SENIOR CITIZENS

Amendments

Dept. of HHS: expand and intensify research programs concerning elder falls (S. 845), S10657, S10677 [1AU]

Taxation: allow tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts for charitable contributions (H.R. 1419), S7823 [18JN]

Articles and editorials

At Many Homes, More Profit and Less Nursing, S12526-S12528 [3OC]

Bitter Pills, S4625, S4627 [18AP]

Drug Price Path To Avoid, S4582 [17AP]

Experts Fault House Bill on Medicare Drug Prices, H483 [12JA]

First—Do Less Harm, E67 [10JA]

Home Sweet Home, S11377 [11SE]

In Holland, Some See Model for U.S. Health-Care System, S11264 [7SE]

Medicare and the Market—Government Shouldn't Be Negotiating Prescription Prices, S4583 [17AP]

Medicare ``Unfair'' Advantage, E713 [30MR]

Negotiating Lower Drug Prices, H441, H460 [12JA]

Rx—Dose of Reality, H476 [12JA]

Bills and resolutions

Cathedral Square Corp.: anniversary (see H. Res. 408), H5054 [15MY]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: provide equal coverage of mental health services under State Children's Health Insurance Program (see S. 1337), S5716 [8MY]

Children and youth: establish kinship navigator programs and kinship guardianship assistance payments for children (see S. 661), S2164 [16FE] (see H.R. 2188), H4552 [7MY]

———increase the availability and affordability of quality child care by creating incentives for older individuals to join the child care workforce (see H.R. 532), H671 [17JA]

Commodity Supplemental Food Program: modify the eligibility criteria for supplemental foods (see S. 1090), S4379 [11AP]

Consortium on the Impact of Technology in Aging Health Services: establish (see S. 716), S2355 [28FE] (see S. 908), S3199 [15MR]

Crime: ensure adequate public-private infrastructure and resolve to prevent, detect, treat, intervene in, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation (see S. 1070), S4161 [29MR] (see H.R. 1783), H3358 [29MR]

———increase the maximum penalty for telemarketing fraud targeting senior citizens (see H.R. 605), H834 [22JA]

———prevent abuse and exploitation of older individuals (see H.R. 2105), H4415 [2MY]

Dept. of Agriculture: Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program funding reform (see H.R. 166), H116 (see H.R. 292), H122 [5JA]

Dept. of HHS: count fellowship training in geriatric medicine or psychiatry as obligated service under the National Health Corps Loan Repayment Program (see H.R. 2502), H5923 [24MY]

———expand and intensify research programs concerning elder falls (see S. 845), S3000 [12MR] (see H.R. 3701), H11027 [27SE]

———make grants to promote professional retrofit installation of fire alarm detection systems and other fire detection and prevention technologies in nursing homes, hospice facilities and other appropriate facilities (see H.R. 2882), H7339 [27JN]

———require disclosure of long-term care facilities listed under the Special Focus Facility Program of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (see S. 2480), S15460 [13DE]

Dept. of HUD: expand supply of affordable housing with supportive services for the elderly (see H.R. 2930), H7431 [28JN]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: guarantee home equity conversion mortgages for elderly veteran homeowners (see H.R. 2475), H5922 [24MY]

———modify authorities to accept new applications for State home construction projects grants and authorize facility construction grants for non-institutional care programs (see S. 1441), S6399 [21MY]

Diseases: fund breakthroughs in Alzheimer's disease research while providing more help to caregivers and increasing public education about prevention (see S. 898), S3199 [15MR] (see H.R. 1560), H2670 [19MR]

———improve and secure an adequate supply of influenza vaccine (see S. 2456), S15233 [12DE]

———increase NIH funding for breast cancer research, extend eligibility period for ``Welcome to Medicare'' physicals, and eliminate coinsurance for mammography and colorectal cancer screening tests (see S. 1109), S4477 [16AP]

———issue semipostal stamp to support Alzheimer's disease research (see S. Res. 273), S9262 [16JY] (see H. Res. 543), H7776 [12JY]

Education: make social work students and schools eligible for certain programs and grants, and establish a social work training program (see S. 64), S37 [4JA]

Employment: promote labor force participation of older Americans to increase retirement security, reduce projected shortage of experienced workers, maintain economic growth, and improve nation's fiscal outlook (see S. 708, 709), S2355 [28FE]

ERISA: provide emergency protection for retiree health benefits (see H.R. 1322), H2164 [5MR]

FAA: relax maximum age requirements for certain pilots (see S. 65), S38 [4JA] (see H.R. 1125), H1892 [16FE]

Fair Labor Standards Act: apply minimum wage and overtime protections to certain home health workers (see S. 2061), S11654 [18SE] (see H.R. 3582), H10624 [19SE]

Federal employees: clarify the computation of certain civil service retirement system annuities based on part-time service (see H.R. 2780), H6735 [19JN]

Hazardous substances: exempt health care facilities, schools, and day care centers from laws requiring energy efficient lighting if such lighting contains mercury (see H. Con. Res. 252), H13522 [9NO]

Health: expand access to affordable health care, strengthen health care safety net, and make services more available in rural and underserved areas (see S. 158), S40 [4JA]

———improve quality of, and access to, long-term care (see S. 1980), S10788 [2AU] (see H.R. 4082), H13203 [6NO]

———increase governmental assistance, broaden access for publicly supported home and community-based services, and improve training and supervision of caretakers for the disabled and senior citizens (see H. Res. 791), H12455 [1NO]

———national policy to provide health care, control costs, and enhance the quality of the health care system (see H.R. 1200), H1967 [27FE]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (see S. 1019), S4047 [28MR] (see S. 1451), S6461 [22MY] (see S. 1783), S9135 [12JY] (see S. 1899), S10313 [30JY] (see H.R. 15), H110 [5JA] (see H.R. 676), H942 [24JA] (see H.R. 2351), H5291 [16MY] (see H.R. 3163), H8396 [24JY]

———provide affordable, guaranteed private health coverage (see S. 334), S753 [18JA]

———provide funding and incentives for caregiver support and long-term care assistance (see S. 2121), S12379 [1OC]

———provide greater health care freedom (see H.R. 195), H117 [5JA]

Health care facilities: provide loans and grants for fire sprinkler retrofitting in nursing facilities (see S. 1615), S7638 [13JN]

Housing: improve access of senior homeowners to capital (see S. 1985), S10901 [3AU]

———protect innocent elderly and disabled tenants in public housing and the section 8 housing choice voucher program from eviction by reason of criminal activity (see H.R. 173), H116 [5JA]

Investments: provide the opportunity to provide for retirement through Savings Account for Every American (S.A.F.E.) accounts (see H.R. 4922), H16948 [19DE]

LIHEAP: extend energy assistance to households headed by certain senior citizens (see H.R. 2984), H7490 [10JY]

Long-Term Care Awareness Week: support goals and ideals (see H. Con. Res. 133), H4204 [26AP]

Meals on Wheels Association of America: tribute (see H. Res. 259), H2821 [21MR]

Medicaid: assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries by improving eligibility and services under the Medicare Savings Program (see S. 2101), S12141 [26SE]

———provide the disabled and elderly with equal access to community-based attendant services (see S. 799), S2795 [7MR] (see H.R. 1621), H2820 [21MR]

Medicare: adjust the fee for collecting specimens for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests (see H.R. 1501), H2485 [13MR]

———allow beneficiaries direct access to physical therapists without a physician referral (see S. 932), S3352 [20MR] (see H.R. 1552), H2620 [15MR]

———amend the application of secondary payer rules to workers' compensation settlement agreements and set-asides under such agreements (see H.R. 2549), H5926 [24MY]

———apply automatic ``deemed'' enrollment under part B to residents of Puerto Rico (see H.R. 2789), H6827 [20JN]

———certify certain rehabilitation units of general acute care hospitals for payments under the prospective payment system for rehabilitation hospitals (see H.R. 1804), H3359 [29MR]

———clarify payment for clinical laboratory tests furnished by critical access hospitals (see S. 1277), S5561 [3MY]

———clarify that facilities designated as critical access hospitals may use beds certified for such hospitals for assisted living (see H.R. 1899), H3475 [17AP]

———cover supplies associated with insulin injection, home needle removal, decontamination, and disposal devices, and disposal of needles and syringes through a sharps-by-mail or similar program (see S. 1909), S10424 [31JY] (see H.R. 3251), H9275 [31JY]

———coverage of acupuncturist services (see H.R. 1479), H2436 [12MR]

———coverage of bone mass measurements for all individuals at clinical risk for osteoporosis (see H.R. 2340), H5290 [16MY]

———coverage of certain medical mobility devices approved as class III medical devices (see S. 1465), S6549 [23MY] (see H.R. 2520), H5924 [24MY]

———coverage of marriage and family therapist services (see H.R. 820), H1210 [5FE]

———coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services (see S. 921), S3352 [20MR] (see H.R. 1588), H2742 [20MR]

———deliver a meaningful drug benefit and lower prescription drug prices (see S. 2219), S13261 [23OC] (see H.R. 2065), H4204 [26AP] (see H.R. 3932), H11933 [23OC]

———disapprove rule relative to coverage of the use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents in the treatment of anemia in cancer patients (see S.J. Res. 22), S13193 [22OC] (see H.J. Res. 54), H11027 [27SE]

———eliminate discriminatory copayment rates for outpatient psychiatric services (see S. 1715), S8610 [27JN] (see H.R. 1571), H2671 [19MR]

———eliminate in-home restriction for coverage of mobility devices for individuals with long-term needs (see S. 2103), S12141 [26SE] (see H.R. 1809), H3359 [29MR]

———ensure access to critical medications under the prescription drug program (see S. 1887), S10149 [26JY]

———ensure access to durable medical equipment (see S. 1428), S6266 [17MY] (see H.R. 1845), H3361 [29MR]

———ensure access to recreational therapy in inpatient rehabilitation facilities, inpatient psychiatric facilities, and skilled nursing facilities (see H.R. 4248), H14083 [15NO]

———ensure and foster continued patient quality of care by establishing facility and patient criteria for long-term care hospitals (see S. 338), S753 [18JA] (see S. 1958), S10787 [2AU] (see H.R. 562), H758 [18JA] (see H.R. 3057), H7981 [17JY]

———ensure more timely access to home health services for beneficiaries (see S. 1678), S8231 [21JN]

———establish a hospice care demonstration program and grants programs for cancer palliative care and symptom management programs (see H.R. 1078), H1788 [15FE]

———establish health savings accounts (see S. 173), S40 [4JA]

———establish new, separate fee schedule areas for physicians' services in States with multiple fee schedule areas to improve physician geographic payment accuracy (see S. 1964), S10787 [2AU] (see H.R. 2484), H5922 [24MY]

———establish pilot projects to provide incentives for home health agencies to utilize home monitoring and communications technologies (see S. 321), S671 [17JA]

———establish standards for growth in expenditures for physicians' services based on categories of services (see H.R. 3038), H7776 [12JY]

———exempt complex rehabilitation and assistive technology products from competitive acquisition program (see H.R. 2231), H4751 [9MY]

———expand and improve coverage of mental health services (see H.R. 1663), H3016 [23MR]

———expand coverage of medical nutrition therapy services (see S. 1161), S4750 [19AP]

———expand number of beneficiaries eligible for coverage of medical nutrition therapy services (see H.R. 2805), H6955 [21JN]

———expedite application and qualification process of low-income individuals obtaining subsidized prescription drug coverage (see H.R. 1536), H2619 [15MR]

———expedite the application and eligibility process for low-income subsidies under the prescription drug program and revise eligibility standards for an income-related subsidy (see S. 1102), S4437 [12AP]

———extend and improve protections for sole community hospitals (see S. 2381), S14618 [16NO] (see H.R. 1177), H1894 [16FE]

———extend eligibility period for ``Welcome to Medicare'' physical examination and eliminate coinsurance for screening mammography and colorectal cancer screening tests (see H.R. 3042), H7776 [12JY]

———extend eligibility period for ``Welcome to Medicare'' physical examination and provide for the coverage and waiver of cost-sharing for preventive services (see S. 2115), S12287 [27SE]

———extend increased payments for ground ambulance services (see S. 1310), S5562 [3MY] (see H.R. 2164), H4485 [3MY]

———extend initial enrollment period for prescription drug benefit programs (see H.R. 205), H117 [5JA]

———extend minimum wage index established by regulation for each all-urban State under inpatient hospital prospective payment system (see H.R. 2709), H6404 [13JN]

———extend reasonable cost contracts (see S. 130), S39 [4JA] (see H.R. 1990), H3723 [20AP]

———impose minimum nurse staffing in participating hospitals (see H.R. 4138), H13522 [9NO]

———improve access of beneficiaries to immune globulins (see H.R. 2914), H7431 [28JN]

———improve access to, and increase utilization of, bone mass measurement benefits (see H.R. 4206), H14081 [15NO]

———improve access to diabetes self-management training by designating certain certified diabetes educators as certified providers for purposes of outpatient diabetes self-management training services (see H.R. 4218), H14081 [15NO]

———improve benefits for beneficiaries with kidney disease (see S. 691), S2273 [27FE] (see H.R. 1193), H1967 [27FE]

———improve patient access to, and utilization of, the colorectal cancer screening benefit (see S. 1164), S4750 [19AP]

———improve payments for academic anesthesiology programs for resident physicians and for academic programs for student registered nurse anesthetists (see H.R. 1932), H3560 [18AP]

———improve payments under the clinical laboratory fee schedule (see S. 2404), S14700 [3DE] (see H.R. 1321), H2164 [5MR]

———improve prescription drug program (see H.R. 2056), H4203 [26AP] (see H.R. 3025), H7775 [12JY]

———improve reimbursement for clinical social worker services (see S. 72), S38 [4JA]

———improve the provision of services to beneficiaries in rural areas (see S. 498), S1626 [6FE]

———include barbiturates and bezodiazepines as covered drugs (see S. 2190), S12988 [17OC]

———include costs incurred by certain agencies, health centers, or drug assistance programs toward the out-of-pocket threshold of the prescription drug program (see S. 1103), S4437 [12AP] (see H.R. 2058), H4203 [26AP]

———include screening computed tomography colonography as a colorectal screening test (see H.R. 4879), H16947 [19DE]

———increase inpatient hospital payments to hospitals in Puerto Rico (see H.R. 615), H834 [22JA]

———investigate how to eliminate the gap between standard and catastrophic coverage under the prescription drug program (see H.R. 1277), H2119 [1MR]

———limit penalty for late enrollment under part B and exclude periods of COBRA and retiree coverage from such late enrollment penalty (see H.R. 2591), H6110 [6JN]

———make a technical correction in the definition of outpatient speech-language pathology services (see S. 45), S37 [4JA]

———modernize payments for ambulatory surgical centers (see S. 2250), S13490 [26OC] (see H.R. 1823), H3360 [29MR]

———modernize quality improvement organization (QIO) program (see S. 2396), S14619 [16NO]

———permit a physician assistant to order or provide post-hospital extended care services, home health services, and hospice care (see H.R. 1178), H1894 [16FE]

———permit beneficiaries to continue to rent certain items of complex durable medical equipment (see S. 2158), S12863 [15OC]

———permit direct payment for clinical social worker services provided to residents of skilled nursing facilities (see S. 1212), S5086 [25AP]

———permit eligible seniors to elect to receive vouchers for health savings accounts and/or premiums for high deductible health insurance plan and suspend certain late enrollment penalties (see H.R. 749), H1150 [31JA]

———permit eligible veterans to receive outpatient medication benefits and provide that veterans receiving such benefit are not eligible for Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical care and services (see H.R. 4142), H13522 [9NO]

———permit the Dept. of HHS to negotiate lower covered part D prescription drug prices for beneficiaries (see H.R. 118), H114 [5JA]

———permit the Dept. of HHS to negotiate lower prescription drug prices, eliminate gap in coverage of drug benefits, and promulgate regulations for the reimportation of prescription drugs (see H.R. 1218), H1968 [27FE]

———permit the disabled surviving spouse of an individual to elect to retain private health insurance as the primary payor of health insurance benefits (see H.R. 3942), H11934 [23OC]

———preserve beneficiary access to community cancer care (see S. 1750), S8794 [9JY] (see H.R. 1190), H1966 [27FE]

———protect and preserve access of beneficiaries in rural areas to health care providers (see S. 1605), S7638 [13JN] (see H.R. 2860), H7201 [26JN]

———protect beneficiaries' access to home health services (see S. 2181), S12988 [17OC] (see H.R. 3865), H11728 [17OC]

———provide a certain limit for the practice expense and the work expense geographic practice cost indices (GPCI) (see S. 2007), S10902 [3AU] (see H.R. 2827), H7010 [22JN]

———provide a moratorium on certain physician payment reductions for advanced diagnostic imaging services (see S. 1338), S5716 [8MY] (see H.R. 1293), H2120 [1MR]

———provide additional beneficiary protections (see S. 137), S39 [4JA]

———provide beneficiaries greater choice with regard to accessing hearing health services and benefits (see S. 2352), S14398 [14NO] (see H.R. 1665), H3017 [23MR]

———provide beneficiaries with access to geriatric assessments and chronic care management (see S. 1340), S5869 [9MY] (see H.R. 2244), H4752 [9MY]

———provide continued coverage for immunosuppressive drugs furnished to beneficiaries that have received a kidney transplant and whose coverage would otherwise expire (see S. 2320), S14062 [7NO] (see H.R. 3282), H9467 (see H.R. 3282), H9543 [1AU]

———provide coverage for cardiac rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation services (see S. 329), S753 [18JA] (see H.R. 552), H758 [18JA]

———provide coverage for end-of-life planning consultation as part of initial preventive physical examination (see S. 466), S1410 [31JA]

———provide coverage of annual preventive physical examinations (see H.R. 4288), H14249 [5DE]

———provide coverage of federally recommended vaccines (see S. 2464), S15460 [13DE] (see H.R. 4704), H15468 [13DE]

———provide coverage of kidney disease education services (see S. 432), S1326 [30JA] (see H.R. 1245), H2038 [28FE]

———provide coverage of remote patient management services for chronic health care conditions (see S. 631), S2023 [15FE]

———provide for a minimum payment rate by Medicare Advantage organizations for services furnished by critical access hospitals and rural health clinics (see S. 630), S2023 [15FE] (see H.R. 1563), H2670 [19MR] (see H.R. 2159), H4485 [3MY]

———provide for a permanent hold harmless provision for sole community hospitals under the prospective payment system for covered outpatient department services (see H.R. 117), H114 [5JA]

———provide for a transition to a voluntary quality reporting program for physicians and other health professionals (see S. 1519), S6845 [24MY] (see H.R. 2749), H6576 [15JN]

———provide for consolidated coverage of home infusion drug therapy (see S. 870), S3124 [14MR] (see H.R. 2567), H6006 [5JN]

———provide for drug and health care claims data release to Dept. of HHS agencies and certain research universities and organizations (see S. 1507), S6845 [24MY]

———provide for guaranteed issue of supplemental policies for disabled and renal disease beneficiaries upon initial enrollment (see H.R. 1282), H2119 [1MR]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (see S. 3), S36 [4JA] (see S. 273), S445 [11JA]

———provide for patient protections under the prescription drug program for residents of long term care facilities (see H.R. 4541), H15465 [13DE]

———provide for the reporting of sales price data for implantable medical devices (see S. 2221), S13261 [23OC]

———provide geographic equity in fee-for-service reimbursement for providers (see H.R. 1219), H1968 [27FE]

———provide health care benefits to all Americans (see S. 1218), S5086 [25AP] (see H.R. 2034), H4175 [25AP]

———provide special treatment of certain cancer hospitals (see H.R. 2386), H5471 [17MY]

———reduce coverage gap in prescription drug coverage through savings resulting from negotiation of prescription drug prices (see S. 2089), S12054 [25SE]

———reduce occurrence of diabetes in beneficiaries by extending coverage for medical nutrition therapy services to beneficiaries with pre-diabetes or with risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes (see H.R. 2922), H7431 [28JN]

———reduce the drive requirement for designations of critical access hospitals (see S. 1737), S8691 [28JN] (see H.R. 2322), H5053 [15MY]

———reform physician payment system to stabilize payment to doctors, return equity to the program, and ensure patients have access to doctors of their choice (see H. Res. 863), H15317 [11DE]

———remove frequency limitation on coverage for intermittent catheterization (see H.R. 1831), H3360 [29MR]

———remove prescription drug benefit late enrollment penalty and extend the initial enrollment period (see H.R. 1521), H2570 [14MR]

———remove restrictions on clinical psychologists or social workers providing services in outpatient rehabilitation facilities (see S. 63), S37 [4JA]

———repeal competitive bidding demonstration project for clinical laboratory services (see S. 2099), S12141 [26SE] (see H.R. 3453), H10016 [4AU]

———repeal Medicare Advantage Regional Plan Stabilization Fund (see S. 706), S2355 [28FE]

———repeal outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps (see S. 450), S1410 [31JA] (see H.R. 748), H1149 [31JA]

———require prescription drug plans using formularies to cover all drugs in certain specified therapeutic categories and establish protective requirements for coverage determinations on such drugs (see H.R. 3061), H7981 [17JY]

———require the Dept. of HHS to negotiate lower covered part D prescription drug prices for beneficiaries (see H.R. 4), H110 [5JA]

———require the sponsor of a prescription drug plan or an organization offering a Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug plan to promptly pay submitted claims and prohibit inclusion of pharmacy information (see H.R. 1474), H2435 [12MR]

———require use of generic drugs under the prescription drug program when available unless the brand name is determined to be medically necessary (see S. 28), S37 [4JA]

———require wealthy beneficiaries to pay a greater share of their premiums under the prescription drug program (see S. 2414), S14786 [5DE] (see H.R. 4295), H14250 [5DE]

———restore certain treatment of ownership of oxygen equipment (see S. 1484), S6844 [24MY] (see H.R. 621), H835 [22JA]

———restore financial stability to anesthesiology teaching programs for resident physicians (see S. 2056), S11585 [17SE] (see H.R. 2053), H4203 [26AP]

———revise national coverage determination on the treatment of anemia in cancer patients (see S. Res. 305), S10902 [3AU] (see H. Res. 681), H10901 [25SE]

———treatment of certain physician pathology services (see S. 458), S1410 [31JA] (see H.R. 1105), H1790 [15FE]

———waive part B premiums for certain military retirees (see H.R. 1223), H2037 [28FE]

———waive prescription drug program late enrollment penalty for certain newly eligible individuals, limit the amount of such penalty, and conduct a study on such penalty (see H.R. 2149), H4485 [3MY]

———waive the prescription drug benefit late enrollment penalty and fully subsidize any such penalties subsequently imposed for part D subsidy-eligible individuals (see H.R. 1310), H2164 [5MR]

Medicare Payment Advisory Commission: ensure proportional representation of rural interests (see H.R. 1730), H3277 [28MR]

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: technical correction to residency program (see S. 954), S3516 [21MR] (see H.R. 2875), H7338 [27JN]

Medicare/Medicaid: improve advance directive requirements to ensure compliance with individual health care decisions (see S. 464), S1410 [31JA]

———limit monthly amount of prescription drug cost-sharing for full-benefit dual eligible individuals and other lowest-income individuals under the prescription drug program (see H.R. 932), H1413 [8FE]

———provide coverage for end-of-life planning consultations and raise awareness about and assist in preparation of advance directives on end-of-life decisionmaking (see S. 465), S1410 [31JA]

———provide dual eligible benefits continuity, cover off-label uses of certain prescription drugs and biological products, and waive certain determinations denying coverage (see H.R. 470), H514 [12JA]

———reduce cost-sharing for certain dual eligible populations under the prescription drug benefit (see S. 1107), S4437 [12AP]

———require background checks for nursing facility and other long-term care facility employees (see S. 1577), S7333 [7JN] (see H.R. 3078), H8120 [18JY]

———require background checks for nursing facility caregivers and disaster and emergency evacuation plans for long-term care facilities (see H.R. 1476), H2436 [12MR]

Mental health: improve elderly suicide early intervention and prevention strategies (see S. 1854), S9774 [23JY] (see H.R. 4897), H16947 [19DE]

———provide assistance for collaboration in the development of progressive and innovative system to improve access to mental health care for youth, seniors, and families in rural areas (see S. 633), S2023 [15FE]

———provide for integration of mental health services and mental health treatment outreach teams (see S. 982), S3706 [23MR] (see H.R. 1669), H3017 [23MR]

National Assisted Living Week: designate (see S. Res. 292), S10788 [2AU]

———support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 662), H10510 [18SE]

National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 718), H11394 [9OC]

National Save for Retirement Week: designate (see S. Res. 240), S8061 [20JN]

———support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 507), H6827 [20JN] (see H. Res. 513), H7070 [25JN]

Older Americans Act: reinstate certain provisions relating to the nutrition services incentive program (see S. 1002), S3835 [27MR]

Pensions: establish grant program to provide financial and retirement education programs to reduce financial abuse and fraud among mid-life and older individuals (see H.R. 531), H671 [17JA]

Pharmaceuticals: provide tax credit to retirement age individuals, remove barriers to importation, and prohibit certain regulation of Internet sites relative to prescription drugs (see H.R. 194), H117 [5JA]

Public welfare programs: extend SSI for refugees, asylees, and certain other humanitarian immigrants and collect unemployment compensation debts resulting from fraud (see H.R. 2608), H6179 [7JN]

Real estate: prohibit home equity conversion mortgage lenders from requiring seniors to purchase annuities with reverse mortgages proceeds and provide other consumer protections to reverse mortgage borrowers (see S. 2490), S15651 [14DE]

Rocky Mountain Senior Games: anniversary (see H. Res. 290), H3362 [29MR]

Social Security: allow certain remarried widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses to become or remain entitled to widow's or widower's insurance benefits (see H.R. 340), H252 [9JA]

———allow choice of benefit payment method relative to computation rule application to workers attaining age 65 in or after 1982 (see H.R. 368), H341 [10JA]

———credit prospectively individuals serving as caregivers of dependent relatives with deemed wages for up to five years of such service (see H.R. 1161), H1894 [16FE]

———eliminate waiting period for divorced spouse's benefits following the divorce (see H.R. 1158), H1894 [16FE]

———ensure that trust fund receipts and disbursements are not included in a unified Federal budget and protect solvency by mandating that trust fund monies not be diverted to private accounts (see H.R. 1353), H2242 [6MR]

———establish a consumer price index for elderly consumers to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits (see H.R. 2032), H4175 [25AP]

———establish a consumer price index for elderly consumers to compute cost-of-living increases for benefits (see H.R. 1953), H3693 [19AP]

———establish a procedure to safeguard trust funds (see S. 302), S578 [16JA]

———establish a Social Security Surplus Protection Account in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and enact legislation allowing for investment of the Trust Fund in non-Federal obligations (see H.R. 581), H788 [19JA]

———establish Personal Social Security Savings Program (see H.R. 4181), H13959 [14NO]

———establish regional consumer price indices to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits (see H.R. 2987), H7490 [10JY]

———extend provisions under Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (see S. 2499), S15910 [18DE]

———improve benefit computation formula for certain workers affected by changes in benefit computation rules (see H.R. 288), H122 [5JA]

———improve benefit computation rule applicable to workers attaining age 65 in or after 1982 (see S. Res. 363), S13685 [1NO]

———increase in widow's and widower's insurance benefits relative to delayed retirement (see H.R. 1160), H1894 [16FE]

———invest trust funds in marketable interest-bearing securities and insured certificates of deposit, and protect trust funds from public debt limit (see H.R. 219), H118 [5JA]

———issue cards with enhanced security features and allow issuance to illegal aliens, and provide that earnings by illegal aliens shall not be credited for coverage under certain programs (see H.R. 4073), H12738 [5NO]

———level of benefit payment in the month of the beneficiary's death (see H.R. 1380), H2301 [7MR] (see H.R. 1668), H3017 [23MR]

———limit the reduction in benefits for spouses and surviving spouses receiving Government pensions (see H.R. 2988), H7490 [10JY]

———protect beneficiaries against any reduction in benefits (see H.R. 93), H113 [5JA]

———protect cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) (see S. 2501), S15910 [18DE] (see H.R. 4807), H16833 [18DE]

———provide full benefits for disabled widow's and widower's regardless of age (see H.R. 1159), H1894 [16FE]

———provide lump-sum death payments to surviving spouses (see H.R. 341), H252 [9JA]

———reduce the number of years of marriage prior to divorce required for a divorced spouse to be eligible for benefits (see H.R. 732), H1054 [30JA]

———repeal eligibility restrictions on widow's and widower's insurance benefits based on disability (see H.R. 1162), H1894 [16FE]

———repeal Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions (see S. 206), S282 [9JA] (see H.R. 82), H113 [5JA]

———repeal the windfall elimination provision and protect the retirement of public servants (see S. 1647), S7887 [19JN] (see H.R. 2772), H6734 [19JN]

———require that projected benefit estimates included on annual account statements indicate the impact of possible future trust fund insolvency on benefit levels (see H.R. 4751), H15737 [17DE]

———require trust funds be held in trust for beneficiaries, ensure assets are not diverted, and authorize investment in securities that are not limited to those guaranteed by the U.S. (see H.R. 4896), H16947 [19DE]

———restrict application of windfall elimination provisions to individuals whose benefits exceed certain levels (see H.R. 726), H1053 [30JA]

Social Security Investment Commission: establish (see H.R. 581), H788 [19JA]

SSI: clarify that the value of certain funeral and burial arrangements are not to be considered available resources (see S. 989), S3750 [26MR] (see H.R. 1629), H2821 [21MR]

———exclude the first $75,000 of the value of retirement plans in determining eligibility and benefit levels (see H.R. 3696), H11027 [27SE]

———extend for refugees, asylees, and certain other humanitarian immigrants (see S. 821), S2898 [8MR]

Taxation: allow a deduction for qualified long-term care services in computing adjusted gross income (see H.R. 2582), H6109 [6JN]

———allow a refundable credit for certain Medicare premiums (see H.R. 287), H122 [5JA]

———allow a refundable credit to military retirees for certain Medicare premiums (see H.R. 343), H252 [9JA]

———allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums (see S. 773), S2693 [6MR] (see H.R. 1110), H1892 [16FE]

———allow long-term care insurance to be offered under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements and provide additional consumer protections for long-term care insurance (see S. 2337), S14284 [13NO] (see H.R. 3363), H9704 [3AU]

———allow seniors with Social Security and pension income to file income tax form 1040S without regard to amount of interest or taxable income (see H.R. 432), H513 [12JA]

———allow tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts for charitable contributions (see S. 819), S2898 [8MR] (see H.R. 1419), H2340 [8MR]

———establish long-term care trust accounts and allow a refundable tax credit for contributions to such accounts (see S. 504), S1627 [6FE]

———increase amount excludable from the sale of a principal residence by taxpayers who have attained age 50 (see H.R. 4254), H14155 [4DE]

———make permanent tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts for charitable contributions and State and local sales tax deductions, and extend certain energy and education deductions (see H.R. 4086), H13203 [6NO]

———make permanent the tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts for charitable contributions (see H.R. 3596), H10625 [19SE]

———provide a credit for eldercare expenses (see S. 2267), S13624 [31OC]

———provide a credit to physicians who provide charity care (see H.R. 973), H1415 [8FE]

———provide more help to Alzheimer's disease caregivers (see S. 897), S3199 [15MR] (see H.R. 1807), H3359 [29MR]

———provide that distributions from certain retirement plans are not included in gross income if used to pay long-term care insurance premiums (see S. 1809), S9496 [17JY] (see H.R. 3088), H8120 [18JY] (see H.R. 3517), H10362 [10SE]

———repeal inclusion in gross income of Social Security benefits and tier 1 railroad retirement benefits (see H.R. 2507), H5923 [24MY]

———repeal required beginning date for distributions from individual retirement accounts and elective deferrals under qualified cash or deferred arrangements (see H.R. 396), H342 [10JA]

———repeal tax increase on Social Security benefits (see H.R. 192), H117 [5JA] (see H.R. 1349), H2242 [6MR] (see H.R. 2158), H4485 [3MY]

———treatment of income earned by individuals who are not citizens or U.S. nationals relative to coverage under the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program (see H.R. 190), H117 [5JA]

———treatment of Social Security benefits (see H.R. 191), H117 [5JA]

Television: establish a Federal interagency task force to improve public awareness among older individuals and their families and caregivers about the impending digital television transition (see S. 2125), S12433 [2OC] (see H.R. 3862), H11638 [16OC]

Cloture motions

Medicare: provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (S. 3), motion to proceed, S4461 [16AP], S4634 [18AP]

Letters

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services policy excluding compounded inhalation medications from Medicare beneficiaries: Arthur I. Jacknowitz, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, E2627 [19DE]

Children's Mental Health Parity Act: David L. Shern, Mental Health America (organization), S5738 [8MY]

———David S. Kass and Miriam A. Rollin, Fight Crime—Invest in Kids (organization), S5739 [8MY]

———Joy Midman, National Association for Children's Behavorial Health, S5739 [8MY]

———Linda Rosenberg, National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, S5738 [8MY]

———Mark Covall, National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems, S5739 [8MY]

———Robert Bernstein, Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, S5740 [8MY]

———Thomas Anders, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, S5739 [8MY]

Clinical Social Work Medicare Equity Act: Elizabeth J. Clark, National Association of Social Workers, S5099 [25AP]

Ensure more timely access to home health services for Medicare beneficiaries: Eunice K.M. Ernst, American College of Nurse-Midwives, S8238 [21JN]

———Jan Towers, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, S8238 [21JN]

———Mary P. Ettari, American Academy of Physician Assistants, S8239 [21JN]

———Rose Gonzalez, American Nurses Association, S8238 [21JN]

———Susan Apold, American College of Nurse Practitioners, S8239 [21JN]

———Val J. Halamandaris, National Association for Home Care & Hospice, S8238 [21JN]

Influenza Vaccine Security Act: Bernadette A. Toomey, American Lung Association, S15248 [12DE]

———Georges C. Benjamin, American Public Health Association, S15248 [12DE]

———Patrick M. Libbey, National Association of County & City Health Officials, S15248 [12DE]

———several medical organizations, S15247 [12DE]

Medicare Access to Critical Medications Act: Access To Critical Medications Coalition, S10158 [26JY]

———Carolyn B. Robinowitz, American Psychiatric Association, S10158 [26JY]

Medicare Advantage Program funding: Hilary O. Shelton, NAACP, S3670 [23MR]

———Rosa Rosales, League of United Latin American Citizens, S3670 [23MR]

Medicare Independent Living Act: several Senators, S12155 [26SE]

Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act: Charles B. Sewell, National Community Pharmacists Association, H455 [12JA]

———Donald B. Marron, CBO, H474, H476 [12JA]

———James Schlicht, American Diabetes Association, E129 [17JA]

———Michael J. Fitzpatrick, National Alliance on Mental Illness, H469 [12JA]

———Paul A. Morin, American Legion, H468 [12JA]

———Steve Gibson, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association, S536 [16JA], H468 [12JA]

———Thomas A. Poulter, Military Order of the Purple Heart, S536 [16JA]

———Virginia T. Ladd, American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc., H470 [12JA]

Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act: Alice H. Hedt and Janet C. Wells, National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, S7359 [7JN]

———David P. Sloane, AARP, S7359 [7JN]

———George F. Potaracke, Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care, S7359 [7JN]

———Robert B. Blancato, Elder Justice Coalition, S7360 [7JN]

Positive Aging Act: Carolyn Polowy, National Association of Social Workers, S3717 [23MR]

———Christine deVries, American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, S3717 [23MR]

———Gwendolyn Puryear Keita, American Psychological Association, S3717 [23MR]

Public Good IRA Rollover Act: several charitable organizations, S2914-S2916 [8MR]

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act: several senior citizens' organizations, H14179 [5DE]

Senior Nutrition Act: Frank Kubik, National Commodity Supplemental Food Program Association, S4383 [11AP]

———Vicki Escarra, America's Second Harvest (organization), S4383 [11AP]

SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act: Dan Lesser, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, H7564 [11JY]

———Michael J. Astrue, SSA, H7564, H7565 [11JY]

———several organizations, H7562-H7564 [11JY]

Lists

Democrats that voted in favor of Representative Stark's motion to recommit H.R. 4680, Medicare Rx 2000 Act (2000), H450 [12JA]

Organizations supporting S. 982, Positive Aging Act, S3717 [23MR]

Motions

Medicare: make more competitive and efficient and provide for a prescription drug benefit (H.R. 4680) (2000), H450 [12JA]

———require the Dept. of HHS to negotiate lower covered part D prescription drug prices for beneficiaries (H.R. 4), H486 [12JA]

Remarks in House

African Americans: health care disparities, H7826-H7834 [16JY]

Atria Senior Living Group, Inc.: National Assisted Living Nurses Association Platinum Community Award recipient, E1856 [10SE]

Ballance, Alice Eason: Experience Works, Inc., North Carolina Prime Time Award recipient, E2207 [23OC]

Birmingham, MI: anniversary of Birmingham Area Seniors Coordinating Council, E2411 [14NO]

Budget: allocation of funds, H1331, H1332 [7FE]

California: tribute to Freemont, CA, and Tri-City Elder Coalition Pathways to Positive Aging project, E1086 [17MY]

Cathedral Square Corp.: anniversary (H. Res. 408), H7795, H7796 [16JY]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: prohibit funding for implementing any policy that would prohibit a Medicare beneficiary from enrolling in Medicare Advantage private health care plan, H8113, H8114 [18JY]

Children and youth: establish kinship navigator programs and kinship guardianship assistance payments for children (H.R. 2188), E1026 [11MY], E1879 [14SE]

Columbia, MO: anniversary of Regency Club program at Missouri First National Bank & Trust Co., E717 [30MR]

Congress: accomplishments of the 110th Congress, H9547 [2AU]

Corp. for National and Community Service: anniversary of Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Greater Cleveland, OH, E2157 [17OC]

Cover the Uninsured Week: observance, H4041, H4047 [24AP]

Cranberry Township, PA: anniversary of Sherwood Oaks (organization), E1951 [24SE]

Crime: include senior citizens and current and former members of the military as protected groups under Federal hate crime legislation, H4450 [3MY]

Democratic Party: national agenda, H676, H750 [18JA], H2730 [20MR], H9714 [4AU]

Dept. of Agriculture: Commodity Supplemental Food Program funding, H12388 [1NO]

———facilitate States' incorporation of community-supported agricultural distribution programs into Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs, H8767 [27JY]

Dept. of HHS: Administration on Aging funding, H8008, H8009 [18JY]

Dept. of HUD: expand supply of affordable housing with supportive services for the elderly (H.R. 2930), H14176-H14180 [5DE]

———prohibit rescission of funding for Homeless Assistance Grants Program, Housing for Persons With Disability Program, and Housing for the Elderly Program, H8388, H8389 [24JY]

Drifters, Inc.: tribute, E2087 [9OC]

FAA: relax maximum age requirements for certain pilots (H.R. 1125), H15253 [11DE]

Fair Labor Standards Act: apply minimum wage and overtime protections to certain home health workers (H.R. 3582), E1921 [19SE]

FEMA: emergency preparedness outreach to vulnerable communities funding, H6385, H6386, H6393 [13JN]

Hackettstown, NJ: anniversary of House of the Good Shepherd retirement community, E2024 [1OC]

Health: increase governmental assistance, broaden access for publicly supported home and community-based services, and improve training and supervision of caretakers for the disabled and senior citizens (H. Res. 791), E2310 [1NO]

———national policy to provide health care, control costs, and enhance the quality of the health care system, H7974-H7979 [17JY], H10699 [24SE], E1609 [24JY]

———national policy to provide health care, control costs, and enhance the quality of the health care system (H.R. 1200), H3265 [28MR], H4035 [24AP]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures, H791 [22JA], H843, H846, H873-H875, H877, H878 [23JA], H890, H928, H929 [24JA], H991, H992, H993, H994, H1040-H1046 [30JA], H1178, H1205 [5FE], H1217, H1260 [6FE], H1277, H1319, H1329-H1336 [7FE], H2676 [20MR], H3785, H4047 [24AP], H4054 [25AP], H4543-H4550 [7MY], H4947-H4954 [14MY], H5596-H5603 [22MY], H6001 [5JN], H6226-H6232 [11JN], H7472-H7479 [10JY], H7829, H7830 [16JY], H10061-H10065 [4SE], H11075, H11149-H11155, H11165, H11166 [2OC], H11382 [9OC], H11399, H11476-H11482 [10OC], H11837-H11843 [22OC], H12146-H12153 [29OC], H12365, H12366, H12367 [31OC], H12725-H12732 [5NO], H13952-H13956 [14NO], H15453 [13DE], E1566 [19JY]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (H.R. 676), H3440 [17AP], H3482 [18AP], H7831 [16JY], E2274 [30OC]

———provide greater health care freedom (H.R. 195), E2 [5JA]

Long-Term Care Awareness Week: support goals and ideals (H. Con. Res. 133), H4558 [8MY], H11519-H11521 [15OC]

Maloney, Jane: Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey (organization) Hope Award recipient, E2147 [16OC]

Martin, Jobie L.: Experience Works Inc., Mississippi Outstanding Older Worker award recipient, E2535 [11DE]

Maryville, MO: Beverly Living Center (nursing facility) recipient of Beverly Enterprise Ten Karat award, E1096 [21MY]

Meals on Wheels Association of America: tribute (H. Res. 259), E607 [21MR]

Medicaid: provide the disabled and elderly with equal access to community-based attendant services (H.R. 1621), E1634 [26JY]

Medicare: assure continued access of beneficiaries to covered part D prescription drugs at pharmacy chain networks and community pharmacies, and protect against increased drug prices for veterans, H486-H488 [12JA]

———budget treatment, H4514 [7MY]

———clarify that facilities designated as critical access hospitals may use beds certified for such hospitals for assisted living (H.R. 1899), E760 [17AP]

———encourage use of the Welcome to Medicare screening program, H5627 [23MY]

———ensure access to recreational therapy in inpatient rehabilitation facilities, inpatient psychiatric facilities, and skilled nursing facilities (H.R. 4248), E2450 [15NO]

———expand and improve coverage of mental health services, H1569 [14FE]

———expand and improve coverage of mental health services (H.R. 1663), E632 [23MR]

———expand number of beneficiaries eligible for coverage of medical nutrition therapy services (H.R. 2805), E1386 [22JN]

———expedite application and qualification process of low-income individuals obtaining subsidized prescription drug coverage and waive late enrollment penalties under the Medicare part D program, E92 [12JA]

———funding, H1197-H1199 [5FE], H2227 [6MR], H3320 [29MR]

———improve benefits for beneficiaries with kidney disease (H.R. 1193), E402 [27FE]

———include costs incurred by certain agencies, health centers, or drug assistance programs toward the out-of-pocket threshold of the prescription drug program, E1713 [3AU]

———Medicare Advantage program funding, H9264, H9265 [31JY]

———private Medicare insurance coverage, H13867 [14NO]

———provide a moratorium on certain physician payment reductions for advanced diagnostic imaging services (H.R. 1293), H10738 [24SE]

———provide coverage of kidney disease education services (H.R. 1245), E426 [28FE]

———provide for consolidated coverage of home infusion drug therapy (H.R. 2567), E1191 [5JN]

———provide health care benefits to all Americans (H.R. 2034), E871 [26AP]

———reform, H1334 [7FE], H4168-H4173 [25AP]

———reform physician payment system to stabilize payment to doctors, return equity to the program, and ensure patients have access to doctors of their choice (H. Res. 863), H15400-H15403 [12DE], H15454-H15460 [13DE], H16826-H16830 [18DE]

———require the Dept. of HHS to negotiate lower covered part D prescription drug prices for beneficiaries (H.R. 4), H318-H322, H325 [10JA], H347, H412-H418 [11JA], H437, H438, H439, H440-H489, H492, H497, H498, H504 [12JA], H518 [16JA], H779 [19JA], H989 [30JA], H3676 [19AP], E50 [9JA], E67 [10JA], E113, E115 [16JA], E132 [17JA], E140, E141, E142, E143, E146 [18JA], E153, E158, E162 [19JA]

———require the Dept. of HHS to negotiate lower covered part D prescription drug prices for beneficiaries (H.R. 4), motion to recommit, H486-H488 [12JA]

———restore financial stability to anesthesiology teaching programs for resident physicians (H.R. 2053), E883 [26AP]

———waive part B premiums for certain military retirees (H.R. 1223), E424 [28FE]

Medicare/Medicaid: provide coverage of patient management services for chronic health care conditions, H3482 [18AP]

———require background checks for nursing facility caregivers and disaster and emergency evacuation plans for long-term care facilities (H.R. 1476), H6222 [11JN]

National Grandparents Day: observance, E1820 [6SE], E1879 [14SE]

National objectives: national policy to address needs, H3483 [18AP]

National Save for Retirement Week: observance, H11399 [10OC], H11732 [18OC]

———support goals and ideals (H. Res. 513), H7049, H7050 [25JN]

Neil, Garry A.: American Geriatrics Society Discovery Award recipient, E1803 [5SE]

New York, NY: anniversary of Linkage House Home for the Elderly, E2199 [22OC]

———condemn assault of two elderly women, H2421 [12MR]

Older Americans Act: reinstate certain provisions relating to the nutrition services incentive program (S. 1002), H3236, H3237 [28MR]

People, Inc.: Cheektowaga, NY, Chamber of Commerce Community Service award recipient, E1263 [12JN]

Pharmaceuticals: provide tax credit to retirement age individuals, remove barriers to importation, and prohibit certain regulation of Internet sites relative to prescription drugs (H.R. 194), E9 [5JA]

Presbyterian Homes, Inc.: anniversary, E961 [4MY]

Public buildings: exempt certain child care and health care facilities from requirement to use energy efficient light bulbs containing mercury, H9735 [4AU]

Public welfare programs: extend SSI for refugees, asylees, and certain other humanitarian immigrants and collect unemployment compensation debts resulting from fraud (H.R. 2608), H7559-H7566 [11JY]

Rath, Maria: Sussex County, NJ, Senior of the Year award recipient, E1734 [3AU]

Redwood City, CA: anniversary of Veterans Memorial Senior Center, E2649 [19DE]

River Vale, NJ: opening of Kaplen Family Senior Residence, E1088 [17MY]

Rocky Mountain Senior Games: anniversary (H. Res. 290), H4520, H4521 [7MY]

Rural areas: health care funding, H9471 [1AU]

Santa Anna, Josephine: Los Angeles County, CA, Board of Supervisors and Los Angeles County, CA, Commission on Aging Older Americans Recognition Award recipient, E1295 [14JN]

Social Security: budget treatment of trust funds, H1307 [7FE], H12221 [30OC]

———establish a procedure to safeguard trust funds, H7765 [12JY]

———extend provisions under Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S. 2499), H16828 [18DE], H16840, H16841, H16842-H16855, H16935 [19DE], E2667 [28DE]

———invest trust funds in marketable interest-bearing securities and insured certificates of deposit, and protect trust funds from public debt limit (H.R. 219), E4 [5JA]

———reform, H10501 [18SE]

SSA: funding, H8047, H8048 [18JY]

Tamarac, FL: tribute to Broward County, FL, Senior Hall of Fame honorees, E1066 [16MY]

Taxation: allow tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts for charitable contributions (H.R. 1419), H13457 [9NO], E2392 [13NO]

———increase amount excludable from the sale of a principal residence by taxpayers who have attained age 50 (H.R. 4254), E2484 [4DE]

———provide a credit to physicians who provide charity care (H.R. 973), E301 [9FE]

———provide that distributions from certain retirement plans are not included in gross income if used to pay long-term care insurance premiums (H.R. 3088), E2372 [8NO]

———provide that distributions from certain retirement plans are not included in gross income if used to pay long-term care insurance premiums (H.R. 3517), E2209 [23OC]

———repeal tax increase on Social Security benefits (H.R. 192), E1 [5JA]

———treatment of income earned by individuals who are not citizens or U.S. nationals relative to coverage under the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program (H.R. 190), E7 [5JA]

———treatment of Social Security benefits (H.R. 191), E1 [5JA]

U.S. Housing Act: impose time limitation on section 8 assistance with certain exceptions, H7750, H7751 [12JY]

United Methodist Homes of New Jersey (organization): anniversary, E778 [18AP]

Wapakoneta, OH: tribute to Wapakoneta Manor staff for ``deficiency-free'' designation by Ohio Dept. of Health, E211 [30JA]

Willimantic, CT: anniversary of Center for Medicare Advocacy, E1884 [17SE]

Wisconsin: Dept. of Health and Family Services SeniorCare Program funding, H2748 [21MR], H4054 [25AP]

Remarks in Senate

Agriculture: hunger and nutrition programs funding, S14422 [14NO]

Budget: allocation of funds, S1588 [6FE], S1834 [12FE]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: provide equal coverage of mental health services under State Children's Health Insurance Program (S. 1337), S5737-S5740 [8MY]

Children and youth: establish kinship navigator programs and kinship guardianship assistance payments for children (S. 661), S2171 [16FE]

Committee on Aging (Senate, Special): release of report, S6830 [24MY]

Commodity Supplemental Food Program: modify the eligibility criteria for supplemental foods (S. 1090), S4383 [11AP]

Consortium on the Impact of Technology in Aging Health Services: establish (S. 716), S2367 [28FE]

Cover the Uninsured Week: observance, S4805 [20AP]

Crime: ensure adequate public-private infrastructure and resolve to prevent, detect, treat, intervene in, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation (S. 1070), S4209 [29MR]

Dept. of HHS: Community Innovations for Aging in Place funding, S13068, S13069 [18OC]

———expand and intensify research programs concerning elder falls (S. 845), S10676, S10677 [1AU]

Dept. of Homeland Security: prevent Bureau of Customs and Border Protection seizure of imported prescription drugs for personal use, S10090 [26JY]

Dept. of HUD: housing programs funding, S1831, S1833 [12FE]

Dept. of Labor: Senior Community Service Employment Program funding, S13234, S13235 [23OC]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: modify authorities to accept new applications for State home construction projects grants and authorize facility construction grants for non-institutional care programs (S. 1441), S6404 [21MY]

Disasters: address emergency preparedness and planning for older individuals, S10309 [30JY]

———provide for evacuation, transportation, and health care needs in the event of a national emergency, S3050 [13MR]

Diseases: fund breakthroughs in Alzheimer's disease research while providing more help to caregivers and increasing public education about prevention (S. 898), S15165 [12DE]

———improve and secure an adequate supply of influenza vaccine (S. 2456), S15247 [12DE]

Education: make social work students and schools eligible for certain programs and grants, and establish a social work training program (S. 64), S81 [4JA]

Employment: recognize contributions to society, S8651 [28JN]

FAA: relax maximum age requirements for certain pilots (S. 65), S82 [4JA]

Fair Labor Standards Act: apply minimum wage and overtime protections to certain home health workers (S. 2061), S11657 [18SE]

FDA: prevent seizure of prescription drugs imported for personal use, S5556 [3MY]

Health: expand access to affordable health care, strengthen health care safety net, and make services more available in rural and underserved areas (S. 158), S149-S151 [4JA], S211-S213 [8JA]

———improve quality of, and access to, long-term care (S. 1980), S10816 [2AU]

———national policy to provide health care, control costs, and enhance the quality of the health care system, S15966-S15968 [19DE]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures, S530-S533 [16JA], S874 [23JA], S1158 [25JA], S1227, S1228 [26JA], S1474 [1FE], S2288-S2290 [28FE], S3822-S3827 [27MR], S10054 [26JY], S10303 [30JY], S10757 [2AU], S12888-S12890 [16OC]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (S. 1019), S7628 [13JN]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (S. 1451), S6478 [22MY], S6495-S6497 [23MY], S6945 [25MY]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (S. 1783), S9145-S9149 [12JY]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (S. 1899), S10317 [30JY]

———provide affordable, guaranteed private health coverage, S3556 [22MR], S6242 [17MY]

———provide affordable, guaranteed private health coverage (S. 334), S757-S759 [18JA], S1363 [31JA], S5676-S5679 [8MY], S7628 [13JN], S8329-S8332 [25JN], S8762, S8764 [9JY], S9237 [16JY], S9742 [23JY], S11264-S11267 [7SE], S12375 [1OC], S12715-S12717 [4OC], S13766 [5NO], S14276 [13NO], S15966-S15968 [19DE]

Health care facilities: improve quality of care in nursing homes, S12525 [3OC]

———provide loans and grants for fire sprinkler retrofitting in nursing facilities (S. 1615), S7652 [13JN], S8370 [25JN]

LIHEAP: funding, S15822, S15823 [18DE]

Louisiana: provide pemanent supportive housing for homeless, disabled, and elderly persons affected by Hurricane Katrina, S11376, S11377 [11SE]

Medicaid: assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries by improving eligibility and services under the Medicare Savings Program (S. 2101), S12148 [26SE]

———provide the disabled and elderly with equal access to community-based attendant services (S. 799), S2807 [7MR]

Medicare: allow beneficiaries direct access to physical therapists without a physician referral (S. 932), S13257 [23OC]

———coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services (S. 921), S3355 [20MR]

———Critical Access Hospital Program improvements, S12280 [27SE]

———deliver a meaningful drug benefit and lower prescription drug prices (S. 2219), S13263 [23OC]

———disapprove rule relative to coverage of the use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents in the treatment of anemia in cancer patients (S.J. Res. 22), S13200 [22OC]

———eliminate discriminatory copayment rates for outpatient psychiatric services (S. 1715), S8618 [27JN]

———eliminate in-home restriction for coverage of mobility devices for individuals with long-term needs (S. 2103), S12155 [26SE]

———ensure access to critical medications under the prescription drug program (S. 1887), S10156 [26JY]

———ensure access to durable medical equipment (S. 1428), S6308, S6309 [17MY]

———ensure and foster continued patient quality of care by establishing facility and patient criteria for long-term care hospitals (S. 338), S765 [18JA]

———ensure more timely access to home health services for beneficiaries (S. 1678), S8237 [21JN]

———ensure the budget accurately reflects reimbursement rates for hospitals and providers and return any excess payments to Social Security trust funds, S3548-S3551 [22MR]

———establish health savings accounts (S. 173), S166 [4JA]

———establish new, separate fee schedule areas for physicians' services in States with multiple fee schedule areas to improve physician geographic payment accuracy (S. 1964), S10806 [2AU]

———expand and improve coverage of mental health services, S874 [23JA]

———expand coverage of medical nutrition therapy services (S. 1161), S4754 [19AP]

———expand part B income test provisions to the part D prescription drug benefit requiring wealthy beneficiaries to pay a greater share of the premium, S3551-S3553, S3555, S3557, S3558, S3584 [22MR]

———expedite the application and eligibility process for low-income subsidies under the prescription drug program and revise eligibility standards for an income-related subsidy (S. 1102), S4443 [12AP]

———extend eligibility period for ``Welcome to Medicare'' physical examination and provide for the coverage and waiver of cost-sharing for preventive services (S. 2115), S12291 [27SE]

———extend increased payments for ground ambulance services (S. 1310), S5602 [3MY]

———extend reasonable cost contracts (S. 130), S126 [4JA]

———improve benefits for beneficiaries with kidney disease (S. 691), S2277 [27FE]

———improve patient access to, and utilization of, the colorectal cancer screening benefit (S. 1164), S4756 [19AP], S6188 [16MY]

———improve reimbursement for clinical social worker services (S. 72), S84 [4JA]

———improve the provision of services to beneficiaries in rural areas (S. 498), S1638 [6FE]

———include barbiturates and bezodiazepines as covered drugs (S. 2190), S13003 [17OC]

———include costs incurred by certain agencies, health centers, or drug assistance programs toward the out-of-pocket threshold of the prescription drug program (S. 1103), S4443 [12AP]

———maintain ``deemed status'' coverage for clinical trials that are federally funded or reviewed, S13239 [23OC]

———Medicare Advantage program funding, S10762-S10764 [2AU]

———modernize quality improvement organization (QIO) program (S. 2396), S14642 [16NO]

———part D prescription drug benefit funding, S13606 [31OC]

———permit direct payment for clinical social worker services provided to residents of skilled nursing facilities (S. 1212), S5098 [25AP]

———preserve beneficiary access to community cancer care (S. 1750), S8797 [9JY]

———protect and preserve access of beneficiaries in rural areas to health care providers (S. 1605), S7642 [13JN], S7680, S7681 [14JN], S11290 [10SE]

———protect beneficiaries' access to home health services (S. 2181), S12992 [17OC]

———protect coverage choices and benefit levels, S3670, S3671 [23MR]

———provide a moratorium on certain physician payment reductions for advanced diagnostic imaging services (S. 1338), S5740 [8MY]

———provide adequate reimbursement rates for small, rural hospitals, S15875 [18DE]

———provide beneficiaries greater choice with regard to accessing hearing health services and benefits (S. 2352), S14401 [14NO]

———provide continued coverage for immunosuppressive drugs furnished to beneficiaries that have received a kidney transplant and whose coverage would otherwise expire (S. 2320), S14066 [7NO]

———provide coverage for end-of-life planning consultation as part of initial preventive physical examination (S. 466), S1442 [31JA]

———provide coverage of remote patient management services for chronic health care conditions (S. 631), S2000 [15FE]

———provide for a minimum payment rate by Medicare Advantage organizations for services furnished by critical access hospitals and rural health clinics (S. 630), S2000 [15FE]

———provide for a transition to a voluntary quality reporting program for physicians and other health professionals (S. 1519), S6889 [24MY]

———provide for drug and health care claims data release to Dept. of HHS agencies and certain research universities and organizations (S. 1507), S6831, S6868 [24MY]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs, S246, S247, S274-S278 [9JA], S326-S329 [10JA], S407-S409 [11JA]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (S. 3), S10 [4JA], S213-S215 [8JA], S4233 [10AP], S4551, S4553, S4565-S4569, S4581-S4584, S4587 [17AP], S4641, S4647, S4668 [18AP]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (S. 3), motion to proceed, S4461 [16AP], S4572 [17AP], S4624-S4636 [18AP]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (S. 273), S455 [11JA]

———provide for the reporting of sales price data for implantable medical devices (S. 2221), S13266 [23OC]

———remove restrictions on clinical psychologists or social workers providing services in outpatient rehabilitation facilities (S. 63), S81 [4JA]

———repeal outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps (S. 450), S13257 [23OC]

———require the Dept. of HHS to negotiate lower covered part D prescription drug prices for beneficiaries, S904 [23JA]

———require the Dept. of HHS to negotiate lower covered part D prescription drug prices for beneficiaries (H.R. 4), S408 [11JA], S533-S536 [16JA], S643, S644 [17JA], S727 [18JA], S4629 [18AP]

———require use of generic drugs under the prescription drug program when available unless the brand name is determined to be medically necessary (S. 28), S69 [4JA]

———restore financial stability to anesthesiology teaching programs for resident physicians (S. 2056), S11592, S11593 [17SE]

———revise national coverage determination on the treatment of anemia in cancer patients (S. Res. 305), S10944 [3AU], S11080 [4SE], S13201 [22OC]

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: technical correction to residency program (S. 954), S3528 [21MR]

Medicare/Medicaid: improve advance directive requirements to ensure compliance with individual health care decisions (S. 464), S1442 [31JA]

———provide coverage for end-of-life planning consultations and raise awareness about and assist in preparation of advance directives on end-of-life decisionmaking (S. 465), S1442, S1446 [31JA]

———reduce cost-sharing for certain dual eligible populations under the prescription drug benefit (S. 1107), S4448-S4450 [12AP]

———require background checks for nursing facility and other long-term care facility employees (S. 1577), S7353 [7JN]

Mental health: improve elderly suicide early intervention and prevention strategies (S. 1854), S9779 [23JY]

———provide assistance for collaboration in the development of progressive and innovative system to improve access to mental health care for youth, seniors, and families in rural areas (S. 633), S2000 [15FE]

———provide for integration of mental health services and mental health treatment outreach teams (S. 982), S3716 [23MR]

National Assisted Living Week: designate (S. Res. 292), S11278 [7SE]

National Eye Donor Month: observance, S2266 [27FE]

National Save for Retirement Week: designate (S. Res. 240), S9057 [11JY]

Older Americans Act: reinstate certain provisions relating to the nutrition services incentive program (S. 1002), S3983, S3984 [27MR]

Older Americans Month: observance, S6952 [25MY]

Sawal, Fausta: Corp. for National and Community Service Senior Companion Spirit of Service Award recipient, S10147 [26JY]

Senate: impact of partisanship, S4637-S4639, S4655 [18AP]

Social Security: establish reserve fund, S3464, S3465 [21MR], S3560 [22MR]

———extend provisions under Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S. 2499), S15834-S15837, S15893 [18DE]

———protect solvency of trust funds against any budget resolution that fails to achieve an on-budget balance within 5 years, S3458-S3461, S3505, S3506 [21MR]

———provide for progressive indexing and longevity indexing of old-age insurance benefits for newly retired and aged surviving spouses to ensure future solvency, S4866 [24AP]

———repeal Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions (S. 206), S283-S285 [9JA]

SSI: extend for refugees, asylees, and certain other humanitarian immigrants, S10750 [2AU]

———extend for refugees, asylees, and certain other humanitarian immigrants (S. 821), S2918 [8MR]

Taxation: allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums (S. 773), S2710 [6MR]

———allow long-term care insurance to be offered under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements and provide additional consumer protections for long-term care insurance (S. 2337), S14289 [13NO]

———allow tax-free distributions from individual retirement accounts for charitable contributions (S. 819), S2913 [8MR]

———establish long-term care trust accounts and allow a refundable tax credit for contributions to such accounts (S. 504), S1641 [6FE]

———provide more help to Alzheimer's disease caregivers (S. 897), S3206 [15MR]

———repeal tax increase on Social Security benefits, S896 [23JA], S1160-S1163 [25JA], S3665 [23MR]

Television: establish a Federal interagency task force to improve public awareness among older individuals and their families and caregivers about the impending digital television transition (S. 2125), S12435 [2OC]

Reports

Next Steps—Strategies To Improve the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy: National Council on Aging, S4443 [12AP]

Reports filed

Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 898), S10901 [3AU]

Economic Developments in Aging: Committee on Aging (Senate, Special) (S. Rept. 110-71), S6548 [23MY]

Keeping Seniors Safe From Falls Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 845), S4159 [29MR]

Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act: Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 3), S4477 [16AP]

National Assisted Living Week: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. Res. 292), S11213 [6SE]

Safety of Seniors Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 845) (S. Rept. 110-110), S8691 [28JN]

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act: Committee on Financial Services (House) (H.R. 2930) (H. Rept. 110-463), H14155 [4DE]

Statements

Future of Medicare: Representative Kucinich, E2203-E2206 [23OC]

Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act: Association of Community Pharmacists, H446 [12JA]

Veterans' Drug Prices Go Up With H.R. 4 Passage: Representative Stearns, H452 [12JA]

Summaries

Healthy Americans Act (S. 334), S759-S763 [18JA]

Tables

SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act (H.R. 2608), H7565 [11JY]

Testimonies

Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act: Orlene Christie, S7358 [7JN]

Texts of

H. Con. Res. 133, support goals and ideals of Long-Term Care Awareness Week, H11519 [15OC]

H. Res. 290, Rocky Mountain Senior Games anniversary, H4520 [7MY]

H. Res. 408, Cathedral Square Corp., anniversary, H7795 [16JY]

H. Res. 513, support goals and ideals of National Save for Retirement Week, H7049 [25JN]

H.R. 4, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, H440 [12JA]

H.R. 2608, SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act, H7559 [11JY]

H.R. 2930, Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act, H14176-H14178 [5DE]

S. 3, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, S48 [4JA]

S. 28, Generics First Act, S70 [4JA]

S. 63, Autonomy for Psychologists and Social Workers Act, S81 [4JA]

S. 64, Strengthen Social Work Training Act, S81 [4JA]

S. 72, Equity for Clinical Social Workers Act, S84 [4JA]

S. 137, Preserving Medicare for All Act, S134 [4JA]

S. 206, Social Security Fairness Act, S284 [9JA]

S. 273, Prescription Drug and Health Improvement Act, S455 [11JA]

S. 464, Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act, S1442-S1445 [31JA]

S. 465, Advance Directives Improvement and Education Act, S1445 [31JA]

S. 466, Medicare End-of-Life Care Planning Act, S1447 [31JA]

S. 498, Rural Medicare Equity Act, S1639 [6FE]

S. 504, Long-Term Care Trust Account Act, S1641-S1643 [6FE]

S. 630, Rural Health Services Preservation Act, S2079 [15FE]

S. 631, Remote Monitoring Access Act, S2079 [15FE]

S. 633, Working Together for Rural Access to Mental Health and Wellness for Children and Seniors Act, S2080-S2082 [15FE]

S. 716, Consortium on the Impact of Technology in Aging Health Services Act, S2366 [28FE]

S. 773, allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums, S2710 [6MR]

S. 799, Community Choice Act, S2807-S2811 [7MR]

S. 819, Public Good IRA Rollover Act, S2916 [8MR]

S. 821, SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act, S2918 [8MR]

S. 845, Safety of Seniors Act, S10676 [1AU]

S. 921, Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act, S3356 [20MR]

S. 954, Medicare Residency Program Technical Correction Act, S3528 [21MR]

S. 1002, reinstate certain provisions of the Older Americans Act relating to the nutrition services incentive program, S3984 [27MR], H3236 [28MR]

S. 1102, Part D Equity for Low-Income Seniors Act, S4444 [12AP]

S. 1103, Helping Fill the Medicare Rx Gap Act, S4445 [12AP]

S. 1107, Home and Community Services Copayment Equity Act, S4450 [12AP]

S. 1161, Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act, S4755 [19AP]

S. 1310, Medicare Ambulance Payment Extension Act, S5602 [3MY]

S. 1337, Children's Mental Health Parity Act, S5738 [8MY]

S. 1338, Access to Medicare Imaging Act, S5741 [8MY]

S. 1577, Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act, S7354-S7358 [7JN]

S. 1615, Nursing Home Fire Safety Act, S7652 [13JN]

S. 1854, Stop Senior Suicide Act, S9780 [23JY]

S. 1887, Medicare Access to Critical Medications Act, S10157 [26JY]

S. 1964, establish new, separate Medicare fee schedule areas for physicians' services in States with multiple fee schedule areas to improve physician geographic payment accuracy, S10806 [2AU]

S. 2056, Medicare Anesthesiology Teaching Funding Restoration Act, S11593 [17SE]

S. 2092, Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act, S12063-S12067 [25SE]

S. 2101, Medicare Savings Program Improvement Act, S12149-S12153 [26SE]

S. 2103, Medicare Independent Living Act, S12155 [26SE]

S. 2125, Preparing America's Seniors for the Digital Television Transition Act, S12435-S12439 [2OC]

S. 2190, Medicare Mental Health Prescription Drug Access Act, S13004 [17OC]

S. 2219, Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act, S13264 [23OC]

S. 2320, Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act, S14067 [7NO]

S. 2337, Long-Term Care Affordability and Security Act, S14290 [13NO]

S. 2499, Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act, S15837-S15843 [18DE], H16842-H16848 [19DE]

S. Res. 240, National Save for Retirement Week, S8088 [20JN], S9057 [11JY]

S. Res. 273, issue semipostal stamp to support Alzheimer's disease research, S9264 [16JY]

S. Res. 292, National Assisted Living Week, S10822 [2AU], S11279 [7SE]

S. Res. 305, revise Medicare national coverage determination on the treatment of anemia in cancer patients, S10943 [3AU], S11080 [4SE]

S. Res. 363, improve Social Security benefit computation rule applicable to workers attaining age 65 in or after 1982, S13711 [1NO]

S.J. Res. 22, disapprove rule relative to Medicare coverage of the use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents in the treatment of anemia in cancer patients, S13201 [22OC]