed

Citizen Service Act: Committee on Education and the Workforce (House) (H.R. 4854) (H. Rept. 107-521), H3774 [20JN]

Consideration of H. Res. 544, Complete Congressional Action on H.R. 4931, Retirement Savings Security Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 547) (H. Rept. 107-684), H6558 [24SE]

Consideration of H.R. 4931, Retirement Savings Security Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 451) (H. Rept. 107-522), H3774 [20JN]

Consideration of H.R. 4954, Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 465) (H. Rept. 107-553), H4068 [26JN]

Dept. of HHS Medicare Benefits Administration Establishment: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 4988) (H. Rept. 107-542), H4064, H4067 [26JN]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Extension of Period for Provision of Noninstitutional Extended Care Services and Required Nursing Home Care: Committee on Veterans Affairs (Senate) (S. 2043) (S. Rept. 107-231), S7898 [1AU]

Developments in Aging: Committee on Aging (Senate, Special) (S. Rept. 107-158), S4967 [4JN]

Improve the Provision of Items and Services to Medicare Beneficiaries in Rural Areas: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 4962) (H. Rept. 107-540), H4064, H4067 [26JN]

Improving Access to Long-Term Care Act: Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 4946) (H. Rept. 107-572), H4604 [15JY]

Medicare Coverage of Outpatient Prescription Drugs: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 4984) (H. Rept. 107-551), H4064, H4067 [26JN]

Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act: Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 4954) (H. Rept. 107-539), H4064, H4067 [26JN]

Medicare Payments Improvement for Physicians' Services and Other Outpatient Services: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 4986) (H. Rept. 107-549), H4064, H4067 [26JN]

Medicare+Choice Program Revitalization, Medicare+Choice Competition Program Establishment, and Hospitals and Other Providers Payment Improvement: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 4985) (H. Rept. 107-550), H4064, H4067 [26JN]

National Child Protection Improvement Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 1868), S4838 [23MY]

National Fraud Against Senior Citizens Awareness Week: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. Res. 281), S6249 [27JN]

Older Workers' Rights Restoration Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 928) (S. Rept. 107-142), S2675 [15AP]

Patient Safety Improvement Act: Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 4889) (H. Rept. 107-714), H6925 [1OC]

Relax Maximum Age Requirements for Certain Pilots: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 361) (S. Rept. 107-154), S4701 [22MY]

Same-Day Consideration of H. Res. 465, Consideration of H.R. 4954, Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 464) (H. Rept. 107-552), H4067 [26JN]

Statements

No Help for Retirees With Employer or Union Coverage From Graham, S7624 [31JY]

Social Security Benefit Enhancements for Women Act: John J. Sweeney, AFL-CIO, H2419 [14MY]

Summaries

Beneficiary Access to Care and Medicare Equity Act (S. 3018), S10663 [17OC]

Social Security Plus Account Act (S. 2693), S6255 [27JN]

Social Security Program Protection Act (H.R. 4070), S11344-S11351 [18NO]

Tables

Comparison of State Federal Medicaid assistance percentages and temporary health assistance under several economic stimulus proposals, S205 [29JA]

Cost to States of proposal to provide Medicare coverage of outpatient prescription drugs, S7623 [31JY]

Coverage gap in proposal to provide Medicare coverage of outpatient prescription drugs, S7623 [31JY]

Testimonies

Pension Reform: Betty R. Moss, E151-E153 [14FE]

———Karl V. Farmer, E155 [14FE]

Texts of

H. Res. 451, consideration of H.R. 4931, Retirement Savings Security Act, H3781 [21JN]

H. Res. 465, consideration of H.R. 4954, Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act, H4166 [27JN]

H. Res. 544, complete congressional action on H.R. 4931, Retirement Savings Security Act, H6678 [25SE]

H. Res. 547, consideration of H. Res. 540, H. Res. 543, and H. Res. 544, complete congressional action on H.R. 3762, Pension Security Act, H.R. 4931, Retirement Savings Security Act, and H.R. 4019, make marriage penalty relief permanent, H6660 [25SE]

H.R. 4069, Social Security Benefit Enhancements for Women Act, H2413 [14MY]

H.R. 4070, Social Security Program Protection Act, H3888-H3895 [25JN]

H.R. 4931, Retirement Savings Security Act, H3789 [21JN]

H.R. 4946, Improving Access to Long-Term Care Act, H5107-H5109 [23JY]

H.R. 4954, Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act, H4182, H4226-H4269 [27JN]

S. 1868, National Child Protection Improvement Act, S10773-S10776 [17OC]

S. 1922, Elder Fall Prevention Act, S493 [7FE]

S. 1962, Capital Construction Fund Qualified Withdrawal Act, S908 [15FE]

S. 2067, Medicare Safety Net Access Act, S2327 [22MR]

S. 2108, Senior Nutrition Act, S2581 [11AP]

S. 2129, tax treatment of home-based service workers, S2679 [15AP]

S. 2131, adjust for inflation dollar amounts used to calculate tax credit for the elderly and permanently disabled, S2679 [15AP]

S. 2240, Seniors Safety Act, S3311-S3315 [24AP]

S. 2387, deny Social Security benefits to fugitive felons and individuals fleeing prosecution, S3510 [29AP]

S. 2529, Medicare Incentive Payment Program Improvement Act, S4502 [16MY]

S. 2533, Social Security Benefit Enhancements for Women Act, S4537 [17MY]

S. 2547, Medicare Hospital Outpatient Department Fair Payment Act, S4717-S4719 [22MY]

S. 2568, MediFair Act, S4862 [23MY]

S. 2615, Rural Community Hospital Assistance Act, S5458-S5460 [12JN]

S. 2625, Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Act, S5587-S5597 [14JN]

S. 2655, A First Step to Long-Term Care Act, S5856 [20JN]

S. 2782, Seniors Health and Independence Preservation Act, S7312-S7314 [24JY]

S. 2842, Senior Self-Sufficiency Act, S7909 [1AU]

S. 2854, Medicare Safety Net Hospital Improvement Act, S7917 [1AU]

S. 2855, Medicare Beneficiary Assistance Improvement Act, S7919 [1AU]

S. 2857, Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act, S7921-S7924 [1AU]

S. 2914, Medicare Incentive Payment Program Refinement Act, S8387 [9SE]

S. 2942, Social Security Act Improvements for the Terminally Ill Act, S8677 [17SE]

S. 2982, Education for Retirement Security Act, S8933 [19SE]

S. 3091, Patient Abuse Prevention Act, S10363-S10367 [10OC]

S. 3134, Maximum Economic Growth for America Through Rural Transportation Investment (MEGA Rural) Act, S10697-S10699 [17OC]

S. 3139, Employee Pension Bankruptcy Protection Act, S10708 [17OC]

S. Res. 200, anniversary of Older Americans Act elderly nutrition programs, S34 [23JA]

S. Res. 230, oppose the reductions in guaranteed Social Security benefits proposed by President's Commission To Strengthen Social Security, S2288 [21MR]

S. Res. 256, minority party appointments to Committee on Aging (Senate, Special), S3573, S3576 [30AP]

S. Res. 259, Older Americans Month, S3638 [1MY]

S. Res. 269, express importance of Medicare modernization, ensure solvency, and provide coverage options and prescription drug coverage, S4334 [14MY]

S. Res. 281, National Fraud Against Senior Citizens Awareness Week, S5055 [5JN], S6295 [27JN]