HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS

Addresses

Improving Services for People With Developmental Disabilities Living in a Community Setting: Tonya Simmons, H10303 [4NO]

Amendments

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: congressional disapproval of rule revising payment policies under the Medicare physician fee schedule (H.J. Res. 3), S1162 [17JA]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: improve and enhance provision of long-term care for veterans and modify authorities relative to administration of personnel (S. 1156), S15123, S15132, S15192, S15198 [19NO]

Disabled: importance of recruiting and retaining direct support professionals to ensure the proper care of individuals with developmental disabilities (S. Con. Res. 21), S13060, S13062 [22OC]

Hazardous substances: provide assistance for poison prevention and stabilize funding of regional poison control centers (S. 686), S8316 [20JN]

Health: establish grants to improve nutrition, increase physical activity, and prevent obesity (S. 1172), S16094 [9DE]

———reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (H.R. 5), consideration (H. Res. 139), H1827 [13MR]

Medicare: reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), S8898 [7JY], H5912, H5929, H5930, H5939 [25JN], H6121 [26JN]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), consideration (H. Res. 299), H5963 [26JN]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), consideration of conference report (H. Res. 463), H12245 [21NO]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (S. 1), S7932 [16JN], S8020, S8089, S8105, S8111, S8161, S8162 [18JN], S8173, S8174, S8182, S8184, S8203, S8246, S8247, S8248, S8249, S8252, S8253, S8255 [19JN], S8273, S8278, S8283, S8284, S8285, S8286, S8288, S8290, S8291, S8308, S8309, S8310, S8311, S8312, S8313, S8314 [20JN], S8325, S8330, S8331, S8335, S8336, S8337, S8340, S8341, S8345, S8348, S8350, S8351, S8353, S8367, S8368, S8369, S8370, S8371, S8372, S8374, S8375, S8376 [23JN], S8387, S8390, S8396, S8400, S8404, S8405, S8410, S8415, S8416, S8418, S8421, S8422, S8423, S8424, S8446, S8447, S8448, S8449, S8450, S8451, S8457, S8459, S8460, S8461, S8463, S8464, S8470, S8472, S8473, S8474, S8475, S8476 [24JN], S8480, S8483, S8487, S8489, S8495, S8496, S8500, S8502, S8512, S8515, S8516, S8521, S8522, S8536, S8538, S8539, S8578, S8579, S8580, S8581, S8582, S8583, S8584, S8585, S8586, S8587, S8588, S8589, S8590, S8592, S8593, S8594 [25JN], S8608, S8610, S8612, S8617, S8621, S8624, S8625, S8630, S8632, S8633, S8636, S8639, S8644, S8654, S8655, S8666, S8675, S8679, S8680, S8681, S8682, S8683, S8684, S8685, S8766, S8767, S8768, S8769, S8773, S8775, S8776, S8777, S8778, S8779, S8780, S8781, S8782, S8795, S8796 [26JN], S8898 [7JY]

Public safety officers: ensure that officers who suffer a fatal heart attack or stroke while on duty shall be presumed to have died in the line of duty for purposes of survivor benefits (S. 459), S16052 [25NO], H12300 [21NO]

Appointments

Conferees: H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act, H6681 [14JY]

———H.R. 1, Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act, S8898 [7JY]

Articles and editorials

AARP Accused of Conflict of Interest, H12254 [21NO]

AARP Calls on Vermont Congressional Delegation To Vote for Medicare Rx Bill, S15694 [24NO]

Children's Suffering Wounds GI's—Toledo Soldier Wants To Help Injured Iraqi Children, H5385 [16JN]

Drug Plan a Placebo, H7234 [22JY]

Drugmakers Protect Their Turf—Medicare Bill Represents Success for Pharmaceutical Lobby, H12110 [21NO]

Few Spared as Insurance Rates Soar; Corporate, Household Budgets Feel Same Pain, S9018 [8JY]

Help Taiwan Fight SARS, S6698 [20MY]

Helping Hands—Marquette Program Puts Nurses on the Front Line of the War on HIV/AIDS in Kenya, E1628 [25JY]

Hobson's Medicare, S15536 [22NO], S15897 [25NO]

Hospitals Say They're Penalized by Medicare for Improving Care, S16139 [9DE]

Insurance Crisis Hits Hard on Prairie—Denied Coverage, Obstetrician for 3 Wyoming Counties Ends Practice, S3837 [18MR]

Insurers Scale Back Corporate Liability Policies, S9020 [8JY]

J.P. Morgan, Insurance Firms Settle Legal Dispute, S9019 [8JY]

Kaptur To Press Rumsfeld on Toledo GI's Reality Check, Iraqi Kids, Wounds Spark Policy Debate, H5385 [16JN]

Let's Keep Doctors in Business, S9078 [9JY]

Long Lines Mar Canada's Low-Cost Health Care, H1693 [11MR]

Medco Accused of Favoring Merck Drugs, S8615 [26JN]

Medicare Bill Would Enrich Companies, S15724 [24NO]

Medicare Debate Turns to Pricing of Drug Benefits, S15735 [24NO]

Medicare Drug Folly, S7971 [17JN]

Medicare Reform—Try Again, S15909 [25NO]

Neurosurgeon—Save Trauma Center, H1822 [13MR]

Patients in Florida Lining Up for All That Medicare Covers, H9178 [2OC]

Perverse VA Policy, S10039 [28JY]

Political Malpractice, S9071 [9JY]

Prescription Drug Benefit Imminent, H6087 [26JN]

Soaring Malpractice Insurance Squeezes Out Doctors, Clinics, S3836 [18MR]

Some Successful Models Ignored as Congress Works on Drug Bill, S11074 [4SE]

Struggling Seniors, Medicare Drug Plan's Proof Is in the Purse, S8658 [26JN]

Time To Switch Drugstores?, S12367 [2OC]

2002 Rate Survey Finds Malpractice Premiums Are Soaring, S9068 [9JY]

U.S. Is Joining Lawsuit That Says Medco Put Profits Before Patients, S8614 [26JN]

U.S. Joining Suit Against Medco, S8614 [26JN]

When Half a Loaf Isn't Nearly Enough, S15606 [23NO]

World-Renowned Miss. Doctor Killed in Car Crash, S4886 [7AP]

Wrong Prescription—Congress Considers Inadequate Bills, S8659 [26JN]

Bills and resolutions

AARP: decision to support Medicare reform legislation (see H. Res. 461), H11702 [20NO]

Abortion: prohibit Federal officials from paying any Federal funds to any individual or entity that performs partial-birth abortions (see H.R. 1545), H2586 [1AP]

———require parental notification and intervention for minors seeking an abortion (see H.R. 1489), H2471 [27MR]

American Dental Association: commend Give Kids a Smile program, emphasize need to improve access to dental care for children, and thank dentists for volunteering time to provide needed dental care (see S. Res. 182), S8439 [24JN]

———tribute to Give Kids a Smile program, emphasize need to improve access to dental care for children, and thank dentists for volunteering their time to help provide needed dental care (see H. Res. 136), H1746 [11MR]

American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT) (organization): tribute to Free Our People March and Rally (see H. Con. Res. 283), H8283 [16SE]

Armed Forces: allow members to sue the U.S. for damages for certain injuries caused by improper medical care (see H.R. 2128), H4204 [15MY]

———allow receipt of special pay by qualified dental officers while undergoing dental internship or residency training (see H.R. 2287), H4786 [2JN]

———establish a combat badge for helicopter medical evacuation ambulance (Medevac) pilots and crews (see S. 1487), S10140 [29JY] (see H.R. 2587), H5814 [24JN]

———expand reimbursement for travel expenses of covered beneficiaries for specialty care to cover specialized dental care (see S. 336), S2119 [10FE]

Budget: reduce deficit through elimination of funding for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, irrigation water subsidies, and production of Trident II missiles (see S. 49), S36 [7JA]

California: tribute to firefighters and other public servants who responded to the outbreak of wildfires in Southern California (see S. Res. 265), S14451 [11NO] (see H. Res. 425), H10237 [30OC]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: congressional disapproval of rule revising payment policies under the Medicare physician fee schedule (see H.J. Res. 3), H60 [7JA]

Children and youth: establish certain requirements relative to provision of services to minors by certain family planning projects (see H.R. 2444), H5364 [12JN]

Commission on Medical Malpractice Insurance: establish (see H.R. 1044), H1465 [27FE]

Contraceptives: establish a public education and awareness program relative to emergency contraception (see S. 896), S5342 [11AP] (see H.R. 1812), H3353 [11AP]

Courts: allow clinical social workers to perform psychiatric examinations on certain criminals (see S. 79), S37 [7JA]

Dept. of Agriculture: conduct a loan repayment program to encourage provision of veterinary services in shortage and emergency situations (see S. 1858), S14804 [12NO]

Dept. of Education: provide student loan forgiveness to graduates who enter into certain public service (see H.R. 1306), H1952 [18MR]

Dept. of HHS: award grants to associate degree schools of nursing and professional nursing organizations to improve nursing education (see H.R. 2053), H3973 [9MY]

———conduct study relative to aneurysms (see H.R. 815), H701 [13FE]

———establish Office of Health Care Competition to administer National Practitioner Data Bank and to collect and make public more information on medical malpractice insurance (see H.R. 447), H242 [29JA]

———provide grants to establish summer health career introductory programs for middle and high school students (see S. 1008), S5859 [7MY]

Dept. of Homeland Security: develop and implement the Responsive Emergency Alert and Dissemination of Information Call (READICall) System (see H.R. 2250), H4736 [22MY]

———establish clearly defined standards and guidelines for Federal, State, and local government emergency preparedness and response capability (see H.R. 3227), H9213 [2OC]

———make changes to the Office for State and Local Government Coordination (see S. 45), S36 [7JA]

———make grants to first responders (see H.R. 3266), H9375 [8OC]

———reimburse State, local, and Indian tribal governments for certain costs relating to the mobilization of Reserves who are first responder personnel of such governments or tribes (see S. 921), S5343 [11AP] (see H.R. 1803), H3352 [11AP]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: appoint chiropractors in the Veterans Health Administration (see H.R. 2414), H5174 [10JN]

———dispense medications for prescriptions written by private practitioners to veterans awaiting their first VA appointment for medical care (see S. 1112), S6978 [22MY] (see H.R. 2219), H4734 [22MY]

———dispense medications to veterans for prescriptions written by private practitioners (see H.R. 709), H391 [11FE] (see H.R. 998), H1462 [27FE] (see H.R. 2015), H3761 [7MY]

———dispense medications to veterans for prescriptions written by private practitioners when Dept. of Veterans Affairs physicians are unavailable (see H.R. 240), H134 [8JA]

———improve allocation of health care resources to different geographic regions in the U.S. (see S. 967), S5650 [1MY] (see H.R. 270), H135 (see H.R. 271), H136 [8JA] (see H.R. 890), H1332 [25FE]

———improve and enhance provision of long-term care for veterans and modify authorities relative to administration of personnel (see S. 1156), S7135 [23MY]

———improve patient care and working conditions at the Veterans Health Administration (see H.R. 1951), H3641 [5MY]

———pilot program to assess benefits of dispensing medications to veterans for prescriptions written by private practitioners (see H.R. 372), H170 [27JA]

———provide guaranteed adequate level of funding for veterans health care (see S. 50), S36 [7JA]

———recalculate retirement annuities for certain health care professionals performing part-time services (see H.R. 972), H1461 [27FE]

———recognize importance of addressing shortfalls in the number of Dept. health care professionals and reauthorize grant program to medical schools affiliated with the Dept. (see H.R. 2126), H4203 [15MY]

———restrict the performance of eye surgery at a facility, or under a contract with the Dept., to only licensed medical doctors and licensed doctors of osteopathy (see H.R. 3473), H10978 [6NO]

Disabled: importance of recruiting and retaining direct support professionals to ensure the proper care of individuals with developmental disabilities (see S. Con. Res. 21), S3730 [13MR] (see H. Con. Res. 94), H1902 [13MR]

Diseases: authorize appropriations for global initiative to combat polio (see H.R. 1892), H3570 [30AP]

———combat polio (see S. Res. 109), S4957 [8AP] (see S. Res. 266), S14804 [12NO] (see H. Res. 20), H60 [7JA]

———facilitate service of health care professionals in areas of the world that are severely affected by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria (see S. 1067), S6256 [14MY]

———improve data collection and dissemination between Federal and State registries to enhance the treatment and research of cancer (see S. 1899), S15287 [20NO]

———protect health of individuals receiving smallpox vaccine and provide compensation to and access to care for individuals sustaining injury as a result of smallpox vaccination (see H.R. 865), H704 [13FE]

———provide benefits for certain individuals sustaining injury as a result of smallpox vaccination (see H.R. 1413), H2310 [25MR] (see H.R. 1463), H2470 [27MR] (see H.R. 1770), H3351 [11AP]

Domestic violence: research health impact and prevention and provide training and Federal coverage for health care professionals to identify and treat families experiencing family violence (see H.R. 1267), H1900 [13MR]

Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry: recognize as the official national museum of dentistry (see S.J. Res. 12), S5343 [11AP] (see H.J. Res. 52), H3354 [11AP]

Drugs: establish an electronic system for practitioner monitoring of the dispensing of certain controlled substances (see H.R. 3015), H7949 [4SE]

———lift the patient limitation on prescribing drug addiction treatments by medical practitioners in group practices (see S. 1887), S15061 [18NO] (see H.R. 3634), H12309 [21NO]

Education: establish a psychology post-doctoral fellowship program specializing in underserved treatment areas (see S. 65), S36 [7JA]

———establish a student loan forgiveness program for nurses (see H.R. 501), H244 [29JA]

———expand loan forgiveness and loan cancellation programs for teachers and nurses (see H.R. 934), H1395 [26FE]

———make certain clinical psychology graduate programs eligible to participate in various health professions loan programs (see S. 74), S36 [7JA]

———make social work students and schools eligible for certain programs and grants, and establish a social work training program (see S. 77), S36 [7JA]

———revise and extend certain programs for physical and occupational therapy (see S. 61), S36 [7JA]

Emergency Malpractice Liability Insurance Commission: establish (see H.R. 446), H242 [29JA]

ERISA: exclude from preemption State causes of action to enforce determinations by group health plans based on medical necessity (see H.R. 596), H320 [5FE]

———exempt from preemption, under State tort actions to recover damages, any employee welfare benefit plan providing disability benefits that fails to provide timely benefits (see H.R. 1876), H3569 [30AP]

FDA: establish restrictions relative to the qualifications of physicians prescribing the abortion drug known as RU-486 (see H.R. 486), H243 [29JA]

———withdraw approved application for the drug known as RU-486 and review process by which the FDA approved such drug (see S. 1930), S15407 [21NO] (see H.R. 3453), H10977 [6NO]

Federal employees: authorize the use of clinical social workers to conduct evaluations to determine work-related emotional and mental illnesses (see S. 81), S37 [7JA] (see H.R. 1410), H2270 [20MR]

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: coverage of acupuncturist services (see H.R. 1477), H2471 [27MR]

FEMA: designate New Jersey Task Force 1 as part of the National Urban Search and Rescue System (see S. 232), S1736 [29JA] (see H.R. 452), H242 [29JA]

Flag—U.S.: ensure a flag is furnished to drape the casket of public safety officers killed in the line of duty (see H.R. 2710), H6603 [10JY]

———provide Capitol-flown flags to the families of deceased law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other rescue workers (see S. 534), S3163 [5MR] (see H.R. 527), H274 [4FE]

Hazardous substances: provide assistance for poison prevention and stabilize funding of regional poison control centers (see S. 686), S4275 [21MR] (see H.R. 1819), H3353 [11AP]

Health: allow long-term care tax credit and establish programs for patients with fatal chronic illnesses (see H.R. 2883), H7616 [24JY]

———amend legislation reauthorizing health centers program and National Health Service Corps and establishing Healthy Communities Access Program to coordinate services for uninsured and underinsured (see S. 1775), S13053 [22OC]

———application of antitrust laws to labor negotiations by groups of health care professionals with HMO's (see H.R. 1247), H1811 [12MR]

———clarify application of antitrust laws to negotiations between groups of health care professionals and health care insurance issuers (see H.R. 1120), H1679 [6MR]

———combat obesity (see H. Con. Res. 303), H9614 [16OC]

———ensure safety and accuracy of medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy treatments (see S. 1197), S7476 [5JN]

———establish a program to assist family caregivers in accessing affordable and high-quality respite care (see H.R. 1083), H1639 [5MR]

———establish grants to improve nutrition, increase physical activity, and prevent obesity (see S. 1172), S7234 [3JN]

———establish standards to improve children's health quality in managed care plans and other health plans (see S. 1710), S12448 [3OC]

———expand access to affordable health care, strengthen health care safety net, and make services more available in rural and underserved areas (see S. 100), S37 [7JA]

———expand applicability of laws preventing governmental discrimination against health care entities who refuse to perform or provide training in performing abortions (see S. 1397), S9328 [14JY] (see H.R. 3664), H12918 [8DE]

———improve health care quality by strengthening health information, information infrastructure, and use of health information by providers and patients (see S. 2003), S16120 [9DE]

———improve palliative and end-of-life care provided to children with life-threatening conditions (see S. 1629), S11648 [17SE] (see H.R. 3127), H8381 [17SE]

———improve patient safety and reduce incidence of medical errors (see S. 720), S4434 [26MR] (see H.R. 663), H389 [11FE]

———increase Federal investment in programs that provide health care services to uninsured and low-income individuals in medically underserved areas (see S. Res. 96), S4166 [20MR] (see H. Res. 142), H1902 [13MR]

———limit medical malpractice claims (see H.R. 321), H137 [8JA]

———permit an individual to be treated by a health care practitioner with any method of medical treatment such individual requests (see S. 1410), S9414 [15JY] (see H.R. 2085), H4129 [14MY]

———promote the development of health care cooperatives that will help businesses to pool the health care purchasing power of employers (see S. 39), S36 [7JA]

———protect consumers in managed care and other health coverage plans, provide parity for mental health coverage, reduce medical errors, and increase access to quality health care (see S. 10), S35 [7JA]

———protect patients' access to quality and affordable health care by reducing effects of excessive liability costs (see S. 11), S8725 [26JN]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (see S. 1945), S15812 [24NO] (see H.R. 597), H320 [5FE]

———provide compensation for injuries resulting from smallpox countermeasures (see S. 719), S4434 [26MR]

———provide compensation for injuries resulting from smallpox countermeasures, provide protection against chemical or radiological agents, increase distribution of vaccines, and improve vaccine injury compensation (see S. 15), S3504 [11MR]

———provide for availability of contact lens prescriptions (see H.R. 2221), H4734 [22MY] (see H.R. 3140), H8490 [23SE]

———provide individuals of health disparity populations prevention, detection, treatment, and follow-up care services for cancer and chronic diseases, and patient navigators to assist in receiving such services (see S. 453), S2839 [26FE] (see H.R. 918), H1394 [26FE]

———provide programs for stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation (see S. 1909), S15287 [20NO]

———provide State grants for developing trauma care systems (see S. 239), S1736 [29JA]

———reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (see S. 607), S3620 [12MR] (see H.R. 5), H317 [5FE]

———reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (H.R. 5), consideration (see H. Res. 139), H1810 [12MR]

———restore reliability to the medical justice system by fostering alternatives to medical tort litigation (see S. 1518), S10617 [31JY]

———strengthen programs for stroke education, prevention, and treatment (see H.R. 3658), H12918 [8DE]

———support Federal and State funded in-home care for the elderly (see H. Res. 54), H323 [5FE]

———technical amendments to legislation reauthorizing health centers program and National Health Service Corps and establishing Healthy Communities Access Program (see H.R. 3038), H8081 [9SE]

Health care facilities: assure availability of a non-emergency department physician in certain hospitals (see H.R. 2389), H5045 [5JN]

———establish a health information technology grant program for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (see S. 1729), S12533 [14OC] (see H.R. 3035), H8081 [9SE]

Health Workforce Advisory Commission: establish (see S. 1498), S10265 [30JY]

Higher Education Act: provide grants for homeland security scholarships (see S. 479), S2920 [27FE]

Immigration: admission requirements for nonimmigrant nurses (see H.R. 87), H54 [7JA]

Indian Health Care Improvement Act: revise and extend (see S. 556), S3252 [6MR]

Indian Health Service: require compensation of certain technical medical employees for time during which they are required to be on-call (see H.R. 2996), H7838 [3SE]

Insurance: coverage of certain reconstructive surgery (see H.R. 1499), H2472 [27MR]

———coverage of minimum hospital stays for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection relative to breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations (see S. 1730), S12533 [14OC]

———coverage of minimum hospital stays for mastectomies and lymph node removals relative to breast cancer (see S. 1684), S12192 [30SE] (see H.R. 1886), H3570 [30AP]

———coverage of minimum hospital stays for mastectomies and lymph node removals relative to breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations (see H.R. 1448), H2401 [26MR]

———modify antitrust exemption for medical malpractice insurance, address current health care provider issues, and reform medical malpractice litigation process and insurance market (see H.R. 1158), H1680 [6MR]

———provide immediate relief from increased medical malpractice insurance costs and deal with root causes of the current medical malpractice insurance crisis (see S. 1374), S9049 [8JY]

———reduce the cost of medical malpractice insurance to enhance patient access to medical care (see H.R. 1124), H1679 [6MR]

———reform the medical malpractice insurance business, limit frivolous lawsuits, and enhance patient access to medical care (see H.R. 1219), H1810 [12MR]

———reform the medical malpractice insurance business, provide Federal alternative medical malpractice insurance, and limit frivolous lawsuits (see H.R. 1116), H1678 [6MR]

———require group and individual health plans to provide coverage for second opinions (see H.R. 1319), H1953 [18MR]

———require health plans to provide direct access to services provided by obstetrician-gynecologists without a referral (see H.R. 1469), H2470 [27MR]

———stabilize medical malpractice premiums (see H.R. 485), H243 [29JA]

Medicaid: coverage of services provided by nursing school clinics (see S. 63), S36 [7JA]

———improve access to advanced practice nurses (see H.R. 2295), H4787 [2JN]

———include podiatrists as physicians for purposes of covering physicians services (see H.R. 2959), H7784 [25JY]

———provide the disabled and elderly with equal access to community-based attendant services (see S. 971), S5650 [1MY] (see H.R. 2032), H3856 [8MY]

———require criminal background checks on drivers providing medical assistance transportation services (see H.R. 364), H170 [27JA]

———require prorating of beneficiary contributions relative to partial coverage for nursing facility services during a month (see H.R. 2288), H4786 [2JN]

Medicare: allow applications for the preferred provider organization (PPO) demonstration project under the Medicare+Choice program (see H.R. 1743), H3302 [10AP]

———allow beneficiaries direct access to physical therapists without a physician referral (see S. 493), S2920 [27FE] (see H.R. 792), H700 [13FE]

———clarify scope of chiropractic services that may be furnished and that chiropractors are the only health care professionals qualified to furnish those services (see H.R. 2560), H5713 [23JN]

———combat waste, fraud, and abuse (see H.R. 18), H52 [7JA]

———conduct demonstration projects to improve health care and reduce costs and conduct a study on payment incentives and performance under the Medicare+Choice program (see S. 1257), S7831 [12JN]

———coverage for surgical first assisting services of certified registered nurse first assistants (see H.R. 1388), H2269 [20MR]

———coverage of acupuncturist services (see H.R. 1477), H2471 [27MR]

———coverage of medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries with cardiovascular diseases (see S. 632), S3803 [17MR] (see H.R. 1225), H1810 [12MR]

———deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices (see S. 1950), S15812 [24NO]

———eliminate discriminatory copayment rates for outpatient psychiatric services (see H.R. 2787), H7085 [17JY]

———eliminate geographic physician work adjustment factor, provide incentives to attract educators and clinical practitioners to underserved areas, and revise certain wage adjustments for skilled nursing facilities (see S. 36), S35 [7JA]

———eliminate privatization, improve prescription drug benefit, and repeal health savings accounts (see S. 1992), S16120 [9DE]

———eliminate reduction in payment rates under the prospective payment system for home health services and increase payments for such services in rural areas (see H.R. 319), H137 [8JA]

———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. 654), S3881 [18MR]

———establish demonstration programs to improve health care quality (see S. 1148), S7134 [23MY]

———establish incentives to health care providers for delivering high-quality, cost-effective health care to beneficiaries (see H.R. 2588), H5814 [24JN]

———establish minimum geographic cost-of-practice index value for physicians' services (see S. 375), S2340 [12FE] (see S. 881), S5174 [10AP] (see H.R. 33), H52 [7JA] (see H.R. 755), H462 [12FE]

———establish process for providers of services to petition for adjustments of the rate of payment based on inequities with providers in adjoining areas (see H.R. 3396), H10129 [29OC]

———establish uniform physician fee schedule payments (see S. 1135), S6978 [22MY]

———evaluate leading health care performance measures and options to implement policies that align performance with payment (see S. 1328), S8559 [25JN]

———exclude services of certain providers from coverage under the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system (see H.R. 2343), H4977 [4JN]

———expand and improve coverage of mental health services (see S. 646), S3881 [18MR] (see H.R. 1340), H1954 [18MR]

———expand coverage of paramedic intercept services (see H.R. 2008), H3761 [7MY]

———extend eligibility periods for geriatric graduate medical education, expand medical residency training programs in geriatric medicine, and provide reimbursement of care coordination and assessment services (see S. 387), S2456 [13FE]

———impose minimum nurse staffing in participating hospitals (see H.R. 3656), H12918 [8DE]

———improve access to diabetes self-management training by designated certified diabetes educators (see H.R. 3194), H8950 [25SE]

———improve geographic equity in the provision of items and services (see H.R. 2451), H5365 [12JN]

———improve Medicare Incentive Payment Program (see S. 379), S2341 [12FE]

———improve the provision of items and services to beneficiaries in rural areas (see H.R. 2624), H6262 [26JN] (see H.R. 2904), H7781 [25JY]

———increase amount of payment for physicians' services and provide regulatory relief and contracting flexibility (see H.R. 3584), H12307 [21NO]

———limit hospital ownership exception to physician self-referral restrictions to interests purchased on terms generally available to the public (see H.R. 1539), H2585 [1AP]

———pay ambulance suppliers the full costs of providing such services (see S. 171), S848 [15JA] (see H.R. 1301), H1908 [17MR]

———permanently increase payment rates for home health services in rural areas (see S. 636), S3804 [17MR] (see H.R. 500), H244 [29JA]

———prohibit health care providers from charging membership or extraneous fees as a prerequisite to service to a patient (see S. 345), S2187 [11FE] (see H.R. 2423), H5265 [11JN]

———promote access to health care services in rural areas (see H.R. 830), H702 [13FE] (see H.R. 2175), H4367 [20MY]

———protect patients by limiting the number of mandatory overtime hours a nurse may be required to work by certain service providers (see S. 373), S2340 [12FE] (see S. 991), S5725 [5MY] (see H.R. 745), H461 [12FE]

———provide access to audiologists (see S. 1647), S11912 [24SE] (see H.R. 2821), H7329 [22JY]

———provide eligibility for coverage of home health services on the basis of a need for occupational therapy (see H.R. 3090), H8283 [16SE]

———provide prescription drug coverage and make improvements in payment for rural providers (see H.R. 2606), H5928 [25JN]

———reduce work hours and increase supervision of resident-physicians to ensure the safety of both patients and resident-physicians (see S. 952), S5541 [30AP] (see H.R. 1228), H1810 [12MR]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (see S. 1), S7718 [11JN] (see H.R. 1), H5928 [25JN] (see H.R. 2473), H5407 [16JN]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), consideration (see H. Res. 299), H5928 [25JN]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), consideration of conference report (see H. Res. 463), H12306 [21NO]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), consideration of conference report (H. Res. 463)—same-day consideration (see H. Res. 459), H11700 [20NO]

———reform reimbursement rates for chemotherapy drugs and administration (see S. 1303), S8300 [20JN]

———reimbursement for certain midwife services (see H.R. 2980), H7784 [25JY]

———remove restrictions on clinical psychologists or social workers providing services in outpatient rehabilitation facilities (see S. 62), S36 [7JA]

———remove the sunset and numerical limitation on participation in Medicare+Choice medical savings account plans (see H.R. 617), H321 [5FE]

———require home health agencies to conduct criminal background checks for all applicants for employment as patient care providers (see H.R. 208), H59 [7JA] (see H.R. 1855), H3451 [29AP]

———specify the update for physician fee schedule payments (see H.R. 41), H53 [7JA]

———treatment of certain physician pathology services (see H.R. 1963), H3682 [6MY]

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: improve (see S. 1974), S15975 [25NO]

Medicare/Medicaid: establish a national abusive and criminal background check system for patient care workers (see S. 958), S5541 [30AP]

———reform Federal survey and certification process for nursing facilities (see H.R. 787), H700 [13FE]

———require certain staffing in nursing facilities (see S. 1988), S16119 [9DE] (see H.R. 3355), H9811 [21OC]

Mental health: increase number of well-trained mental health service professionals providing clinical mental health care to children and adolescents (see S. 1223), S7619 [10JN] (see H.R. 1359), H2131 [19MR]

———provide assistance to train teachers of children with autism spectrum disorders (see S. 1422), S9592 [17JY] (see H.R. 1700), H3052 [9AP]

National Academies of Practice: grant Federal charter (see S. 80), S37 [7JA]

National security: improve and coordinate emergency communications systems through use of wireless enhanced 911 (E911) services and support construction and operation of ubiquitous and reliable citizen activated system (see S. 1250), S7831 [12JN]

———improve Federal response efforts after a terrorist strike or other major disaster affecting homeland security (see H.R. 2878), H7616 [24JY]

———improve homeland security, public safety, and citizen activated emergency response capabilities through use of wireless enhanced 911 (E911) services (see H.R. 2898), H7781 [25JY]

National Visiting Nurse Association Week: designate (see S. Con. Res. 8), S2701 [25FE]

———establish (see H. Con. Res. 54), H1333 [25FE]

Native Americans: improve services and facilities of Federal Indian health programs and encourage maximum participation of Indians in such programs (see H.R. 2440), H5266 [11JN]

Nurses: promote careers in nursing and diversity in the nursing workforce (see H.R. 920), H1394 [26FE]

Pharmacists: implement an education loan repayment program for pharmacists (see S. 648), S3881 [18MR] (see H.R. 3591), H12307 [21NO]

Public Health Service Act: amend relative to the shortage of medical laboratory personnel (see H.R. 623), H321 [5FE]

Public safety officers: collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by States or local governments (see H.R. 814), H701 [13FE]

———ensure that officers who suffer a fatal heart attack or stroke while on duty shall be presumed to have died in the line of duty for purposes of survivor benefits (see S. 459), S2839 [26FE] (see H.R. 919), H1394 [26FE]

———include private firefighters and rescue squad and ambulance crew members for certain benefits (see H.R. 1475), H2471 [27MR]

———provide benefits to those who die or become disabled as a result of certain injuries (see H.R. 1960), H3682 [6MY]

Rural areas: establish demonstration programs to encourage physicians to practice in rural settings (see S. 1868), S14964 [17NO] (see H.R. 3512), H11391 (see H.R. 3512), H11514 [18NO]

———provide practitioners with training in preventive health care (see S. 75), S36 [7JA]

Safety Net Organizations and Patient Advisory Commission: establish (see S. 732), S4512 [27MR]

Senior citizens: prevent and increase penalties for crimes such as health care, pension, and telemarketing fraud, and nursing home abuse and fraud (see S. 1286), S8125 [18JN]

———provide greater health care freedom (see H.R. 2781), H7085 [17JY]

Social Security: credit prospectively individuals serving as caregivers of dependent relatives with deemed wages for up to five years of such service (see H.R. 473), H243 [29JA]

———improve patient safety (see H.R. 877), H1331 [25FE]

Taxation: allow credit for insurance costs against negative outcomes from surgery and malpractice of a physician (see H.R. 1249), H1811 [12MR]

———exclude benefits from income, employment taxes, and wage withholding property tax rebates, provided to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders (see S. 1512), S10617 [31JY] (see H.R. 1859), H3451 [29AP]

———exclude from gross income loan payments received under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (see S. 529), S3162 [5MR] (see H.R. 1522), H2514 [31MR]

———make the additional tax on early distributions from certain pension plans inapplicable for public safety employees (see S. 748), S4557 [31MR] (see H.R. 782), H700 [13FE]

———provide physicians and other health care professionals with a credit for qualified expenditures for medical professional malpractice insurance (see S. 1055), S6070 [13MY]

———treatment of medical malpractice liability insurance premiums (see H.R. 1178), H1743 [11MR]

Terrorism: establish a realistic, threat-based allocation of grant funds for first responders (see H.R. 2512), H5551 [18JN]

———improve building and fire codes and standards, strengthen the private security industry, and create a safer environment in commercial buildings and industrial facilities (see S. 216), S1479 [23JA]

———provide grants to enhance the ability of first responders to respond to incidents of terrorism, including incidents involving weapons of mass destruction (see S. 315), S1977 [5FE] (see S. 466), S2919 [27FE] (see S. 930), S5434 [28AP] (see S. Res. 34), S1736 [29JA] (see H.R. 105), H55 [7JA] (see H.R. 1389), H2269 [20MR] (see H. Res. 78), H705 [13FE]

———provide grants to enhance the ability of first responders to respond to incidents of terrorism, including incidents involving weapons of mass destruction and improve security of infrastructure (see H.R. 1449), H2401 [26MR]

U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps: anniversary (see S. Con. Res. 72), S12448 [3OC] (see H. Res. 313), H6348 [8JY]

U.S. Health Service: establish (see H.R. 3000), H7948 [4SE]

Veterans: health care funding (see H.R. 2318), H4976 [4JN] (see H.R. 2475), H5407 [16JN]

Veterans Health Administration: revise certain provisions relative to the appointment of professional psychologists (see S. 78), S37 [7JA]

Women: establish programs to increase awareness and knowledge of women and health care providers with respect to gynecologic cancers (see H.R. 3438), H10339 [4NO]

———reduce health care costs and promote improved health by providing supplemental grants for preventive health services (see H.R. 1470), H2470 [27MR]

———reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (see S. 1726), S12533 [14OC] (see H.R. 3350), H9738 [20OC]

Cloture motions

Health: protect patients' access to quality and affordable health care by reducing effects of excessive liability costs (S. 11), motion to proceed, S8894 [7JY], S9083 [9JY]

Medicare: reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), conference report, S15561 [22NO], S15698 [24NO]

Conference reports

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (H.R. 1), H11877-H12103 [20NO]

Excerpts

``Collapse of the Common Good,'' Philip Howard, S9063 [9JY]

Explanations

Changes in Conference Report on H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, Relative to Payment System for Cancer Drugs, S15887 [25NO]

Veterans Health Care, Capital Asset, and Business Improvement Act (S. 1156), S15127-S15131 [19NO], H12151-H12156 [21NO]

Letters

Clarify status of Medicare as a secondary payor: William E. Moschella, Dept. of Justice, S8276 [20JN]

Enhance the ability of first responders to respond to incidents of terrorism funding: Joseph Graham (Gray) Davis, Jr., Governor of California, S4096 [20MR]

E-911 Implementation Act: Vincent Stile, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, International, Inc., H10291 [4NO]

———Richard Taylor, National Emergency Number Association, H10291 [4NO]

———Steven K. Berry, Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, H10291 [4NO]

Equal access to community-based attendant services under Medicaid for the disabled and elderly: Lynne Cleveland and Leon Triest, The Arc and United Cerebal Palsy Public Policy Coalition, S8607 [26JN]

———Sam Leam and Patrick E. Rogers, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Oregon chapter, S8607 [26JN]

———William E. Moschella, Dept. of Justice, S8535 [25JN]

FDA withdrawal of approved application for the drug known as RU-486 and review approval process: Monty and Helen Patterson, S15474 [21NO]

First Responders Partnership Grant Act: Anthony L. Bossi, Rutland, VT, Police Dept., S1995 [5FE]

———Brett R. Van Noordt, Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police, S1995 [5FE]

———David E. Demag, Essex, VT, Police Dept., S1995 [5FE]

———Douglas S. Hoyt, Montpelier, VT, Police Dept., S1995 [5FE]

———James A. Finger, Vermont Ambulance Association, S1995 [5FE]

———Jeffery L. Whitesell, Winhall, VT, Police & Rescue Dept., S1996 [5FE]

———R.J. Elrick, Vermont Sheriffs' Association, S1995 [5FE]

———Steven Locke, Professional Firefighters of Vermont (organization), S1995 [5FE]

Guarantee option of Medicare provided prescription drug coverage for all beneficiaries: Barbara B. Kennelly, National Committee To Preserve Social Security and Medicare, S8091 [18JN]

Homeland security: Senator Harkin, S9883 [24JY]

Homeland security funding: Thomas J. Ridge, Sec. of Homeland Security, S4227, S4229 [21MR]

Impact of rising liability insurance costs on health care systems: Joseph Hildner, H1848 [13MR]

———W. Herman Sessions, H1848 [13MR]

Increase awareness of autism spectrum disorder, support programs for research, and improve treatment: James W. Coll, H3536-H3538 [30AP]

Indian Health Service clinical services funding: Friends of Indian Health (organization), S4148 [20MR]

———Julia Davis-Wheeler, National Indian Health Board, S4148 [20MR]

Lack of medical assistance for Iraqi people: David J. Borell, H5385 [16JN]

Louisiana public safety communications system: Mike Foster, Governor of Louisiana, S4773 [3AP]

———Terry C. Landry, Louisiana Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections, S4773 [3AP]

Medicare alternative payment system for preferred provider organizations in highly competitive regions: Robert A. Sunshine, CBO, S8612 [26JN]

Medicare beneficiaries exemption from paying monthly premiums during any gap in coverage of their prescription drug benefit: Barbara B. Kennelly, National Committee To Preserve Social Security and Medicare, S8276 [20JN]

Medicare beneficiary access to quality health care services in rural areas: President Bush, S6959 [22MY]

Medicare coverage of drug treatment therapy for HIV/AIDS patients: Tommy G. Thompson, Sec. of HHS, S15888 [25NO]

Medicare drug plans and organizations transfer of savings from drug manufacturers' rebate, discount, and incentive programs to local pharmacies and consumers: Barry F. Scher and John J. Fegan, Ahold USA, Inc., S8183 [19JN]

———John J. Motley III, Food Marketing Institute, S8183 [19JN]

———Joseph A. Piohler, Kroger Co., S8184 [19JN]

———Randy Hutton, Winn Dixie Stores, Inc., S8184 [19JN]

Medicare payments to rural health care providers and facilities: Kimberly A. Russel and Kirk Norris, Iowa Hospital Association, S15580 [22NO]

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: Edward G. Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania, H12252 [21NO]

———Gary Locke, Tom Vilsack and Bill Richardson, Democratic Governors' Association, S15636 [23NO]

———Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida, H12243 [21NO]

———John Yoo, S15752-S15755 [24NO]

———Republican Governors Association, H12243 [21NO]

———several Members of Congress, S15536 [22NO]

———several Representatives, H12109, H12184 [21NO]

———several Senators, S15536 [22NO], S15897 [25NO]

Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act: Representative Thomas, Committee on Ways and Means (House), H6086 [26JN]

———Representative Tom Davis, Committee on Government Reform (House), H6086 [26JN]

———Richard McGraw, H6088 [26JN]

Medicare prescription drug benefit coverage gap: William D. Novelli, AARP, S8387 [24JN]

Medicare reimbursement payments to physicians: Amy M. Lang and Daryl L. Figa, H9466 [15OC]

Medicare+Choice program: several Senators, S8526 [25JN]

Medication Errors Reduction Act: Ann Richardson Berkey, McKesson Corp., S12545 [14OC]

———Henri R. Manasse, Jr., American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, S12545 [14OC]

———Herb Kuhn, Premier, Inc., S12545 [14OC]

———several health care organizations, S12544 [14OC]

———Wayne NeSmith, Florida Hospital Association, S12545 [14OC]

Permanently increase Medicare payment rates for home health services in rural areas: several Senators, S8703 [26JN]

Pharmacy Education Aid Act: several pharmaceutical organizations and associations, S3896 [18MR]

Philadelphia, PA, costs for urban terrorism protection and preparedness: John F. Street, Mayor of Philadelphia, PA, S4789 [3AP]

Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act: Gail E. Shearer, Consumers Union, S8615 [26JN]

———George E. Pataki, Governor of New York, S8271 [20JN], S8856 [27JN]

Prohibit a health plan from contracting with a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) unless certain requirements are satisfied: Charles Bofferding, Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, S8616 [26JN]

———Charles M. Loveless, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, S8616 [26JN]

———Rod Shafer, Washington State Pharmacy Association, S8616 [26JN]

———Ronald F. Pollack, Families USA (organization), S8616 [26JN]

Recognize Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry as the official national museum of dentistry: T. Howard Jones and James B. Bramson, American Dental Association, S5386 [11AP]

Rural Equity Payment Index Reform Act: G. David Mason, American Physical Therapy Association, S5210 [10AP]

Senior Citizen's Freedom of Choice Act, E1515 [18JY]

Smallpox Emergency Personnel Protection Act: Andrew L. Stern, Service Employees International Union, H2484 [31MR]

———Barry Kasinitz, International Association of Fire Fighters, H2483 [31MR]

———Charles M. Loveless, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, H2484 [31MR]

———Charlotte Fraas, American Federation of Teachers, H2487 [31MR]

———Dennis Slocumb, International Union of Police Associations, H2487 [31MR]

———George C. Benjamin, American Public Health Association, H2487 [31MR]

———Rose Gonzalez, American Nurses Association, H2482 [31MR]

———W. Michael Scheld, Infectious Diseases Society of America, H2482 [31MR]

U.S. military field hospitals establishment in Iraq: Representative Kaptur, H5385 [16JN]

Lists

Massachusetts Fifth Congressional District residents killed in terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, E1779 [11SE]

Medical malpractice awards in California under California's Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act, S8883 [7JY]

New York First Congressional District residents killed in terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, H8196 [10SE]

Organizations opposed to H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act, S15038 [18NO]

Organizations supporting S. 387, Geriatric Care Act, S2464 [13FE]

Pharmaceutical industry contributions to political parties, H6455 [9JY]

Senate and House staff members who contributed to H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, S15914 [25NO]

Supporters of Mikulski amendment on providing tax credit for individuals serving as caregivers of dependent relatives to S. Con. Res. 23, setting forth the Federal budget for 2003-2013, S4066 [20MR]

Supporters of S. 1172, Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity (IMPACT) Act, S7246 [3JN]

Votes on point of order against Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act (2002), S15702 [24NO]

Motions

Health: protect patients' access to quality and affordable health care by reducing effects of excessive liability costs (S. 11), S8871 [7JY]

———reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (H.R. 5), H1866 [13MR]

Medicare: reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), H6181 [26JN], H6658 [14JY], H8063 [9SE], H8182 [10SE], H8257 [16SE], H8361 [17SE], H8467 [23SE], H8879, H8880 [24SE], H8925 [25SE], H8996 [30SE], H9062 [1OC], H9171, H9180 [2OC], H9252 [7OC], H9349 [8OC], H9708 [20OC], H9780 [21OC], H9967 [28OC], H10083 [29OC], H10314 [4NO], H10428, H10438 [5NO], H10528 [6NO], H11186 [17NO], H11395, H11493 [18NO], H11598 [19NO], H11845 [20NO]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), conference report, S15698 [24NO], H12294 [21NO]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), motion to instruct conferees, H10106 [29OC]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (S. 1), S8343 [23JN], S8402, S8403, S8404, S8409 [24JN], S8609, S8622, S8636 [26JN]

Petitions and memorials

International Association of Chiefs of Police: homeland security funding, E114 [29JA]

Poems

``Santa Filomena,'' Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, E278 [25FE]

Press releases

AARP Endorses Medicare Prescription Drug Bill: AARP, H11498 [18NO]

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (H.R. 1): Iowa Hospital Association, S15580 [22NO]

NRHA Supports ``Equal Pay for Equal Work'': National Rural Health Association, S5210 [10AP]

Vermont Physicians and Hospitals Strongly Support Passage of Medicare Reform Legislation: Vermont Medical Society, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, and Fletcher Allen Health Care, Inc., S15694 [24NO]

Questions and answers

Access to HIV/AIDS drugs under H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: Senator Feinstein and Tommy G. Thompson, Sec. of HHS, S15597 [23NO]

Remarks in House

AARP: alleged conflict of interest relative to endorsement of Medicare reform and prescription drug coverage, H11494-H11496, H11498 [18NO], H11520 [19NO], H12253 [21NO]

———decision to support Medicare reform legislation, H11635, H11638 [19NO]

Abortion: prohibit Federal officials from paying any Federal funds to any individual or entity that performs partial-birth abortions (H.R. 1545), E632 [1AP]

Armed Forces: allow receipt of special pay by qualified dental officers while undergoing dental internship or residency training (H.R. 2287), E1101 [2JN]

Berg, Mary J.: Colorado Rural Health Center Rural Healthcare Excellence Award recipient, E1758 [10SE]

Brody, William R.: Stanford Medical Alumni Association J.E. Wallace Sterling Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, E824 [1MY]

California: tribute to firefighters and other public servants who responded to the outbreak of wildfires in Southern California (H. Res. 425), H10377-H10384 [5NO], E2214 [4NO], E2555 [15DE]

Case Western Reserve University: tribute to Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing alumni, E1230 [11JN]

Chicago, IL: tribute to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, H123 [8JA]

City of Hope Hospital and Beckman Institute of Research: tribute to Sarah and Rubin Herman Chapter, E299 [27FE]

Cookeville, TN: Upper Cumberland Cardiology Consultants recipient of the Consortium for Southeastern Hypertension Control Cardiovascular Center of Excellence accreditation, E2218 [4NO]

Cross, David D.: Central Valley Coalition of Nursing Organizations RN of the Year Award for Clinical Practice recipient, E933 [13MY]

Cruden, Carol: Bayonne, NJ, Ireland 32 (organization) honoree, E102 [29JA]

Cuba: call for release of political prisoners, E2160 [30OC]

Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians Inc.: anniversary, E1707 [5SE]

Dept. of Education: provide student loan forgiveness to graduates who enter into certain public service (H.R. 1306), E487 [18MR]

Dept. of HHS: award grants to associate degree schools of nursing and professional nursing organizations to improve nursing education (H.R. 2053), E917 [9MY]

———community health centers funding, H6535, H6536 [10JY]

Dept. of Homeland Security: allow a percentage of funds to be paid directly to localities and citizens groups without being first allocated to State government agencies, H5782, H5783 [24JN]

———develop and implement the Responsive Emergency Alert and Dissemination of Information Call (READICall) System (H.R. 2250), E1069 [23MY]

———first responders funding, H8795-H8802 [24SE]

———first responders funding through reductions in Transportation Security Administration funding, H5761, H5762 [24JN]

———Office of Domestic Preparedness funding through reductions in Andean Counterdrug Initiative funding, H2764-H2769 [3AP]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: appoint chiropractors in the Veterans Health Administration, H7187-H7189 [21JY]

———appoint chiropractors in the Veterans Health Administration (H.R. 2414), E1208 [11JN]

———dispense medications to veterans for prescriptions written by private practitioners (H.R. 2015), E888 [7MY]

———dispense medications to veterans for prescriptions written by private practitioners (H.R. 998), E322 [27FE]

———improve allocation of health care resources to different geographic regions in the U.S. (H.R. 890), H7188 [21JY]

———improve and enhance provision of long-term care for veterans and modify authorities relative to administration of personnel (S. 1156), H12137-H12157 [21NO], E1253 [13JN]

———limit amount of time veterans must wait to get a doctor's appointment at veterans clinics, H7693, H7694 [25JY]

———negotiated prices for prescription drugs, H11499 [18NO]

Disabled: importance of recruiting and retaining direct support professionals to ensure the proper care of individuals with developmental disabilities (H. Con. Res. 94), H10301-H10304 [4NO]

Diseases: outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), E717 [10AP], E973, E985 [15MY], E992 [19MY]

———protect health of individuals receiving smallpox vaccine and provide compensation to and access to care for individuals sustaining injury as a result of smallpox vaccination (H.R. 865), E267, E268 [13FE]

———provide benefits for certain individuals sustaining injury as a result of smallpox vaccination (H.R. 1413), H2300 [25MR]

———provide benefits for certain individuals sustaining injury as a result of smallpox vaccination (H.R. 1463), H2476, H2478-H2494 [31MR], E638 [1AP], E677 [3AP]

———provide benefits for certain individuals sustaining injury as a result of smallpox vaccination (H.R. 1770), H3339, H3340 [11AP], E795 [29AP]

———provide benefits for certain individuals sustaining injury as a result of smallpox vaccination (H.R. 1770), corrections in engrossment, H3343 [11AP]

Donated Dental Services (organization): tribute, E299 [27FE]

Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry: recognize as the official national museum of dentistry (H.J. Res. 52), H9238-H9241 [7OC], E770 [12AP]

Drugs: establish an electronic system for practitioner monitoring of the dispensing of certain controlled substances (H.R. 3015), E1823 [17SE]

Education: expand loan forgiveness and loan cancellation programs for teachers and nurses (H.R. 934), E870 [6MY]

Emergency Medical Services Week: observance, H4372 [21MY]

Fairfax County, VA: Fairfax County Healthy Families Program recipient of National Association of Counties Counties Care for Kids Award, E700 [8AP]

Feldman, Joel J.: ROFEH International (nonprofit organization) and New England Chassidic Center honoree, E1921 [30SE]

Foreign aid: provide sufficient health care personnel and medical supplies to Iraq, H5383 [16JN], H5453 [17JN]

———tribute to Rescue Task Force Program, H430 [12FE]

Garcia, Jose: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Health Leadership Award recipient, E1192 [10JN]

Georgetown University: anniversary of School of Nursing & Health Studies, E1959 [2OC]

Georgia: tribute to Medical College of Georgia and Fort Gordon, GA, for disaster emergency response training, H9134 [2OC]

Gusha, John: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Health Leadership Award recipient, E1191 [10JN]

Harmon, David: Illinois Family Physician of the Year award recipient, E1197 [11JN]

Hazardous substances: provide assistance for poison prevention and stabilize funding of regional poison control centers (S. 686), H11574-H11577 [19NO], E2446 [23NO]

Health: allow long-term care tax credit and establish programs for patients with fatal chronic illnesses (H.R. 2883), E1604 [25JY]

———application of antitrust laws to labor negotiations by groups of health care professionals with HMO's (H.R. 1247), H1859 [13MR], E436 [12MR]

———clarify application of antitrust laws to negotiations between groups of health care professionals and health care insurance issuers (H.R. 1120), E395 [7MR]

———establish a program to assist family caregivers in accessing affordable and high-quality respite care (H.R. 1083), E384 [6MR], E2338 [19NO], E2373 [21NO]

———improve patient safety and reduce incidence of medical errors (H.R. 663), H1766-H1774 [12MR]

———increase Federal investment in programs that provide health care services to uninsured and low-income individuals in medically underserved areas (H. Res. 142), E464 [13MR]

———protect patients' access to quality and affordable health care by reducing effects of excessive liability costs (S. 11), H6352 [9JY]

———provide for availability of contact lens prescriptions (H.R. 3140), H11561-H11565 [19NO], E2434 [23NO]

———provide individuals of health disparity populations prevention, detection, treatment, and follow-up care services for cancer and chronic diseases, and patient navigators to assist in receiving such services (H.R. 918), E308 [27FE]

———reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (H.R. 5), H1492 [4MR], H1752, H1753, H1754, H1755, H1781, H1783-H1796 [12MR], H1817, H1829-H1871, H1879 [13MR], H6468, H6588 [10JY], H8063 [9SE], H8289 [17SE], H9716 [20OC], H9976 [28OC], H11496 [18NO], E434 [12MR], E479, E481 [17MR], E489 [18MR], E513 [19MR], E578 [26MR]

———reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (H.R. 5), consideration (H. Res. 139), H1817-H1829 [13MR]

———reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (H.R. 5), motion to recommit, H1869 [13MR]

———State Children's Health Insurance Program funding, H8999 [30SE]

———support Federal and State funded in-home care for the elderly (H. Res. 54), E129 [5FE]

———technical amendments to legislation reauthorizing health centers program and National Health Service Corps and establishing Healthy Communities Access Program (H.R. 3038), H9049-H9051 [1OC], E1971 [2OC]

———tribute to CRUSADE cardiovascular care study program, E2052 [15OC]

Heath, Alfred O.: Virgin Islanders for Responsible Government (organization) Alexander A. Farrelly Public Service Award recipient, E1206 [11JN]

Heetebry, Irene: Central Valley Coalition of Nursing Organizations RN of the Year Award for Advanced Practice recipient, E932 [13MY]

Hernando, FL: tribute to Woodland Terrace of Citrus County nursing home nurses, E893 [9MY]

Hughes, Tonda: Chicago, IL, Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame inductee, E2061 [16OC]

Individuals With Disabilities Education Act: require students be diagnosed by physicians or persons certified by a State health board to determine eligibility for benefits, H3519, H3520 [30AP]

———train school safety personnel and first responders to recognize autism spectrum disorders, H3528, H3529 [30AP]

Insurance: coverage of minimum hospital stays for mastectomies and lymph node removals relative to breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations (H.R. 1448), E582 [26MR]

———modify antitrust exemption for medical malpractice insurance, address current health care provider issues, and reform medical malpractice litigation process and insurance market (H.R. 1158), E406 [7MR]

———reduce doctors liability insurance premiums relative to capping damages on patients pain and suffering awards, H1852 [13MR]

———reduce the cost of medical malpractice insurance to enhance patient access to medical care (H.R. 1124), E578 [26MR]

———reform the medical malpractice insurance business, limit frivolous lawsuits, and enhance patient access to medical care, H1754 [12MR]

———reform the medical malpractice insurance business, limit frivolous lawsuits, and enhance patient access to medical care (H.R. 1219), H1857 [13MR]

———reform the medical malpractice insurance business, provide Federal alternative medical malpractice insurance, and limit frivolous lawsuits (H.R. 1116), E392 [7MR]

———require group and individual health plans to provide coverage for second opinions (H.R. 1319), E504 [18MR]

———require health plans to provide direct access to services provided by obstetrician-gynecologists without a referral (H.R. 1469), E608 [27MR]

———stabilize medical malpractice premiums, H1621 [5MR]

———stabilize medical malpractice premiums (H.R. 485), H1783 [12MR]

Kajikuri, Hisashi: Monterey County, CA, Physician of the Year award recipient, E68 [27JA]

Kaufman, Francine Ratner: American Diabetes Association Women of Valor Award recipient, E95 [29JA]

Koral, Kurt: Connecticut Dental Association Distinguished Service Award recipient, E911 [9MY]

Korean American Medical Association of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, Inc.: anniversary, E2379 [21NO]

Leggiero, Michael: Hudson County, NJ, United Way Louis T. Scialli Memorial Award recipient, E1897 [25SE]

March AFB, CA: tribute to organizations for efforts on behalf of members deployed to Iraq, E594 [27MR]

Marquette University: tribute to College of Nursing efforts to train African health care workers in HIV/AIDS prevention, E1628 [25JY]

Medic Rescue (ambulance company): anniversary, E1688 [4SE]

Medicare: allow beneficiaries direct access to physical therapists without a physician referral (H.R. 792), E255 [13FE]

———combat waste, fraud, and abuse (H.R. 18), H25 [7JA]

———coverage of medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries with cardiovascular diseases (H.R. 1225), E443 [12MR]

———eliminate discriminatory copayment rates for outpatient psychiatric services (H.R. 2787), E1519 [18JY]

———eliminate reduction in payment rates under the prospective payment system for home health services and increase payments for such services in rural areas, H232 [29JA], H309-H311 [5FE]

———enhance beneficiary access to quality health care services in rural areas, H5807 [24JN], H9062-H9067 [1OC]

———establish minimum geographic cost-of-practice index value for physicians' services (H.R. 33), E1309 [20JN]

———expand and improve coverage of mental health services (H.R. 1340), E506 [18MR]

———improve reimbursement payments to physicians, H9258 [7OC], H9466 [15OC], H11198 [17NO], H11493-H11500 [18NO], H11598-H11605, H11637, H11639 [19NO], H11845-H11853 [20NO]

———increase payments to rural health care providers and facilities, H11870-H11872 [20NO], H12241 [21NO], E1956 [2OC]

———limit hospital ownership exception to physician self-referral restrictions to interests purchased on terms generally available to the public (H.R. 1539), E634, E635 [1AP]

———prohibit implementation of premium support system which would require competition with private insurance carriers in delivering basic services, H10106-H10112 [29OC], H10528-H10534 [6NO]

———promote access to health care services in rural areas (H.R. 2175), E1011 [21MY]

———protect patients by limiting the number of mandatory overtime hours a nurse may be required to work by certain service providers (H.R. 745), E207 [13FE]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage, H10347 [5NO]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), H5820, H5821, H5822, H5903-H5922 [25JN], H5942, H5943, H6007-H6104, H6107-H6256 [26JN], H6273, H6304-H6309 [8JY], H6438, H6448-H6455 [9JY], H6585 [10JY], H6658, H6685, H6700 [14JY], H7200 [21JY], H7234 [22JY], H7335 [23JY], H7792, H7812, H7813 [3SE], H8021 [9SE], H8262 [16SE], H9001 [30SE], H9219 [7OC], H9354 [8OC], H9488 [16OC], H9972 [28OC], H10159, H10160 [30OC], H10316, H10318 [4NO], H10347 [5NO], H11122 [7NO], H11191-H11199 [17NO], H11365, H11367, H11368, H11504, H11509-H11512 [18NO], H11518-H11520, H11629, H11634-H11647 [19NO], H11658, H11659, H11660, H11661, H11856-H11858, H11860, H11862, H11868-H11874 [20NO], E1411, E1415, E1416, E1419, E1422 [8JY], E1489, E1490 [15JY], E1642 [25JY], E1800 [16SE], E1956 [2OC]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), conference report, H11362 [18NO], H12106, H12107, H12108-H12113, H12184, H12185, H12247-H12297 [21NO], H12750, H12752, H12761, H12846-H12854, H12879, H12883, H12901-H12908 [8DE], E2455 [25NO], E2474 [8DE]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), conference report—unanimous-consent agreement, H12239 [21NO]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), consideration (H. Res. 299), H5948, H5949, H5952-H5973 [26JN]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), consideration of conference report (H. Res. 463), H12230-H12246 [21NO]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), consideration of conference report (H. Res. 463)—same-day consideration (H. Res. 459), H12174-H12181 [21NO]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), motion to instruct conferees, H6658-H6666 [14JY], H8182-H8189 [10SE], H8361-H8365 [17SE], H8879, H8880-H8887 [24SE], H8925-H8930 [25SE], H9062-H9067 [1OC], H9171-H9187 [2OC], H9349-H9354 [8OC], H9780-H9784 [21OC], H10106-H10112 [29OC], H10438-H10443 [5NO], H10528-H10534 [6NO], H11493-H11500 [18NO], H11598-H11605 [19NO], H11845-H11853 [20NO], E1907 [25SE], E1968 [2OC], E2013 [8OC], E2250 [6NO]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), motion to recommit, H6254, H6255 [26JN]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 2473), H5386-H5388, H5392-H5405 [16JN], H5415, H5417, H5446, H5449-H5451, H5453 [17JN], H5473, H5474, H5542-H5549 [18JN], H5553, H5555, H5639-H5642 [19JN], H5688, H5690-H5701 [23JN], H5717, H5718, H5719, H5720, H5796, H5799-H5808 [24JN], E1671 [3SE]

———reimbursement for certain midwife services (H.R. 2980), E1634 [25JY]

———remove the sunset and numerical limitation on participation in Medicare+Choice medical savings account plans (H.R. 617), E153 [6FE]

———treatment of women, H5904, H5909, H5911 [25JN], H5954-H5956, H5959, H5961, H5962, H6109 [26JN]

Mental health: increase awareness of autism spectrum disorder, support programs for research, and improve treatment, H1876 [13MR], H1925 [18MR], H3535 [30AP], H3997 [13MY], H4220 [19MY], H5383 [16JN], E54-E56 [8JA]

———increase number of well-trained mental health service professionals providing clinical mental health care to children and adolescents (H.R. 1359), E521 [19MR]

Miami, FL: tribute to Mercy Hospital, H6468 [10JY]

Mitchem, Kenneth E.: Stanislaus Medical Society John Darroch Memorial Award recipient, E1111 [3JN]

Montrose, CO: tribute to Army National Guard 109th Medical Battalion, E411 [7MR]

Napa, CA: tribute to Napa City Fire Dept., Paramedic Program, E1903 [25SE]

National Nurses Week: observance, E870 [6MY], E893 [9MY]

National School Nurse Day: observance, E903 [9MY]

National security: homeland security funding, H2105, H2106 [19MR], H2150, H2151, H2152 [20MR], H2446 [27MR], H2672 [2AP], H2708, H2710-H2718, H2731, H2738-H2743 [3AP], H2916 [8AP], H3410 [29AP], E114 [29JA], E737 [11AP]

———improve Federal response efforts after a terrorist strike or other major disaster affecting homeland security (H.R. 2878), E1603 [25JY]

———improve homeland security, public safety, and citizen activated emergency response capabilities through use of wireless enhanced 911 (E911) services (H.R. 2898), H10288-H10293 [4NO]

National Visiting Nurse Association Week: establish (H. Con. Res. 54), H1481-H1484 [4MR], E276, E278 [25FE], E381 [6MR]

Native Americans: improve services and facilities of Federal Indian health programs and encourage maximum participation of Indians in such programs (H.R. 2440), E1215 [11JN]

New Jersey: impact of Medicare legislation on Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged & Disabled (PAAD) program, H12262 [21NO]

New York, NY: health screening and evaluation funding for emergency workers who responded to terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, E88 [28JA]

North Georgia College & State University: tribute to Graduate Program in Physical Therapy community outreach program for providing equipment and services to senior citizens in rural areas, E1089 [2JN]

Nurse Reinvestment Act: funding, H6522 [10JY]

Ogle, Tara: American Ambulance Association Stars of Life Award recipient, H3648 [6MY]

Oncology Nursing Month: observance, E860 [1MY], E1051 [22MY]

Oncology Nursing Society: tribute, E1760 [10SE]

PacifiCare Health Systems: anniversary, E1212 [11JN]

Pennsylvania State Nurses Association: anniversary, E2043 [15OC]

Pharmacists: implement an education loan repayment program for pharmacists (H.R. 3591), E2418 [22NO]

Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.: tribute to leaders of the Eastern Region Executive Committee, E555 [24MR]

Public Health Service Act: amend relative to health professions programs regarding the field of nursing, H1374 [26FE]

Public safety officers: ensure that officers who suffer a fatal heart attack or stroke while on duty shall be presumed to have died in the line of duty for purposes of survivor benefits (H.R. 919), H1522 [5MR], H4022 [14MY], H8065 [9SE], H9110 [1OC], E309 [27FE]

———ensure that officers who suffer a fatal heart attack or stroke while on duty shall be presumed to have died in the line of duty for purposes of survivor benefits (S. 459), H12299 [21NO]

Ramsey, NJ: Knights of Columbus Shield Award recipients, E1087 [2JN]

Rancho Cucamonga, CA: tribute to firefighters and other public servants who responded to the outbreak of wildfires in Southern California, E2257 [6NO]

Rural areas: promote and improve access to health care services, H179 [28JA]

Schiavo, Terri: legal dispute over removal of feeding tubes, H9741, H9743, H9788 [21OC]

Seattle, WA: tribute to American Medical Women's Association and NIH National Library of Medicine Local Legends project nominees, E2336 [19NO]

Senior citizens: provide greater health care freedom (H.R. 2781), E1515 [18JY]

Shamsi, Edmund I.: ROFEH International (nonprofit organization) and New England Chassidic Center honoree, E1921 [30SE]

Slaven-Emond, AliceMarie: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Health Leadership Award recipient, E1192 [10JN]

SSM Health Care (nonprofit organization): Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient, E1123 [4JN], E1420 [8JY], E2040 [15OC]

Stanford University: tribute to Youth Conference on Asian and Pacific Islanders' Health, E2184 [31OC]

Stanphill, Jerry A.: GEICO Public Service Award for Physical Rehabilitation, E688 [7AP]

Stark, Brenda: Central Valley Coalition of Nursing Organizations RN of the Year Award for Outstanding Education recipient, E931 [13MY]

Suffolk County, NY: tribute to school psychologists, E2289 [10NO]

Taxation: allow credit for insurance costs against negative outcomes from surgery and malpractice of a physician (H.R. 1249), H1859 [13MR], E437 [12MR]

Terrorism: enhance the ability of first responders to respond to incidents of terrorism, H2672, H2676, H2680 [2AP], H2779 [3AP], H2869 [8AP], H5770 [24JN]

———establish a realistic, threat-based allocation of grant funds for first responders, H5749, H5750 [24JN]

———provide grants to enhance the ability of first responders to respond to incidents of terrorism, including incidents involving weapons of mass destruction, H173, H181-H190 [28JA], E106 [29JA]

Tobin, Amy R.: Central Valley Coalition of Nursing Organizations RN of the Year Award for Outstanding Administration recipient, E931 [13MY]

University of Michigan: tribute to Survival Flight program, E1190 [10JN]

Urban areas: terrorism protection and preparedness funding, H5765-H5769, H5774 [24JN]

Veterans: disability benefits, H10982, H10987, H10989, H11122 [7NO]

———health care funding, H4852 [3JN], H5179 [11JN], H5355 [12JN], H5391 [16JN], H7630-H7637, H7663-H7668, H7684, H7685, H7687, H7688, H7691, H7707, H7708 [25JY], H9471, H9473, H9475 [15OC], H9518 [16OC], H9770-H9775 [21OC], H10224, H10229 [30OC], H10315, H10322 [4NO], H10444 [5NO], H10460, H10535-H10537, H10545 [6NO], H11201 [17NO], E1726 [5SE], E1753 [10SE], E2200 [31OC], E2279 [7NO], E2289 [10NO]

———health care funding (H.R. 2318), H7208-H7213 [21JY], H12831, H12837 [8DE], E1131 [4JN]

———health care funding (H.R. 2475), E1266 [16JN]

Warden, Gail L.: City Year, Inc., Lifetime of Idealism award recipient, E1309 [20JN]

Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar: opening, E2492 [8DE]

West Warwick, RI: tribute to victims of nightclub fire, H1298 [25FE]

Women: establish programs to increase awareness and knowledge of women and health care providers with respect to gynecologic cancers (H.R. 3438), E2219 [4NO]

———reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (H.R. 3350), E2098 [20OC]

Remarks in Senate

AARP: alleged conflict of interest relative to endorsement of Medicare reform and prescription drug coverage, S15585 [22NO], S15729 [24NO]

American Dental Association: commend Give Kids a Smile program, emphasize need to improve access to dental care for children, and thank dentists for volunteering time to provide needed dental care (S. Res. 182), S8445 [24JN]

American Heart Association: tribute to Greater Midwest Affiliate, S9046 [8JY]

Armed Forces: establish a combat badge for helicopter medical evacuation ambulance (Medevac) pilots and crews (S. 1487), S10152 [29JY]

———expand reimbursement for travel expenses of covered beneficiaries for specialty care to cover specialized dental care (S. 336), S2121 [10FE]

Army: procurement of hemorrhage control bandages, S5392 [11AP]

Bishop, F. Marian: American Academy of Family Physicians John G. Walsh Award recipient, S1865 [4FE]

Budget: reduce deficit through elimination of funding for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, irrigation water subsidies, and production of Trident II missiles (S. 49), S51-S53 [7JA]

———reduce level of tax cuts and apply savings to enhance the ability of first responders to respond to incidents of terrorism and to deficit reduction, S4349 [25MR]

California: tribute to firefighters and other public servants who responded to the outbreak of wildfires in Southern California (S. Res. 265), S14461 [11NO]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: HIV/AIDS blood safety and injection safety in Africa plan funding, S11362-S11364 [10SE]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: congressional disapproval of rule revising criteria used to determine eligibility of hospitals for designation as an inpatient rehabilitation facility, S11902 [24SE]

Committee on Finance (Senate): tribute to staff for efforts relative to S. 1, Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act, S8700 [26JN]

Contraceptives: establish a public education and awareness program relative to emergency contraception, S3424-S3428 [11MR]

Courts: allow clinical social workers to perform psychiatric examinations on certain criminals (S. 79), S71 [7JA]

———immunity from liability for physicians providing free medical care to medically underserved or indigent patients, S11149 [5SE]

Dept. of Agriculture: conduct a loan repayment program to encourage provision of veterinary services in shortage and emergency situations (S. 1858), S14810 [12NO]

Dept. of Defense: muscular dystrophy research funding, S9569 [17JY]

Dept. of HHS: develop literacy standards for informational materials to assist in the safe and appropriate use of prescription drugs, S8422 [24JN]

———health professions training programs funding, S11337 [10SE]

———provide grants to establish summer health career introductory programs for middle and high school students (S. 1008), S5861 [7MY]

———reduction of health program disparities and promotion of minority health funding, S1401 [23JA]

Dept. of Homeland Security: allocate homeland security block grant funds to States using a threat-based formula, S9775-S9778 [23JY], S9880-S9882 [24JY]

———allocation of homeland security block grant funds to high-threat urban areas, S9785 [23JY], S9851-S9856, S9869, S9870 [24JY]

———allocation of homeland security block grant funds to high-threat urban areas through reductions in information analysis, infrastructure protection, science, technology, and research and development, S9856-S9861 [24JY]

———first responders and terrorism prevention funding through reductions in tax cuts, S9832-S9847 [24JY]

———first responders funding, S9690-S9693, S9696 [22JY]

———make changes to the Office for State and Local Government Coordination (S. 45), S49 [7JA], S2775 [26FE]

———Office of Domestic Preparedness funding, S4790-S4800 [3AP]

———reimburse State, local, and Indian tribal governments for certain costs relating to the mobilization of Reserves who are first responder personnel of such governments or tribes (S. 921), S5379 [11AP]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: dispense medications for prescriptions written by private practitioners to veterans awaiting their first VA appointment for medical care (S. 1112), S6994 [22MY]

———improve and enhance provision of long-term care for veterans and modify authorities relative to administration of personnel (S. 1156), S7154 [23MY], S15123-S15133 [19NO]

———provide guaranteed adequate level of funding for veterans health care (S. 50), S8277 [20JN], S14397 [11NO]

———require further analysis on future needs of veterans health care services and facilities under the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services initiative, S14939, S14940 [17NO]

Disabled: importance of recruiting and retaining direct support professionals to ensure the proper care of individuals with developmental disabilities (S. Con. Res. 21), S13062, S13063 [22OC]

Diseases: combat fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, S3498 [11MR]

———combat polio (S. Res. 109), S4974 [8AP]

———combat polio (S. Res. 266), S15303 [20NO]

———facilitate service of health care professionals in areas of the world that are severely affected by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, S6497 [15MY]

———HIV/AIDS blood safety and injection safety in Africa plan funding, S13346, S13347 [28OC]

———improve data collection and dissemination between Federal and State registries to enhance the treatment and research of cancer (S. 1899), S15289 [20NO]

———outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), S6698 [20MY]

———provide benefits for certain individuals sustaining injury as a result of smallpox vaccination (H.R. 1770), S5388-S5390 [11AP]

———provide compensation to health care and emergency workers sustaining injury as a result of the smallpox vaccine, S1450 [23JA]

Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry: recognize as the official national museum of dentistry (H.J. Res. 52), S13183, S13184 [23OC]

———recognize as the official national museum of dentistry (S.J. Res. 12), S5386 [11AP]

Education: establish a psychology post-doctoral fellowship program specializing in underserved treatment areas (S. 65), S62 [7JA]

———make certain clinical psychology graduate programs eligible to participate in various health professions loan programs (S. 74), S69 [7JA]

———make social work students and schools eligible for certain programs and grants, and establish a social work training program (S. 77), S70 [7JA]

———revise and extend certain programs for physical and occupational therapy (S. 61), S60 [7JA]

Etzwiler, Donnell D.: National Institute of Health Policy Health Care Leadership Award recipient, S5056 [9AP]

FDA: withdraw approved application for the drug known as RU-486 and review process by which the FDA approved such drug (S. 1930), S15473 [21NO]

Federal employees: authorize the use of clinical social workers to conduct evaluations to determine work-related emotional and mental illnesses (S. 81), S72 [7JA]

Finn, Daniel J.: AMA Foundation Leadership Award recipient, S3618 [12MR]

Fort Gordon, GA: disaster preparedness training missions, S9787 [23JY]

Frist, Thomas F., Jr.: Modern Healthcare (publication) and the American College of Healthcare Executives Healthcare Hall of Fame inductee, S4820 [3AP]

Hazardous substances: poison control centers funding, S11101, S11105 [4SE]

———provide assistance for poison prevention and stabilize funding of regional poison control centers (S. 686), S4286 [21MR], S8316, S8317 [20JN], S16201 [9DE]

Health: ensure safety and accuracy of medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy treatments (S. 1197), S7489 [5JN]

———establish grants to improve nutrition, increase physical activity, and prevent obesity (S. 1172), S7246-S7250 [3JN], S8295 [20JN], S15361 [21NO], S16094-S16100 [9DE]

———expand access to affordable health care, strengthen health care safety net, and make services more available in rural and underserved areas (S. 100), S78-S80 [7JA]

———home health care funding, S11155 [5SE]

———improve health care quality by strengthening health information, information infrastructure, and use of health information by providers and patients (S. 2003), S16138 [9DE]

———improve palliative and end-of-life care provided to children with life-threatening conditions (S. 1629), S11680-S11682 [17SE]

———increase Federal investment in programs that provide health care services to uninsured and low-income individuals in medically underserved areas (S. Res. 96), S4180 [20MR]

———NIH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Health Resources and Service Administration funding, S4266 [21MR]

———permit an individual to be treated by a health care practitioner with any method of medical treatment such individual requests (S. 1410), S9422 [15JY]

———promote the development of health care cooperatives that will help businesses to pool the health care purchasing power of employers (S. 39), S44 [7JA]

———protect consumers in managed care and other health coverage plans, provide parity for mental health coverage, reduce medical errors, and increase access to quality health care (S. 10), S38 [7JA], S134-S136 [9JA]

———protect patients' access to quality and affordable health care by reducing effects of excessive liability costs (S. 11), S8816 [26JN], S8825 [27JN], S8870 [7JY]

———protect patients' access to quality and affordable health care by reducing effects of excessive liability costs (S. 11), motion to proceed, S8871-S8894 [7JY], S9001-S9043 [8JY], S9061-S9083, S9113 [9JY], S9235, S9236 [10JY]

———protect patients' access to quality and affordable health care by reducing effects of excessive liability costs (S. 11), motion to proceed—unanimous-consent agreement, S9009 [8JY]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, S1505, S1506 [28JA]

———provide compensation for injuries resulting from smallpox countermeasures, provide protection against chemical or radiological agents, increase distribution of vaccines, and improve vaccine injury compensation (S. 15), S5791 [6MY], S6572 [19MY]

———provide for availability of contact lens prescriptions (H.R. 3140), S15310 [20NO]

———provide individuals of health disparity populations prevention, detection, treatment, and follow-up care services for cancer and chronic diseases, and patient navigators to assist in receiving such services (S. 453), S2843 [26FE]

———provide programs for stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation (S. 1909), S15299 [20NO]

———provide State grants for developing trauma care systems (S. 239), S1744, S1745 [29JA], S8377 [23JN], S8385 [24JN]

———recognize recent breakthroughs in medical research and support continued efforts in disease prevention and cures, S8839-S8842 [27JN]

———reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (H.R. 5), S4223 [20MR], S4228, S4229 [21MR]

———reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (S. 607), S3643 [12MR], S3666 [13MR]

———restore reliability to the medical justice system by fostering alternatives to medical tort litigation (S. 1518), S10639-S10641 [31JY]

———State Children's Health Insurance Program funding, S6444 [15MY]

———suspend the Outcome and Assessment Information Set requirement for non-Medicare and non-Medicaid patients to reduce paperwork, S8608 [26JN]

———technical amendments to legislation reauthorizing health centers program and National Health Service Corps and establishing Healthy Communities Access Program (H.R. 3038), S15303 [20NO]

Health care facilities: children's hospitals graduate medical education funding, S4370 [25MR], S11100, S11105 [4SE], S11331 [10SE]

———establish a health information technology grant program for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (S. 1729), S12544-S12546 [14OC]

———teaching hospitals funding, S8686 [26JN]

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act: compliance with health information privacy regulations, S5721 [5MY]

Health Workforce Advisory Commission: establish (S. 1498), S10275 [30JY]

Higher Education Act: provide grants for homeland security scholarships (S. 479), S2936 [27FE]

Illinois: tribute to American Association on Mental Retardation Direct Service Professional Award recipients, S11830 [23SE]

Indian Health Care Improvement Act: revise and extend (S. 556), S3277 [6MR]

Indian Health Service: clinical services funding, S4147-S4150 [20MR], S4323 [24MR], S4347, S4348 [25MR]

Institute of Medicine: findings of report entitled ``Hidden Costs, Value Lost—Uninsurance in America'', S8277 [20JN]

Insurance: coverage of minimum hospital stays for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection relative to breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations (S. 1730), S12546 [14OC], S13794 [3NO]

———economic impact of undiagnosed and untreated illnesses, S8277 [20JN]

———reform the medical malpractice insurance business, provide Federal alternative medical malpractice insurance, and limit frivolous lawsuits, S3836-S3839 [18MR]

McAllister, James C., III: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Harvey A.K. Whitney Lecture Award recipient, S7131 [23MY]

Medicaid: coverage of services provided by nursing school clinics (S. 63), S61 [7JA]

———provide the disabled and elderly with equal access to community-based attendant services, S8347 [23JN], S8534-S8537 [25JN], S8606-S8608 [26JN]

———provide the disabled and elderly with equal access to community-based attendant services (S. 971), S5660-S5664 [1MY]

———reform, S1958-S1960 [5FE]

Medical Teams International, Inc.: tribute to relief efforts in Iraq, S4374 [25MR]

Medicare: allow beneficiaries direct access to physical therapists without a physician referral (S. 493), S2977 [27FE]

———allow personal contributions to participate private fee-for-service plans, S8687 [26JN]

———clarification of a hospital ``under development'' relative to exemption from the self-referral limitation, S15743 [24NO]

———coverage of drug treatment therapy for HIV/AIDS patients, S15596 [23NO], S15887, S15888 [25NO]

———coverage of medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries with cardiovascular diseases (S. 632), S3806 [17MR]

———coverage of pancreatic islet cell transplantations for individuals with diabetes and end stage renal disease, S8701 [26JN]

———definition of negotiated price for drug coverage relative to inclusion of dispensing fees, S15742, S15743 [24NO]

———eliminate gap in coverage of prescription drug benefit, S8387-S8389, S8392, S8393, S8403, S8404 [24JN]

———eliminate geographic physician work adjustment factor, provide incentives to attract educators and clinical practitioners to underserved areas, and revise certain wage adjustments for skilled nursing facilities (S. 36), S43 [7JA]

———eliminate privatization, improve prescription drug benefit, and repeal health savings accounts (S. 1992), S16127 [9DE]

———eliminate reduction in payment rates under the prospective payment system for home health services and increase payments for such services in rural areas, S1662 [28JA], S3766 [17MR]

———encourage availability of Medicare Advantage benefits in medically underserved areas, S8489-S8495 [25JN]

———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. 654), S3901 [18MR]

———enhance beneficiary access to quality health care services in rural areas, S6200 [14MY], S6413, S6461, S6462, S6474 [15MY], S6959 [22MY], S7954-S7957 [17JN], S8018, S8109, S8112 [18JN]

———ensure beneficiaries have convenient access to retail pharmacies for prescription drug coverage and prohibit the tying of contracts by health plans, S8487, S8488, S8489 [25JN], S15743 [24NO]

———ensure that current retirees who are subject to lose prescription drug coverage will have the option of drug coverage under the Medicare fallback, S8660-S8662, S8701 [26JN]

———establish a demonstration project for direct access to physical therapy services, S8284 [20JN]

———establish minimum geographic cost-of-practice index value for physicians' services (S. 375), S2360, S2361 [12FE]

———establish minimum geographic cost-of-practice index value for physicians' services (S. 881), S5209 [10AP]

———establish permanent lifestyle modification program for beneficiaries, S8653 [26JN]

———establish uniform physician fee schedule payments (S. 1135), S7040, S7041 [22MY]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug discount and security program, S8663-S8675 [26JN]

———evaluate alternative payment and delivery systems, S8539-S8545 [25JN], S8618-S8620, S8637, S8638 [26JN]

———evaluate leading health care performance measures and options to implement policies that align performance with payment (S. 1328), S8565 [25JN]

———exempt beneficiaries from paying monthly premiums during any gap in coverage of their prescription drug benefit, S8274-S8277 [20JN], S8486 [25JN]

———expand and improve coverage of mental health services (S. 646), S3894 [18MR]

———expedite implementation of prescription drug coverage following enactment of reform legislation, S8349 [23JN], S8405-S8409 [24JN]

———extend eligibility periods for geriatric graduate medical education, S8283 [20JN]

———extend eligibility periods for geriatric graduate medical education, expand medical residency training programs in geriatric medicine, and provide reimbursement of care coordination and assessment services (S. 387), S2464 [13FE]

———extend low-income beneficiary access to quality health care services, S1374 [23JA]

———guarantee option of Medicare provided prescription drug coverage for all beneficiaries, S8089-S8104, S8108 [18JN], S8657 [26JN]

———hospital ownership exceptions to physician self-referral restrictions, S9581, S9582 [17JY]

———improve Medicare Incentive Payment Program (S. 379), S2363 [12FE], S2448 [13FE]

———improve reimbursement payments to physicians, S15399 [21NO]

———improve reimbursement to rural health care providers and facilities by reducing tax cut on dividends, S6202-S6204 [14MY], S6413 [15MY]

———increase and freeze indirect medical education adjustment percentage, S8400 [24JN]

———increase payments to rural health care providers and facilities, S4350, S4351, S4371 [25MR], S15579 [22NO]

———increase the availability of discounted prescription drugs through grants to health centers, hospitals, and other qualifying institutions, to create in-house pharmacies, S8280 [20JN]

———limit premium increases, S8172-S8174, S8184-S8186, S8198-S8200 [19JN]

———limit the extent to which premiums and benefits of prescription drug coverage plans may vary, S8498-S8500 [25JN]

———lower premiums and improve coverage in prescription drug plans, S8625-S8632, S8637 [26JN]

———permanently increase payment rates for home health services in rural areas, S8703 [26JN]

———permanently increase payment rates for home health services in rural areas (S. 636), S3808 [17MR]

———prohibit health care providers from charging membership or extraneous fees as a prerequisite to service to a patient (S. 345), S2205 [11FE]

———protect patients by limiting the number of mandatory overtime hours a nurse may be required to work by certain service providers (S. 373), S2358 [12FE]

———protect patients by limiting the number of mandatory overtime hours a nurse may be required to work by certain service providers (S. 991), S5734 [5MY]

———provide access to audiologists (S. 1647), S11914 [24SE]

———provide additional assistance to beneficiaries with certain serious medical conditions during any gap in coverage of their prescription drug benefit, S8630-S8632, S8636 [26JN]

———provide beneficiaries with information on advance directives, S8652 [26JN]

———provide for equitable reimbursement rates for Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans, S8346 [23JN]

———provide for income-related increase in part B premium for individuals and married couples with incomes exceeding a certain level, S8677, S8678 [26JN]

———provide regulatory relief, appeals process reforms, contracting flexibility, and election improvements, S8282 [20JN]

———reduce work hours and increase supervision of resident-physicians to ensure the safety of both patients and resident-physicians (S. 952), S5598 [30AP]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage, S12436-S12438 [3OC]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R.. 1), S9581, S9582 [17JY]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), S8898 [7JY], S9295-S9298 [11JY], S10960, S10962 [2SE], S11073 [4SE], S11146, S11155 [5SE], S11305 [10SE], S12151 [30SE], S14925-S14927 [17NO], S15036-S15038, S15047-S15051 [18NO], S15110, S15147-S15149, S15167-S15170, S15172-S15175 [19NO]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), conference report, S15362-S15368, S15373-S15376, S15379-S15385, S15399 [21NO], S15514, S15519, S15521-S15569, S15574-S15588 [22NO], S15592-S15644, S15663-S15667 [23NO], S15670-S15771 [24NO], S15882-S15902, S15904-S15915, S15918, S15919, S15927-S15932, S15950 [25NO], S16104-S16107 [9DE]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), conference report—unanimous-consent agreement, S15510 [21NO], S15528 [22NO]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), insert S. 1 language in lieu, S8898 [7JY]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (S. 1), S7563, S7564, S7572 [10JN], S7665-S7668 [11JN], S7905-S7922 [16JN], S7943-S7974 [17JN], S8012, S8013-S8116 [18JN], S8167, S8202-S8216 [19JN], S8265-S8295 [20JN], S8323-S8354 [23JN], S8386-S8398, S8400-S8431 [24JN], S8479-S8546 [25JN], S8605-S8633, S8635-S8645, S8647-S8709 [26JN], S8832, S8850-S8856 [27JN], S8870, S8871 [7JY], S12910 [21OC], S12992 [22OC], S13068 [23OC], S14084 [6NO], S14960 [17NO]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (S. 1), unanimous-consent agreement, S7868 [13JN], S8706 [26JN]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (S. 1), unanimous-consent request, S8411 [24JN], S8686 [26JN]

———reform reimbursement rates for chemotherapy drugs and administration, S15887 [25NO]

———reform reimbursement rates for chemotherapy drugs and administration (S. 1303), S8302 [20JN]

———reimburse Indian hospitals and clinics for all Part B services, S8337 [23JN]

———remove restrictions on clinical psychologists or social workers providing services in outpatient rehabilitation facilities (S. 62), S61 [7JA]

———require drug plans and organizations to transfer savings from drug manufacturers' rebate, discount, and incentive programs to local pharmacies and consumers, S8105-S8108 [18JN], S8183, S8184 [19JN]

———require GAO study on concierge care, S8288 [20JN], S11052, S11053 [4SE]

———stabilize physician fee schedule payments and reform the sustainable growth rate payment update system, S8546 [25JN], S8652 [26JN]

———streamline regulations, S8350 [23JN]

———update physician reimbursement rates, S8688 [26JN]

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: improve (S. 1974), S16022 [25NO]

Medicare/Medicaid: establish a national abusive and criminal background check system for patient care workers (S. 958), S5602 [30AP]

———improve services, S1389-S1392, S1402, S1403 [23JA]

Mental health: increase number of well-trained mental health service professionals providing clinical mental health care to children and adolescents (S. 1223), S7627 [10JN]

———provide assistance to train teachers of children with autism spectrum disorders (S. 1422), S9593 [17JY]

Mercy Corps: tribute to relief efforts in Iraq, S4374 [25MR]

Merritt, Allen: Oregon Medical Association Doctor-Citizen of the Year Award recipient, S13132 [23OC]

National Academies of Practice: grant Federal charter (S. 80), S72 [7JA]

National Assisted Living Week: observance, S11114 [4SE]

National Center for Disaster Decision Making: funding, S9786, S9787 [23JY]

National Domestic Preparedness Consortium: funding, S9788 [23JY]

National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center: establish, S8421 [24JN]

National Nurses Week: observance, S5942, S5943 [8MY], S5994 [9MY]

National security: homeland security funding, S2904 [27FE], S4047, S4057 [20MR], S4226-S4230, S4232, S4240, S4262-S4264 [21MR], S4765-S4769, S4774 [3AP]

———interoperable communications system between first responder agencies funding, S4772-S4774 [3AP]

National Visiting Nurse Association Week: designate (S. Con. Res. 8), S2713 [25FE]

NIH: children's health research funding, S11102 [4SE]

Nurse Reinvestment Act: funding, S1450 [23JA], S11004, S11005, S11015 [3SE]

Oncology Nursing Month: observance, S5535 [30AP]

Oregon: tribute to N2K Nursing Shortage Demonstration Project, S2914 [27FE]

Pharmacists: implement an education loan repayment program for pharmacists (S. 648), S3896, S3897 [18MR], S8106 [18JN], S16054 [25NO]

Playas, NM: purchase of town by the National Emergency Response Training, Research, and Development Center, S9787 [23JY]

Public safety officers: ensure that officers who suffer a fatal heart attack or stroke while on duty shall be presumed to have died in the line of duty for purposes of survivor benefits (S. 459), S2855 [26FE], S6567, S6568 [15MY], S6612-S6614 [19MY], S15570 [22NO], S16052, S16053 [25NO]

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: tribute, S3879 [18MR]

Rural areas: provide practitioners with training in preventive health care (S. 75), S69 [7JA]

Safety Net Organizations and Patient Advisory Commission: establish (S. 732), S4522 [27MR]

Senior citizens: prevent and increase penalties for crimes such as health care, pension, and telemarketing fraud, and nursing home abuse and fraud (S. 1286), S8153 [18JN]

Small business: tribute to independent community pharmacies, S12367 [2OC]

Taxation: exclude benefits from income, employment taxes, and wage withholding property tax rebates, provided to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders (S. 1512), S10635 [31JY]

———exclude from gross income loan payments received under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (S. 529), S3184-S3186 [5MR]

———provide credit for individuals serving as caregivers of dependent relatives, S4065, S4066 [20MR], S4238 [21MR], S6041 [13MY], S6431 [15MY]

———provide physicians and other health care professionals with a credit for qualified expenditures for medical professional malpractice insurance, S9005-S9007 [8JY]

Terrorism: bioterrorism preparedness workforce funding, S11103-S11105 [4SE]

———enhance the ability of first responders to respond to incidents of terrorism, S4049, S4054 [20MR], S4227 [21MR], S4316 [24MR], S4354 [25MR], S4790-S4798 [3AP]

———improve building and fire codes and standards, strengthen the private security industry, and create a safer environment in commercial buildings and industrial facilities (S. 216), S1492 [23JA]

———provide grants to enhance the ability of first responders to respond to incidents of terrorism, including incidents involving weapons of mass destruction, S2379 [13FE], S2694 [25FE], S2834 [26FE]

———provide grants to enhance the ability of first responders to respond to incidents of terrorism, including incidents involving weapons of mass destruction (S. 315), S1994 [5FE]

———provide grants to enhance the ability of first responders to respond to incidents of terrorism, including incidents involving weapons of mass destruction (S. 466), unanimous-consent request, S2904 [27FE]

U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps: anniversary (S. Con. Res. 72), S12472 [3OC]

Urban areas: terrorism protection and preparedness funding, S4787, S4789, S4798-S4800 [3AP]

Veterans: health care funding, S12425-S12427 [3OC], S12797-S12799 [17OC], S14382, S14388 [11NO], S14464-S14466, S14792, S14793 [12NO], S15917, S15949 [25NO]

Veterans Health Administration: revise certain provisions relative to the appointment of professional psychologists (S. 78), S71 [7JA]

Washington metropolitan area: anniversary of sniper shooting spree, S12362 [2OC]

Wright, R. Brent: AMA Foundation Leadership Award recipient, S3617 [12MR]

Reports

Emergency Responders—Drastically Underfunded, Dangerously Unprepared: Council on Foreign Relations, S9834-S9836 [24JY]

Impact of Republican Medicare Proposals on Insurance Industry Revenues and Profits: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) Minority Staff, S15769 [24NO]

Weiss Ratings Report on Medical Malpractice Caps—Propagating the Myth That Non-Economic Damage Caps Don't Work: Physicians Insurance Association of America, S9237-S9239 [10JY]

Reports filed

Biodefense Improvement and Treatment for America Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 15), S4375 [25MR]

Consideration of Conference Report on H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 463) (H. Rept. 108-394), H12306 [21NO]

Consideration of H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act and H.R. 2596, Health Savings and Affordability Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 299) (H. Rept. 108-181), H5928 [25JN]

Consideration of H.R. 5, Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 139) (H. Rept. 108-34), H1810 [12MR]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Long-Term Care and Personnel Authorities Enhancement Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Senate) (S. 1156) (S. Rept. 108-193), S14334 [10NO]

Enhanced 911 Emergency Communications Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 1250) (S. Rept. 108-130), S10970 [2SE]

E-911 Implementation Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 2898) (H. Rept. 108-311), H9384 [14OC]

Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 3140) (H. Rept. 108-318), H9477 [15OC]

Health Care Safety Net Amendments Technical Corrections Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 3038) (H. Rept. 108-275), H8380 [17SE]

Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act: Committee Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 5) (H. Rept. 108-32), H1743 [11MR]

———Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 5) (H. Rept. 108-32), H1743 [11MR]

Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity (IMPACT) Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 1172), S15975 [25NO]

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: Committee of Conference (H.R. 1) (H. Rept. 108-391), H11700 [20NO]

Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 2473) (H. Rept. 108-178), H5927 [25JN]

———Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 2473) (H. Rept. 108-178), H6867 [15JY]

Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 663) (H. Rept. 108-28), H1678 [6MR]

———Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 720) (S. Rept. 108-196), S14964 [17NO]

Patient Safety Improvement Act: Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 877) (H. Rept. 108-31), H1743 [11MR]

Pharmacy Education Aid Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 648) (S. Rept. 108-189), S14176 [6NO]

Poison Prevention Assistance and Regional Poison Control Centers Funding Stabilization: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 686) (S. Rept. 108-68), S7717 [11JN]

Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act: Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 1), S7876 [13JN]

Same-Day Consideration of H. Res. 463, Consideration of Conference Report on H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 459) (H. Rept. 108-390), H11700 [20NO]

Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 239) (S. Rept. 108-59), S7540 [9JN]

Schedules

Senator Harkin's staff meetings with local Iowa emergency management and first responders, S9884 [24JY]

Statements

Eliminate Health Care Disparities Among Minorities: Delegate Christensen, H9163-H9165 [2OC]

Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act: Representative Robert C. Scott, H1823 [13MR]

Homeland Security Funding: Senator Durbin, S2422 [13FE]

Studies

Coordination of Care for Those With Multiple Chronic Conditions, S8620 [26JN]

Summaries

Defense of Medicare and Real Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Act (S. 1992), S16128 [9DE]

Improve Services and Facilities of Federal Indian Health Programs and Encourage Maximum Participation of Indians in Such Programs (H.R. 2440), E1216 [11JN]

Medical Malpractice Insurance and Litigation Reform Act (H.R. 1116), E392 [7MR]

Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act (S. 1): Specter Amendment on Advance Directives, S8653 [26JN]

———Specter Amendment on Permanent Lifestyle Modification Program, S8653 [26JN]

———Specter Amendment on Physician Fee Schedule Payments, S8653 [26JN]

Women's OB/GYN Medical Access Now (WOMAN) Act (H.R. 1469), E609 [27MR]

Tables

Additional city homeland security spending due to war/high alert, S4787 [3AP]

Bioterrorism preparedness funding, S11104 [4SE]

Dept. of Homeland Security Office of Domestic Preparedness homeland security grants per capita, S9882 [24JY]

Pharmaceutical company contributions by party (2002), H5912 [25JN]

Philadelphia, PA, security costs in response to terrorist attacks, S4789 [3AP]

Pittsburgh, PA, Dept. of Public Safety cost increases for terrorism, S4787 [3AP]

U.S., Canadian negotiated Dept. of Veterans Affairs and Dept. of Defense prescription drug prices, H5912 [25JN]

Testimonies

Patients First Act: Leanne Dyess, S8875 [7JY]

Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act: Committee on Finance (Senate), S8661 [26JN]

Texts of

H. Con. Res. 54, National Visiting Nurse Association Week, H1481 [4MR]

H. Con. Res. 94, Direct Support Professional Recognition Resolution, H10301 [4NO]

H. Res. 139, consideration of H.R. 5, Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act, H1817 [13MR]

H. Res. 299, consideration of H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act and H.R. 2596, Health Savings and Affordability Act, H5952 [26JN]

H. Res. 425, tribute to firefighters and other public servants who responded to the outbreak of wildfires in Southern California, H10377 [5NO]

H. Res. 459, same-day consideration of H. Res. 463, consideration of conference report on H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, H12174 [21NO]

H. Res. 463, consideration of conference report on H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, H12230 [21NO]

H.J. Res. 52, recognize Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry as the official national museum of dentistry, H9238 [7OC]

H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act, H6007-H6077 [26JN]

H.R. 1, Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act, S8898-S8997 [7JY]

H.R. 5, Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act, H1829-H1832-H1834 [13MR]

H.R. 663, Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act, H1766-H1771 [12MR]

H.R. 1463, Smallpox Emergency Personnel Protection Act, H2478-H2480 [31MR]

H.R. 1770, Smallpox Emergency Personnel Protection Act, H3340-H3343 [11AP]

H.R. 2898, E-911 Implementation Act, H10288 [4NO]

H.R. 3038, Health Care Safety Net Amendments Technical Corrections Act, H9049 [1OC]

H.R. 3140, Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act, H11561 [19NO]

S. 1, Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act, S7720 [11JN]

S. 49, Deficit Reduction Act, S53 [7JA]

S. 61, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Education Act, S60 [7JA]

S. 62, Autonomy for Psychologists and Social Workers Act, S61 [7JA]

S. 63, Nursing School Clinics Act, S61 [7JA]

S. 65, Psychologists in the Service of the Public Act, S62 [7JA]

S. 74, Strengthen the Public Health Service Act, S69 [7JA]

S. 75, Rural Preventive Health Care Training Act, S70 [7JA]

S. 77, Strengthen Social Work Training Act, S70 [7JA]

S. 78, Veteran's Health Administration Act, S71 [7JA]

S. 79, Psychiatric and Psychological Examinations Act, S71 [7JA]

S. 80, National Academies of Practice Recognition Act, S72 [7JA]

S. 81, Clinical Social Workers' Recognition Act, S72 [7JA]

S. 171, Medicare Ambulance Payment Reform Act, S856 [15JA]

S. 239, Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act, S8377 [23JN]

S. 336, expand reimbursement for travel expenses of covered Armed Forces beneficiaries for specialty care to cover specialized dental care, S2122 [10FE]

S. 345, Equal Access to Medicare Act, S2205 [11FE]

S. 375, Medicare Access Equity Act, S2361 [12FE]

S. 379, Medicare Incentive Payment Program Improvement Act, S2363 [12FE]

S. 453, Patient Navigator, Outreach, and Chronic Disease Prevention Act, S2844-S2848 [26FE]

S. 459, Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act, S2856 [26FE], S6568 [15MY], S16052 [25NO], H12300 [21NO]

S. 479, Protect America Scholarships Act, S2937 [27FE]

S. 556, Indian Health Care Improvement Act revision and extension, S3278-S3315 [6MR]

S. 632, Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries with cardiovascular diseases, S3806 [17MR]

S. 648, Pharmacy Education Aid Act, S16054-S16057 [25NO]

S. 686, poison prevention assistance and regional poison control centers funding stabilization, S8316 [20JN]

S. 686, provide assistance for poison prevention and stabilize funding of regional poison control centers, S4287 [21MR], S16201 [9DE], H11574 [19NO]

S. 881, Rural Equity Payment Index Reform Act, S5209 [10AP]

S. 952, Patient and Physician Safety and Protection Act, S5599 [30AP]

S. 958, Patient Abuse Prevention Act, S5603-S5607 [30AP]

S. 971, Medicaid Community-Based Attendant Services and Supports Act, S5660-S5664 [1MY], S5727-S5730 [5MY]

S. 991, Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act, S5734 [5MY]

S. 1008, Dept. of HHS grants to establish summer health career introductory programs for middle and high school students, S5861 [7MY]

S. 1112, Veterans' Prescription Drug Reform Act, S6994 [22MY]

S. 1156, Dept. of Veterans Affairs Long-Term Care and Personnel Authorities Enhancement Act, S7154 [23MY]

S. 1156, Veterans Health Care, Capital Asset, and Business Improvement Act, H12137-H12143 [21NO]

S. 1172, Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity (IMPACT) Act, S7246-S7249 [3JN], S16094-S16099 [9DE]

S. 1197, Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence Act, S7490 [5JN]

S. 1223, Child Health Care Crisis Relief Act, S7627-S7630 [10JN]

S. 1250, Enhanced 911 Emergency Communications Act, S7837 [12JN]

S. 1257, Medicare Payment for Quality and Value Act, S7841 [12JN]

S. 1286, Seniors Safety Act, S8154-S8159 [18JN]

S. 1422, Teacher Education for Autistic Children (TEACH) Act, S9594 [17JY]

S. 1487, establish a combat badge for helicopter medical evacuation ambulance (Medevac) pilots and crews, S10152 [29JY]

S. 1498, Health Workforce Advisory Commission Act, S10276 [30JY]

S. 1512, exclude benefits from income, employment taxes, and wage withholding property tax rebates, provided to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders, S10635 [31JY]

S. 1516, Reliable Medical Justice Act, S10641-S10643 [31JY]

S. 1629, Children's Compassionate Care Act, S11682-S11685 [17SE]

S. 1647, Hearing Health Accessibility Act, S11914 [24SE]

S. 1974, Medicare Preservation and Drug Price Fairness Act, S16022 [25NO]

S. Con. Res. 8, National Visiting Nurse Association Week, S2712 [25FE]

S. Con. Res. 21, Direct Support Professional Recognition Resolution, S3751 [13MR], S13062 [22OC]

S. Con. Res. 72, anniversary of U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps, S12472 [3OC]

S. Res. 34, provide grants to enhance the ability of first responders to respond to incidents of terrorism, including incidents involving weapons of mass destruction, S1755 [29JA]

S. Res. 96, Resolution To Expand Access to Community Health Centers (REACH) Initiative, S4179 [20MR]

S. Res. 109, combat polio, S4974 [8AP]

S. Res. 182, commend American Dental Association Give Kids a Smile program, emphasize need to improve access to dental care for children, and thank dentists for volunteering time to provide needed dental care, S8445 [24JN]

S. Res. 265, tribute to firefighters and other public servants who responded to the outbreak of wildfires in Southern California, S14456, S14461 [11NO]

S. Res. 266, combat polio, S14817 [12NO], S15303 [20NO]