INSURANCE

Amendments

Federal employees: establish programs to make supplemental dental and vision benefits available to Federal employees, retirees, and dependents, and expand OPM contracting authority (S. 2657), S11694, S11811 [20NO]

Financial institutions: provide regulatory relief and improve productivity for insured depository institutions (H.R. 1375), H1251, H1262, H1264, H1265, H1267, H1268 [18MR]

Floods: reduce losses to properties for which repetitive flood insurance claim payments have been made (S. 2238), S6807, S6809, S6815 [15JN]

Health: promote health care coverage parity for individuals participating in legal recreational or transportation activities (S. 423), S11839 [20NO]

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

National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program: reauthorize (H.R. 2608), S10602 [6OC], H9020 [8OC]

OPM: study and present options under which dental and vision benefits could be made available to Federal employees, retirees, and other appropriate individuals (H.R. 3751), H4600 [21JN]

Small business: improve access and choice relative to employee health care (H.R. 4281), H2976 [13MY]

Social Security: 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]

Taxation: treatment of unused nontaxable benefits under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements (H.R. 4279), H2844 [12MY]

———treatment of unused nontaxable benefits under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements (H.R. 4279), consideration (H. Res. 638), H2829 [12MY]

Appointments

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

Articles and editorials

Deliriously Dumbfounding Drug Discount Cards, E909 [19MY]

Did Investments Affect Medical Malpractice Premiums?, S1479-S1481 [24FE]

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

Doctors Can't Prove Thinning Ranks, H2862 [12MY]

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

Health Care's Brewing Storm, E654 [27AP]

Is Kaiser the Future of American Health Care?, E2048 [18NO]

Liability Crisis Ends Century of Deliveries, S9693 [27SE]

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

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

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

Pro-Lifers Set Sights on New Congress, H10919 [6DE]

Running a Hospital Like a Factory, in a Good Way, S1471 [24FE]

Seniors Blast Medicare Prescription Plan, S679 [6FE]

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

Vt. Woman Wins $7.4M Lawsuit, S3762 [6AP]

Bills and resolutions

Armed Forces: enhance and improve benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserves who serve extended periods on active duty (see S. 2068), S1285 [12FE] (see S. 2791), S9075 [10SE] (see H.R. 5354), H9184 [9OC]

———improve certain compensation, health care, and education benefits for individuals who serve on active duty in a reserve component of the uniformed services (see H.R. 4753), H5150 [25JN]

———prevent the sale of abusive insurance and investment products to military personnel (see S. 2905), S10568 [6OC] (see H.R. 5011), H6755 [7SE]

———restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services (see S. 2065), S1017 [11FE]

———revise age and service requirements for receipt of military retired pay for non-regular service and improve health care for reservists and their families by making TRICARE benefits permanent (see S. 2035), S320 [28JA]

Budget: constitutional amendment on ensuring certain trust funds are outside the U.S. budget (see H.J. Res. 88), H244 [28JA]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: expand the risk pools that qualify for high risk pool grants (see H.R. 5157), H7735 [28SE]

———provide direct congressional access to the Office of the Chief Actuary (see S. 2076), S1285 [12FE]

Children's Development Commission (Kiddie Mac): establish (see H.R. 5265), H8857 [7OC]

Coal: clarify that certain coal industry health benefits may not be modified or terminated (see S. 3004), S11496 [18NO] (see H.R. 5383), H9999 [18NO]

Contracts: prohibit the award of a Federal contract unless the contractor agrees to offer their employees certain health insurance benefits (see H.R. 4028), H1483 [24MR]

Dept. of Agriculture: offer farmers supplemental crop insurance based on area yield and loss plan of insurance (see H.R. 4702), H4927 (see H.R. 4702), H5071 [24JN]

Dept. of Defense: reform the TRICARE program to make reimbursement rates and cost-sharing requirements the same as those offered under certain plans provided under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (see H.R. 5152), H7735 [28SE]

———require emergency contraception to be included on the uniform formulary of pharmaceutical agents of the pharmacy benefits program (see H.R. 4976), H6704 [22JY]

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]

———expand the National Practitioner Data Bank (see S. 2341), S4300 [22AP] (see H.R. 4211), H2372 [22AP]

Dept. of HUD: insure mortgages for acquisition, construction, or substantial rehabilitation of child care and development facilities (see H.R. 5265), H8857 [7OC]

———insure zero-downpayment mortgages for one-unit residences (see S. 2753), S8688 [22JY] (see H.R. 3755), H303 [3FE]

Dept. of the Treasury: extend Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (see H.R. 4634), H4764 [22JN] (see H.R. 4772), H5330 [7JY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: furnish care for newborn children of women veterans receiving maternity care (see S. 2417), S5472 [13MY]

Disasters: creation of protection funds by property and casualty insurance companies for the payment of policyholders' claims arising from future catastrophic events (see H.R. 4186), H2265 [21AP]

Discrimination: prohibit in life insurance based on a person's previous lawful travel experiences (see H.R. 3927), H1010 [10MR]

District of Columbia: include court employees as participants in long term care insurance for Federal employees (see S. 2322), S4158 [20AP]

Drugs: improve provision of discounts on drug purchases for certain safety net providers (see H.R. 4161), H2153 [2AP]

Employment: eliminate tax subsidies for outsourcing of jobs and provide assistance and improve the health care tax credit for certain displaced workers (see S. 2531), S6881 [16JN]

Families and domestic relations: make a stillborn child an insurable dependent for purposes of the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program (see S. 2982), S11377 [16NO]

Federal aid programs: extend period for COBRA coverage for recipients of trade adjustment assistance (see S. 2226), S2996 [23MR]

———extend period for COBRA coverage for victims of terrorist attacks (see S. 2837), S9611 [23SE]

Federal contracts: require surety bond companies provide contractors accurate and non-discriminatory reasons for denial of surety bonding (see H.R. 4455), H3439 (see H.R. 4455), H3539 [20MY]

Federal employees: cover services provided to injured workers by physician assistants and nurse practitioners (see H.R. 5063), H7072 [13SE]

———establish programs to make supplemental dental and vision benefits available to Federal employees, retirees, and dependents, and expand OPM contracting authority (see S. 2657), S8118 [14JY] (see H.R. 4844), H5908 [15JY] (see H.R. 5295), H9047 [8OC]

———provide continued health benefits coverage for certain Federal employees (see S. 2409), S5227 [11MY]

FHA: preserve ability to insure certain mortgages (see S. 2712), S8548 [21JY]

Financial institutions: provide regulatory relief and improve productivity for insured depository institutions (H.R. 1375), consideration (see H. Res. 566), H1228 [17MR]

Floods: reduce losses to properties for which repetitive flood insurance claim payments have been made (see S. 2238), S3180 [25MR]

———reduce losses to properties for which repetitive flood insurance claim payments have been made (S. 2238), technical corrections in enrollment (see H. Con. Res. 458), H4647 [21JN]

Hazardous substances: prohibit discrimination relative to exposure (see H.R. 4215), H2372 [22AP]

Health: coverage of bone mass measurements (see H.R. 4154), H2152 [2AP]

———coverage of colorectal cancer screening (see S. 2265), S3455 [31MR] (see H.R. 4097), H1790 [31MR]

———coverage of hearing aids under group and individual health plans and the Federal employees' health benefits program (see H.R. 4241), H2483 [28AP]

———establish an expedited procedure for congressional consideration of health care reform legislation (see S. 2576), S7434 [24JN]

———improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (see H.R. 4280), H2656 [5MY]

———improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (H.R. 4280), consideration (see H. Res. 638), H2815 [11MY]

———improve access to health care services by reducing the burden the liability system places in the delivery of emergency, trauma, and obstetrical services (see S. 2207), S2777 [12MR]

———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]

———improve the quality and efficiency of health care delivery through improvements in health care information technology (see S. 2710), S8548 [21JY] (see S. 2907), S10568 [6OC]

———increase insurance coverage by requiring employers to offer health insurance with greater Government assistance and by expanding current safety net programs (see H.R. 5218), H8167 [5OC]

———limit liability of hospitals and emergency departments for noneconomic and punitive damages when providing uncompensated care (see H.R. 4993), H6704 [22JY]

———make antitrust laws apply to negotiations between groups of independent pharmacies and health plans and health insurance issuers in the same manner as collective bargaining by labor organizations (see H.R. 5278), H8858 [7OC]

———modernize the health care system through the use of information technology and reduce costs, improve quality, and provide a new focus on prevention with respect to health care (see S. 2421), S5472 [13MY]

———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] (see H.R. 4964), H6703 [22JY]

———protect certain health care providers against legal liability for certain emergency and related care provided to uninsured individuals (see H.R. 4992), H6704 [22JY]

———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]

———provide every individual with the opportunity to purchase health insurance that is at least equivalent to the insurance available to Members of Congress at the same or lower rates (see S. Res. 358), S5372 [12MY]

———reorient the nation's health care system towards prevention, wellness, and self care (see S. 2558), S7174 [22JN]

———require group and individual health insurance coverage and group health plans to provide prompt payment for health benefits claims (see S. 2308), S4024 [8AP]

Law enforcement officers: extend the same Federal benefits to officers serving private colleges and universities and rail carriers that apply to State and local public safety officers (see S. 2168), S2223 [4MR]

Life Insurance Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see S. Con. Res. 128), S8474 [20JY] (see H. Con. Res. 461), H4765 [22JN]

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

Medicaid: 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]

———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]

———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]

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 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]

———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]

———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]

———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 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 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]

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

———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]

———require the negotiation and disclosure of the lowest possible prices for prescription drugs (see H.R. 4321), H2733 [10MY]

———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]

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

Mental health: provide for research on, and services for individuals with, post-abortion depression and psychosis (see H.R. 4543), H3872 [9JN]

Motor vehicles: create a penalty for automobile insurance fraud (see S. 2728), S8687 [22JY]

———provide consumers a choice of auto insurance, guarantee affordable premiums, and improve compensation for accident victims (see S. 2931), S10703 [7OC]

OPM: administer a national health program to offer Federal employee health benefits plans to individuals who are not Federal employees (see S. 2161), S2105 [3MR] (see S. 2163), S2223 [4MR] (see S. 2630), S7828 [8JY] (see H.R. 4498), H3780 [3JN]

———study and present options under which dental and vision benefits could be made available to Federal employees, retirees, and other appropriate individuals (see H.R. 3751), H250 [30JA]

Public Health Service Act: provide for cooperative governing of individual health insurance coverage offered in interstate commerce (see H.R. 4662), H4893 [23JN]

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]

Small business: certify programs to provide health coverage to uninsured employees (see S. 2544), S6997 [17JN]

———improve access and choice relative to employee health care (see H.R. 4281), H2656 [5MY]

———improve access and choice relative to employee health care (H.R. 4281), consideration (see H. Res. 638), H2815 [11MY]

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

———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]

———constitutional amendment relative to maintenance of a system of social insurance (see H.J. Res. 85), H35 [20JA]

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

———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]

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

———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]

———prohibit approval of certain waivers to provide coverage of childless adults under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (see H.R. 4142), H2152 [2AP]

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

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

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

———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]

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

Space policy: extend the liability indemnification regime for the commercial space transportation industry (see H.R. 5245), H8856 [7OC]

States: extend Federal funding for operation of State high risk health insurance pools (see S. 2283), S3631 [5AP]

———extend Federal funding for the establishment and operation of State high risk health insurance pools (see H.R. 5341), H9049 [8OC]

———permit to require insurance companies to disclose Armenia genocide-era insurance information (see S. 2344), S4301 [22AP]

———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]

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act: make technical changes and resolve certain issues beneficial to coal miners (see H.R. 4529), H3872 [9JN] (see H.R. 4549), H3963 [14JN]

———make technical changes and resolve certain issues beneficial to coal miners (H.R. 4529), consideration (see H. Res. 672), H3963 [14JN]

Taxation: allow a business credit for qualified expenditures for medical professional malpractice insurance (see H.R. 4124), H2019 [1AP]

———allow a deduction for premiums for high deductible health plans required relative to health savings accounts (see H.R. 3901), H871 [4MR]

———allow a deduction for qualified long-term care insurance premiums, use of such insurance under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements, and a credit for individuals with long-term care needs (see H.R. 4432), H3438 (see H.R. 4432), H3538 [20MY]

———allow a deduction for qualified long-term care insurance premiums and a credit for individuals who care for those with long-term care needs (see H.R. 5110), H7328 [21SE]

———allow a refundable credit for the purchase of private health insurance (see S. 2893), S10436 [5OC]

———allow carryforward of certain unused benefits in cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements for dependent care assistance (see H.R. 4372), H3093 [17MY]

———allow full deductibility of health insurance costs of individuals (see H.R. 5074), H7137 [14SE]

———allow individuals a refundable and advanceable credit for health insurance costs (see H.R. 3748), H244 [28JA]

———allow self-employed individuals to deduct health insurance costs in computing self-employment taxes (see S. 2433), S5607 [18MY]

———allow small employers a tax credit for costs paid or incurred for employee health insurance expenses (see S. 2359), S4493 [28AP]

———impose an excise tax on the termination of retiree prescription drug coverage (see H.R. 4845), H5908 [15JY]

———improve the health coverage tax credit (see S. 2935), S10703 [7OC]

———increase exclusion from gross income of an employee for dependent care assistance relative to dependent care services provided during a taxable year and adjust such amount each year for inflation (see H.R. 4379), H3229 [18MY]

———provide a refundable credit for health insurance costs (see H.R. 4886), H6556 [21JY]

———provide a small business health tax credit (see S. 2245), S3214 [26MR]

———provide incentives to encourage small business health plans (see H.R. 5355), H9184 [9OC]

———provide subsidies to encourage small employers to offer affordable health coverage to their employees through qualfied health pooling arrangements (see H.R. 4356), H2918 [12MY]

———provide that distributions from certain retirement plans are not included in gross income if used to pay long-term care insurance premiums (see S. 2918), S10702 [7OC] (see H.R. 4502), H3780 [3JN]

———provide that medical expenses of a child with special needs is allowable as a medical expense deduction without regard to the adjusted gross income threshold (see H.R. 4653), H4892 [23JN]

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

———repeal threshold on the deduction for medical expenses and allow that deduction to taxpayers whether or not they itemize deductions (see H.R. 3704), H35 [20JA]

———treatment of lifetime income payments from annuities and similiar payments of life insurance proceeds at dates later than death (see S. 3029), S11897 [7DE] (see H.R. 4849), H5908 [15JY]

———treatment of unused nontaxable benefits under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements (see H.R. 4007), H1322 [18MR] (see H.R. 4279), H2656 [5MY]

———treatment of unused nontaxable benefits under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements (H.R. 4279), consideration (see H. Res. 638), H2815 [11MY]

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]

Terrorism Risk Insurance Act: extend applicability (see S. 2764), S8688 [22JY]

Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act: extend period for which an individual may elect to continue employer-sponsored health care coverage (see H.R. 4659), H4893 [23JN]

Veterans: increase maximum coverage under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance programs (see H.R. 5047), H6996 [9SE]

———make improvements to certain life insurance programs for veterans with service-connected disabilities (see H.R. 4229), H2482 [28AP]

Women: improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the delivery of obstetrical and gynecological services (see S. 2061), S792 [10FE]

Cloture motions

Health: improve access to health care services by reducing the burden the liability system places in the delivery of emergency, trauma, and obstetrical services (S. 2207), motion to proceed, S3599 [2AP], S3894 [7AP]

Women: improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the delivery of obstetrical and gynecological services (S. 2061), S1401 [12FE]

———improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the delivery of obstetrical and gynecological services (S. 2061), motion to proceed, S1506 [24FE]

Cost Estimates

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

Factsheets

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

Evidence on Job Creation, Wages, and Health Insurance, H852 [4MR]

Statistics Relative to the Loss of Physicians in Mississippi, S3770 [6AP]

Letters

Access to obstetrical and gynecological services relative to medical liability system: Ben Alvarez, S1481 [24FE]

———Debbie Risteen, S1484 [24FE]

Address deceptive sales practices used by certain financial advisors on military bases: Senator Clinton, S8601 [22JY]

Allow local government provision of nonemergency and preventive health services to non-qualified immigrants: Larry Naake, National Association of Counties, S3358 [30MR]

———Michael D. Place, Catholic Health Association of the U.S., S3359 [30MR]

Applicability of laws preventing governmental discrimination against health care entities who refuse to perform abortions or make referrals regarding abortion services: several Senators, S11722 [20NO]

Constitutional amendment on ensuring certain trust funds are outside the U.S. budget: George A. Smith, TREA Senior Citizens League, E477 [30MR]

Elimination of age surtax on stockholder-owned life insurance companies: Senator Specter, S11194 [11OC]

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]

Industrial loan companies regulatory compliance: Donald E. Powell, FDIC, H1246 [18MR]

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]

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]

Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act: Representative Hunter, Committee on Armed Services (House), H8109 [5OC]

———Representative Oxley, Committee on Financial Services (House), H8110 [5OC]

National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program reauthorization: Representative Boehlert, Committee on Science (House), H9024 [8OC]

———Representative Don Young, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (House), H9024 [8OC]

Pregnancy and Trauma Care Access Protection Act: James Hurley, American Academy of Actuaries, S3757 [6AP]

———Laurence E. Stempel, S3758 [6AP]

Reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system: Darryl A. Beehler, American Osteopathic Association, S1939 [1MR]

———E. Randy Eckert, College of American Pathologists, S1938 [1MR]

———Michael D. Maves, AMA, S1939 [1MR]

———Ralph W. Hale, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, S1938 [1MR]

———Thomas R. Russell, American College of Surgeons, S1938 [1MR]

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]

Senior citizens' participation in health savings accounts: David Bergstrom, Minnesota State Retirement System, H7205 [15SE], H7278 [21SE]

———Mary Most Vanek, Public Employees Retirement Association of Minnesota, H7205 [15SE], H7278 [21SE]

———Richard M. Nelson, Minneapolis Police Relief Association, H7205 [15SE], H7278 [21SE]

———Sue Mauren, Minnesota Teamsters Public & Law Enforcement Employees Union, H7206 [15SE], H7278 [21SE]

———Walter C. Schirmer, Minneapolis Firefighters' Relief Association, H7205 [15SE], H7278 [21SE]

Small Business Health Fairness Act: Douglas Holtz-Eakin, CBO, H2973 [13MY]

———Karen Bender, American Academy of Actuaries, H2972 [13MY]

TRICARE military health benefits for Reservists and Guardsmen: James D. Staton, Air Force Sergeants Association, S6315 [2JN]

———Lani Burnett, Reserve Enlisted Association, S6315 [2JN]

———Richard C. Alexander, National Guard Association of the U.S., S6315 [2JN]

———Robert A. McIntosh, Reserve Officers Association, S6315 [2JN]

Lists

Cities benefiting from Dept. of HHS Community Access Program, H6822 [8SE]

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

Military benefits proposals, H2223 [21AP]

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

Organizations opposing H.R. 4281, Small Business Health Fairness Act, H2961-H2966 [13MY]

Organizations supporting H.R. 4281, Small Business Health Fairness Act, H2980 [13MY]

Organizations supporting S. 486, Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act, S5732 [19MY]

Physicians no longer delivering babies in Mississippi, S3772 [6AP]

Supporters of S. 2061, Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies Access to Care Act, S1500 [24FE]

Motions

Health: improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (H.R. 4280), H2869 [12MY]

Small business: improve access and choice relative to employee health care (H.R. 4281), H2984 [13MY]

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

Taxation: treatment of unused nontaxable benefits under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements (H.R. 4279), H2850 [12MY]

Press releases

Small Business Health Fairness Act: American Academy of Actuaries, H2971 [13MY]

Questions and answers

Industrial loan companies regulatory compliance: FDIC, H1247 [18MR]

Remarks in House

Adventist Health (nonprofit organization): tribute to Project Intellicare, E2040 [18NO]

Armed Forces: enhance and improve benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserves, H3272 [19MY]

———enhance and improve benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserves who serve extended periods on active duty, H9786 [17NO]

———ensure receipt of quality medical care and adequate action relative to medical issues, H711 [2MR]

———grant limited TRICARE program eligibility for members of the Ready Reserve and provide financial support for continuation of health insurance for mobilized members of Reserve components, H8996, H8997 [8OC]

———health benefits funding, H3516 [20MY], H4725 [22JN]

———mental health benefits funding, H3425, H3426, H3445 [20MY]

———prevent the sale of abusive insurance and investment products to military personnel (H.R. 5011), H8104-H8110 [5OC], H10929 [7DE], E1831 [7OC]

———restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services (H.R. 3474), E210 [24FE], E343 [11MR]

———survivors benefits program improvements funding, H8997, H9003 [8OC]

———TRICARE military health benefits for Reservists and Guardsmen, H2223 [21AP]

Aviation: provide liability protection to nonprofit volunteer pilot organizations flying for public benefit and to the pilots and staff of such organizations (H.R. 1084), H7075, H7092-H7095 [14SE]

Budget: constitutional amendment on ensuring certain trust funds are outside the U.S. budget (H.J. Res. 88), E477 [30MR]

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

Bush, President: evaluation of administration, H6123, H6124 [20JY], H6999 [13SE], H7823 [29SE]

Business and industry: costs of providing employee benefits and employment taxes relative to the status of manufacturing jobs, H1745 [31MR], H2891-H2893 [12MY]

California: court ruling requiring Catholic charities to cover birth control in employees' health insurance plans, H756 [3MR]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: health care block grant funding through reductions in departmental management funding, H6839 [8SE]

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

Children's Development Commission (Kiddie Mac): establish (H.R. 5265), E1856 [10OC]

Class Act Group, Inc.: tribute to efforts to restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services, E210 [24FE]

Coal: clarify that certain coal industry health benefits may not be modified or terminated (H.R. 5383), E2068 [18NO]

Congress: effects of various legislation on employment and the economy, H2995 [13MY]

Courts: ruling on privacy issues concerning the Dept. of Justice's demands for medical records from university hospitals, H930 [10MR]

Cover the Uninsured Week: observance, H2737, H2741 [11MY], H2818, H2899-H2907 [12MY], H2922 [13MY], E864 [14MY], E905 [19MY]

Democratic Party: national agenda, H7331, H7332, H7335 [22SE], H7449 [23SE]

Dept. of Defense: address deceptive sales practices used by certain financial advisors on military bases, H7300 [21SE]

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]

———Community Access Program funding, H6811, H6822, H6823 [8SE]

———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 HUD: insure mortgages for acquisition, construction, or substantial rehabilitation of child care and development facilities (H.R. 5265), E1856 [10OC]

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

Domestic policy: national objectives priority assignments, H2922, H2924 [13MY]

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]

Drugs: reductions in prescription drug prices, E291 [3MR], E367 [16MR]

Economy: evaluation of Bush administration, H8174 [6OC], H8862 [8OC], H9707, H9709 [16NO], E1771 [1OC]

———national objectives priority assignments, H3097 [18MY], H4292, H4294 [17JN], H5187-H5192 [6JY], H6905 [9SE], H7035 [13SE]

Employment: health savings accounts, H7302 [21SE]

Federal contracts: require surety bond companies provide contractors accurate and non-discriminatory reasons for denial of surety bonding (H.R. 4455), E952 [21MY]

Federal employees: establish programs to make supplemental dental and vision benefits available to Federal employees, retirees, and dependents, and expand OPM contracting authority (H.R. 5295), H9033-H9037 [8OC], E1966 [11OC]

———establish programs to make supplemental dental and vision benefits available to Federal employees, retirees, and dependents, and expand OPM contracting authority (S. 2657), H10910-H10914 [6DE]

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: expand eligibility to include non-Government employees at their own expense, H2818 [12MY]

Feldman, Marvin H.: Million Dollar Round Table (organization) Circle of Life Award recipient, E430 [23MR]

FHA: preserve ability to insure certain mortgages (S. 2712), H6695 [22JY]

Financial institutions: adjust liability standards applied to third-party independent contractors working for a bank, H1265 [18MR]

———impact of certain expedited mergers between depository institutions on communities and customers, H1240, H1267, H1268 [18MR]

———place certain limits on newly chartered branches of certain industrial loan companies, H1242, H1244, H1246, H1248-H1251, H1263, H1264, H1270 [18MR]

———provide regulatory relief and improve productivity for insured depository institutions (H.R. 1375), H1241-H1274 [18MR]

———provide regulatory relief and improve productivity for insured depository institutions (H.R. 1375), amendment process, H1235-H1241 [18MR], E365 [12MR]

———provide regulatory relief and improve productivity for insured depository institutions (H.R. 1375), consideration (H. Res. 566), H1234-H1241 [18MR]

———provide regulatory relief and improve productivity for insured depository institutions (H.R. 1375), corrections in engrossment, H1274 [18MR]

———remove limitation on savings associations that prevents offering a larger percentage of automobile loans to customers, H1250 [18MR]

Floods: reduce losses to properties for which repetitive flood insurance claim payments have been made (S. 2238), H4590-H4598 [21JN], E1274 [25JN]

———reduce losses to properties for which repetitive flood insurance claim payments have been made (S. 2238), technical corrections in enrollment (H. Con. Res. 458), H4598 [21JN]

FTC: provide Independent Physician Associations guidance and time to ameliorate any arrangement that could violate antitrust laws prior to any enforcement action, H5321 [7JY]

Government: pay for cost of premiums for certain Servicemembers Group Life Insurance coverage, H3253 [19MY]

Hardenbergh Insurance Group: anniversary, E2151 [6DE]

Health: coverage of colorectal cancer screening, E494 [31MR]

———encourage private health insurance companies to take a proactive role in promoting healthy lifestyles (H. Con. Res. 34), H8042, H8091-H8094 [5OC]

———establish programs for patients with fatal chronic illnesses, H6964 [9SE]

———expand applicability of laws preventing governmental discrimination against health care entities who refuse to perform abortions or make referrals regarding abortion services, H10089-H10096, H10203 [20NO], H10904, H10919 [6DE], E2139 [24NO], E2159 [6DE], E2167 [7DE]

———expand applicability of laws preventing governmental discrimination against health care entities who refuse to perform or provide training in performing abortions, H6816, H6817 [8SE], H6978 [9SE]

———improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system, H2298 [22AP], H2383 [27AP]

———improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (H.R. 4280), H2853-H2874 [12MY], H2923, H2996 [13MY], H3023 [17MY], H3098 [18MY], E840 [12MY], E845, E867 [14MY], E878 [17MY]

———improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (H.R. 4280), consideration (H. Res. 638), H2822-H2829 [12MY]

———improve access to health care services by reducing the burden the liability system places in the delivery of emergency, trauma, and obstetrical services, H2538 [4MY], H2896, H2906 [12MY]

———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]

———increase in insurance premiums, H7587 [28SE]

———increase insurance coverage by requiring employers to offer health insurance with greater Government assistance and by expanding current safety net programs (H.R. 5218), E2028 [18NO]

———medical savings accounts, H114 [27JA], H2894 [12MY]

———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], E654 [27AP], E864 [14MY], E1441 [21JY]

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

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (H.R. 4964), E1475 [22JY]

———protect State-mandated coverage of breast cancer screening, pregnancy and childbirth, well child care, and obstetric and gynocological services, H2984-H2986 [13MY]

———reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (H.R. 5), H114 [27JA], H482 [11FE], H1068 [11MR], H1486 [25MR], H2539 [4MY], H2735, H2737 [11MY], H5474, H5523, H5524 [12JY], H5658, H5784 [14JY]

House of Representatives: expansion of dental and vision care health insurance benefits for Members and employees, H5345 [8JY]

Houston, TX: tribute to St. Joseph's Hospital, H2787 [11MY]

Immigration: impact of illegal immigration on health care facilities, E1101 [14JN]

Kaiser Permanente (health maintenance organization): tribute, E2048 [18NO]

Life Insurance Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (H. Con. Res. 461), H7711, H7712 [28SE], E1212 [22JN]

Malpractice: reform the medical malpractice insurance business, H10059-H10064 [19NO]

———reform the medical malpractice insurance business, limit frivolous lawsuits, and enhance patient access to medical care, H2866, H2872 [12MY]

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, 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]

Medical Society of Virginia: tribute to White Coat Day march, E111 [4FE]

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 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 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]

———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]

Mental health: provide for equal insurance coverage of benefits unless comparable limitations are imposed on medical and surgical benefits (H.R. 953), H8174, H8243, H8244 [6OC], H8642 [7OC]

Motor vehicles: eliminate vicarious liability for companies that rent or lease motor vehicles, H1818 [1AP]

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

National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program: reauthorize (H.R. 2608), H9020, H9024 [8OC], E1959 [11OC]

OPM: prohibit use of funds to allow Federal employees to enroll in any high-deductible health plan that does not require at least 3 consecutive years of enrollment, H7277-H7279 [21SE]

———prohibit use of funds to allow the offering or administering health savings accounts or health reimbursement accounts as part of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, H7203-H7207 [15SE]

———study and present options under which dental and vision benefits could be made available to Federal employees, retirees, and other appropriate individuals (H.R. 3751), H4599, H4600 [21JN], E528 [2AP], E1966 [11OC]

Patient Services, Inc.: tribute, E905 [19MY]

Permedion, Inc.: tribute, E1471 [22JY]

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]

———restore certain standards to protect the privacy of individually identifiable health information, H930 [10MR]

Republican Party: anniversary of legislative majority in the House of Representatives, H7334 [22SE]

Saginaw, MI: Aleda E. Lutz Veterans Medical Center funding, E903 [18MY]

Slovene National Benefit Society: anniversary, E283 [3MR]

Small business: costs of providing employee health care, H1101 [16MR]

———improve access and choice relative to employee health care, E761 [5MY]

———improve access and choice relative to employee health care (H.R. 660), H114 [27JA], H2735, H2737 [11MY], H2820, H2895 [12MY], H2923 [13MY]

———improve access and choice relative to employee health care (H.R. 4281), H2818 [12MY], H2951-H2986 [13MY], E876 [17MY], E891 [18MY]

———improve access and choice relative to employee health care (H.R. 4281), consideration (H. Res. 638), H2822-H2829 [12MY]

———improve access and choice relative to employee health care (H.R. 4281), motion to recommit, H2984-H2986 [13MY]

Social Security: evaluation of Bush administration proposals, H6732 [7SE]

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

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

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

———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]

———reform, H6540-H6544 [21JY]

Space policy: extend the liability indemnification regime for the commercial space transportation industry (H.R. 5245), H9020 [8OC]

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 (H.R. 4031), H1717 [30MR], E486 [30MR]

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act: make technical changes and resolve certain issues beneficial to coal miners (H.R. 4529), consideration (H. Res. 672), H3968-H3973 [15JN]

Taxation: allow a business credit for qualified expenditures for medical professional malpractice insurance (H.R. 4124), E513 [2AP]

———allow a deduction for qualified long-term care insurance premiums, use of such insurance under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements, and a credit for individuals with long-term care needs (H.R. 4432), E959 [21MY]

———allow a deduction for qualified long-term care insurance premiums and a credit for individuals who care for those with long-term care needs (H.R. 5110), E1670 [21SE]

———allow a refundable credit for the purchase of private health insurance and establish State health insurance safety-net programs (H.R. 583), H2897 [12MY]

———allow a refundable credit for the purchase of private health insurance (H.R. 1236), H114 [27JA], H368 [4FE]

———allow carryforward of certain unused benefits in cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements for dependent care assistance (H.R. 4372), H4663-H4665 [22JN]

———permit consolidation of life insurance companies with other companies (H.R. 2228), H6479 [21JY]

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

———provide subsidies to encourage small employers to offer affordable health coverage to their employees through qualfied health pooling arrangements (H.R. 4356), H2975 [13MY], E843 [14MY]

———provide that distributions from certain retirement plans are not included in gross income if used to pay long-term care insurance premiums (H.R. 4502), E1029 [4JN]

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

———treatment of unused nontaxable benefits under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements, H2896 [12MY]

———treatment of unused nontaxable benefits under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements (H.R. 4279), H2838-H2853 [12MY], E869 [14MY]

———treatment of unused nontaxable benefits under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements (H.R. 4279), consideration (H. Res. 638), H2822-H2829 [12MY]

———treatment of unused nontaxable benefits under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements (H.R. 4279), motion to recommit, H2850, H2851 [12MY]

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]

Texarkana, AR: opening of Greater Texarkana Peoples' Clinic, E522 [2AP]

Trautwein, Janet: National Association of Health Underwriters Gordon Memorial Award recipient, E1537 [8SE]

Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act: extend period for which an individual may elect to continue employer-sponsored health care coverage (H.R. 4659), E1228 [24JN]

United Airlines, Inc.: plan to reduce retiree health benefits, H437 [11FE]

United Food and Commercial Workers (organization): end of supermarket worker strike in California, H730 [2MR]

Veterans: benefits funding, H1356 [23MR], H1456 [24MR], H1556, H1557 [25MR], H3171-H3176 [18MY], H3600 [1JN], H3716 [2JN], H3951 [14JN], H4650, H4732 [22JN], H4882-H4886 [23JN], H4896 [24JN], H5073 [25JN], H7046 [13SE], H7565 [23SE], H8172 [6OC], E902 [18MY], E1237 [25JN], E1698 [24SE]

———improve access to health care for rural veterans (H.R. 2379), H992-H997 [10MR], E343, E349 [11MR]

———make improvements to certain life insurance programs for veterans with service-connected disabilities (H.R. 4229), E739 [4MY]

———permit Reservists to buy military health care through the TRICARE program, H3175 [18MY]

Women: improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the delivery of obstetrical and gynecological services (S. 2061), H635 [26FE]

Remarks in Senate

Armed Forces: create a reserve fund for TRICARE benefits, and increase benefit levels under the Montgomery GI Bill for the Selected Reserve through reductions in unobligated Iraqi reconstruction funds, S2493-S2498 [10MR]

———enhance and improve benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserves who serve extended periods on active duty, S6916 [17JN], S8605 [22JY]

———enhance and improve benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserves who serve extended periods on active duty (S. 2068), S1267, S1288 [12FE]

———enhance and improve benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserves who serve extended periods on active duty (S. 2791), S9087 [10SE], S9868 [29SE]

———prevent the sale of abusive insurance and investment products to military personnel (S. 2905), S10578 [6OC]

———revise age and service requirements for receipt of military retired pay for non-regular service and improve health care for reservists and their families by making TRICARE benefits permanent (S. 2035), S293, S322 [28JA]

———TRICARE military health benefits for Reservists and Guardsmen, S6308-S6316, S6320-S6323 [2JN], S7372 [24JN]

Aviation: provide liability protection to nonprofit volunteer pilot organizations flying for public benefit and to the pilots and staff of such organizations (H.R. 1084), S9864 [28SE], S9986 [29SE]

Bush, President: evaluation of administration, S3523-S3525 [1AP], S8495-S8498 [21JY], S10769-S10777 [8OC]

Business and industry: ensure that commercial insurers cannot engage in price fixing, bid rigging, or market allocations to the detriment of competition and consumers (S. 352), S1429 [23FE], S3764 [6AP]

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

Coal: clarify that certain coal industry health benefits may not be modified or terminated (S. 3004), S11499 [18NO]

Cover the Uninsured Week: observance, S5074 [10MY], S5173 [11MY], S5244, S5245, S5364 [12MY], S5384, S5387-S5389 [13MY]

Democratic Party: national agenda, S8600 [22JY]

Dept. of Defense: address deceptive sales practices used by certain financial advisors on military bases, S8601 [22JY]

———authorize medical and dental care and disability benefits for service academies cadets and midshipmen and ROTC cadets, S5525-S5527 [17MY], S5601 [18MY]

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]

———expand the National Practitioner Data Bank (S. 2341), S4328 [22AP]

———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 HUD: insure zero-downpayment mortgages for one-unit residences (S. 2753), S8738 [22JY], S8863 [7SE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: furnish care for newborn children of women veterans receiving maternity care (S. 2417), S5474 [13MY]

———increase veterans medical care funding through closing of certain tax loopholes, S2530 [10MR]

District of Columbia: include court employees as participants in long term care insurance for Federal employees (S. 2322), S7499 [24JN]

Economy: evaluation of Bush administration, S10810 [8OC], S11281 [11OC]

———national objectives priority assignments, S7691-S7697 [7JY]

Employment: eliminate tax subsidies for outsourcing of jobs, S10410 [5OC], S11029 [10OC]

———eliminate tax subsidies for outsourcing of jobs and provide assistance and improve the health care tax credit for certain displaced workers (S. 2531), S6894 [16JN]

Families and domestic relations: make a stillborn child an insurable dependent for purposes of the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program (S. 2982), S11381 [16NO]

Federal aid programs: extend period for COBRA coverage for recipients of trade adjustment assistance (S. 2226), S3001 [23MR]

———extend period for COBRA coverage for victims of terrorist attacks (S. 2837), S9615 [23SE], S9670 [24SE]

Federal employees: establish programs to make supplemental dental and vision benefits available to Federal employees, retirees, and dependents, and expand OPM contracting authority (S. 2657), S8134 [14JY], S11694 [20NO]

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: coverage of bone mass measurements (S. 417), S5074 [10MY]

FHA: preserve ability to insure certain mortgages (S. 2712), S8627 [22JY]

Floods: reduce losses to properties for which repetitive flood insurance claim payments have been made (S. 2238), S6809 [15JN], S6991 [17JN]

Health: coverage of colorectal cancer screening (S. 2265), S3459, S3460 [31MR]

———establish an expedited procedure for congressional consideration of health care reform legislation (S. 2576), S7443 [24JN]

———expand applicability of laws preventing governmental discrimination against health care entities who refuse to perform abortions or make referrals regarding abortion services, S11718-S11720, S11722, S11724, S11757, S11763, S11764 [20NO]

———improve access to affordable health insurance through closing of certain tax loopholes, S2624-S2626, S2645 [11MR]

———improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system, S1865-S1867 [27FE], S1937-S1939 [1MR], S3121 [25MR], S3526 [1AP], S4239 [22AP]

———improve access to health care services by reducing the burden the liability system places in the delivery of emergency, trauma, and obstetrical services (S. 2207), S2821 [12MR], S2835 [22MR], S3871, S3905, S3914 [7AP], S4007 [8AP]

———improve access to health care services by reducing the burden the liability system places in the delivery of emergency, trauma, and obstetrical services (S. 2207), motion to proceed, S3609 [2AP], S3738, S3742-S3758, S3760-S3765, S3768, S3778, S3780-S3784 [6AP], S3877-S3884, S3886, S3888-S3891 [7AP], S3968, S4009 [8AP]

———improve the quality and efficiency of health care delivery through improvements in health care information technology (S. 2710), S8656 [22JY]

———improve the quality and efficiency of health care delivery through improvements in health care information technology (S. 2907), S10581 [6OC]

———increase in insurance premiums, S9473 [22SE], S10292 [4OC]

———modernize the health care system through the use of information technology and reduce costs, improve quality, and provide a new focus on prevention with respect to health care (S. 2421), S5479 [13MY]

———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]

———promote health care coverage parity for individuals participating in legal recreational or transportation activities (S. 423), S11839, S11840 [20NO]

———protect patients' access to quality and affordable health care by reducing effects of excessive liability costs (S. 11), S1484 [24FE], S1995 [2MR]

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

———provide every individual with the opportunity to purchase health insurance that is at least equivalent to the insurance available to Members of Congress at the same or lower rates, S9161 [14SE]

———reduce health care costs and promote improved health by focusing on preventive health services, S4195-S4198 [21AP], S7047-S7050 [18JN]

———reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system, S1432, S1437 [23FE], S6912 [17JN], S9099-S9102 [13SE], S9692-S9695 [27SE]

———reorient the nation's health care system towards prevention, wellness, and self care (S. 2558), S7183-S7189 [22JN], S9066-S9068 [10SE], S11710-S11713 [20NO]

———require group and individual health insurance coverage and group health plans to provide prompt payment for health benefits claims (S. 2308), S4046 [8AP]

———restore reliability to the medical justice system by fostering alternatives to medical tort litigation (S. 1518), S1432 [23FE]

Health care professionals: provide immediate relief from increased medical malpractice insurance costs by establishing a tax credit and reimbursement of premiums for some doctors and hospitals, S2937 [22MR], S5174, S5175 [11MY]

Law enforcement officers: extend the same Federal benefits to officers serving private colleges and universities and rail carriers that apply to State and local public safety officers (S. 2168), S2230 [4MR]

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

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

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

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

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

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]

———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 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 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]

———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]

Mental health: provide for equal insurance coverage of benefits unless comparable limitations are imposed on medical and surgical benefits (S. 486), S599-S601 [5FE], S5730-S5733 [19MY], S5907 [20MY], S10692 [7OC]

Motor vehicles: create a penalty for automobile insurance fraud (S. 2728), S8708 [22JY]

———provide consumers a choice of auto insurance, guarantee affordable premiums, and improve compensation for accident victims (S. 2931), S10727 [7OC]

National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program: reauthorize (H.R. 2608), S10611, S10612 [6OC]

Nevada Cancer Institute: tribute, S10292 [4OC]

OPM: administer a national health program to offer Federal employee health benefits plans to individuals who are not Federal employees (S. 2161), S2109 [3MR]

———administer a national health program to offer Federal employee health benefits plans to individuals who are not Federal employees (S. 2163), S2224-S2226 [4MR], S3278 [29MR], S5175 [11MY]

———administer a national health program to offer Federal employee health benefits plans to individuals who are not Federal employees (S. 2630), S7867 [8JY], S7900 [9JY]

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]

Public welfare programs: allow local government provision of nonemergency and preventive health services to non-qualified immigrants, S3358 [30MR]

RESOLVE—The National Infertility Association: tribute, S8847 [7SE]

Small business: certify programs to provide health coverage to uninsured employees (S. 2544), S7014 [17JN]

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

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

———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]

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

———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]

———prevent unspent State Children's Health Insurance Program funds from reverting to the Treasury rather than being used to provide coverage for low-income children, S2656 [11MR]

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

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

Space policy: extend the liability indemnification regime for the commercial space transportation industry (H.R. 5245), S11390 [16NO]

States: extend Federal funding for operation of State high risk health insurance pools (S. 2283), S11386 [16NO], S11444 [18NO]

———permit to require insurance companies to disclose Armenia genocide-era insurance information (S. 2344), S4330 [22AP]

Taxation: allow a refundable credit for the purchase of private health insurance (S. 2893), S10442 [5OC]

———allow self-employed individuals to deduct health insurance costs in computing self-employment taxes (S. 2433), S5610 [18MY]

———allow small employers a tax credit for costs paid or incurred for employee health insurance expenses (S. 2359), S4502 [28AP]

———extend certain expiring provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (S. 1896), S689 [6FE]

———improve the health coverage tax credit (S. 2935), S10733 [7OC]

———provide a small business health tax credit (S. 2245), S3215 [26MR]

———provide subsidies to encourage small employers to offer affordable health coverage to their employees through qualified health pooling arrangements, S9544 [23SE]

———provide that distributions from certain retirement plans are not included in gross income if used to pay long-term care insurance premiums (S. 2918), S10713 [7OC]

———treatment of lifetime income payments from annuities and similiar payments of life insurance proceeds at dates later than death (S. 3029), S11898-S11900 [7DE]

———treatment of policyholder dividends of mutual life insurance companies and policyholder surplus accounts, S3985 [8AP]

Terrorism Risk Insurance Act: extend applicability (S. 2764), S8752-S8754 [22JY]

Veterans: benefits funding, S6749 [15JN], S7160, S7161 [22JN], S7289 [23JN], S7358 [24JN], S9868 [29SE], S10403 [5OC]

———improve and enhance certain benefits for survivors of veterans, S6952-S6954 [17JN]

Voices of Detroit Initiative (organization): tribute, S8959 [8SE]

Women: improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the delivery of obstetrical and gynecological services (S. 2061), S953 [10FE], S1191 [11FE], S1995 [2MR], S3760 [6AP]

———improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the delivery of obstetrical and gynecological services (S. 2061), motion to proceed, S1422-S1437, S1441-S1443, S1446 [23FE], S1467-S1506, S1509, S1510 [24FE]

———improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the delivery of obstetrical and gynecological services (S. 2061), unanimous-consent request, S1401 [12FE]

Reports

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

Health Insurance Coverage in the U.S.: Bureau of the Census, H6766 [8SE]

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

Allow Federal Civilian and Military Retirees To Pay Health Insurance Premiums on a Pretax Basis and Allow a Tax Deduction for TRICARE Supplemental Premiums: Committee on Government Reform (House) (H.R. 1231) (H. Rept. 108-585), H5330 [7JY]

Consideration of H.R. 1375, Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 566) (H. Rept. 108-439), H1228 [17MR]

Consideration of H.R. 4279, Tax Treatment of Unused Nontaxable Benefits Under Cafeteria Plans and Flexible Spending Arrangements: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 638) (H. Rept. 108-484), H2814 [11MY]

Consideration of H.R. 4280, Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 638) (H. Rept. 108-484), H2814 [11MY]

Consideration of H.R. 4281, Small Business Health Fairness Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 638) (H. Rept. 108-484), H2814 [11MY]

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]

Federal Employee Dental and Vision Benefits Enhancement Act: Committee on Governmental Affairs (Senate) (S. 2657) (S. Rept. 108-393), S10845 [8OC]

Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act: Committee on Financial Services (House) (H.R. 1375) (H. Rept. 108-152), H1116 [16MR]

Flood Insurance Reform Act: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (Senate) (S. 2238) (S. Rept. 108-262), S5472 [13MY]

Health Care Parity for Legal Transportation and Recreational Activities Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 423) (S. Rept. 108-390), S10702 [7OC]

Include District of Columbia Court Employees as Participants in Long Term Care Insurance for Federal Employees: Committee on Governmental Affairs (Senate) (S. 2322) (S. Rept. 108-283), S7104 [21JN]

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]

Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act: Committee on Financial Services (House) (H.R. 5011) (H. Rept. 108-725), H8166 [5OC]

National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (H.R. 2608) (S. Rept. 108-385), S10436 [5OC]

OPM Study and Presentation of Options Under Which Dental and Vision Benefits Could Be Made Available to Federal Employees, Retirees, and Other Appropriate Individuals: Committee on Government Reform (House) (H.R. 3751) (H. Rept. 108-552), H4391, H4506 [17JN]

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

Provide Continued Health Benefits Coverage for Certain Federal Employees: Committee on Governmental Affairs (Senate) (S. 2409) (S. Rept. 108-410), S11377 [16NO]

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]

Terrorism Insurance Backstop Extension Act: Committee on Financial Services (House) (H.R. 4634) (H. Rept. 108-780), H9999 [18NO]

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

Volunteer Pilot Organization Protection Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 1084) (H. Rept. 108-679), H7072 [13SE]

Zero Downpayment Act: Committee on Financial Services (House) (H.R. 3755) (H. Rept. 108-748), H8407 [6OC]

Statements

Medical Liability Crisis and Access to Care: AMA, S1482 [24FE]

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

Studies

Small Business Health Fairness Act: Beth Fritchen and Karen Bender, Mercer Risk, Finance & Insurance Consulting, Inc., H2971 [13MY]

Summaries

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

Tables

Projected health care costs and savings under S. 2558, Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention (HeLP) America Act, S7189 [22JN]

Texts of

H. Con. Res. 34, encourage private health insurance companies to take a proactive role in promoting healthy lifestyles, H8091 [5OC]

H. Con. Res. 458, technical corrections in enrollment to S. 2238, Flood Insurance Reform Act, H4598 [21JN]

H. Con. Res. 461, support goals and ideals of Life Insurance Awareness Month, H7711 [28SE]

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

H. Res. 566, consideration of H.R. 1375, Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act, H1234 [18MR]

H. Res. 638, consideration of H.R. 4279, taxation of cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements, H.R. 4280, Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act, and H.R. 4281, Small Business Health Fairness Act, H2821 [12MY]

H. Res. 672, consideration of H.R. 4529, Arctic Coastal Plain and Surface Mining Improvement Act, H3968 [15JN]

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

H.R. 1084, Volunteer Pilot Organization Protection Act, H7092 [14SE]

H.R. 1375, Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act, H1251-H1262 [18MR]

H.R. 2608, National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program reauthorization, H9020-H9023 [8OC]

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

H.R. 3751, OPM study and presentation of options under which dental and vision benefits could be made available to Federal employees, retirees, and other appropriate individuals, H4599 [21JN]

H.R. 4279, treatment of unused nontaxable benefits under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements, H2838 [12MY]

H.R. 4280, Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act, H2853-H2856 [12MY]

H.R. 4281, Small Business Health Fairness Act, H2951-H2957 [13MY]

H.R. 4372, Working Families Assistance Act, H4663 [22JN]

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

H.R. 5011, Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act, H8104-H8106 [5OC]

H.R. 5245, extend the liability indemnification regime for the commercial space transportation industry, H9020 [8OC]

H.R. 5295, Federal Employees Dental and Vision Benefits Enhancement Act, H9033-H9036 [8OC]

S. 423, HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act, S11839 [20NO]

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. 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. 2168, Equity in Law Enforcement Act, S2231 [4MR]

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

S. 2226, extend period for COBRA coverage for recipients of trade adjustment assistance, S3001 [23MR]

S. 2238, Flood Insurance Reform Act, S6809-S6813, S6816-S6821 [15JN], H4590-H4595 [21JN]

S. 2245, Small Business Health Tax Credit Act, S3216 [26MR]

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

S. 2265, Eliminate Colorectal Cancer Act, S3459 [31MR]

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

S. 2283, State High Risk Pool Funding Extension Act, S11386 [16NO]

S. 2308, Prompt Payment of Health Benefits Claims Act, S4046-S4048 [8AP]

S. 2322, include District of Columbia court employees as participants in long term care insurance for Federal employees, S7499 [24JN]

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

S. 2417, authorize Dept. of Veterans Affairs to furnish care for newborn children of women veterans receiving maternity care, S5474 [13MY]

S. 2531, Keeping American Jobs at Home Act, S6895-S6898 [16JN]

S. 2544, Health Care Access for Small Businesses Act, S7015 [17JN]

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

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

S. 2576, Health Care Reform Expedited Procedures Act, S7445 [24JN]

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. 2657, Federal Employee Dental and Vision Benefits Enhancement Act, S11694-S11697 [20NO], H10910-H10912 [6DE]

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

S. 2712, preserve FHA ability to insure certain mortgages, S8627 [22JY], H6695 [22JY]

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

S. 2753, Zero Downpayment Act, S8738 [22JY]

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

S. 2791, National Guard and Reserve Bill of Rights Act, S9078-S9081 [10SE]

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

S. 2935, TAA Health Coverage Improvement Act, S10735-S10738 [7OC]

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

S. 3029, Retirement Security for Life Act, S11898 [7DE]

S. Con. Res. 128, support goals and ideals of Life Insurance Awareness Month, S8487 [20JY]

S. Res. 358, provide every individual with the opportunity to purchase health insurance that is at least equivalent to the insurance available to Members of Congress at the same or lower rates, S5376 [12MY]

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

Tributes

Armstrong, Lance, S10292 [4OC]