SOCIAL SECURITY

Amendments

Medicare: extend compliance threshold used to determine eligibility of hospitals for designation as an inpatient rehabilitation facility (S. 543), S15252 [12DE]

State Children's Health Insurance Program: extend and improve (H.R. 3963), S13641, S13643, S13644 [31OC], S13712 [1NO]

———extend and improve (H.R. 3963), consideration (H. Res. 774), H12040 [25OC]

States: extend and improve children's health insurance program and improve beneficiary protections under Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (H.R. 3162), H9349, H9404, H9405, H9406 [1AU]

———extend and improve children's health insurance program and improve beneficiary protections under Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (H.R. 3162), consideration (H. Res. 594), H9300 [1AU]

Analyses

Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Commission Act: Stuart M. Butler, Heritage Foundation, E94 [12JA]

State Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization (S. 1893), S10174-S10190 [26JY]

Articles and editorials

Bailing the Future Out of Debt, E117 [16JA]

Bitter Pills, S4625, S4627 [18AP]

Bush's Stand on Insurance Plan Contradicts Words of Compassion, S10362 [31JY]

Children Dropping Off Medicaid Rolls, S3218 [15MR]

Deep in the Budget Hole—Bipartisan Panel Could Help Country Dig Out, E118 [16JA]

Dem Health Plan a Burden on Poor, S10591 [1AU]

Disabled, and Waiting for Justice, H15517 [17DE]

Drug Price Path To Avoid, S4582 [17AP]

Entitled Selfishness—Boomer Generation Is in a State of Denial, E117 [16JA]

Escaping the Budget Impasse, H11229 [3OC]

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

First—Do Less Harm, E67 [10JA]

For Want of a Dentist, S2506 [1MR]

Get on With It, E118 [16JA]

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

Insurance Folly, S10590 [1AU]

Medicaid Called Harder for Poor; Health Advocates Fear Document Rules Cause Many To Lose Coverage, S3217 [15MR]

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

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

Newest Entitlement, S10224 [30JY], S10590 [1AU]

Owens Wants Action on ID Theft, S1182 [25JA]

Resolve Funding for Quality Care, S3346 [20MR]

Rx—Dose of Reality, H476 [12JA]

Sebelius—New Medicaid Rules Could Cost State Millions, S3216 [15MR]

Securing Future Fiscal Health, E116 [16JA]

Socialized Medicine for ``Kids'', H7644 [11JY]

Stealing Healthcare From Babies, H9411 [1AU]

Taxes and Spending—Support Wolf's Bill on Entitlements, E117 [16JA]

Thousands in Kansas Off Medicaid Following Citizenship Rules, S3217 [15MR]

U.S. Citizenship Proof Required for Medicaid in N.C., S3217 [15MR]

We Need a New Commission To Tackle Entitlement Programs, E461 [5MR]

Bills and resolutions

AmeriCare: establish program to assure health insurance coverage to all residents (see H.R. 1841), H3360 [29MR]

Benefits: 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]

———authorize waivers of certain waiting periods for benefits based on disability in cases in which such waiting period would cause undue hardship to terminally ill beneficiaries (see S. 2050), S11505 [12SE] (see H.R. 2713), H6437 (see H.R. 2713), H6475 [14JN]

———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 reconsideration as an intervening step between initial benefit entitlement decisions and subsequent hearings on the record on such decisions (see H.R. 385), H342 [10JA]

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

———eliminate waiting period for entitlement to disability benefits and requirement for reconsideration between benefit entitlement decision and hearing (see H.R. 69), H112 [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]

———level of 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]

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

Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action: establish (see S. 2063), S11654 [18SE] (see H.R. 3655), H10901 [25SE]

Budget: constitutional amendment to require balanced and protect Social Security surpluses (see S.J. Res. 1), S41 [4JA]

———establish a new process to create a comprehensive plan to rein in spending, reduce the deficit, and regain control of the Federal budget process (see S. 15), S6461 [22MY]

Cass County, MN: restore State authority to waive distance requirement relative to designation of critical access hospital (see S. 632), S2023 [15FE] (see S. 995), S3835 [27MR] (see H.R. 1744), H3278 [28MR]

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

———share enrollment, claims, survey, and assessment data with Medicare quality reporting organizations to facilitate analysis of health care quality and costs (see S. 1544), S7070 [5JN] (see H.R. 3370), H9705 [3AU]

Children and youth: ensure every uninsured child has health insurance coverage (see S. 2522), S16005 [19DE] (see H.R. 1111), H1892 [16FE] (see H.R. 2357), H5470 [17MY]

———ensure foster children are able to use program and SSI benefits to address their needs and improve their lives (see H.R. 1104), H1790 [15FE]

———expand Federal benefit eligibility for children in foster care who have attained a certain age (see S. 1512), S6845 [24MY]

———extend State Children's Health Insurance Program, streamline enrollment under that program and Medicaid, and provide a healthy savings tax credit for purchase of children's health coverage (see H.R. 2147), H4485 [3MY]

———extend State Children's Health Insurance Program and streamline enrollment under that program and Medicaid (see S. 1364), S5928 [10MY]

———prohibit preexisting condition exclusions for children in group health plans and health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets (see H.R. 2842), H7010 [22JN]

———prohibit States from requiring eligiblity determinations for children benefits under Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program more than once a year (see H.R. 2512), H5924 [24MY]

———promote adoption of children with special needs (see S. 1462), S6549 [23MY] (see H.R. 4091), H13203 [6NO]

———provide an express lane for simplified Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program eligibility determinations (see H.R. 3171), H8617 [25JY]

———provide disadvantaged children with dental services (see S. 739), S2488 [1MR] (see H.R. 1781), H3358 [29MR]

———provide each child with a KidSave Account (see H.R. 242), H120 [5JA]

———remove confidentiality mandates for minors from family planning services programs operating under Title X of the Public Health Service Act and Medicaid (see H. Con. Res. 232), H11490 [10OC]

———require States to provide foster children with court-appointed special advocates who meet national standards (see H.R. 3283), H9467 (see H.R. 3283), H9543 [1AU]

Commission on Reforming Entitlement Spending: establish (see H.R. 489), H571 [16JA]

Comprehensive Entitlement Reform Commission: establish (see S. 1195), S4917 [24AP] (see H.R. 2024), H4050 [24AP]

Congress: require approval of a totalization agreement before the agreement, giving foreign workers Social Security benefits, can go into effect (see S. 43), S37 [4JA]

Credit: prohibit issuance of residential mortgages to individuals who lack a Social Security account number (see H.R. 480), H571 [16JA]

Dept. of Defense: conduct a study on the feasibility of using military identification numbers instead of Social Security numbers to identify members of the Armed Forces (see H.R. 3128), H8292 [23JY]

———reform the TRICARE program to make reimbursement rates the same as those offered under Medicare and contract for health care services with a teaching hospital in an urban area (see H.R. 140), H115 [5JA]

Dept. of HHS: conduct research on indicators of child well-being (see S. 1482), S6844 [24MY]

———prohibit penalties against States under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program for failure to comply with certain minimum work participation rates or verification procedures (see S. 1461), S6549 [23MY]

———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]

———require the incorporation of counterfeit-resistant technologies into the packaging of prescription drugs (see H.R. 2716), H6437 (see H.R. 2716), H6475 [14JN]

Dept. of Homeland Security: approve a rule relative to employers who receive a ``no-match'' letter from SSA (see H.R. 3950), H11934 [23OC]

Disabled: eliminate waiting period for certain disability benefits in the cases of individuals with disabling burn injuries (see H.R. 685), H943 [24JA]

———help individuals with functional impairments to pay for services and supports needed to maximize independence and choices about community participation, education, and employment (see S. 1758), S8943 [10JY] (see H.R. 3001), H7655 [11JY]

———increase the level of earnings under which no individual who is blind is determined to have demonstrated an ability to engage in substantial gainful activity for purposes of determining disability (see H.R. 3834), H11547 [15OC]

Diseases: establish national screening program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and allow States to provide medical assistance for individuals with colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps (see H.R. 1738), H3278 [28MR]

———improve screening and treatment of cancers and provide survivorship services (see S. 1415), S6192 [16MY] (see H.R. 2353), H5291 [16MY]

———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]

———provide for a comprehensive Federal effort relative to early detection of, treatments for, and prevention of cancer (see S. 1056), S4160 [29MR]

———waive recent work requirement for eligibility for disability benefits for individuals with terminal illnesses (see S. 1736), S8691 [28JN] (see H.R. 2944), H7432 [28JN]

Employment: exempt certain employment as a member of a local governing board from coverage (see S. 2154), S12775 [4OC]

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

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

Families and domestic relations: provide grants to promote responsible fatherhood and strengthen low-income families (see S. 1626), S7730 [14JN] (see H.R. 3395), H9706 [3AU]

Federal aid programs: asset eligibility determinations for food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, SSI, and State Children's Health Insurance programs (see H.R. 3172), H8617 [25JY]

———extend eligibility for certain Federal benefits to citizens of the Freely Associated States (see S. 1676), S8231 [21JN] (see H.R. 4000), H12237 [30OC]

Federal Reinsurance Program for Catastrophic Health Care Costs: establish (see S. 1298), S5562 [3MY]

Federal-State relations: prohibit implementation of a guidance letter proposing rules relative to the Federal-State financial partnerships under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (see H.R. 3719), H11170 [2OC]

Foreign trade: require additional tariffs on products of any nonmarket economy country until certified as a market economy country, and deposit amounts generated from such tariffs into the Social Security trust funds (see H.R. 571), H759 [18JA]

Go Direct Month: designate (see S. Res. 67), S1522 [1FE]

Health: combine coverage of children and pregnant woman under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program into a new All Healthy Children Program (see S. 1564), S7332 [7JN] (see H.R. 1688), H3079 [26MR]

———ensure a sufficient supply of vaccines (see S. 2467), S15460 [13DE] (see H.R. 4703), H15468 [13DE]

———ensure payment under Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program for covered items and services furnished by school-based health clinics (see S. 1669), S8061 [20JN] (see H.R. 2870), H7201 [26JN]

———establish demonstration projects for States to provide universal, comprehensive, and cost-effective health care coverage with simplified administration (see S. 2031), S11269 [7SE] (see H.R. 3507), H10319 [7SE]

———extend moratorium on implementation of a rule on Federal-State financial partnership under Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program and finalization of graduate medical education rule (see S. 2460), S15234 [12DE] (see H.R. 3533), H10369 [14SE]

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

———extend transitional medical assistance (TMA), the abstinence education program, and certain other Medicare and Medicaid support programs (see H.R. 3668), H10939 [26SE]

———extend transitional medical assistance (TMA) and the abstinence education program (see S. 1701), S8610 [27JN] (see H.R. 2432), H5620 [22MY]

———impose a moratorium on implementation of a proposed rule on the Federal-State financial partnerships under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (see S. 787), S2795 [7MR] (see H.R. 1480), H2436 [12MR] (see H.R. 1741), H3278 [28MR]

———improve access to emergency medical services through medical liability reform and additional Medicare payments (see S. 1003), S4047 [28MR] (see H.R. 882), H1342 [7FE]

———improve oral health care for low-income individuals under the Maternal and Child Health Program and Medicaid and provide a tax credit to dentists for services provided to low-income individuals (see H.R. 2472), H5922 [24MY]

———improve quality in health care by providing incentives for adoption of modern information technology (see S. 1408), S6192 [16MY]

———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]

———permit qualifying States to use all or any portion of their State Children's Health Insurance Program allotments for certain Medicaid expenditures (see S. 142), S40 [4JA]

———permit qualifying States to use unspent State Children's Health Insurance Program allotments for Medicaid expenditures (see S. 434), S1326 [30JA] (see H.R. 1466), H2400 [9MR]

———permit States the option of covering certain legal aliens under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (see S. 764), S2598 [5MR] (see H.R. 1308), H2164 [5MR]

———permit States the option to provide nurse home visitation services under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (see S. 1052), S4160 [29MR] (see H.R. 3024), H7775 [12JY]

———protect enrollees in managed care plans and other health coverage (see H.R. 979), H1470 [12FE]

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

———provide coverage of hormone replacement therapy and alternative therapies for treatment of menopausal symptoms (see H.R. 1812), H3359 [29MR]

Health care facilities: provide patient-centered medical homes to improve effectiveness and efficiency in medical assistance under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (see S. 2376), S14618 [16NO]

Health care professionals: increase number of primary care physicians and medical residents serving health professional shortage areas (see S. 896), S3199 [15MR]

———provide for transparency in the relationship between physicians and manufacturers of drugs, devices, or medical supplies for which payment is made under certain programs (see S. 2029), S11213 [6SE]

Hospitals: provide emergency contraceptives to women who are survivors of sexual assault (see S. 1240), S5183 [26AP] (see H.R. 464), H514 [12JA]

Immigration: enforce employment restrictions on unauthorized aliens through the use of improved Social Security cards and an Employment Eligibility Database (see H.R. 98), H114 [5JA]

———exclude from creditable wages income earned by aliens for services illegally performed in the U.S. or derived from an illegal trade or business (see H.R. 736), H1054 [30JA]

———improve agricultural job opportunities, benefits, and security for aliens in the U.S. (see S. 237), S357 [10JA] (see S. 340), S753 [18JA] (see H.R. 371), H341 [10JA]

———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]

Income: provide that wages and self-employment income earned by individuals who were illegally in the U.S. shall not be credited for coverage under the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program (see H.R. 332), H252 [9JA]

———remove limitations on the amount of outside income which an individual may earn while receiving certain benefits (see H.R. 149), H115 [5JA]

———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]

Insurance: ensure that every child in the U.S. has access to affordable, quality health insurance coverage (see S. 895), S3199 [15MR] (see H.R. 1535), H2619 [15MR]

———provide coverage of screening mammography for women over 40 and for women at high risk for breast cancer if diagnostic mammography is covered (see H.R. 2708), H6404 [13JN]

———require comprehensive coverage for childhood immunizations (see H.R. 152), H115 [5JA]

Investments: provide for enhanced retirement security in the form of an Individual Social Security Investment Program (see H.R. 2002), H3776 [23AP]

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

Law enforcement: prevent fraudulent use of account numbers by allowing the sharing of Social Security data among U.S. agencies for identity theft prevention and immigration enforcement purposes (see S. 699), S2355 [28FE]

Medicaid: amend rules governing citizenship documentation requirements for children born in the U.S. (see H.R. 1238), H2037 [28FE]

———assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries by improving eligibility and services under the Medicare Savings Program (see S. 2101), S12141 [26SE] (see H.R. 3127), H8292 [23JY]

———coverage of services provided by nursing school clinics (see S. 54), S37 [4JA]

———delay requirement to use tamper-resistant prescription pads (see S. 2085), S11952 [21SE] (see H.R. 3647), H10755 [24SE]

———encourage States to provide pregnant women with access to comprehensive tobacco cessation services (see S. 1013), S4047 [28MR]

———ensure beneficiary access to generic drugs by setting pharmacy reimbursement based on retail acquisition cost and to promote use of generic drugs (see H.R. 3140), H8396 [24JY]

———ensure individuals eligible for medical assistance continue to have access to prescription drugs (see S. 1951), S10787 [2AU] (see H.R. 3700), H11027 [27SE]

———establish a minimum State dispensing fee for certain drugs, modify application of average manufacturer price methodology to drug rebates, eliminate cap on certan asset tests, and extend SSI asset verification (see H.R. 3193), H8741 [26JY]

———establish independent foster care adolescents as a mandatory category of individuals for coverage under State programs (see H.R. 1376), H2301 [7MR]

———establish programs to improve the quality, performance, and delivery of pediatric care (see S. 1226), S5183 [26AP] (see H.R. 2723), H6438 (see H.R. 2723), H6475 [14JN]

———expand access to contraceptive services for low-income women and men (see S. 1075), S4161 [29MR] (see H.R. 2523), H5925 [24MY]

———expand the county organized health insuring organizations authorized to enroll Medicaid beneficiaries (see H.R. 665), H941 [24JA]

———extend drug rebate program to enrollees of managed care organizations (see S. 1589), S7451 [11JN] (see H.R. 3041), H7776 [12JY]

———impose a moratorium on certain payment restrictions (see H.R. 4355), H15314 [11DE]

———improve access to advanced practice nurses and physician assistants (see S. 59), S37 [4JA] (see H.R. 2066), H4204 [26AP]

———improve requirements for items and services furnished in or through an educational program or setting to children, including children with developmental, physical, or mental health needs (see S. 578), S1902 [13FE] (see H.R. 1017), H1563 [13FE]

———include all public clinics for the distribution of pediatric vaccines (see S. 2465), S15460 [13DE] (see H.R. 4702), H15468 [13DE]

———include podiatrists as physicians for purposes of covering physicians services (see S. 399), S1189 [25JA] (see H.R. 1647), H2956 [22MR]

———increase Federal medical assistance percentage for the District of Columbia (see H.R. 2999), H7655 [11JY]

———increase price transparency of hospital information and provide for additional research on consumer information on charges and out-of-pocket costs (see H.R. 1666), H3017 [23MR]

———limit required use of tamper-resistant prescription pads to class II narcotics (see S. 2013), S10902 [3AU] (see H.R. 3090), H8120 [18JY]

———modify certain administrative eligibility rules relative to children born in the U.S. to Medicaid-eligible mothers (see S. 751), S2559 [2MR]

———permit local public agencies to act as enrollment brokers (see H.R. 1950), H3693 [19AP]

———permit States the option to provide coverage for low-income individuals infected with HIV (see S. 860), S3064 [13MR] (see H.R. 3326), H9654 [2AU]

———permit States to obtain reimbursement for care or services provided under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act in a private mental health facility (see S. 2406), S14741 [4DE] (see H.R. 2050), H4203 [26AP]

———permit States to require certain individuals to present satisfactory documentary evidence of proof of citizenship or nationality for eligibility (see S. 909), S3199 [15MR] (see H.R. 1878), H3474 [17AP]

———provide a demonstration project for chronic disease management (see H.R. 2043), H4175 [25AP]

———provide a screening and treatment program for prostate cancer in the same manner as is provided for breast and cervical cancer (see S. 1275), S5497 [2MY] (see H.R. 2115), H4415 [2MY] (see H.R. 2131), H4484 [3MY]

———provide adjustments in payment to certain hospitals (see S. 2253), S13520 [29OC]

———provide complete reimbursement for medical assistance provided to Native Hawaiians by federally qualified health centers or Native Hawaiian health care systems (see S. 112), S39 [4JA]

———provide for congressional disapproval of a rule on cost limits for providers operated by units of government (see S.J. Res. 18), S11414 [11SE] (see H.J. Res. 49), H10366 [11SE]

———provide funding to States to enable them to increase the wages paid to targeted direct support professionals in providing services to individuals with disabilities (see H.R. 1279), H2119 [1MR]

———provide medical assistance for certain men screened and found to have prostate cancer under a federally funded screening program (see H.R. 3215), H8820 [27JY]

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

———remove cap on payments and adjust statutory matching rate for certain territories (see H.R. 51), H112 [5JA]

———remove cap on payments for certain territories (see H.R. 614), H834 [22JA]

———remove exclusion from medical assistance of items and services for patients in mental institutions (see H.R. 1155), H1894 [16FE]

———require coverage of professional services of optometrists that are otherwise covered when furnished by a physician (see H.R. 1983), H3723 [20AP]

———require drug manufacturers to pay rebates to State prescription drug discount programs as a condition of participation in a rebate agreement for outpatient prescription drugs (see H.R. 3309), H9468 (see H.R. 3309), H9544 [1AU]

———require each State plan for medical assistance and provide that State financial participation is 100 percent of the non-Federal share of expenditures under the plan (see H.R. 326), H251 [9JA]

———require staff working with developmentally disabled individuals to call emergency services in the event of a life-threatening situation (see S. 1420), S6266 [17MY] (see H.R. 2379), H5471 [17MY]

———require States that provide prescription drug coverage to cover drugs that treat obesity (see H.R. 426), H434 [11JA]

———require States to provide diabetes screening tests for adult enrollees with diabetes risk factors and ensure States offer a package of benefits for individuals with diabetes (see S. 755), S2559 [2MR]

———require States to report data on beneficiaries who are employed (see H.R. 2971), H7489 [10JY]

———restore and protect access to discount drug prices for university-based and safety-net clinics (see S. 2347), S14285 [13NO] (see H.R. 4054), H12454 [1NO]

———strengthen third-party liability requirements (see H.R. 4320), H14493 (see H.R. 4320), H15207 [6DE]

———waive requirement for proof of citizenship during first year of life for children born in the U.S. to Medicaid-eligible mothers (see H.R. 210), H117 [5JA]

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 hearing aids and auditory rehabilitation services (see H.R. 1912), H3559 [18AP]

———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]

———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 adequate payment amounts for drugs and biologicals (see H.R. 3011), H7774 [12JY]

———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 certain health care facilities located in areas previously designated as rural qualify as rural health clinics regardless whether such areas remain so designated (see H.R. 2157), H4485 [3MY]

———ensure more appropriate payment amounts for drugs and biologicals by excluding customary prompt pay discounts extended to wholesalers from the manufacturer's average sales price (see H.R. 2770), H6734 [19JN]

———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 a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative to assess and report on health care quality in hospitals (see S. 1824), S9613 [19JY]

———establish a prospective payment system for covered services provided by federally qualified health centers and expand such services to account for certain other expansions (see S. 2188), S12988 [17OC] (see H.R. 2897), H7430 [28JN]

———establish a separate definition of outpatient speech-language pathology services so that direct payment to speech-language pathologists may be made (see H.R. 1774), H3357 [29MR]

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

———establish Medicare Chronic Care Practice Research Network to develop and apply improved practices in care management for beneficiaries with multiple, chronic conditions (see H.R. 4327), H14493 (see H.R. 4327), H15207 [6DE]

———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]

———exempt negative pressure wound therapy pumps and related supplies and accessories from the competitive acquisition program until the clinical comparability of such products can be validated (see H.R. 4778), H16832 [18DE]

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

———expand comparative effectiveness research and increase funding for such research to improve the value of health care (see H.R. 2184), H4552 [7MY]

———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 compliance threshold used to determine eligibility of hospitals for designation as an inpatient rehabilitation facility (see S. 543), S1848 [12FE] (see H.R. 1459), H2399 [9MR]

———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]

———impose moratorium on use of recovery audit contractors under the Medicare Integrity Program (see H.R. 4105), H13296 [7NO]

———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 access to pharmacies under part D (see S. 1954), S10787 [2AU]

———improve access to physical medicine and rehabilitation services (see H.R. 1846), H3361 [29MR]

———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] (see H.R. 1926), H3560 [18AP]

———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 quality improvement organization (QIO) program (see S. 1947), S10787 [2AU]

———improve quality of care in skilled nursing facilities through requiring the reporting of expenditures for nursing (see H.R. 3784), H11394 [9OC]

———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 provider payments in the Federal Payment Levy Program and the Treasury Offset Program in order to collect tax debt and other outstanding Federal debt from delinquent providers (see S. 1307), S5562 [3MY] (see H.R. 4287), H14249 [5DE]

———increase caps on graduate medical education positions for States with a shortage of residents (see S. 588), S1958 [14FE] (see H.R. 1093), H1789 [15FE]

———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]

———modify physician reimbursement policies to ensure a future physician workforce (see H.R. 2585), H6109 [6JN]

———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 pass-through payment of costs for nurse anesthetist services in critical access hospitals notwithstanding the reclassification of such hospitals (see H.R. 3066), H7982 [17JY]

———permit Puerto Rico to qualify for Federal reimbursement of emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens (see H.R. 613), H834 [22JA]

———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]

———phase-out waiting period for coverage of disabled individuals and waive waiting period for people with life-threatening illnesses (see S. 2102), S12141 [26SE] (see H.R. 154), H116 [5JA]

———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]

———protect enrollees eligible for prescription drug benefit coverage from abusive marketing practices (see H.R. 2307), H4966 [14MY]

———protect patients by limiting the number of mandatory overtime hours a nurse may be required to work by certain service providers (see S. 73), S38 [4JA] (see S. 1842), S9658 [20JY] (see H.R. 2122), H4483 [3MY]

———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 a wage index floor for hospitals and home health agencies located in certain areas (see H.R. 2741), H6576 [15JN]

———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 beneficiary protections against excessive cost-sharing under the Medicare Advantage Program (see H.R. 2945), H7432 [28JN]

———provide comprehensive health benefits for the relief of individuals whose health was adversely affected by the 9/11 disaster (see H.R. 1247), H2038 [28FE]

———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 coverage of screening tests for human papillomavirus (HPV) (see H.R. 4055), H12454 [1NO]

———provide coverage of services of qualified respiratory therapists performed under the general supervision of a physician (see H.R. 3968), H12102 [25OC]

———provide equity in the calculation of disproportionate share hospital payments for hospitals in Puerto Rico (see H.R. 616), H834 [22JA]

———provide exception to limit on reciprocal billing arrangements between two physicians during the period when one is ordered to active duty in a Reserve component of the Armed Forces (see S. 1767, 1768), S9019 [11JY] (see H.R. 2429), H5620 [22MY] (see H.R. 3007), H7655 [11JY]

———provide flexibility in the manner in which beds are counted for purposes of determining whether a hospital may be designated as a critical access hospital (see S. 1595), S7544 [12JN]

———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 additional outreach and education and provide a special enrollment period for individuals who qualify for an income-related subsidy under the prescription drug program (see S. 1108), S4437 [12AP]

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

———provide for coverage of marriage and family therapist services (see H.R. 2644), H6234 [11JN]

———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 reclassification of Chautauqua County, NY, for purposes of payment for inpatient hospital services (see H.R. 1997), H3776 [23AP]

———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 incentives to physicians for writing electronic prescriptions (see S. 1915), S10604 [1AU]

———provide payment for anesthesia services by anesthesiologists in certain rural hospitals in the same manner as for services by anesthesiologist assistants and certified registered nurse anesthetists (see H.R. 1866), H3473 [17AP]

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

———reduce costs of prescription drugs for beneficiaries and guarantee access to comprehensive prescription drug coverage (see S. 250, 250), S358 [10JA]

———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 and modernize quality improvement organization (QIO) program (see H.R. 1046), H1667 [14FE]

———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]

———reimbursement for certain midwife services (see S. 507), S1627 [6FE] (see H.R. 864), H1271 [6FE]

———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 income-related increase in part B premiums (see H.R. 4330), H14493 (see H.R. 4330), H15207 [6DE]

———repeal limiting charges for non-participating physicians and to preempt State laws that prohibit balance billing (see H.R. 4736), H15737 [17DE]

———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]

———repeal reduction in payment for therapeutic shoes and inserts for individuals with diabetes (see H.R. 2888), H7339 [27JN]

———require hospitals to establish and implement security procedures to reduce the likelihood of infant patient abduction and baby switching (see H.R. 257), H121 [5JA]

———require physician utilization of electronic prescription drug program (see S. 2408), S14786 [5DE] (see H.R. 4296), H14250 [5DE]

———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 prompt payment to pharmacies, restrict pharmacy co-branding on prescription drug cards, and provide guidelines for Medication Therapy Management Services programs under prescription drug program (see S. 1827), S9613 [19JY]

———require public reporting of health care-associated infections data and establish pilot program for incentives to hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to eliminate the rate of occurrence (see H.R. 1174), H1894 [16FE]

———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]

———restore State authority to waive the 35-mile rule for designating critical access hospitals (see H.R. 4452), H15316 [11DE]

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

———standardize marketing requirements under Medicare Advantage and prescription drug programs and provide for State certification prior to waiver of licensure requirements under prescription drug program (see S. 1883), S10148 [26JY] (see H.R. 4790), H16832 [18DE]

———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: repeal cost containment provisions (see H.R. 2009), H3777 [23AP]

———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]

———provide for continued treatment for the reopening of certain facilities (see H.R. 3626), H10695 [20SE]

———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]

Merchant marine industry: provide a monthly monetary benefit to certain individuals who served in the U.S. merchant marine during World War II (see S. 961), S3607 [22MR] (see H.R. 23), H111 [5JA]

Mexico: disapprove U.S.-Mexico Social Security totalization agreement (see H. Res. 18, 22), H120 [5JA]

National Commission on Entitlement Solvency: establish (see S. 355), S827 [22JA] (see H.R. 3724), H11170 [2OC]

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]

Native Americans: Federal funding for certain adoption and foster care programs (see S. 1956), S10787 [2AU]

———provide equitable access for foster care and adoption services for Indian children in tribal areas (see H.R. 4688), H15468 [13DE]

Old-age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits: eliminate time limitation for corrections to wage and self-employment income records (see H.R. 3252), H9275 [31JY]

Pensions: computation system for benefits relative to spouses' and surviving spouses' Government pensions (see S. 1254), S5390 [1MY]

———create personal guarantee accounts ensuring full benefits for all workers and their families, restore long-term solvency, and make certain benefit improvements (see H.R. 1090), H1789 [15FE]

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

Privacy: eliminate requirement that States collect Social Security numbers from applicants for recreational licenses (see H.R. 611), H834 [22JA]

———enhance privacy protections for individuals and prevent fraudulent misuse of account numbers (see H.R. 3046), H7851 [16JY]

———limit the misuse of Social Security numbers and establish criminal penalties for such misuse (see S. 238), S357 [10JA]

———notify individuals of improper use of their Social Security account numbers (see H.R. 1627), H2821 [21MR]

———prohibit the sale, purchase, and display to the general public of Social Security account numbers (see H.R. 2455), H5723 [23MY]

———prohibit the solicitation and display of Social Security account numbers (see H.R. 3271), H9466 (see H.R. 3271), H9543 [1AU]

———protect the integrity and confidentiality of Social Security numbers and prohibit the establishment of any uniform national identifying number (see H.R. 220), H118 [5JA]

———provide additional security and privacy protection for Social Security account numbers (see S. 1208), S5086 [25AP]

———provide for updated and secure cards (see H.R. 2368), H5470 [17MY]

———provide that individuals and appropriate authorities are notified by SSA of evidence of misuse of account numbers of such individuals (see H.R. 136), H115 [5JA]

———require an employer to take action after learning that an individual's account number does not match the individual's name (see H.R. 138), H115 [5JA]

———restrict public display on the Internet of all or any portion of Social Security account numbers by State and local governments (see S. 1691), S8356 [25JN]

———strengthen Federal authority to protect individuals from certain acts and practices in the sale and purchase of Social Security numbers and Social Security account numbers (see H.R. 948), H1414 [8FE]

Public welfare programs: allow funds provided to States under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program to be used for alternative-to-abortion services (see H.R. 4852), H16946 [19DE]

———eliminate separate work participation rate for 2-parent families under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (see H.R. 3188), H8741 [26JY]

———increase payments to States for expenditures for short term training of certain child welfare agencies staff (see H.R. 2314), H5052 [15MY]

———require States to withhold assistance to applicants for, and recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program if there is evidence of recent unlawful drug use (see H.R. 3656), H10901 [25SE]

———reward States for engaging individuals with disabilities in work activities (see S. 1730), S8691 [28JN]

Puerto Rico: eligibility of residents for the refundable portion of the child tax credit (see H.R. 431), H434 [11JA]

Railroad Retirement Act: provide that a current connection is not lost by an individual who is misled or misinformed by the Railroad Retirement Board (see H.R. 626), H835 [22JA]

Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Commission: establish (see S. 304), S578 [16JA] (see H.R. 473), H571 [16JA] (see H.R. 3654), H10901 [25SE]

Senior citizens: 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]

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

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

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

Small business: establish a multiagency campaign to educate small business concerns about health insurance options available to children (see S. 1714), S8610 [27JN]

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

SSI: authorize extension to Guam and the Virgin Islands (see H.R. 56), H112 [5JA]

———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]

———disregard State annuities paid to blind veterans in the determination of benefits (see H.R. 649), H941 [24JA]

———eliminate the unfair and disadvantageous treatment of cash military compensation other than basic pay (see H.R. 337), H252 [9JA]

———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]

———prevent ineligibility for benefits by reason of an increase in the minimum wage (see H.R. 290), H122 [5JA]

State Children's Health Insurance Program: extend and improve (see H.R. 3963), H12021 [24OC]

———extend and improve (H.R. 3963), consideration (see H. Res. 774), H12020 [24OC]

———extend funding (see S. 2086), S12002 [24SE] (see H.R. 3584), H10624 [19SE]

———extend funding (H.R. 3584), consideration (see H. Res. 748), H11639 [16OC]

———funding (see S. 1224), S5086 [25AP]

———funding to reduce shortfalls in State allotments (see S. 401), S1189 [25JA] (see S. 546), S1848 [12FE] (see S. 1022, 1023), S4159 [29MR] (see H.R. 1329), H2241 [6MR] (see H.R. 1487, 1489), H2485 [13MR]

———impose requirements on coverage of children in higher income families (see H.R. 3872), H11728 [17OC]

———prohibit approval of certain waivers to provide coverage of childless adults (see H.R. 1013), H1563 [13FE]

———prohibit implementation of policies to prohibit States from providing health coverage to children in need (see S. 2049), S11504 [12SE] (see H.R. 3555), H10433 [17SE]

———reauthorize (see S. 1893), S10149 [26JY] (see S. 2152), S12775 [4OC] (see H.R. 3269), H9276 [31JY] (see H.R. 3864), H11728 [17OC]

———reauthorize, expand child health care insurance coverage through tax fairness, and provide for a health care Federalism initiative (see S. 2193), S13077 [18OC] (see H.R. 3888), H11775 [18OC]

———reauthorize and reform (see H.R. 3176), H8617 [25JY]

States: allow States to expand or add coverage of pregnant women under State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid (see S. 794), S2795 [7MR] (see H.R. 2746), H6576 [15JN]

———allow voluntary development of qualifying best practices for health care and provide differential rates of payment favoring treatment consistent with such practices under Medicare and Medicaid (see S. 1471), S6844 [24MY]

———assure coverage of legal immigrant children and pregnant women under State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid (see H.R. 427), H434 [11JA]

———ensure health insurance coverage for every child under State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid (see S. 95), S38 [4JA]

———extend and improve children's health insurance program and improve beneficiary protections under Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (see H.R. 3162), H8396 [24JY]

———extend and improve children's health insurance program and improve beneficiary protections under Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (H.R. 3162), consideration (see H. Res. 594), H9274 [31JY]

———improve children's access to health care coverage under State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid (see H.R. 2055), H4203 [26AP]

———permit States to expand coverage for certain older children under State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid (see H.R. 2581), H6109 [6JN]

———provide grants to promote innovative outreach and enrollment under Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program (see H.R. 593), H789 [19JA]

———streamline enrollment for Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program through better linkages with low-income nutrition and related assistance programs (see S. 1213), S5086 [25AP]

Taxation: allow a credit for contributions to charities providing assistance for health insurance premiums and drug copayments to transition the uninsured and Medicaid patients into private insurance (see H.R. 4263), H14156 [4DE]

———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 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]

———coordinate the threshold requirement for coverage of domestic employees with the amount required for a quarter of coverage (see H.R. 441), H513 [12JA]

———provide a refundable and advanceable credit for health insurance, provide for improved private health insurance access and affordability, and repeal the alternative minimum tax (see S. 1875), S9916 [25JY]

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

———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]

———waive employee portion of Social Security taxes imposed on individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer or a terminal disease (see H.R. 4684), H15468 [13DE]

Treaties and agreements: provide congressional oversight and approval of totalization agreements (see H.R. 279), H121 [5JA]

———require congressional approval of any totalization agreements (see S. 1666), S8061 [20JN]

———restrict totalization agreements between the U.S. and other countries and prohibit crediting of earnings from employment in U.S. by aliens not lawfully employed (see H.R. 709), H986 [29JA]

Trust funds: ensure that 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 procedure to safeguard (see S. 302), S578 [16JA]

———establish a procedure to safeguard the surpluses of the Social Security and Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Funds (see H.R. 4338), H14493 (see H.R. 4338), H15208 [6DE]

———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]

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

———provide for investment and protection of surpluses (see H.R. 4664), H15468 [13DE]

———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]

Unemployment: provide for wage insurance for dislocated workers (see S. 1330), S5716 [8MY] (see H.R. 2202), H4627 [8MY]

Veterans: provide for treatment of disability rated and certified as total by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs as disability (see H.R. 2943), H7432 [28JN]

———provide health care benefits to veterans with a service-connected disability at non-Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical facilities that receive payments under Medicare or TRICARE program (see S. 815), S2898 [8MR]

Women: promote economic security and safety of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking victims (see S. 1136), S4600 [17AP] (see H.R. 2395), H5530 [21MY]

Cloture motions

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

State Children's Health Insurance Program: extend and improve (H.R. 3963), S13492 [26OC], S13675 [1NO]

———extend and improve (H.R. 3963), motion to proceed, S13610 [31OC], S13657 [1NO]

Cost Estimates

Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act (H.R. 3162): CBO, H9473 [1AU]

State Children's Health Insurance Program reauthorization (S. 1893): CBO, S10173 [26JY]

Examples

Disabled volunteers in various AmeriCorps programs, H12757 [6NO]

Letters

Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act: Michael Sacco, AFL-CIO, H8885 [30JY]

———several maritime labor organizations, H8885 [30JY]

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

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) regulation finalization or implementation: several Representatives, H8128 [19JY]

Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act: Charlie Crist, Governor of Florida, H9290 [1AU]

———Elena Rios, National Hispanic Medical Association, H9413 [1AU]

———several physicians, H9403 [1AU]

———William D. Novelli, AARP, H9296 [1AU]

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]

Disregard State annuities paid to blind veterans in the determination of SSI benefits: Thomas Zampieri, Blinded Veterans Association, H12760 [6NO]

Drug Rebate Equalization Act: Daniel R. Hawkins, Jr., National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc., S7457 [11JN]

———Margaret A. Murray, Association for Community Affiliated Plans, S7457 [11JN]

———Thomas Johnson, Medicaid Health Plans of America (organization), S7457 [11JN]

Early Treatment for HIV Act: A. Gene Copello, Aids Institute, S3071 [13MR]

———Anne Donnelly and Ryan Clary, Project Inform (organization), S3072 [13MR]

———Daniel R. Kuritzkes, HIV Medicine Association, S3071 [13MR]

———Jeff Schouten, American Academy of HIV Medicine, S3071 [13MR]

———Julie M. Scofield, National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors, S3071 [13MR]

Eligibility of individuals who were illegally in the U.S. to apply for and collect benefits through the State Children's Health Insurance Program: Representative McCrery, Committee on Ways and Means (House), S12218 [27SE]

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]

Extend moratorium on implementation of a rule on Federal-State financial partnership under Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program and finalization of graduate medical education rule: several Senators, S15250 [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 hospital wage index classification: Denise S. Cesare, Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, S3345 [20MR]

———Harold E. Anderson, Moses Taylor Hospital, S3343 [20MR]

———James D. Edwards, Greater Hazelton Health Alliance, S3344 [20MR]

———James E. May, Mercy Health Partners (healthcare system), S3343 [20MR]

———James L. Brady, Allied Services (healthcare system), S3345 [20MR]

———John Nilsson, Community Medical Center Healthcare System, S3344 [20MR]

———Mary Theresa Vautrinot, Maxis Health System, S3343 [20MR]

———Neal Bisno, Service Employees International Union, Pennsylvania's Health Care Union, S3345 [20MR]

———Raoul M. Walsh, Tyler Memorial Hospital, S3345 [20MR]

———Regis P. Cabonor, Bloomsburg Hospital, S3343 [20MR]

———William R. Host, Wyoming Valley Health Care System, S3345 [20MR]

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]

National security, congressional ethics, and Social Security: Richard H. Morgan, S15901 [18DE]

Pathways to Independence Act: Consortium for Citizens With Disabilities, S8702 [28JN]

———David L. Shern, Mental Health America (organization), S8702 [28JN]

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]

Refund payroll taxes to temporary workers who have returned home and contributed to Social Security system: Stephen C. Goss, SSA, S7156 [6JN]

Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Commission Act: Bill Frenzel, Brookings Institution, E162 [19JA]

———James R. Jones, Manatt Jones Global Strategies, LLC, E162 [19JA]

———Lee H. Hamilton, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, E162 [19JA]

———Peter G. Peterson, Blackstone Group, E161 [19JA]

———Robert L. Bixby, Concord Coalition, E94 [12JA]

———Rudolph G. Penner, Urban Institute, E162 [19JA]

State Children's Health Insurance Program extension and improvement: Peter R. Orszag, CBO, H12080 [25OC]

State Children's Health Insurance Program funding to reduce shortfalls in State allotments: Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi, S1835 [12FE]

State Children's Health Insurance Program monthly enrollment projections by fiscal year: Peter R. Orszag, CBO, H11746 [18OC]

State Children's Health Insurance Program reauthorization: Dennis G. Smith, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, S12225 [27SE]

———Elena Rios, National Hispanic Medical Association, H10808 [25SE]

———Janet Murguia, National Council of La Raza, H10808 [25SE]

———Michael J. Astrue, SSA, S12082 [26SE]

———National Governors Association, S10402 [31JY]

———Representative McCrery, Committee on Ways and Means (House), S12082 [26SE]

———Ronald Blackburn-Moreno, National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (organization), H10808 [25SE]

———several Representatives, H10807 [25SE]

———several Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce (House), H11212 [3OC]

Wenatchee Valley Medical Center closure: David Weber, Wenatchee Valley Medical Center, H9293 [1AU]

Lists

Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act letters of support, E1836 [7SE]

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

Organizations supporting State Children's Health Insurance Program funding, H7848 [16JY]

Veterans groups that received veteran status under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, E1715 [3AU]

Memorandums

Medicare Hospital Wage Index Classification: John Wiercinski and Lissa Bryan-Smith, Geisinger Health System, S3344 [20MR]

Messages

State of the Union: President Bush, S907-S911 [23JA]

Supplementary Social Security Agreement Between the U.S. and Sweden: President Bush, S3348 [20MR], H2689 [20MR]

Veto of H.R. 976, State Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization: President Bush, H11203 [3OC]

Veto of H.R. 3963, State Children's Health Insurance Program Extension and Improvement: President Bush, H15382 [12DE]

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]

State Children's Health Insurance Program: extend and improve (H.R. 3963), H12087 [25OC]

———extend and improve (H.R. 3963), consideration (H. Res. 774), H12029 [25OC]

———extend and improve (H.R. 3963), veto, H15383 [12DE]

States: extend and improve children's health insurance program and improve beneficiary protections under Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (H.R. 3162), H9499 [1AU]

Press releases

Concord Coalition Praises Senators Conrad and Gregg for Bipartisan Initiative To Address Long-Term Fiscal Imbalance: Concord Coalition, S11663 [18SE]

CRFB Praises Bipartisan Task Force Effort: Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (organization), S11664 [18SE]

Delaware Man Honored With President's Volunteer Service Award at National Disability Inclusion and National Service Conference: USA Freedom Corps, H12757 [6NO]

Remarks in House

AmeriCare: establish program to assure health insurance coverage to all residents (H.R. 1841), E717 [30MR]

Appropriations: revised allocation of spending authority to Committee on Energy and Commerce (House), H12096 [25OC]

Budget: allocation of funds, H1196-H1201 [5FE], H1259-H1263 [6FE], H1331 [7FE], H1476, H1477, H1478, H1479 [13FE], H1943-H1948 [27FE], H1980, H1981 [28FE], H5590 [22MY], E306 [9FE], E383 [16FE]

———deficit, H1307 [7FE]

———reallocate certain defense programs funds to other domestic priorities, H3303, H3304 [29MR]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: prohibit funding for finalization or implementation of proposed Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) regulation, H8128-H8130 [19JY]

———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: ensure every uninsured child has health insurance coverage (H.R. 2357), E1089 [17MY]

———ensure foster children are able to use program and SSI benefits to address their needs and improve their lives (H.R. 1104), E364 [15FE]

———extend State Children's Health Insurance Program coverage to low-income pregnant women and their unborn children, H9297, H9409 [1AU]

———provide each child with a KidSave Account (H.R. 242), E26 [5JA]

Congress: accomplishments of the 110th Congress, H7638-H7640 [11JY], H9547 [2AU], H12356-H12364 [31OC], H15278 [11DE], H7417-H7422 [28JN]

———goals of the 110th Congress, H5 [4JA]

Corp. for National and Community Service: tax treatment of compensation paid to disabled AmeriCorps volunteers, H12757, H12758 [6NO]

Democratic Party: national agenda, H518, H562-H565 [16JA], H636 [17JA], H676, H750 [18JA], H775-H787 [19JA], H837, H838, H840 [23JA]-H929 [24JA], H1317-H1322 [7FE], H2016, H2020-H2027 [28FE], H2730 [20MR], H2808 [21MR], H5711-H5713 [23MY], H7765 [12JY], H12244 [31OC], H12745 [6NO], H14161 [5DE]

Dept. of HHS: reauthorize Title V Abstinence Education Program, E1739 [3AU], E1759 [4AU]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: impact of restricted formulary in VA health plan on the ability of veterans to get necessary drugs, H5065, H5247, H5248 [16MY]

Disabled: eliminate waiting period for certain disability benefits in the cases of individuals with disabling burn injuries (H.R. 685), E184 [24JA]

Economy: national objectives priority assignments, H2553-H2559 [14MR]

Families and domestic relations: provide grants to promote responsible fatherhood and strengthen low-income families (S. 1626), H9535 [1AU]

FDA: develop a unique device identification system for medical devices, H10597 [19SE]

———require prescription drug advertisements contain information on how to report drug side effects to MedWatch Program, H10597 [19SE]

Federal aid programs: extend eligibility for certain Federal benefits to citizens of the Freely Associated States, E2246 [25OC]

Federal Housing Finance Agency: limit contributions to Affordable Housing Fund when the Government has an on-budget and an off-budget surplus, H5432-H5436 [17MY]

———prohibit Government-sponsored enterprises from acquiring primary residential mortgages granted to any person who does not have a Social Security number, H5461, H5462 [17MY]

Health: abstinence education program funding, H13197 [6NO]

———combine coverage of children and pregnant woman under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program into a new All Healthy Children Program (H.R. 1688), H7827 [16JY]

———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]

———extend transitional medical assistance (TMA), the abstinence education program, and certain other Medicare and Medicaid support programs (H.R. 3668), H10932-H10935 [26SE], E1997 [27SE], E2024 [1OC]

———extend transitional medical assistance (TMA) and the abstinence education program (S. 1701), H7468, H7469 [10JY], E1491 [11JY]

———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, control costs, enhance the quality of the health care system, improve nutrition, increase physical activity, and prevent obesity, H11168 [2OC]

———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], H4558 [8MY], 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]

———protect enrollees in managed care plans and other health coverage (H.R. 979), H1618 [14FE]

Health care professionals: protect and preserve physician workforce, H5036-H5042 [15MY]

House of Representatives: importance of bipartisanship, H12034 [25OC]

Immigration: enforce employment restrictions on unauthorized aliens through the use of improved Social Security cards and an Employment Eligibility Database (H.R. 98), H2568 [14MR], H2818 [21MR], E10 [5JA]

———improve agricultural job opportunities, benefits, and security for aliens in the U.S. (H.R. 371), E669 [28MR]

———improve agricultural job opportunities, benefits, and security for aliens in the U.S. (S. 340), H11927-H11931 [23OC]

———prohibit individuals who were illegally in the U.S. from applying for and collecting benefits, H346 [11JA]

Insurance: ensure that every child in the U.S. has access to affordable, quality health insurance coverage (H.R. 1535), E561 [15MR]

Medicaid: amend rules governing citizenship documentation requirements for children enrolling in State Children's Health Insurance Program, H13864 [14NO]

———delay requirement to use tamper-resistant prescription pads, H10934 [26SE]

———ensure that disproportionate contributions by employers to insurance or pension funds are not used in calculating the Federal matching assistance percentage contributed to States, H10884 [25SE]

———establish independent foster care adolescents as a mandatory category of individuals for coverage under State programs (H.R. 1376), H4984 [15MY]

———funding, H3307 [29MR]

———improve access to contraceptive services for low-income women, H13417 [9NO]

———increase Federal medical assistance percentage for the District of Columbia (H.R. 2999), E1488 [11JY]

———increase price transparency of hospital information and provide for additional research on consumer information on charges and out-of-pocket costs (H.R. 1666), H11153 [2OC]

———permit States flexibility in requiring children to have satisfactory documentary evidence of proof of citizenship or nationality for eligibility, H9497 [1AU]

———permit States the option to provide coverage for low-income individuals infected with HIV (H.R. 3326), E1717 [3AU], E2486 [4DE]

———permit States to obtain reimbursement for care or services provided at Regional Medical Center at Memphis, TN, H10810 [25SE]

———provide medical assistance for certain men screened and found to have prostate cancer under a federally funded screening program (H.R. 3215), E1638 [27JY]

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

———require drug manufacturers to pay rebates to State prescription drug discount programs as a condition of participation in a rebate agreement for outpatient prescription drugs (H.R. 3309), E1698 [2AU]

———restore and protect access to discount drug prices for university-based and safety-net clinics (H.R. 4054), H13417 [9NO]

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]

———cover hearing aids and auditory rehabilitation services (H.R. 1912), H4056 [25AP]

———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]

———ensure confidentiality of never event information in the same manner as patient work product, H9405 [1AU]

———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]

———extend compliance threshold used to determine eligibility of hospitals for designation as an inpatient rehabilitation facility, E1754 [4AU]

———extend compliance threshold used to determine eligibility of hospitals for designation as an inpatient rehabilitation facility (H.R. 1459), E510 [9MR]

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

———improve access to pharmacies under part D, E2419 [14NO]

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

———improve patient access to, and utilization of, the colorectal cancer screening benefit (H.R. 1926), E771 [18AP]

———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]

———modify physician reimbursement policies to ensure a future physician workforce, H9403 [1AU]

———modify physician reimbursement policies to ensure a future physician workforce (H.R. 2585), H6230-H6232 [11JN], H7478 [10JY], H7974, H7978 [17JY], H8960 [30JY], H10062 [4SE], H11150 [2OC], H11477, H11481 [10OC], H11839-H11842 [22OC], H12152 [29OC], H15403-H15406 [12DE]

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

———protect patients by limiting the number of mandatory overtime hours a nurse may be required to work by certain service providers (H.R. 2122), E961 [4MY]

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

———provide beneficiary protections against excessive cost-sharing under the Medicare Advantage Program (H.R. 2945), E1450 [28JN]

———provide comprehensive health benefits for the relief of individuals whose health was adversely affected by the 9/11 disaster, H8102 [18JY]

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

———provide exception to limit on reciprocal billing arrangements between two physicians during the period when one is ordered to active duty in a Reserve component of the Armed Forces (H.R. 2429), H5636-H5638 [23MY]

———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], H2491 [14MR], H4168-H4173 [25AP]

———reform physician payment and modernize quality improvement organization program, H10062 [4SE]

———reform physician payment and modernize quality improvement organization (QIO) program, H5037-H5042 [15MY], H5601 [22MY], H14447 [6DE]

———reform physician payment and modernize quality improvement organization (QIO) program (H.R. 1046), H11153 [2OC]

———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 public reporting of health care-associated infections data and establish pilot program for incentives to hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to eliminate the rate of occurrence (H.R. 1174), H5984 [5JN], H8124 [19JY], H11732, H11756 [18OC], H12023 [25OC], H16916 [19DE]

———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]

———standardize marketing requirements under Medicare Advantage and prescription drug programs and provide for State certification prior to waiver of licensure requirements under prescription drug program (H.R. 4790), E2609 [19DE]

———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]

Merchant marine industry: provide a monthly monetary benefit to certain individuals who served in the U.S. merchant marine during World War II (H.R. 23), H5545 [22MY], H8884-H8887 [30JY], E1670 [1AU], E1715 [3AU], E1777 [4AU]

Mexico: disapprove U.S.-Mexico Social Security totalization agreement (H. Res. 18), H1059 [31JA]

———prohibit funding for the U.S.-Mexico Social Security totalization agreement, H8108 [18JY]

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

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

Pensions: create personal guarantee accounts ensuring full benefits for all workers and their families, restore long-term solvency, and make certain benefit improvements (H.R. 1090), E370 [15FE]

Privacy: enhance privacy protections for individuals and prevent fraudulent misuse of account numbers (H.R. 3046), E1527, E1530 [16JY]

———protect the integrity and confidentiality of Social Security numbers and prohibit the establishment of any uniform national identifying number (H.R. 220), E5 [5JA]

———provide that individuals and appropriate authorities are notified by SSA of evidence of misuse of account numbers of such individuals (H.R. 136), E3 [5JA]

———require an employer to take action after learning that an individual's account number does not match the individual's name (H.R. 138), E3 [5JA]

Public welfare programs: eliminate separate work participation rate for 2-parent families under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (H.R. 3188), E1627 [26JY]

———require States to withhold assistance to applicants for, and recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program if there is evidence of recent unlawful drug use (H.R. 3656), E1990 [26SE]

Reform, H10501 [18SE]

Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Commission: establish, H7357 [28JN]

———establish (H.R. 473), H495 [12JA], H2674 [20MR], E88-E90, E94 [12JA], E116 [16JA], E161 [19JA], E461 [5MR], E587 [20MR]

———establish (H.R. 3654), H11130 [2OC], H11228 [3OC], H12221 [30OC], E1986 [26SE]

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

SSA: funding, H8047, H8048 [18JY]

———increase staffing to address backlog of disability benefit applications, H8045 [18JY]

———prohibit funding for basic pay for the position of Deputy Commissioner of Social Security unless the appointment has been confirmed by the Senate, H8077, H8078 [18JY]

———prohibit funding for bonus or performance based cash awards to any employee appointed by the President, H8103, H8104 [18JY]

SSI: disregard State annuities paid to certain blind and disabled veterans in the determination of benefits, H12757-H12759 [6NO]

———eliminate the unfair and disadvantageous treatment of cash military compensation other than basic pay, H12762 [6NO]

———eliminate the unfair and disadvantageous treatment of cash military compensation other than basic pay (H.R. 337), E57 [9JA]

———prevent ineligibility for benefits by reason of an increase in the minimum wage (H.R. 290), H271 [10JA]

State Children's Health Insurance Program: Bush administration decision to reject New York plan to expand coverage, H10438 [18SE]

———eliminate income-disregard loophole, ensure certain low-income children are covered first, phase out non-pregnant adults, and require citizenship documentation, H12088, H12089 [25OC]

———ensure certain low-income children are covered first, H10882 [25SE]

———extend and improve (H.R. 3963), H11996-H12001 [24OC], H12024, H12025, H12042-H12090, H12092-H12094 [25OC], H12158, H12159, H12211, H12218, H12227-H12231 [30OC], H12242, H12243, H12360-H12368, H12370, H12376 [31OC], H12434 [1NO], H12725, H12730, H12732 [5NO], H12744 [6NO], H13215, H13216 [7NO], H13514, H13520 [9NO], H13864, H13865, H13950 [14NO], E2263 [29OC], E2272, E2274 [30OC]

———extend and improve (H.R. 3963), consideration (H. Res. 774), H12027-H12042 [25OC]

———extend and improve (H.R. 3963), motion to recommit, H12088, H12089 [25OC]

———extend and improve (H.R. 3963), veto, H15382-H15391 [12DE], H15419, H15459 [13DE]

———funding, H3197, H3249, H3255, H3271 [28MR], H3305 [29MR], H3759 [23AP], H3785, H3786, H4034 [24AP], H4054, H4055, H4056 [25AP], H6227 [11JN], H7474 [10JY], H7640-H7647 [11JY], H7661 [12JY], H7821, H7823, H7827, H7828, H7831-H7835, H7841-H7849 [16JY], H7858 [17JY]

———funding to reduce shortfalls in State allotments, H1175, H1178, H1199-H1201 [5FE], H1333-H1335 [7FE], H2171 [6MR], E543 [14MR]

———prohibit approval of certain waivers relative to access to pediatricians and pediatric specialists, H9405 [1AU]

———prohibit approval of certain waivers to provide coverage of childless adults, H9405 [1AU]

———prohibit approval of certain waivers to provide coverage of childless adults (H.R. 1013), H1941 [27FE], H5597 [22MY], H6227 [11JN], H7474 [10JY], H7977 [17JY], H12731 [5NO]

———provide disadvantaged children with dental services, H10887 [25SE]

———reauthorize, H8284-H8290 [23JY], H8298, H8299 [24JY], H10501 [18SE], H10514, H10515, H10516 [19SE], H10630 [20SE], H10739-H10747 [24SE], H10760, H10761, H10762, H10763, H10803-H10889 [25SE], H10905, H10906 [26SE], H10944 [27SE], H11074, H11075, H11076, H11077, H11164, H11168 [2OC], H11173, H11174, H11175, H11176, H11177, H11204-H11214, H11231-H11236, H11241-H11248 [3OC], H11254, H11255, H11307-H11313 [4OC], H11324, H11376, H11381, H11382 [9OC], H11397, H11398, H11399, H11400, H11471-H11476, H11478, H11482-H11488 [10OC], H11497, H11533, H11536-H11542 [15OC], H11551-H11555, H11621, H11631-H11636 [16OC], H11641, H11642, H11644, H11699-H11708, H11714-H11726 [17OC], H11732, H11733, H11735-H11754, H11757, H11760, H11764-H11773 [18OC], H11850, H11851, H11852 [23OC], H11938, H11939, H11990, H11994, H11997 [24OC], H12084 [25OC], H13962 [15NO], H14447, H14448 [6DE], E1946 [20SE], E1961 [24SE], E1982, E1985, E1990, E1992 [26SE], E1996, E2001 [27SE], E2131, E2132 [15OC], E2162 [17OC], E2192 [22OC], E2210, E2216 [23OC]

———reauthorize, expand child health care insurance coverage through tax fairness, and provide for a health care Federalism initiative (H.R. 3888), H11781 [22OC], H12039, H12078 [25OC], H12370 [31OC]

———reauthorize and reform (H.R. 3176), H8959 [30JY], H11743 [18OC]

———reauthorize (H.R. 3269), H9498 [1AU]

States: extend and improve children's health insurance program and improve beneficiary protections under Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (H.R. 3162), H8402, H8403, H8405, H8607 [25JY], H8745, H8746 [27JY], H9188, H9189, H9248-H9250, H9255-H9267 [31JY], H9282, H9283, H9284, H9285, H9302-H9414, H9471-H9503, H9537 [1AU], H9548, H9549 [2AU], H9661 [3AU], H9714 [4AU], H10081, H10082 [5SE], H10163 [6SE], H10247 [7SE], H10872 [25SE], H11830 [22OC], E1712, E1713, E1717, E1722, E1724, E1739 [3AU], E1745, E1754, E1765 [4AU], E1836 [7SE]

———extend and improve children's health insurance program and improve beneficiary protections under Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (H.R. 3162), consideration (H. Res. 594), H9287-H9302 [1AU]

———extend and improve children's health insurance program and improve beneficiary protections under Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (H.R. 3162), motion to recommit, H9500-H9502 [1AU]

Taxation: increase tobacco products excise tax to provide for reauthorization of State Children's Health Insurance Program, H9295 [1AU]

———increase tobacco products excise tax to provide for reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, H12366, H12367 [31OC]

———rates, H773 [19JA]

———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]

———waive employee portion of Social Security taxes imposed on individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer or a terminal disease (H.R. 4684), E2569 [13DE]

Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act: condition funding on the budget status of Social Security trust funds, H4462 [3MY]

Trust funds: budget treatment, H1307 [7FE], H12221 [30OC]

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

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

Veterans: provide for treatment of disability rated and certified as total by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs as disability (H.R. 2943), H7345 [28JN]

Washington: closure of Wenatchee Valley Medical Center, H9293, H9294 [1AU]

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

Women: promote economic security and safety of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking victims (H.R. 2395), H5475 [21MY]

World War II: provide a monthly monetary benefit to certain individuals who served the U.S. in military-related groups, E1715 [3AU]

Remarks in Senate

Benefits: authorize waivers of certain waiting periods for benefits based on disability in cases in which such waiting period would cause undue hardship to terminally ill beneficiaries (S. 2050), S11513 [12SE]

———establish reserve fund, S3464, S3465 [21MR], S3560 [22MR]

———prohibit payment of benefits to individuals that have used a fraudulent Social Security number, S13043 [18OC], S13223 [23OC], S13356 [24OC]

———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]

Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action: establish (S. 2063), S11662-S11665 [18SE]

Budget: allocation of funds, S1588 [6FE], S1814, S1834 [12FE], S1937-S1939 [14FE]

———constitutional amendment to require balanced and protect Social Security surpluses (S.J. Res. 1), S187 [4JA]

———establish a new process to create a comprehensive plan to rein in spending, reduce the deficit, and regain control of the Federal budget process, S13423 [25OC]

———establish a new process to create a comprehensive plan to rein in spending, reduce the deficit, and regain control of the Federal budget process (S. 15), S6463 [22MY]

———exclude the extension of tax relief provided in 2001 and 2003 from certain budget points of order meant to reassert the pay-go rule, ensure Social Security solvency, and prohibit deficit increases, S3332-S3336 [20MR], S3504, S3505 [21MR]

———provide reconciliation instructions to reform entitlement programs, reduce the deficit, and improve living standards for future generations, S3548-S3551 [22MR]

———reform entitlement programs, reduce the deficit, and improve living standards for future generations, S4886-S4889, S4904 [24AP]

———use projected surplus to provide tax relief to middle class families and small businesses and expand health insurance coverage for children, S3469-S3471, S3492-S3498 [21MR], S3577, S3580, S3596 [22MR]

Cass County, MN: restore State authority to waive distance requirement relative to designation of critical access hospital (S. 632), S2000 [15FE]

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

———share enrollment, claims, survey, and assessment data with Medicare quality reporting organizations to facilitate analysis of health care quality and costs (S. 1544), S7076 [5JN]

Children and youth: ensure every uninsured child has health insurance coverage (S. 2522), S16010 [19DE]

———extend State Children's Health Insurance Program and streamline enrollment under that program and Medicaid (S. 1364), S5937 [10MY]

———promote adoption of children with special needs (S. 1462), S6556 [23MY]

———provide disadvantaged children with dental services, S2456 [1MR], S12213 [27SE]

———provide disadvantaged children with dental services (S. 739), S2505 [1MR]

———provide each child with a KidSave Account, S819 [22JA]

———provide funding and incentives to increase enrollment of uninsured children under Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program, S10558-S10565, S10578, S10583 [1AU], S10758 [2AU]

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

Committee on Finance (Senate): provide reconciliation instructions to reform entitlement programs, reduce the deficit, and improve living standards for future generations, S3563 [22MR]

Congress: accomplishments of the 110th Congress, S8289-S8291 [22JN], S10877 [3AU], S14112 [8NO], S15978-S15984 [19DE]

Democratic Party: national agenda, S8-S11, S13-S17 [4JA], S6972 [4JN], S15863 [18DE]

Dept. of HHS: conduct research on indicators of child well-being (S. 1482), S6856 [24MY]

———prohibit penalties against States under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program for failure to comply with certain minimum work participation rates or verification procedures (S. 1461), S6556 [23MY]

Dept. of Homeland Security: notify SSA of an adjustment of an immigrant's employment status to ensure accurate accrual of Social Security benefits, S6936 [25MY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: impact of restricted formulary in VA health plan on the ability of veterans to get necessary drugs, S276, S277 [9JA], S643, S644 [17JA], S727 [18JA], S904 [23JA]

Disabled: help individuals with functional impairments to pay for services and supports needed to maximize independence and choices about community participation, education, and employment (S. 1758), S8948 [10JY]

Diseases: create demonstration programs to combat juvenile diabetes, S10746 [2AU]

———improve screening and treatment of cancers and provide survivorship services (S. 1415), S6198, S6213, S6214 [16MY]

———provide for a comprehensive Federal effort relative to early detection of, treatments for, and prevention of cancer (S. 1056), S4188-S4191 [29MR]

———waive recent work requirement for eligibility for disability benefits for individuals with terminal illnesses (S. 1736), S8708 [28JN]

Drugs: require health care professionals to disclose income received from pharmaceutical companies, S10721 [2AU]

Families and domestic relations: provide grants to promote responsible fatherhood and strengthen low-income families (S. 1626), S7789 [15JN]

Federal agencies and departments: reduce spending for certain mandatory programs by eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse, S3594 [22MR], S3672 [23MR]

Federal Reinsurance Program for Catastrophic Health Care Costs: establish (S. 1298), S5593-S5596 [3MY]

Go Direct Month: designate (S. Res. 67), S1541 [1FE]

Health: allow consumers to purchase private health coverage offered in any State, S10752 [2AU]

———combine coverage of children and pregnant woman under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program into a new All Healthy Children Program (S. 1564), S10303 [30JY]

———ensure health insurance coverage for every child under State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid, S10371-S10373 [31JY]

———ensure payment under Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program for covered items and services furnished by school-based health clinics, S10753, S10754 [2AU]

———extend moratorium on implementation of a rule on Federal-State financial partnership under Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program and finalization of graduate medical education rule (S. 2460), S15248 [12DE]

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

———extend transitional medical assistance (TMA), the abstinence education program, and certain other Medicare and Medicaid support programs (H.R. 3668), S12316 [27SE]

———extend transitional medical assistance (TMA) and the abstinence education program (S. 1701), S8602, S8637 [27JN]

———impose a moratorium on implementation of a proposed rule on the Federal-State financial partnerships under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, S4026 [28MR], S5138 [26AP]

———improve quality in health care by providing incentives for adoption of modern information technology (S. 1408), S6194 [16MY]

———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]

———permit qualifying States to use unspent State Children's Health Insurance Program allotments for Medicaid expenditures (S. 434), S1344 [30JA]

———permit States the option of covering certain legal aliens under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, S10554 [1AU]

———permit States the option of covering certain legal aliens under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S. 764), S2630 [5MR], S10349 [31JY], S12220 [27SE]

———permit States the option to provide nurse home visitation services under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S. 1052), S4184 [29MR]

———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: provide patient-centered medical homes to improve effectiveness and efficiency in medical assistance under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S. 2376), S14621 [16NO]

Health care professionals: increase number of primary care physicians and medical residents serving health professional shortage areas (S. 896), S3204-S3206 [15MR]

———provide for transparency in the relationship between physicians and manufacturers of drugs, devices, or medical supplies for which payment is made under certain programs (S. 2029), S11218 [6SE], S11492 [12SE]

Hospitals: provide emergency contraceptives to women who are survivors of sexual assault (S. 1240), S5218 [26AP]

Immigration: allow sharing of Social Security data among government agencies for immigration enforcement purposes, S1181 [25JA]

———clarify penalties for employers who are repeat violators of the prohibition on employing unauthorized aliens, S7289 [7JN]

———improve agricultural job opportunities, benefits, and security for aliens in the U.S., S9892, S9893, S9897-S9900 [25JY]

———improve agricultural job opportunities, benefits, and security for aliens in the U.S. (S. 237), S361-S363, S373 [10JA], S441 [11JA]

———improve agricultural job opportunities, benefits, and security for aliens in the U.S. (S. 340), S766-S779 [18JA], S13321 [24OC]

———prohibit individuals who were illegally in the U.S. from applying for and collecting benefits, S6617 [24MY], S7154, S7156, S7161 [6JN], S9584, S9593 [19JY]

———prohibit individuals who were illegally in the U.S. from applying for and collecting benefits through the State Children's Health Insurance Program, S12218, S12219 [27SE]

———return payments to temporary workers who are returning home and have made contributions to Social Security system through employee deduction, S6617 [24MY]

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

Insurance: ensure that every child in the U.S. has access to affordable, quality health insurance coverage (S. 895), S3204 [15MR]

———ensure that every child in the U.S. has access to health care before funding special interest projects, S13139-S13142 [19OC], S13212-S13215 [23OC]

Iraq: impact of financial costs of war on U.S. domestic priorities, S13661-S13663 [1NO], S14778 [5DE]

Law enforcement: prevent fraudulent use of account numbers by allowing the sharing of Social Security data among U.S. agencies for identity theft prevention and immigration enforcement purposes, S2546 [2MR], S2763, S2764 [7MR], S6935 [25MY]

———prevent fraudulent use of account numbers by allowing the sharing of Social Security data among U.S. agencies for identity theft prevention and immigration enforcement purposes (S. 699), S2357 [28FE]

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

———coverage of services provided by nursing school clinics (S. 54), S73 [4JA]

———delay requirement to use tamper-resistant prescription pads (S. 2085), S12076 [25SE]

———extend drug rebate program to enrollees of managed care organizations (S. 1589), S7454 [11JN]

———improve access to advanced practice nurses and physician assistants (S. 59), S78 [4JA]

———improve requirements for items and services furnished in or through an educational program or setting to children, including children with developmental, physical, or mental health needs (S. 578), S1922 [13FE]

———include podiatrists as physicians for purposes of covering physicians services (S. 399), S1198 [25JA]

———limit required use of tamper-resistant prescription pads to class II narcotics (S. 2013), S10935 [3AU]

———modify certain administrative eligibility rules relative to children born in the U.S. to Medicaid-eligible mothers (S. 751), S2561 [2MR]

———permit States the option to provide coverage for low-income individuals infected with HIV, S3554 [22MR]

———permit States the option to provide coverage for low-income individuals infected with HIV (S. 860), S3070 [13MR]

———permit States to obtain reimbursement for care or services provided under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act in a private mental health facility (S. 2406), S14743 [4DE]

———permit States to require certain individuals to present satisfactory documentary evidence of proof of citizenship or nationality for eligibility (S. 909), S3215 [15MR]

———protect State flexibility in benefit options, S3683, S3684 [23MR]

———provide complete reimbursement for medical assistance provided to Native Hawaiians by federally qualified health centers or Native Hawaiian health care systems (S. 112), S115 [4JA]

———provide for congressional disapproval of a rule on cost limits for providers operated by units of government (S.J. Res. 18), S11417 [11SE]

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

———require staff working with developmentally disabled individuals to call emergency services in the event of a life-threatening situation (S. 1420), S6301 [17MY]

———require States to provide diabetes screening tests for adult enrollees with diabetes risk factors and ensure States offer a package of benefits for individuals with diabetes (S. 755), S2593 [5MR]

———restore and protect access to discount drug prices for university-based and safety-net clinics (S. 2347), S15962, S15992 [19DE]

———restore disproportionate share hospital (DHS) payments to Hawaii and Tennessee, S13671 [1NO]

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 a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative to assess and report on health care quality in hospitals (S. 1824), S9617 [19JY]

———establish a prospective payment system for covered services provided by federally qualified health centers and expand such services to account for certain other expansions (S. 2188), S12999 [17OC]

———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 compliance threshold used to determine eligibility of hospitals for designation as an inpatient rehabilitation facility (S. 543), S1850 [12FE], S15991 [19DE]

———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 access to pharmacies under part D (S. 1954), S10802 [2AU]

———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 quality improvement organization (QIO) program (S. 1947), S10798, S10799 [2AU]

———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]

———include provider payments in the Federal Payment Levy Program and the Treasury Offset Program in order to collect tax debt and other outstanding Federal debt from delinquent providers (S. 1307), S5600-S5602 [3MY]

———increase caps on graduate medical education positions for States with a shortage of residents (S. 588), S1968, S1969 [14FE]

———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]

———modify physician reimbursement policies to ensure a future physician workforce, S15895 [18DE], S15974 [19DE]

———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]

———phase-out waiting period for coverage of disabled individuals and waive waiting period for people with life-threatening illnesses (S. 2102), S12153 [26SE]

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

———preserve coverage choices for low-income beneficiaries and those living in rural areas, S3595 [22MR]

———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]

———protect patients by limiting the number of mandatory overtime hours a nurse may be required to work by certain service providers (S. 1842), S9660 [20JY], S9772 [23JY]

———protect patients by limiting the number of mandatory overtime hours a nurse may be required to work by certain service providers (S. 73), S84 [4JA]

———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 exception to limit on reciprocal billing arrangements between two physicians during the period when one is ordered to active duty in a Reserve component of the Armed Forces (H.R. 2429), S9852 [24JY]

———provide exception to limit on reciprocal billing arrangements between two physicians during the period when one is ordered to active duty in a Reserve component of the Armed Forces (S. 1767), S9024 [11JY]

———provide exception to limit on reciprocal billing arrangements between two physicians during the period when one is ordered to active duty in a Reserve component of the Armed Forces (S. 1768), S9024 [11JY]

———provide flexibility in the manner in which beds are counted for purposes of determining whether a hospital may be designated as a critical access hospital (S. 1595), S7556 [12JN]

———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 additional outreach and education and provide a special enrollment period for individuals who qualify for an income-related subsidy under the prescription drug program (S. 1108), S4448-S4450 [12AP]

———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]

———provide incentives for provision of high quality care, S10888 [3AU]

———reduce costs of prescription drugs for beneficiaries and guarantee access to comprehensive prescription drug coverage (S. 250), S389-S392 [10JA], S723 [18JA]

———reform hospital wage index classification system, S3341-S3346 [20MR], S12255, S12256 [27SE]

———reform physician payment and modernize quality improvement organization (QIO) program, S14186 [8NO]

———reimbursement for certain midwife services (S. 507), S1648 [6FE]

———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 physician utilization of electronic prescription drug program (S. 2408), S14788 [5DE]

———require prompt payment to pharmacies, restrict pharmacy co-branding on prescription drug cards, and provide guidelines for Medication Therapy Management Services programs under prescription drug program (S. 1827), S9619 [19JY]

———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]

———standardize marketing requirements under Medicare Advantage and prescription drug programs and provide for State certification prior to waiver of licensure requirements under prescription drug program (S. 1883), S10153 [26JY]

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]

Mexico: prohibit funding for the U.S.-Mexico Social Security totalization agreement, S13043 [18OC], S13222, S13225 [23OC]

National Commission on Entitlement Solvency: establish (S. 355), S838-S842 [22JA]

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

Native Americans: Federal funding for certain adoption and foster care programs (S. 1956), S10804 [2AU]

———reauthorize special diabetes programs for Indians under the State Children's Health Insurance Program, S10754 [2AU]

Privacy: limit the misuse of Social Security numbers and establish criminal penalties for such misuse (S. 238), S374 [10JA]

———provide additional security and privacy protection for Social Security account numbers (S. 1208), S5093 [25AP]

Public welfare programs: reward States for engaging individuals with disabilities in work activities (S. 1730), S8700 [28JN]

Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Commission: establish (S. 304), S600 [16JA], S13310 [24OC]

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

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

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

Small business: establish a multiagency campaign to educate small business concerns about health insurance options available to children (S. 1714), S8616 [27JN]

SSA: increase staffing to address backlog of disability benefit applications, S13219, S13227 [23OC], S13357 [24OC]

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]

State Children's Health Insurance Program: codify the unborn child rule allowing States to provide prenatal care to unborn children and their mothers, S10726, S10727, S10748, S10754 [2AU], S13672 [1NO]

———eliminate exemption for certain States to cover children under the program whose family income exceeds 300 percent of the Federal poverty level, S10358, S10364-S10366, S10368 [31JY], S10554, S10577, S10582 [1AU]

———ensure access to premium assistance for individuals who receive employer-sponsored health care coverage, S10746, S10747 [2AU]

———ensure program does not erode private health care coverage, S10589-S10591 [1AU], S10738 [2AU]

———establish an incentive program to encourage enrollment, S10721 [2AU]

———establish multiagency nationwide campaign to educate small business concerns about options available to children, S10750 [2AU]

———extend and improve (H.R. 3963), S13464 [25OC], S13466, S13492 [26OC], S13534-S13536, S13542-S13544 [30OC], S13589, S13591, S13595-S13597 [31OC], S13657, S13660, S13662, S13664-S13668, S13671, S13677 [1NO], S13718 [2NO]

———extend and improve (H.R. 3963), motion to proceed, S13598, S13602-S13613, S13616 [31OC], S13653, S13656, S13657 [1NO]

———extend and improve (H.R. 3963), veto, S15643 [14DE]

———funding, S3154 [15MR], S3328 [20MR], S3487-S3492, S3499-S3503 [21MR], S3556, S3562, S3563, S3567, S3648, S3649 [22MR], S3684, S3685 [23MR], S6430 [22MY], S7628 [13JN], S8762 [9JY], S9196 [13JY]

———funding (S. 1224), S5185, S5186 [26AP]

———funding to reduce shortfalls in State allotments, S1835-S1837 [12FE], S1937, S1953 [14FE]

———funding to reduce shortfalls in State allotments (S. 1022), unanimous-consent request, S4133, S4134 [29MR]

———funding to reduce shortfalls in State allotments (S. 1023), unanimous-consent request, S4134 [29MR]

———income eligibility determination standards, S10364-S10371, S10373 [31JY]

———increase access on an actual need basis as adjusted for cost-of-living, S10732, S10748 [2AU]

———limit coverage for populations other than low-income children or pregnant women, S10381 [31JY], S10541, S10542 [1AU], S10733-S10735, S10737 [2AU]

———limit use of funds for States receiving an increased match to health care-related activities, S10721 [2AU]

———prohibit implementation of policies to prohibit States from providing health coverage to children in need (S. 2049), S11513 [12SE], S12213 [27SE]

———provide disadvantaged children with dental services, S10751 [2AU]

———reauthorize, S9741-S9743 [23JY], S10053-S10055, S10117 [26JY], S10212-S10230, S10303, S10307, S10311 [30JY], S10340-S10342, S10346-S10389, S10401-S10408 [31JY], S10537-S10592 [1AU], S10703, S10719-S10764 [2AU], S10879-S10883 [3AU], S11498 [12SE], S11536 [17SE], S11780, S11781, S11848 [20SE], S11998, S11999 [24SE], S12017, S12018, S12024-S12028, S12044, S12046 [25SE], S12079-S12086, S12091, S12116, S12118, S12120, S12121, S12122, S12127-S12134 [26SE], S12190-S12193, S12198, S12204, S12206-S12248, S12254 [27SE], S12332 [28SE], S12345-S12347 [1OC], S12391, S12418, S12430 [2OC], S12479, S12480, S12485, S12486, S12495 [3OC], S12696-S12699, S12714, S12766 [4OC], S12833, S12836-S12842 [15OC], S12886-S12890, S12927, S12929 [16OC], S12950-S12952, S12954, S12966 [17OC], S13030, S13031, S13044-S13046, S13050, S13065, S13071, S13074 [18OC], S13169 [22OC]

———reauthorize, unanimous-consent request, S11002 [4SE]

———reauthorize (S. 1893), S10173 [26JY]

———reauthorize (S. 2152), S12827 [4OC], S13613 [31OC]

———require individuals eligible for the State Children's Health Insurance Program and employer sponsored health coverage use the employer sponsored health coverage, S10725, S10747 [2AU]

States: enforcement of anti-fraud rules for Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program, S4019, S4020 [28MR]

———ensure health insurance coverage for every child under State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid (S. 95), S94 [4JA]

———streamline enrollment for Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program through better linkages with low-income nutrition and related assistance programs, S13610 [31OC]

Taxation: exclude individuals with alternative minimum tax liability from eligibility for State Children's Health Insurance Program coverage, S10575-S10577 [1AU], S10737 [2AU]

———increase tobacco products excise tax to provide for reauthorization of State Children's Health Insurance Program, S3554 [22MR], S3672 [23MR], S10753 [2AU]

———provide a refundable and advanceable credit for health insurance and provide for improved private health insurance access and affordability, S10377-S10380, S10403 [31JY], S10743-S10745 [2AU]

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

Treaties and agreements: require congressional approval of any totalization agreements and require SSA reports on the impact of such agreements, S7310 [7JN]

———require congressional approval of any totalization agreements (S. 1666), S8064 [20JN]

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

Veterans: provide health care benefits to veterans with a service-connected disability at non-Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical facilities that receive payments under Medicare or TRICARE program (S. 815), S2909 [8MR]

Reports

New Medicaid Citizenship Documentation Requirement Is Taking a Toll—States Report Enrollment Is Down and Administrative Costs Are Up: Donna Cohen Ross, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, S3218-S3220 [15MR]

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

State Children's Health Insurance Program: Congressional Research Service, H12075-H12077 [25OC]

Task Force on National Health Care Reform (1995): Kids First Coverage Provisions (excerpt), S10055 [26JY]

Reports filed

Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (House) (H.R. 23) (H. Rept. 110-269), H8833, H9051 [30JY]

Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act: Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 3162) (H. Rept. 110-284), H9274 [31JY]

Consideration of H.R. 3162, Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 594) (H. Rept. 110-285), H9274 [31JY]

Consideration of H.R. 3963, State Children's Health Insurance Program Extension and Improvement: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 774) (H. Rept. 110-408), H12020 [24OC]

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

Nomination of Michael J. Astrue To Be SSA Commissioner: Committee on Finance (Senate), S1409 [31JA]

Social Security Number Privacy and Identity Theft Prevention Act: Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 3046) (H. Rept. 110-339), H10754 [24SE]

Social Security Number Protection Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 948) (H. Rept. 110-191), H6403 [13JN]

State Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization: Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 1893), S10148 [26JY]

Rulings of the Chair

State Children's Health Insurance Program: extend and improve (H.R. 3963), consideration (H. Res. 774), H12027 [25OC]

States: extend and improve children's health insurance program and improve beneficiary protections under Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (H.R. 3162), consideration (H. Res. 594), H9288 [1AU]

Statements

Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action: David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the U.S., S11663 [18SE]

Drug Rebate Equalization Act: National Association of State Medicaid Directors, S7456 [11JN]

———National Governors Association, S7458 [11JN]

———National Medicaid Commission, S7457 [11JN]

———Partnership for Medicaid (organization), S7455 [11JN]

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

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

Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Commission Act: Representative Wolf, E1986 [26SE]

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

Summaries

AmeriCare Health Care Act (H.R. 1841), E718 [30MR]

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

MediKids Health Insurance Act (H.R. 2357), E1089 [17MY]

Social Security Number Privacy and Identity Theft Prevention Act (H.R. 3046), E1528 [16JY]

Tables

Budget revisions for State Children's Health Insurance Program reauthorization, S10307 [30JY], S13071 [18OC]

State Children's Health Insurance Program reauthorization projections of average monthly enrollment by fiscal year, H11745, H11746 [18OC]

Texas State Children's Health Insurance Program enrollment by county and month in fiscal year 2007, H12038 [25OC]

Testimonies

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

Texts of

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

H. Res. 594, consideration of H.R. 3162, Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act, H9287 [1AU]

H. Res. 774, consideration of H.R. 3963, State Children's Health Insurance Program extension and improvement, H12027 [25OC]

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

H.R. 23, Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act, H8884 [30JY]

H.R. 2429, provide exception to Medicare limit on reciprocal billing arrangements between two physicians during the period when one is ordered to active duty in a Reserve component of the Armed Forces, H5636 [23MY]

H.R. 3162, Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act, H9302, H9349-H9397 [1AU]

H.R. 3668, TMA, Abstinence Education, and QI Programs Extension Act, H10932 [26SE]

H.R. 3963, State Children's Health Insurance Program extension and improvement, H12042-H12071 [25OC]

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

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

S. 54, Nursing School Clinics Act, S73 [4JA]

S. 59, Medicaid Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants Access Act, S78 [4JA]

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

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

S. 73, Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act, S85 [4JA]

S. 95, Kids Come First Act, S94-S98 [4JA]

S. 112, Native Hawaiian Medicaid Coverage Act, S115 [4JA]

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

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

S. 237, Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security (AgJOBS) Act, S363-S373 [10JA]

S. 238, Social Security Number Misuse Prevention Act, S374-S378 [10JA]

S. 250, Medicare Enhancements for Needed Drugs Act, S390-S392 [10JA]

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

S. 340, Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security (AgJOBS) Act, S767-S778 [18JA]

S. 355, Social Security and Medicare Solvency Commission Act, S838-S841 [22JA]

S. 434, permit qualifying States to use unspent State Children's Health Insurance Program allotments for Medicaid expenditures, S1344 [30JA]

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. 588, Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, S1968 [14FE]

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

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

S. 632, restore State authority to waive distance requirement relative to designation of critical access hospital in Cass County, MN, S2080 [15FE]

S. 739, Children's Dental Health Improvement Act, S2507-S2510 [1MR]

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

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

S. 860, Early Treatment for HIV Act, S3070 [13MR]

S. 909, permit States to require certain individuals to present satisfactory documentary evidence of proof of citizenship or nationality for Medicaid eligibility, S3216 [15MR]

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

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

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. 1108, Medicare Part D Outreach and Enrollment Enhancement Act, S4450 [12AP]

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

S. 1208, Social Security Account Number Protection Act, S5093-S5095 [25AP]

S. 1224, State Children's Health Insurance Program funding, S5186-S5199 [26AP]

S. 1298, Healthy Businesses, Healthy Workers Reinsurance Act, S5594 [3MY]

S. 1307, Medicare Provider Accountability Act, S5601 [3MY]

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. 1364, Healthy Kids Act, S5938-S5948 [10MY]

S. 1420, require staff working with developmentally disabled individuals to call emergency services in the event of a life-threatening situation, S6301 [17MY]

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

S. 1589, Drug Rebate Equalization Act, S7455 [11JN]

S. 1701, transitional medical assistance (TMA) and the abstinence education program extension, S8637 [27JN], H7468 [10JY]

S. 1714, Small Business Children's Health Education Act, S8617 [27JN]

S. 1730, Pathways to Independence Act, S8701 [28JN]

S. 1767, provide exception to limit on reciprocal Medicare billing arrangements between two physicians during the period when one is ordered to active duty in a Reserve component of the Armed Forces, S9025 [11JY]

S. 1768, provide exception to limit on reciprocal Medicare billing arrangements between two physicians during the period when one is ordered to active duty in a Reserve component of the Armed Forces, S9025 [11JY]

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

S. 1883, Accountability and Transparency in Medicare Marketing Act, S10154 [26JY]

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. 2085, Patient and Pharmacy Protection Act, S12076 [25SE]

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

S. 2102, Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act, S12154 [26SE]

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

S. 2152, Kids First Act, S12866-S12870 [15OC]

S. 2188, Medicare Access to Community Health Centers (MATCH) Act, S12999 [17OC]

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. 2376, Medical Homes Act, S14622-S14624 [16NO]

S. 2408, Medicare Electronic Medication and Safety Protection (E-MEDS) Act, S14789 [5DE]

S. 2460, extend moratorium on implementation of a rule on Federal-State financial partnership under Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program and finalization of graduate medical education rule, S15249 [12DE]

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

S. 2522, MediKids Health Insurance Act, S16011-S16014 [19DE]

S. Res. 67, Go Direct Month, S1538, S1541 [1FE]

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

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. 1, constitutional amendment to require balanced and protect Social Security surpluses, S187 [4JA]

S.J. Res. 18, provide for congressional disapproval of a rule on Medicaid cost limits for providers operated by units of government, S11418 [11SE]

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]