SOCIAL SECURITY

Amendments

Benefits: provide additional safeguards for certain beneficiaries with representative payees (H.R. 743), H443 [11FE]

———provide additional safeguards for certain beneficiaries with representative payees (H.R. 743), consideration of Senate amendment (H. Res. 520), H442 [11FE]

Medicaid: provide families of disabled children with the opportunity to purchase coverage (S. 622), S4946, S4949, S5005 [6MY]

Analyses

Social Security COLA Protection Act (S. 2754), S8741 [22JY]

Appointments

Commission on Systemic Interoperability, S1606 [25FE], S3729 [5AP], S10276 [1OC], H7819 [29SE], H7948 [4OC], H10224 [20NO]

Social Security Advisory Board, H9689 [16NO]

Articles and editorials

Deliriously Dumbfounding Drug Discount Cards, E909 [19MY]

Discount Card Doubt, Complicated System—Choosing One of 73 Plans Is a Hassle, Seniors Say, E1015 [2JN]

Grief and an Evening Vigil in a Michigan Small Town, H7306 [21SE]

Medical Costs Eat at Social Security, S9158 [14SE]

Medicare ``Bug,'' Thousands Fail To Pay Premiums, H4741 [22JN]

Medicare Drug Discount Cards Explained—Sort of, H2779 [11MY]

My Economic Policy, S9255 [15SE]

Now Can We Talk About Health Care?, S4089-S4092 [19AP]

Seniors Blast Medicare Prescription Plan, S679 [6FE]

73 Options for Medicare Plan Fuel Chaos, Not Prescription, S5243, S5374 [12MY]

There's Plenty for a Free Press To Report, S12057 [8DE]

Who Left the Door Open?, H7248-H7253 [21SE]

Bills and resolutions

Benefits: allow waiver of old-age insurance benefits, provide tax deduction for waived benefits, and ensure that certain Trust Fund investments bear interest at prevailing private sector rate (see H.R. 3877), H752 [2MR]

———eliminate waiting period for entitlement to disability benefits and requirement for reconsideration between benefit entitlement decision and hearing (see H.R. 4894), H6700 [22JY]

———protect cost-of-living adjustments (see S. 2754), S8688 [22JY] (see H.R. 4910), H6701 [22JY]

———provide additional safeguards for certain beneficiaries with representative payees (H.R. 743), consideration of Senate amendment (see H. Res. 520), H433 [10FE]

———reject privatization proposals (see S. Res. 432), S9525 [22SE]

———require waivers of waiting period for benefits based on disability in the case of terminally ill beneficiaries (see H.R. 5034), H6899 [8SE]

———restrict application of windfall elimination provisions to individuals whose benefits exceed certain levels (see H.R. 4234), H2482 [28AP]

Budget: ensure that receipts and disbursements of the trust funds are not included in a unified Federal budget (see H.R. 5235), H8408 [6OC]

Business and industry: ensure full and free competition in the medical device and hospital supply industries (see S. 2880), S10261 [1OC]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: provide direct congressional access to the Office of the Chief Actuary (see S. 2076), S1285 [12FE]

———require repayment of appropriated funds that are illegaly disbursed for political purposes (see S. 2473), S6087 [21MY] (see H.R. 4458), H3439 (see H.R. 4458), H3539 [20MY]

Children and youth: access of disadvantaged children to dental services (see H.R. 4622), H4580 [18JN]

———make all uninsured children eligible for the State Children's Health Insurance Program and simplify enrollment and renewal procedures for Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (see S. 2420), S5472 [13MY]

Constitutional amendments: maintenance of a system of social insurance (see H.J. Res. 85), H35 [20JA]

Crime: reduce risk of identity theft by limiting use of Social Security numbers on certain Government-issued identification cards and Government documents (see H.R. 4846), H5908 [15JY]

Death and dying: improve access to information about end of life care options and legal rights, promote advance care planning and decisionmaking, and engage health care providers in preparation of advance directives (see S. 2545), S6997 [17JN]

Dept. of HHS: clarify and ensure that certain authority is used solely to promote the objectives of the Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs (see S. 2222), S2859 [22MR] (see H.R. 4935), H6702 [22JY]

———establish an Internet website designed to allow consumers to compare prices for covered outpatient drugs sold by retail pharmacies that participate in the Medicaid program (see S. 2597), S7435 [24JN] (see H.R. 4681), H4926 (see H.R. 4681), H5070 [24JN]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: clarify that per diem payments for the care of veterans in State homes shall not be used to offset Medicaid payments (see S. 2196), S2717 [11MR] (see S. 2327), S4225 [21AP]

Employment: exempt certain employment as a member of a local governing board from coverage (see S. 2832), S9611 [23SE]

Families and domestic relations: improve collection of child support (see S. 2194), S2716 [11MR] (see H.R. 4859), H5983 [19JY]

———promote healthy marriages and responsible fatherhood (see S. 2830), S9525 [22SE]

Federal aid programs: provide modest adjustments necessary to restore the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program to long-term actuarial balance (see H.R. 5179), H7863 [29SE]

Federal employees: authorize payments under Federal retirement systems to trusts set up for disabled dependents (see S. 2418), S5472 [13MY]

Health: eliminate price cap applicable to purchase of influenza vaccines and establish a tax credit to encourage vaccine production capacity (see S. 2997), S11496 [18NO]

———expand Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program to include parents of low-income families (see H.R. 4350), H2917 [12MY]

———improve access to health insurance and Medicare benefits for individuals aged 55 to 65 and allow tax credits for payment of such premiums (see H.R. 4357), H2918 [12MY]

———modify the rules for redistribution and extended availability of funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (see H.R. 4936), H6702 [22JY]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (see S. 2570), S7311 [23JN] (see H.R. 4325), H2815 [11MY]

———permit qualifying States to use unspent State Children's Health Insurance Program allotments for Medicaid expenditures (see H.R. 3840), H632 [25FE] (see H.R. 4692), H4926 (see H.R. 4692), H5070 [24JN]

———permit States the option of covering certain legal aliens under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (see S. 2685), S8423 [19JY] (see S. 2704), S8548 [21JY]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (see S. 2083), S1286 [12FE] (see H.R. 4628), H4646 [21JN]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 4628), consideration (see H. Res. 773), H7138 [14SE]

Health care professionals: improve dental services in underserved areas (see S. 2740), S8688 [22JY]

Immigration: adjust status of certain foreign agricultural workers, reform H-2A worker program, provide a stable, legal agricultural workforce, and extend basic legal protections and better working conditions to more workers (see S. 2823), S9441 [21SE]

———enforce employment restrictions on unauthorized aliens through the use of improved Social Security cards and an Employment Eligibility Database (see H.R. 5111), H7329 [21SE]

Income: repeal Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions (H.R. 594), consideration (see H. Res. 523), H515 [11FE]

———repeal the windfall elimination provision and protect the retirement of public servants (see S. 2455), S5949 [20MY] (see H.R. 4391), H3390 [19MY]

Investments: provide for enhanced retirement security in the form of an Individual Investment Program (see H.R. 4895), H6700 [22JY]

Mammography Quality Standards Act: reauthorize (see H.R. 4555), H3963 [14JN]

Medicaid: ensure the provision of services under the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to frail elders living in rural areas (see S. 2369), S4692 [29AP]

———extend Federal-State cost-sharing program to assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries with health care costs (see S. 2618), S7750 [7JY] (see H.R. 5160), H7735 [28SE] (see H.R. 5189), H7944 [30SE]

———extend State fiscal relief (see S. 2671), S8229 [15JY] (see H.R. 4961), H6703 [22JY]

———include podiatrists as physicians for purposes of covering physicians services (see S. 2174), S2301 [8MR]

———permit additional States to enter into long-term care partnerships in order to promote the use of long-term care insurance (see S. 2077), S1285 [12FE]

———permit children administered a vaccine at a public health clinic or Indian clinic to be eligible for the pediatric vaccine distribution program (see S. 2272), S3567 [1AP]

———permit local public agencies to act as enrollment brokers (see H.R. 3895), H871 [4MR]

———permit States the option to provide coverage for low-income individuals infected with HIV (see H.R. 3859), H699 [26FE]

———prohibit payments to States for redispensing prescription drugs (see S. 2950), S10845 [8OC]

———provide complete reimbursement for medical assistance provided to Native Hawaiians by federally qualified health centers or Native Hawaiian health care systems (see S. 2098), S1457 [23FE]

———provide funding to States to enable them to increase the wages paid to targeted direct support professionals in providing services to individuals with disabilities (see H.R. 5197), H7944 [30SE]

———require fair billing for hospital services provided to uninsured patients as a condition of Medicaid funding for a hospital (see H.R. 4092), H1790 [31MR]

———require staff working with developmentally disabled individuals to call emergency services in the event of a life-threatening situation (see H.R. 5320), H9048 [8OC]

Medicare: adjust the amount of payment under the physician fee schedule for cancer drug administration services (see S. 2587), S7435 [24JN]

———allow beneficiaries to purchase multiple prescription drug discount cards and to receive a refund of the enrollment fee if prices or the formulary used by the card sponsor changes (see S. 2530), S6881 [16JN]

———clarify payment for clinical laboratory tests furnished by critical access hospitals (see S. 2426), S5535 [17MY] (see H.R. 4257), H2491 [30AP]

———clarify right of beneficiaries to enter into private contracts with physicians and other health care professionals for services not payable under Medicare (see H.R. 4822), H5653 [13JY]

———condition the payment of employer prescription drug subsidies on the maintenance of current prescription drug benefits (see H.R. 4978), H6704 [22JY]

———contain costs of prescription drug program (see S. 2130), S1683 [26FE] (see H.R. 3854), H699 [26FE]

———coverage of clinical pharmacist practitioner services (see H.R. 4724), H5149 [25JN]

———coverage of respiratory therapists under home health service plans (see S. 2707), S8548 [21JY]

———coverage of screening pap smears and pelvic exams (see H.R. 5048), H6996 [9SE]

———coverage of screening ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysms (see S. 2553), S7104 [21JN]

———deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices (see S. 2257), S3366 [30MR] (see S. 2652), S8118 [14JY] (see H.R. 3767), H392 [4FE]

———deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices (H.R. 3767), consideration (see H. Res. 696), H4927 (see H. Res. 696), H5071 [24JN]

———eliminate coverage gap and HMO subsidies and repeal health savings accounts (see S. 2629), S7828 [8JY] (see S. 2725), S8687 [22JY]

———eliminate privatization and reduce excessive payments to health maintenance organizations and other private sector insurance plans (see S. 2300), S3919 [7AP]

———eliminate reductions in payments to hospitals for the indirect costs of medical education (see S. 2876), S10061 [30SE]

———ensure that every beneficiary has access to a Medicare administered prescription drug plan option (see S. 2487), S6348 [2JN]

———ensure that prescription drug discount card sponsors pass along discounts to beneficiaries (see S. 2234), S3180 [25MR]

———establish a hospice demonstration and grant program for beneficiaries (see S. 2983), S11377 [16NO]

———establish demonstration program to offset costs of electronic prescribing systems of health care providers (see H.R. 4805), H5470 [9JY]

———expand the rural community hospital demonstration program to include outpatient services (see S. 2284), S3791 [6AP]

———extend increase in payment rates for home health services in rural areas (see S. 2659), S8228 [15JY] (see H.R. 4902), H6700 [22JY]

———extend minimum deadlines for filing claims relative to adjustments from secondary payor status to primary payor status (see S. 2929), S10703 [7OC] (see H.R. 5309), H9048 [8OC]

———freeze increases in monthly premiums (see H.R. 5095), H7233 [15SE]

———impose a moratorium on payments for inpatient hospital services in additional long-term care hospital beds (see H.R. 3790), H434 [10FE]

———impose conditions on Federal reimbursement of emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens (see H.R. 3722), H88 [21JA]

———improve access to diabetes self-management training by designated certified diabetes educators (see S. 2431), S5607 [18MY]

———improve accountability in the Medicare Advantage and prescription drug programs (see H.R. 4903), H6701 [22JY]

———improve benefits for beneficiaries with kidney disease (see S. 2614), S7750 [7JY] (see H.R. 4927), H6702 [22JY]

———improve coordination of prescription drug coverage under retiree plans and State pharmaceutical assistance programs with Medicare drug benefits (see S. 2339), S4300 [22AP] (see H.R. 4195), H2371 [22AP]

———improve coverage of certain prescription drugs and biologicals under the replacement drug demonstration project (see S. 2667), S8229 [15JY]

———improve quality of care in skilled nursing facilities through development of quality measures and changes in reimbursement (see H.R. 5403), H10078 [19NO]

———improve the provision of items and services to beneficiaries in rural areas (see S. 2135), S1683 [26FE]

———increase Federal oversight of the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and revoke its unique ability to accredit hospitals (see S. 2698), S8474 [20JY] (see H.R. 4877), H6127 [20JY]

———make improvements in competitive acquisition programs for certain items and services (see S. 2911), S10702 [7OC]

———modernize by ensuring that appropriate preventive services are covered (see S. 2535), S6997 [17JN] (see H.R. 4898), H6700 [22JY]

———negotiate for lower prices for prescription drugs, eliminate gap in coverage of prescription drug benefits, and promulgate regulations for the reimportation of prescription drugs (see H.R. 4512), H3780 [3JN]

———negotiate lower prescription drug prices, eliminate gap in drug benefits coverage, reduce medical errors, increase use of technology, and increase services in primary and preventive care by non-physician providers (see S. 2766), S8688 [22JY]

———permit negotiation of fair prices for, and allow the reimportation of, prescription drugs (see S. 2053), S689 [6FE]

———permit the Dept. of HHS to enter into direct negotiations to promote the best prices for beneficiaries (see H.R. 3707), H35 [20JA]

———preserve access to cancer care (see H.R. 5144), H7574 [23SE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Arkansas (see S. 2123), S1586 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in California (see S. 2116), S1586 [25FE] (see H.R. 3964), H1071 [11MR]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Connecticut (see S. 2119), S1586 [25FE] (see H.R. 3905), H871 [4MR]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Florida (see S. 2118), S1586 [25FE] (see H.R. 3876), H752 [2MR]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Hawaii (see S. 2122), S1586 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Massachusetts (see S. 2124), S1586 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Michigan (see S. 2113), S1586 [25FE] (see H.R. 3835), H632 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Nevada (see S. 2121), S1586 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in New Jersey (see S. 2117), S1586 [25FE] (see H.R. 3841), H632 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in New Mexico (see S. 2114), S1586 [25FE] (see H.R. 3844), H632 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in New York (see S. 2111), S1586 [25FE] (see H.R. 3842), H632 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in North Carolina (see S. 2126), S1586 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Oregon (see S. 2120), S1586 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Pennsylvania (see H.R. 3836), H632 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Rhode Island (see S. 2125), S1586 [25FE] (see H.R. 4672), H4893 [23JN]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in South Dakota (see S. 2115), S1586 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Texas (see H.R. 3861), H699 [26FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in the District of Columbia (see H.R. 4336), H2815 [11MY]

———provide additional beneficiary protections (see H.R. 3702), H35 [20JA]

———provide automatic enrollment and eligibility for certain low-income beneficiaries for subsidies under the Medicare transitional and permanent prescription drug programs (see H.R. 4437), H3438 (see H.R. 4437), H3538 [20MY]

———provide beneficiaries access to information on the quality of care provided by skilled nursing facilities and provide incentives for such facilities to improve the quality of care (see S. 2988), S11429 [17NO]

———provide beneficiaries with access to geriatric assessments and chronic care management (see S. 2593), S7435 [24JN] (see H.R. 4689), H4926 (see H.R. 4689), H5070 [24JN]

———provide coverage of screening ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysms (see H.R. 4626), H4646 [21JN]

———provide equity in the calculation of disproportionate share hospital payments for hospitals in Puerto Rico (see H.R. 4871), H6127 [20JY]

———provide for fairness in the calculation of disportionate share hospital payments for hospitals in Puerto Rico (see S. 2260), S3367 [30MR]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (see S. 2714), S8548 [21JY]

———provide for the automatic enrollment of Medicaid beneficiaries for prescription drug benefits (see S. 2413), S5371 [12MY] (see S. 2694), S8474 [20JY]

———provide for the offering of a Federal national prescription drug discount card program (see H.R. 4919), H6701 [22JY]

———provide for the use of qualified family caregivers in the provision of home health aide services and amend the Family and Medical Leave Act (see H.R. 4095), H1790 [31MR]

———provide geographic equity in fee-for-service reimbursement for providers (see H.R. 3935), H1011 [10MR]

———provide incentives for the furnishing of quality care under Medicare Advantage plans and by end stage renal disease providers and facilities (see S. 2562), S7311 [23JN]

———provide incentives linking quality to payment for skilled nursing facilities and establish a Long-Term Care Financing Commission (see H.R. 5393), H10078 [19NO]

———provide payments to ambulance suppliers for the full cost of furnishing such services and to rural ambulance providers and suppliers for cost of serving areas with low population density (see S. 3011), S11639 [19NO] (see H.R. 5415), H10079 [19NO]

———provide whistleblower protection to employees of clinical laboratories (see H.R. 5311), H9048 [8OC]

———reduce part B premium through elimination of certain overpayments to Medicare Advantage organizations (see S. 2906), S10568 [6OC]

———reimbursement for certain midwife services (see S. 2492), S6348 [2JN]

———reimbursement of enrollees in the PPO Demonstration Project for expenses inappropriately incurred relative to coverage through out-of-network providers (see H.R. 5400), H10078 [19NO]

———repeal reduction in payment for certain items of durable medical equipment (see H.R. 4491), H3719 [2JN] (see H.R. 5331), H9049 [8OC]

———require Medicare Advantage organizations to pay for critical access hospital services and rural health clinic services at a greater percentage than regular Medicare payment rates (see H.R. 4687), H4926 (see H.R. 4687), H5070 [24JN]

———require providers to disclose staffing and performance data (see H.R. 4374), H3093 [17MY]

———simplify prescription drug discount card program (see S. 2512), S6628 [8JN]

———stabilize amount of part B premium (see S. 2780), S8963 [8SE] (see H.R. 5175), H7863 [29SE]

———waive waiting period for coverage of certain disabled individuals (see S. 2566), S7311 [23JN] (see H.R. 5156), H7735 [28SE]

———waive waiting period for coverage of individuals disabled with distant stage cancer (see H.R. 5116), H7329 [21SE]

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: eliminate overpayments to health maintenance organizations and other private plans (see H.R. 4304), H2727 [6MY]

———eliminate the comparative cost adjustment program (see H.R. 3711), H35 [20JA]

———improve (see S. 2343), S4300 [22AP]

———provide certain documents to the House of Representatives relative to cost estimates and analyses (see H. Res. 776), H7234 [15SE]

Medicare/Medicaid: require automatic fire sprinkler systems in all nursing facilities (see H.R. 4967), H6703 [22JY]

Members of Congress: ensure that prescription drug coverage for Members is not better than coverage for Medicare beneficiaries (see S. 2678), S8277 [16JY]

Merchant marine industry: provide certain benefits to individuals who served in the U.S. merchant marine during World War II (see H.R. 4904), H6701 [22JY]

Mexico: disapprove U.S.-Mexico Social Security totalization agreement (see H. Res. 720), H5908 [15JY]

Nursing homes: establish a loan repayment program for nurse practitioners and physician assistants in underserved homes, and establish a mentoring program for training administrators (see H.R. 5322), H9048 [8OC]

Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program: provide entitlement to dependents' and survivors' benefits to permanent partnerships (see H.R. 4701), H4927 (see H.R. 4701), H5071 [24JN]

Pensions: reform by establishing a Personal Social Security Savings Program (see S. 2782), S9032 [9SE] (see H.R. 4851), H5982 [19JY]

Personal investment plans: diversion of percentage of payroll tax payments and extend the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program (see H.R. 3821), H574 [24FE]

Privacy: enhance privacy protections for individuals and prevent fraudulent misuse of account numbers (see S. 2801), S9220 [14SE]

Program Reform Commission: establish (see H.R. 3761), H303 [3FE]

Public welfare programs: exempt preparation for high-skilled, high-demand jobs from participation and time limits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (see S. 2256), S3366 [30MR]

Senior citizens: establish a consumer price index for elderly consumers to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits (see S. 2930), S10703 [7OC]

———establish regional consumer price indices to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits (see H.R. 4054), H1643 [29MR]

SSI: extend for refugees, asylees, and certain other humanitarian immigrants (see S. 2623), S7827 [8JY] (see H.R. 4035), H1592 [25MR]

State Children's Health Insurance Program: modify the rules on availability and method of redistribution of unexpended allotments (see S. 2759), S8688 [22JY]

———prohibit approval of certain waivers to provide coverage of childless adults (see H.R. 4142), H2152 [2AP]

States: streamline enrollment processes for Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program through better linkages with programs providing nutrition and related assistance to low-income families (see H.R. 4031), H1592 [25MR]

Taxation: allow seniors with Social Security and pension income to file income tax form 1040S without regard to amount of interest or taxable income (see S. 2502), S6451 [3JN] (see H.R. 4109), H2018 [1AP]

———provide for retirement savings accounts (see H.R. 4714), H5149 [25JN]

———repeal tax increase on Social Security benefits (see H.R. 3868), H752 [2MR]

———waive the employee portion of Social Security taxes imposed on individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer or a terminal disease (see H.R. 3811), H515 [11FE]

Territories: provide equitable treatment of residents relative to transitional assistance and low-income subsidies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit program (see H.R. 4781), H5401 [8JY]

Tobacco cessation: promote under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Maternal and Child Health Program (see S. 2730), S8687 [22JY]

Unemployment: improve the administration of unemployment taxes and benefits (see S. 2662), S8229 [15JY]

Cost Estimates

Mammography Quality Standards Act reauthorization (S. 1879): CBO, S3093 [24MR]

Factsheets

Affordability in Medicare Premiums Act (S. 2906), S10580 [6OC]

Forms

IRS income tax simple form 1040S for senior citizens, H3650 [2JN]

Letters

Advance Directives Improvement and Education Act: Karen Orloff Kaplan, Last Acts Partnership (organization), S7018 [17JN]

Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act: several organizations, S1273-S1275 [12FE]

Impose conditions on Federal reimbursement of emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens: Catherine K. Douglas, PEACH, Inc., H3038 [17MY]

———Melinda K. Lewis, El Centro, Inc., E920 [19MY]

———Michael D. Maves, AMA, H3037 [17MY]

———Representative Barton, Committee on Energy and Commerce (House), E906 [19MY]

———Representative Thomas, Committee on Ways and Means (House), E906 [19MY]

———Ron Pollack, FamiliesUSA (organization), H3037 [17MY]

———several health organizations, H3037, H3039 [17MY]

Make all uninsured children eligible for the State Children's Health Insurance Program and simplify enrollment and renewal procedures: Deborah Dietrick, Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, S5479 [13MY]

Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program funding: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California, H1448 [24MR]

Medicaid coverage of primary and secondary preventative medical strategies for children and adults with sickle cell disease: several Senators, S11193 [11OC]

Medicare Assurance of Rx Transitional Assistance Act: several Senators, S5374 [12MY]

Medicare Early Access Act: Leadership Council of Aging Organizations, E827 [12MY]

Medicare Preventive Services Coverage Act: Ben F. Massey, Jr., American Physical Therapy Association, S7001 [17JN]

———Emily R. Wilson, Emergency Department Practice Management Association, S7002 [17JN]

———George Isham, HealthPartners, Inc., S7002 [17JN]

———Georges C. Benjamin, American Public Health Association, S7001 [17JN]

———James C. Martin, American Academy of Family Physicians, S7001 [17JN]

———John M. Clymer, Partnership for Prevention (organization), S7002 [17JN]

———Matthew L. Myers, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (organization), S7002 [17JN]

———Michael M. Faenza, National Mental Health Association, S7003 [17JN]

———Mike Barry, American College of Preventive Medicine, S7001 [17JN]

———Ronald E. Smith, American Dietetic Association, S7001 [17JN]

———Ronald F. Pollack, Families USA (organization), S7001 [17JN]

———Stephen Bennett, United Cerebral Palsy (organization), S7003 [17JN]

———Susan Greco, Deafness Research Foundation, S7002 [17JN]

SCHIP Expansion Act: Carden Johnston, American Academy of Pediatrics, S6729 [14JN]

———Emil Parker, Children's Defense Fund (organization), S5531 [17MY]

———Lawrence A. McAndrews, National Association of Children's Hospitals, S6729 [14JN]

———Sharon Daly, Catholic Charities USA (organization), S5531 [17MY]

Lists

Groups supporting the conference report on H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, H4743 [22JN]

Nebraska critical access hospitals offering certain laboratory services, S5537 [17MY]

Messages

Social Security Agreement Between the U.S. and Japan: President Bush, S11426 [17NO], H9873 [17NO]

Motions

Benefits: provide additional safeguards for certain beneficiaries with representative payees (H.R. 743), H456 [11FE]

Press releases

New Study Finds Increased Multivitamin Use by the Elderly Could Save Medicare $1.6 Billion: Lewin Group (consulting firm), S11619 [19NO]

Remarks in House

Benefits, H2717 [6MY], H3176-H3180 [18MY]

———protect cost-of-living adjustments (H.R. 4910), H6689 [22JY]

———provide additional safeguards for certain beneficiaries with representative payees (H.R. 743), Senate amendment, H443-H465 [11FE]

———provide additional safeguards for certain beneficiaries with representative payees (H.R. 743), consideration of Senate amendment (H. Res. 520), H438-H443 [11FE]

———remedies to preserve benefits proposed by FRS, H635, H636, H687 [26FE]

Budget: allocation of funds, H2205, H2247-H2253 [21AP], H3725 [3JN]

———combat waste, fraud, and abuse, H1205 [17MR], H2624 [5MY]

———deficit, H6761 [8SE]

———evaluation of Bush administration proposals, H898, H900 [9MR], H1045-H1051 [11MR], E363 [11MR]

Bush, President: evaluation of administration, H534, H540 [24FE], H598 [25FE], H878, H880 [9MR], H2169 [20AP], H2227 [21AP], H2522-H2524 [4MY], H2553 [5MY], H2661 [6MY], H5466 [9JY], H5542, H5636-H5642 [13JY], H5796 [15JY], H6761 [8SE], H6906 [9SE], H7194 [15SE], H7823 [29SE], E243 [26FE]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: withhold implementation of 75 percent rule relative to hospital inpatient rehabilitation care pending independent assessment by medical experts, H6836, H6837 [8SE], H6977 [9SE]

Children and youth: access of disadvantaged children to dental services (H.R. 4622), E1203 [22JN]

———provide health insurance for uninsured children, H2818 [12MY]

Crime: prevent convicted fugitive felons and parole or probation violators from collecting checks, H457 [11FE]

Democratic Party: national agenda, H10-H16 [20JA], H3593-H3599 [1JN], H7418-H7425 [22SE], H7566 [23SE]

Dept. of HHS: clarify and ensure that certain authority is used solely to promote the objectives of the Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs (H.R. 4935), E1467, E1506 [22JY]

———investigation into allegation of firing threats relative to disclosure of cost of Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, H1219-H1225 [17MR], H1231, H1232, H1233 [18MR], H1613 [29MR], H2500, H2526 [4MY], H3588 [1JN], H5201 [7JY], H5541 [13JY], H5658 [14JY]

———Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program funding, H1448 [24MR], H1557 [25MR]

———Office of the Sec. funding, H6941, H6942 [9SE]

Dept. of the Treasury: prevent use of retirement trust funds in order to circumvent the statutory debt limit, H7253, H7280-H7282 [21SE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: prescription drug discounts for veterans, H3586, H3587 [1JN]

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 (H.R. 1267), E354 [11MR]

Economy: evaluation of Bush administration, H9707, H9709 [16NO]

———national objectives priority assignments, H3945-H3952 [14JN], H4292, H4294 [17JN]

Federal budget: evaluation of Bush administration proposals, H6732 [7SE]

Health: expand Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program to include parents of low-income families (H.R. 4350), E843 [14MY]

———improve access to health insurance and Medicare benefits for individuals aged 55 to 65 and allow tax credits for payment of such premiums (H.R. 4357), E826 [12MY], E843 [14MY]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures, H40, H65 [21JA], H2736, H2740, H2741, H2806-H2812 [11MY], H2819, H2820, H2893-H2898, H2900-H2907 [12MY], H2922 [13MY], H3168 [18MY], H3233, H3234 [19MY], H7079, H7187 [14SE], H8042, H8043, H8141, H8143, H8159 [5OC], H10091 [20NO], E864 [14MY], E1441 [21JY]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (H.R. 1200), H853 [4MR]

House of Representatives: bribery allegations relative to Representative Nick Smith's vote on Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, H1223 [17MR]

Immigration: adjust status of certain foreign agricultural workers, reform H-2A worker program, provide a stable, legal agricultural workforce, and extend basic legal protections and better working conditions to more workers (H.R. 3142), E1663 [21SE]

———enforce employment restrictions on unauthorized aliens through the use of improved Social Security cards and an Employment Eligibility Database (H.R. 5111), H7247 [21SE], H7947 [4OC]

Income: repeal Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions, H438-H443, H458-H464 [11FE]

———repeal Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions (H.R. 594), E737 [4MY]

Mammography Quality Standards Act: reauthorize (H.R. 4555), H8079, H8080 [5OC]

Medicaid: additional funding for certain territories, H6840, H6843 [8SE], H6954, H6955, H6958 [9SE], E1608 [13SE]

———allow States to expand coverage to uninsured, poor adults (H.R. 1143), H2906 [12MY]

———extend Federal-State cost-sharing program to assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries with health care costs (S. 2618), H10053, H10054 [19NO]

———funding, H1456, H1457 [24MR], H1531-H1534 [25MR]

———provide American Samoa with treatment similar to that provided to States (H.R. 1188), E1608 [13SE]

———provide families of disabled children with the opportunity to purchase coverage (H.R. 1811), E1150 [18JN]

———provide funding to States to enable them to increase the wages paid to targeted direct support professionals in providing services to individuals with disabilities (H.R. 5197), E1772 [1OC]

Medicare: adjust the amount of payment under the physician fee schedule for cancer drug administration services, H7035 [13SE]

———advertising campaign designed to build public support for the new Medicare drug law, H1203, H1219-H1223 [17MR], H3587 [1JN]

———assess cost of antiobesity treatment programs before extending coverage to beneficiaries, H6855, H6856 [8SE]

———assure that enrollment in any prescription drug program is voluntary, H834 [4MR], H915, H916 [9MR]

———coverage of bone mass measurements for all individuals at clinical risk for osteoporosis (H.R. 2151), E1142 [16JN]

———deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices (H.R. 3767), H5540, H5541, H5545, H5546 [13JY]

———deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices (H.R. 3767), consideration (H. Res. 696), H5921 [19JY]

———establish a prescription drug discount card endorsement program, H834 [4MR], H915 [9MR], H1376 [24MR]

———extend increase in payment rates for home health services in rural areas (H.R. 4902), E2107 [20NO]

———funding, H1530-H1534 [25MR], H1763 [31MR]

———health savings accounts, H1487 [25MR]

———impose a moratorium on payments for inpatient hospital services in additional long-term care hospital beds (H.R. 3790), E135 [10FE]

———impose conditions on Federal reimbursement of emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens (H.R. 3722), H82-H87 [21JA], H2907-H2911 [12MY], H2998, H2999 [13MY], H3019, H3022, H3033-H3044, H3065-H3071 [17MY], H3097, H3098, H3099 [18MY], E889, E891, E894 [18MY], E906, E913, E917, E920 [19MY]

———improve benefits for beneficiaries with kidney disease (H.R. 4927), E1501 [22JY]

———improve coordination of prescription drug coverage under retiree plans and State pharmaceutical assistance programs with Medicare drug benefits (H.R. 4195), E636 [22AP]

———inclusion of health savings accounts, H992 [10MR], H1121 [17MR]

———increase Federal oversight of the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and revoke its unique ability to accredit hospitals (H.R. 4877), E1436 [21JY]

———increase in premiums, H6716, H6732 [7SE], H6760, H6763 [8SE], H6904, H6905, H6986 [9SE], H7038, H7041-H7044 [13SE], H7185, H7187 [14SE], H7219 [15SE], H7253, H7305 [21SE], H7332 [22SE], H7547 [23SE], H7718-H7724 [28SE]

———make standardized payment amounts equitable for urban and rural inpatient hospital services, H1374 [24MR]

———medical savings accounts, H368 [4FE], H1101 [16MR], H2735 [11MY], H2906 [12MY], H3405 [20MY]

———permit negotiation of fair prices for, and allow the reimportation of, prescription drugs, H485 [11FE], H534 [24FE], H3610 [2JN], H3945, H3946 [14JN]

———prescription drug discount card program implementation, H1745 [31MR], H2493, H2494, H2495, H2500, H2521, H2535-H2538 [4MY], H2554, H2636-H2642 [5MY], H2660, H2702 [6MY], H2779, H2780, H2781 [11MY], H2819, H2820, H2821 [12MY], H3098 [18MY], H3232, H3233, H3234, H3235, H3236 [19MY], H3543, H3544, H3568, H3573, H3574, H3575, H3577-H3589, H3597, H3599 [1JN], H3608, H3609, H3610 [2JN], H3723, H3724, H3725, H3754 [3JN], H5203 [7JY], H5990, H5991 [20JY], H6446 [21JY], H7419 [22SE], H8004-H8009 [4OC], E909 [19MY], E960 [21MY], E1015 [2JN]

———prohibit Federal reimbursement of emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens, H6939-H6941 [9SE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in California (H.R. 3964), E359 [11MR]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Florida (H.R. 3876), E272 [2MR]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in New Mexico (H.R. 3844), E229 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in the District of Columbia (H.R. 4336), E811 [11MY]

———prohibit use of funds for administrative costs of premium collections relative to rate increases, H6944, H6945 [9SE]

———provide access to audiologists (H.R. 2821), H3236 [19MY]

———provide additional beneficiary protections (H.R. 3702), E31 [21JA]

———provide automatic enrollment and eligibility for certain low-income beneficiaries for subsidies under the Medicare transitional and permanent prescription drug programs (H.R. 4437), H3573 [1JN], H3754 [3JN]

———provide beneficiaries with access to geriatric assessments and chronic care management (H.R. 4689), E1245 [25JN]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs, H484 [11FE], H2701 [6MY]

———provide prescription drugs to certain individuals through use of a lottery, H5074 [25JN]

———provide research funding on outcomes of health care items and services including the comparative clinical effectiveness of prescription drugs, H6838, H6839 [8SE]

———provide whistleblower protection to employees of clinical laboratories (H.R. 5311), E1944 [11OC]

———reform, H899 [9MR], H1066-H1069 [11MR]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), conference report, H6 [20JA], H62 [21JA], H104, H120-H124 [27JA], H131, H226 [28JA], H252, H281, H283-H291 [3FE], H424-H431 [10FE], H482, H484 [11FE], H713 [2MR], H834 [4MR], H913-H919, H923, H924 [9MR], H1096, H1098, H1110-H1114 [16MR], H1121, H1203, H1219-H1225 [17MR], H1233 [18MR], H1330 [23MR], H1374, H1376 [24MR], H1487 [25MR], H1598, H1613, H1616 [29MR], H1648, H1650, H1714, H1715 [30MR], H1745, H1761, H1762 [31MR], H1794, H1795 [1AP], H2065 [2AP], H2175, H2192 [20AP], H2230, H2240 [21AP], H2298, H2300 [22AP], H2383 [27AP], H2493, H2494, H2495, H2535-H2540 [4MY], H2552, H2636-H2642 [5MY], H2660 [6MY], H2819, H2820, H2821, H2895 [12MY], H2991 [13MY], H3098 [18MY], H3236 [19MY], H3405 [20MY], H3567 [1JN], H3608, H3696 [2JN], H3725 [3JN], H4178 [16JN], H4738-H4745 [22JN], H5990, H5991 [20JY], H6734 [7SE], H7306 [21SE], H7547 [23SE], H7718-H7724 [28SE], H8004-H8009 [4OC], H8862 [8OC], H10899 [6DE], E34 [21JA], E295 [3MR], E960 [21MY], E1038 [4JN]

———reimbursement of enrollees in the PPO Demonstration Project for expenses inappropriately incurred relative to coverage through out-of-network providers (H.R. 5400), E2115 [20NO]

———repeal outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps, H916 [9MR]

———require the negotiation and disclosure of the lowest possible prices for prescription drugs, H5921 [19JY]

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: investigation into allegations of the withholding of information relative to disclosure of cost of implementation, H7822 [29SE]

Medicare/Medicaid: require automatic fire sprinkler systems in all nursing facilities (H.R. 4967), E1495 [22JY]

Merchant marine industry: provide certain benefits to individuals who served in the U.S. merchant marine during World War II (H.R. 4904), E1508 [22JY]

Mexico: prohibit funding to implement U.S.-Mexico Social Security totalization agreement, H6958-H6962 [9SE]

National Cover the Uninsured Week: observance, H2779, H2809-H2812 [11MY]

Pensions: provide for personal retirement savings accounts, increase individual control over retirement income, protect surpluses, and reform certain benefits (H.R. 3055), H1736 [30MR], H2719 [6MY], H3176-H3180 [18MY], H3589-H3593 [1JN], H6885-H6889 [8SE]

Pharmaceuticals: reductions in prescription drug prices, H2540 [4MY]

Privacy: prohibit the establishment of any uniform national health care identifying number or health information database (H.R. 1699), H8072 [5OC]

Reform, H6540-H6544 [21JY]

Republican Party: national agenda, H252 [3FE], H1063 [11MR], H7041, H7045 [13SE], H7079 [14SE], H7247 [21SE]

Rhode Island Veterans Post Office Building, Middletown, RI: designate (H.R. 3942), H2384 [27AP]

Solvency, H670, H671 [26FE], H864-H868 [4MR], H1328 [23MR], H1375, H1458 [24MR], H1503 [25MR], H1733-H1737 [30MR], H1763 [31MR], H2194 [20AP], H2247-H2250, H2253 [21AP], H2471-H2475 [28AP], H2717 [6MY], H3176-H3180 [18MY], H6885-H6889 [8SE], H8143 [5OC], E230 [25FE]

States: permit coverage of certain low-income youth with an enhanced matching rate under State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid (H.R. 3192), H3182 [18MY]

———streamline enrollment processes for Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program through better linkages with programs providing nutrition and related assistance to low-income families (H.R. 4031), H1717 [30MR], E486 [30MR]

Taxation: allow seniors with Social Security and pension income to file income tax form 1040S without regard to amount of interest or taxable income (H.R. 4109), H3648-H3654 [2JN]

———provide incentives to employers that offer retiree health benefits, H5989 [20JY]

———rates, H710 [2MR]

———repeal tax increase on Social Security benefits (H.R. 434), H709 [2MR]

———treatment of income earned by individuals who are not citizens or U.S. nationals relative to coverage under the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program, H463 [11FE]

Territories: provide equitable treatment of residents relative to transitional assistance and low-income subsidies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit program (H.R. 4781), E1329 [8JY]

Texas: collection of spousal and retirement benefits by individuals in the Texas Teacher Retirement System, E182 [12FE]

Trust funds: budget treatment, H864-H868 [4MR], H903 [9MR], H1079 [16MR], H1427 [24MR], H1733-H1737 [30MR], H2192-H2195 [20AP], H3876 [14JN], H5643-H5646 [13JY], H7307, H7308, H7310, H7311 [21SE], H9711 [16NO]

———payroll taxes, H3589-H3593 [1JN]

Unemployment: improve the administration of unemployment taxes and benefits (H.R. 3463), H5669-H5672 [14JY]

Remarks in Senate

Benefits: protect cost-of-living adjustments (S. 2754), S8739-S8743 [22JY]

———reject privatization proposals (S. Res. 432), S9534 [22SE]

Budget: allow point of order against direct spending or revenue legislation that increases on-budget deficits in any fiscal year until the budget is balanced without Social Security, S2384-S2389, S2393-S2396, S2403-S2407 [9MR], S2525-S2529 [10MR]

———deficit, S2617 [11MR]

———eliminate reconciliation instructions in budget resolution directing Committee on Finance (Senate) to produce mandatory savings, S2518-S2525 [10MR], S2696 [11MR]

———eliminate Social Security survivor benefit plan offset through reducing the levels of tax cuts and closing certain tax loopholes, S2658, S2659 [11MR]

———evaluation of Bush administration proposals, S2407-S2410 [9MR]

———reduce level of tax cuts and apply savings to establish a Social Security reserve fund, S2532-S2537 [10MR]

Bush, President: evaluation of administration, S3052-S3055 [24MR], S3523-S3525 [1AP], S3736-S3738 [6AP], S6058-S6060 [21MY], S8495-S8498 [21JY], S8643 [22JY], S8983 [9SE], S9120 [13SE], S9252-S9257 [15SE], S10389 [5OC]

Business and industry: ensure full and free competition in the medical device and hospital supply industries (S. 2880), S10263 [1OC]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: provide direct congressional access to the Office of the Chief Actuary (S. 2076), S1292 [12FE]

———require repayment of appropriated funds that are illegaly disbursed for political purposes (S. 2473), S6088 [21MY]

Children and youth: make all uninsured children eligible for the State Children's Health Insurance Program and simplify enrollment and renewal procedures for Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S. 2420), S5477-S5479 [13MY], S5531 [17MY]

Congress: accomplishments of the 108th Congress, S11055-S11060 [10OC], S11336 [16NO]

Death and dying: improve access to information about end of life care options and legal rights, promote advance care planning and decisionmaking, and engage health care providers in preparation of advance directives (S. 2545), S7016 [17JN]

Dept. of HHS: clarify and ensure that certain authority is used solely to promote the objectives of the Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs (S. 2222), S2863-S2865 [22MR]

———establish an Internet website designed to allow consumers to compare prices for covered outpatient drugs sold by retail pharmacies that participate in the Medicaid program (S. 2597), S7474 [24JN]

———investigation into allegation of firing threats relative to disclosure of cost of Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, S3051, S3058-S3060 [24MR], S3319 [30MR], S4784 [4MY], S7118 [22JN]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: clarify that per diem payments for the care of veterans in State homes shall not be used to offset Medicaid payments (S. 2196), S2720 [11MR]

Economy: evaluation of Bush administration, S11399-S11418 [17NO]

———national objectives priority assignments, S3873, S3875 [7AP], S8825-S8827 [7SE]

Families and domestic relations: improve collection of child support, S3358 [30MR]

———improve collection of child support (S. 2194), S2720 [11MR]

———promote healthy marriages and responsible fatherhood, S9763 [28SE]

———promote healthy marriages and responsible fatherhood (S. 2830), S9537 [22SE], S9656 [23SE]

Health: eliminate price cap applicable to purchase of influenza vaccines and establish a tax credit to encourage vaccine production capacity (S. 2997), S11497 [18NO]

———extend availability of allotments under the State Children's Health Insurance Program, S10180-S10183 [30SE]

———increase in insurance premiums, S10292 [4OC]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures, S105 [21JA], S519 [3FE], S761, S763 [10FE], S2833 [22MR], S3121 [25MR], S3524 [1AP], S4088 [19AP], S5056 [10MY], S5173-S5176 [11MY], S5244-S5250, S5364-S5366 [12MY], S5384, S5387-S5389 [13MY], S5488 [14MY], S5733 [19MY], S7506 [25JN], S8057-S8059 [14JY], S9120 [13SE], S9160-S9164 [14SE], S9273 [15SE], S9542, S9544 [23SE], S9692-S9696 [27SE], S10514-S10516, S10551-S10553 [6OC], S10769 [8OC], S11739 [20NO]

———permit States the option of covering certain legal aliens under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S. 2685), S8424 [19JY]

———permit States the option of covering certain legal aliens under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S. 2704), S8574 [21JY], S8792 [22JY]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 2083), S1294 [12FE]

Health care professionals: improve dental services in underserved areas (S. 2740), S8720 [22JY]

Immigration: adjust status of certain foreign agricultural workers, reform H-2A worker program, provide a stable, legal agricultural workforce, and extend basic legal protections and better working conditions to more workers (S. 1645), S1272 [12FE]

———adjust status of certain foreign agricultural workers, reform H-2A worker program, provide a stable, legal agricultural workforce, and extend basic legal protections and better working conditions to more workers (S. 2823), S9429 [21SE], S9538 [22SE], S10788-S10790 [8OC]

Mammography Quality Standards Act: reauthorize (H.R. 4555), S10921 [9OC]

———reauthorize (S. 1879), S105 [21JA], S379 [2FE]

McClellan, Mark B.: confirmation as Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator, S2760, S2761, S2765, S2773 [12MR]

———nomination to be Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator, S2431 [9MR]

Medicaid: allow sharing of information with local educational agencies to verify eligibility for school lunch or breakfast programs, S7246, S7247 [23JN]

———coverage of primary and secondary preventative medical strategies for children and adults with sickle cell disease, S11054 [10OC]

———coverage of primary and secondary preventative medical strategies for children and adults with sickle cell disease (S. 874), S1508 [24FE]

———extend Federal-State cost-sharing program to assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries with health care costs (S. 2618), S7754 [7JY], S11390 [16NO]

———extend State fiscal relief (S. 2671), S8233, S8234 [15JY]

———include podiatrists as physicians for purposes of covering physicians services (S. 2174), S2304, S2305 [8MR]

———increase Federal Medical Assistance Percentage to States, S2623 [11MR]

———permit children administered a vaccine at a public health clinic or Indian clinic to be eligible for the pediatric vaccine distribution program (S. 2272), S3571 [1AP]

———prohibit payments to States for redispensing prescription drugs (S. 2950), S10850 [8OC]

———provide complete reimbursement for medical assistance provided to Native Hawaiians by federally qualified health centers or Native Hawaiian health care systems (S. 2098), S1460 [23FE]

———provide families of disabled children with the opportunity to purchase coverage (S. 622), S4946-S4951 [6MY]

———restore disproportionate share hospital allotment for Hawaii, S5488 [14MY]

Medicare: adjust the amount of payment under the physician fee schedule for cancer drug administration services (S. 2587), S7417, S7445 [24JN]

———advertising campaign designed to build public support for the new Medicare drug law, S625-S627 [5FE], S3051, S3058-S3060 [24MR], S3524 [1AP], S4755 [3MY], S4780, S4786 [4MY], S5934 [20MY]

———allow beneficiaries to purchase multiple prescription drug discount cards and to receive a refund of the enrollment fee if prices or the formulary used by the card sponsor changes (S. 2530), S7037 [18JN]

———clarify payment for clinical laboratory tests furnished by critical access hospitals (S. 2426), S5536 [17MY]

———coverage of bone mass measurements for all individuals at clinical risk for osteoporosis (S. 419), S5074 [10MY]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs, S518 [3FE]

———deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices (S. 2652), S8119-S8122, S8140 [14JY], S8268 [15JY]

———eliminate coverage gap and HMO subsidies and repeal health savings accounts (S. 2629), S7867 [8JY], S7900 [9JY]

———eliminate coverage gap and HMO subsidies and repeal health savings accounts (S. 2725), S8707 [22JY]

———eliminate overpayments to regional preferred provider organizations and other Medicare advantage plans and use savings to reduce prescription drug coverage gap, S2682 [11MR]

———eliminate privatization and reduce excessive payments to health maintenance organizations and other private sector insurance plans (S. 2300), S3937 [7AP]

———eliminate reductions in payments to hospitals for the indirect costs of medical education (S. 2876), S10071 [30SE]

———ensure that prescription drug discount card sponsors pass along discounts to beneficiaries (S. 2234), S3185 [25MR], S3319 [30MR]

———establish a hospice demonstration and grant program for beneficiaries (S. 2983), S11381 [16NO]

———expand the rural community hospital demonstration program to include outpatient services (S. 2284), S3792 [6AP]

———extend increase in payment rates for home health services in rural areas (S. 2659), S8230, S8231 [15JY]

———improve access to diabetes self-management training by designated certified diabetes educators (S. 2431), S5609 [18MY]

———improve benefits for beneficiaries with kidney disease (S. 2614), S7752 [7JY]

———improve coordination of prescription drug coverage under retiree plans and State pharmaceutical assistance programs with Medicare drug benefits (S. 2339), S4317 [22AP]

———improve the provision of items and services to beneficiaries in rural areas (S. 2135), S1692 [26FE]

———increase Federal oversight of the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and revoke its unique ability to accredit hospitals (S. 2698), S8482, S8483 [20JY]

———increase in premiums, S9158 [14SE], S9409-S9411 [21SE], S9541 [23SE]

———modernize by ensuring that appropriate preventive services are covered (S. 2535), S7000 [17JN]

———negotiate lower prescription drug prices, eliminate gap in drug benefits coverage, reduce medical errors, increase use of technology, and increase services in primary and preventive care by non-physician providers (S. 2766), S8754 [22JY]

———permit negotiation of fair prices for, and allow the reimportation of, prescription drugs, S6301 [2JN]

———permit negotiation of fair prices for, and allow the reimportation of, prescription drugs (S. 2053), S628 [5FE], S1276 [12FE]

———permit the Dept. of HHS to negotiate fair prescription drugs prices for beneficiaries, S2398 [9MR]

———prescription drug discount card program implementation, S4387-S4390 [27AP], S4680 [29AP], S4780, S4782, S4784-S4787 [4MY], S4859, S4860 [5MY], S5057 [10MY], S5243, S5246 [12MY], S6253 [1JN], S6301 [2JN], S7945 [13JY], S9487 [22SE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in California (S. 2116), S1591 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Hawaii (S. 2122), S1592 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Michigan (S. 2113), S1589 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Nevada (S. 2121), S1592 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in New Jersey (S. 2117), S1591 [25FE]

———prohibit operation of comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in New Mexico (S. 2114), S1589 [25FE]

———provide beneficiaries access to information on the quality of care provided by skilled nursing facilities and provide incentives for such facilities to improve the quality of care (S. 2988), S11430 [17NO]

———provide for fairness in the calculation of disportionate share hospital payments for hospitals in Puerto Rico (S. 2260), S3369 [30MR]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (S. 1994), S8191 [15JY]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (S. 1999), S105 [21JA]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (S. 2714), S8561, S8574 [21JY], S8792 [22JY]

———provide for the automatic enrollment of Medicaid beneficiaries for prescription drug benefits (S. 2413), S5373 [12MY]

———provide for the automatic enrollment of Medicaid beneficiaries for prescription drug benefits (S. 2694), S8479, S8490 [20JY], S8574 [21JY]

———provide incentives for the furnishing of quality care under Medicare Advantage plans and by end stage renal disease providers and facilities (S. 2562), S7313-S7315 [23JN]

———reduce part B premium through elimination of certain overpayments to Medicare Advantage organizations (S. 2906), S10579-S10581 [6OC]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), conference report, S75 [21JA], S341 [2FE], S675-S677, S679, S680 [6FE], S693, S698 [9FE], S763 [10FE], S1414 [12FE], S2761, S2762 [12MR], S3051, S3058-S3060 [24MR], S3319 [30MR], S3524, S3527 [1AP], S3624-S3627 [5AP], S3911, S3952-S3957 [7AP], S4340-S4342 [26AP], S4387-S4390 [27AP], S4631, S4680 [29AP], S4784-S4786 [4MY], S5056-S5058 [10MY], S5243, S5247 [12MY], S5488 [14MY], S8096 [14JY], S8825 [7SE], S9487 [22SE], S9541 [23SE], S10617-S10620 [7OC], S10764-S10767, S10769 [8OC], S10960-S10962, S10981-S10983 [9OC]

———reimbursement for certain midwife services (S. 2492), S6362 [2JN]

———simplify prescription drug discount card program (S. 2512), S6631 [8JN]

———stabilize amount of part B premium (S. 2780), S9161 [14SE], S9409-S9411 [21SE]

———waive waiting period for coverage of certain disabled individuals (S. 2566), S7321 [23JN]

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: anniversary, S11770 [20NO]

———improve (S. 2343), S4329 [22AP]

———investigation into allegations of the withholding of information relative to disclosure of cost of implementation, S7118 [22JN], S9541 [23SE]

Members of Congress: ensure that prescription drug coverage for Members is not better than coverage for Medicare beneficiaries (S. 2678), S8400 [16JY], S8427 [19JY]

Pfizer, Inc.: tribute to initiative to provide discounts on prescription drugs for the uninsured, S7745 [7JY]

Pharmaceuticals: reductions in prescription drug prices, S5053 [10MY]

Political campaigns: comparison of President Bush and Senator Kerry relative to health care reform, S9542, S9544 [23SE], S10514-S10516, S10551-S10553 [6OC], S10812 [8OC]

Presidential appointments: nominations considered and confirmed en bloc, S2752 [11MR]

Privacy: enhance privacy protections for individuals and prevent fraudulent misuse of account numbers (S. 2801), S9224 [14SE]

Senate: legislative priorities, S7945 [13JY]

Solvency, S1873-S1877 [27FE], S2269 [8MR], S3051 [24MR]

SSI: extend for refugees, asylees, and certain other humanitarian immigrants (S. 2623), S7836, S7837 [8JY], S8538 [21JY]

State Children's Health Insurance Program: modify the rules on availability and method of redistribution of unexpended allotments (S. 2759), S8749-S8751 [22JY], S10259 [1OC], S10361 [4OC]

———prevent unspent funds from reverting to the Treasury rather than being used to provide coverage for low-income children, S2656 [11MR]

States: expand or add coverage of pregnant women under State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid (S. 1734), S11370 [16NO]

Taxation: allow seniors with Social Security and pension income to file income tax form 1040S without regard to amount of interest or taxable income (S. 2502), S6456 [3JN]

———treatment of continuing care retirement communities, S5890, S5891 [19MY]

Tobacco cessation: promote under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Maternal and Child Health Program (S. 2730), S8709 [22JY]

Trust funds: budget treatment, S1223 [12FE]

Unemployment: improve the administration of unemployment taxes and benefits (H.R. 3463), S8804 [22JY]

Reports

Democracy on Drugs: Common Cause (organization), E1038-E1040 [4JN]

Medicare Trust Fund Reimbursement Act: Anthony H. Gamboa, GAO, S6089-S6093 [21MY]

What Happens When Traditional Medicare Has To Bid Against Private Plans? An Example of How the House Bill Would Privatize Medicare: Families USA (organization), S1590 [25FE]

Reports filed

Consideration of Senate Amendment to H.R. 743, Social Security Protection Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 520) (H. Rept. 108-417), H433 [10FE]

Investigation of Certain Allegations Related to Voting on the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (House) (H. Rept. 108-722), H8037 [4OC]

Mammography Quality Standards Act Reauthorization: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 4555) (H. Rept. 108-694), H7441 [22SE]

Nomination of Mark B. McClellan To Be Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator: Committee on Finance (Senate), S2440 [9MR]

Pancreatic Islet Cell Transplantation Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 518) (S. Rept. 108-387), S10702 [7OC]

Provide Documents to the House of Representatives Relative to Cost Estimates and Analyses of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H. Res. 776) (H. Rept. 108-754), H9047 [8OC]

———Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H. Res. 776) (H. Rept. 108-754), H8856 [7OC]

Social Security Number Privacy and Identity Theft Prevention Act: Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 2971) (H. Rept. 108-685), H7137 [14SE]

Veterans Prescription Drugs Assistance Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Senate) (S. 1153) (S. Rept. 108-419), S11639 [19NO]

Statements

Impact of Bush Administration Policies on African Americans: Several African Americans, E243 [26FE]

Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card Program Implementation: National Committee To Preserve Social Security and Medicare, E1105 [14JN]

Summaries

Medicare Early Access Act (H.R. 4357), E827 [12MY]

Texts of

H. Res. 520, consideration of Senate amendment to H.R. 743, Social Security Protection Act, H438 [11FE]

H.R. 743, Social Security Protection Act, H443-H456 [11FE]

H.R. 3463, SUTA Dumping Prevention Act, H5669 [14JY]

H.R. 3722, impose conditions on Federal reimbursement of emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens, H3033 [17MY]

H.R. 4109, Simple Tax for Seniors Act, H3649 [2JN]

H.R. 4555, Mammography Quality Standards Act reauthorization, H8079 [5OC]

S. 622, Family Opportunity Act, S4946-S4948 [6MY]

S. 1879, Mammography Quality Standards Act reauthorization, S379 [2FE]

S. 2076, Congressional Access to the CMS Chief Actuary Act, S1292 [12FE]

S. 2098, Native Hawaiian Medicaid Coverage Act, S1460 [23FE]

S. 2114, prohibit operation of Medicare comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in New Mexico, S1590 [25FE]

S. 2115, prohibit operation of Medicare comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in South Dakota, S1591 [25FE]

S. 2121, prohibit operation of Medicare comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Nevada, S1592 [25FE]

S. 2122, prohibit operation of Medicare comparative cost adjustment (CCA) program in Hawaii, S1593 [25FE]

S. 2196, clarify that Dept. of Veterans Affairs per diem payments for the care of veterans in State homes shall not be used to offset Medicaid payments, S2721 [11MR]

S. 2222, Medicaid and CHIP Safety Net Preservation Act, S2864 [22MR]

S. 2234, Drug Discount Card Improvement Act, S3186 [25MR]

S. 2260, Medicare DSH Payments for Puerto Rico Hospitals Fairness Act, S3370 [30MR]

S. 2272, Children's Vaccine Access Act, S3572 [1AP]

S. 2327, clarify that Dept. of Veterans Affairs per diem payments for the care of veterans in State homes shall not be used to offset Medicaid payments, S4227 [21AP]

S. 2413, Medicare Assurance of Rx Transitional Assistance Act, S5375 [12MY]

S. 2418, authorize Social Security payments under Federal retirement systems to trusts set up for disabled dependents of Federal employees, S5474 [13MY]

S. 2455, Public Servant Retirement Protection Act, S5954 [20MY]

S. 2473, Medicare Trust Fund Reimbursement Act, S6089 [21MY]

S. 2502, Simple Tax for Seniors Act, S6456 [3JN]

S. 2545, Advance Directives Improvement and Education Act, S7017 [17JN]

S. 2562, Medicare Quality Improvement Act, S7315-S7320 [23JN]

S. 2566, Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act, S7322 [23JN]

S. 2587, Ensuring Quality and Access to Cancer Care Act, S7446 [24JN]

S. 2597, Prescription Drug Price Comparison for Savings Act, S7474 [24JN]

S. 2618, extend Federal-State cost-sharing program to assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries with health care costs, S11391 [16NO], H10053 [19NO]

S. 2694, Medicare Assurance of Rx Transitional Assistance Act, S8481 [20JY]

S. 2714, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Reduction Act, S8561 [21JY]

S. 2740, Dental Health Provider Shortage Act, S8721-S8723 [22JY]

S. 2754, Social Security COLA Protection Act, S8740 [22JY]

S. 2759, Children's Health Protection and Improvement Act, S8750 [22JY]

S. 2801, Social Security Number Privacy and Identity Theft Prevention Act, S9225-S9231 [14SE]

S. 2880, Medical Device Competition Act, S10264 [1OC]

S. 2906, Affordability in Medicare Premiums Act, S10580 [6OC]

S. 2950, prohibit Medicaid payments to States for redispensing prescription drugs, S10850 [8OC]

S. Res. 432, reject Social Security privatization proposals, S9534 [22SE]