HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS

Amendments

Immigration: extend program to waive the foreign country residence requirement relative to international medical graduates (H.R. 5571), S9573, S9723 [26SE], H10267 [27SE]

Indian Health Care Improvement Act: revise and extend (H.R. 1328), H5483, H5484 [17JN]

———revise and extend (S. 1200), S38, S42, S46, S59, S109, S110, S111, S153 [22JA], S212, S213 [23JA], S746 [6FE], S800 [7FE], S851 [11FE], S959, S960, S961, S986, S987, S988, S989 [13FE], S997, S998, S1004, S1006, S1010, S1014, S1015, S1025, S1030, S1037, S1040, S1076, S1077, S1078, S1079, S1080, S1081 [14FE], S1113 [25FE], S1208 [26FE]

Minority AIDS Initiative: anniversary (H. Con. Res. 426), H10228, H10229 [27SE]

Public safety officers: provide collective bargaining rights for State or local government employees (H.R. 980), S4079, S4082, S4086, S4093, S4115, S4117, S4118, S4119 [13MY], S4187, S4193, S4200, S4201 [14MY], S4286, S4287 [15MY]

Taxation: provide earnings assistance and tax relief to members of the uniformed services, volunteer firefighters, and Peace Corps volunteers (H.R. 3997), H10337, H10348 [29SE]

———provide earnings assistance and tax relief to members of the uniformed services, volunteer firefighters, and Peace Corps volunteers (H.R. 3997), consideration of Senate amendment (H. Res. 1517), H10322 [28SE]

Telephones: facilitate rapid deployment of IP-enabled 911 and E-911 services, encourage transition to a national IP-enabled emergency network and improve 911 and E-911 access to those with disabilities (H.R. 3403), S5663 [16JN], H5826 [23JN]

Articles and editorials

As Gas Prices Soar, Elderly Face Cuts in Aid, S6601 [11JY]

Carloss Standing Down—After a Reluctant Withdrawal, Combatant in War on Cancer Looks Back on Campaign, S2119 [13MR]

Conversation With Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa—A Surgeon's Path From Migrant Fields to Operating Room, E957 [16MY]

Options for Slowing the Growth of Health Care Costs, S2811-S2813 [9AP]

Bills and resolutions

Abortion: impose admitting privilege requirements with respect to physicians who perform abortions (see S. 2788), S2231 [31MR]

Alcoholic beverages: observe anniversary of State-based regulation and recognize State officials, public health community, and industry members for creating a successful regulatory and distribution system (see S. Res. 551), S3790 [6MY] (see H. Con. Res. 341), H3050 [5MY] (see H. Con. Res. 415), H8275 [16SE]

AMA: recognize contributions of African-American doctors on the occasion of apology to the National Medical Association for racial prejudices and wrongdoings (see H. Con. Res. 403), H7787 [31JY]

American Pharmacists Month: designate (see H. Res. 1437), H8127 [15SE]

Armed Forces: allow members to sue the U.S. for damages for certain injuries caused by improper medical care (see H.R. 6093), H4321 [20MY]

———expand certain bonus special pay authorities to enhance the recruitment and retention of psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses, and other mental health professionals (see S. 2778), S2133 [13MR]

———increase loan repayment limits for health professionals serving in the Armed Forces (see H.R. 6018), H3403 [8MY]

———increase number of nurses through assistance for service as nurse faculty or education as nurses (see S. 2705), S1596 [5MR] (see H.R. 5878), H2657 [23AP]

Aviation: increase safety of the crew and passengers in air ambulances (see S. 3229), S6441 [8JY]

Cadet Nurse Corps: anniversary (see H. Res. 1403), H7788 [31JY]

Capitol Building and Grounds: permit use of rotunda for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Michael E. DeBakey (see S. Con. Res. 71), S2134 [13MR]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: establish a Wellness Trust (see S. 3674), S10324 [1OC] (see H.R. 7287), H10844 [19NO]

Colorado Springs, CO: recognize as official site of the National EMS Memorial Service and the ``Tree of Life'' National EMS Memorial (see H. Con. Res. 437), H10300 [27SE]

Commission on Affordable Health Care: establish (see H.R. 6319), H5729 [19JN]

Community health workers: recognize and support work (see H. Res. 1406), H7788 [31JY]

DeBakey, Michael E.: tribute (see H. Res. 1353), H6727 [17JY] (see H. Res. 1416), H7853 [8SE]

Dental Health Improvement Act: reauthorize (see S. 3067), S4793 [22MY]

Dentists: increase number serving health professional shortage areas (see H.R. 6613), H7164 [24JY]

Dept. of Defense: take steps to appoint doctors of chiropractic as commissioned officers in the Armed Forces (see S. Con. Res. 75), S2945 [10AP] (see H. Con. Res. 294), H942 [13FE]

Dept. of HHS: make grants to eligible States to reduce the student-to-school nurse ratio in elementary and secondary schools and kindergarten (see H.R. 6201), H5043 [5JN]

———prohibit implementation or enforcement of proposed rule limiting patients' access to basic reproductive health care services and information (see S. 20), S10742 [20NO] (see H.R. 7310), H10867 [9DE]

———reauthorize and extend the fetal alcohol syndrome prevention and services program (see H.R. 6215), H5110 [9JN]

Dept. of Homeland Security: tribute to employees, partners at all levels of government, and other emergency response providers for efforts and contributions to protect and secure the Nation (see S. Res. 472), S1521 [4MR] (see H. Res. 1429), H8049 [11SE]

———tribute to employees for efforts and contributions to protect and secure the Nation (see H. Res. 1038), H1539 [11MR]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: assist veterans suffering from combat stress by increasing the number of mental health professionals through the Health Professionals Educational Assistance Program (see H.R. 7214), H10331 [28SE]

———enhance capacity to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health care professionals (see S. 2969), S3699 [1MY] (see H.R. 6153), H4830 [22MY]

———establish licensure requirements for employees and contractors performing orthotics, pedorthics, or prosthetics services in States with private practice requirements (see H.R. 5623), H1701 [13MR]

———expand authority to provide counseling for family members of veterans receiving non-service-connected treatment (see H.R. 6439), H6229 [8JY]

———extend and modify the Health Professional Scholarship Program (see H.R. 6430), H6228 [8JY]

———improve collective bargaining rights and procedures for review of adverse actions of certain employees (see S. 2824), S2636 [7AP]

———provide comprehensive health care to children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida (see S. 3332), S7279 [24JY] (see H.R. 5729), H2069 [8AP]

———reform veterans' disability determination process by requiring payment of disability compensation based on concurring diagnosis of two physicians (see H.R. 5089), H389 [22JA]

———submit quarterly reports on vacancies in mental health professional positions in medical facilities (see H.R. 6764), H7787 [31JY]

Disasters: establish a comprehensive national system for skilled construction workers to assist first responders (see H.R. 5815), H2441 [16AP]

Diseases: recognize importance of autism awareness, increase funding for research into causes and treatment of autism, and improve training and support for individuals with autism and their caretakers (see H. Con. Res. 303), H1031 [25FE]

Education: establish a graduate degree loan repayment program for nurses who become nursing school faculty members (see H.R. 6652), H7627 [30JY]

———expand training, improve recruitment and retention, and increase incentives for those serving rural and urban underserved areas (see S. 3708), S10659 [19NO] (see H.R. 7302), H10856 [20NO]

———increase Federal Pell Grants for the children of fallen police officers, firefighters, and other first responders (see H.R. 5516), H1183 [28FE]

———provide for a loan repayment program for faculty members at programs of general dentistry or pediatric dentistry to alleviate faculty shortages (see H.R. 6551), H6727 [17JY]

Employment: address health workforce shortages (see H.R. 7065), H9972 [25SE]

———establish recruitment and retention programs for public health workers and eliminate critical workforce shortages in Federal, State, local, and tribal public health agencies (see H.R. 5496), H1074 [26FE]

———provide relief for the shortage of nurses (see H.R. 5924), H2852 [29AP]

EPA: provide grants to certain health care institutions for use in improving building and maintenance operations to engage in environmentally sustainable practices (see S. 3587), S9492 [25SE]

FDA: reverse policy eliminating access to medication containing estriol (see S. Con. Res. 88), S5447 [10JN] (see H. Con. Res. 342), H3108 [6MY]

FTC: prescribe rules prohibiting deceptive advertising of abortion services (see S. 2793), S2295 [1AP]

Health: address barriers to pain care by enhancing coordination of research, improving healthcare provider education and training, and elevating public awareness of pain and pain management (see S. 3387), S7904 [31JY]

———authorize a demonstration project for integrated health systems to expand access to primary and preventive care for the medically underserved (see H.R. 5544), H1416 [6MR]

———enhance adoption of a nationwide interoperable health information technology system to improve health care quality, reduce medical errors, and increase efficiency of care (see H.R. 6179), H4973 [4JN]

———ensure access to affordable and quality health care without exacerbating the Federal budget or contributing to market inflation while providing greater choices for consumers (see H. Res. 1228), H4831 [22MY]

———establish a multi-faceted approach to improve access and eliminate disparities in oral health care (see S. 3064), S4793 [22MY]

———establish a registry to ensure that certain individuals who may have been exposed to formaldehyde have an opportunity to register and receive medical treatment (see H.R. 5897), H2758 [24AP]

———expand the dental workforce and improve dental access, prevention, and data reporting (see S. 2723), S1703 [6MR] (see H.R. 5549), H1416 [6MR]

———improve palliative and end-of-life care provided to children with life-threatening conditions (see H.R. 5192), H556 [29JA]

———improve surveillance and reporting for diseases and conditions (see S. 3476), S8383 [11SE] (see H.R. 6905), H8127 [15SE]

———increase number of primary care physicians and improve patient access to primary care services (see H.R. 7192), H10300 [27SE]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (see H.R. 6699), H7784 [31JY]

———promote adoption of health information technology (see H.R. 6357), H6009 [24JN] (see H.R. 6898), H8127 [15SE]

———provide access to comprehensive primary health care services and improve primary health care delivery through expansion of community health center and National Health Service Corps programs (see S. 3412, 3413), S7905 [31JY]

———provide financial incentives to encourage adoption and use of interactive personal health records and to encourage health information exchange networks to link clinical data to such records (see H.R. 6345), H5864 [23JN]

———provide for expansion of Federal programs to prevent and manage vision loss (see S. 3534), S9204 [22SE]

———provide for the establishment of pediatric research consortia (see S. 2773), S2133 [13MR] (see H.R. 6089), H4320 [20MY]

———provide individuals access to their health information, ensure privacy and security in development of health information infrastructure, and impose penalties for unauthorized use of personal health information (see H.R. 5442), H993 [14FE]

———provide information and education to consumers on health care services and health insurance coverage (see S. 3402), S7904 [31JY]

———support efforts to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure through computed tomography scans for children (see H. Res. 1216), H4321 [20MY]

———use the Internet to provide patients and health care practitioners coordinated information on diseases and conditions and provide patients and practitioners freedom in the choice of medical treatments (see H.R. 7200), H10330 [28SE]

———use the Internet to provide patients and health care practitioners coordinated information on diseases and other conditions (see H.R. 7199), H10330 [28SE]

Health care facilities: assure that a nonemergency department physician is available to hospital patients 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week in all non-Federal hospitals with a certain number of beds (see H.R. 5739), H2150 [9AP]

———provide loans to implement green building technologies and practices to improve employee performance, reduce health care costs, and improve patient outcomes (see S. 3586), S9492 [25SE]

———reduce amount of paperwork and improve payment policies for health care services and prevent fraud and abuse through health care provider education (see H.R. 6102), H4321 [20MY]

Immigration: extend program to waive the foreign country residence requirement relative to international medical graduates (see H.R. 5571), H1445 [10MR]

———provide incentives to foreign-born physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved communities (see S. 2672), S1271 [27FE] (see H.R. 5707), H2011 [3AP]

Kirsner, Joseph B.: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 6865), H8018 [10SE]

Medicaid: require State plans to continue to cover non-emergency transportation to medically necessary services (see H.R. 7122), H10130 [26SE]

Medicare: clarify use of private contracts by beneficiaries for professional services and allow individuals to opt out of certain benefits (see H.R. 7148), H10131 [26SE]

———continue ability of hospitals to supply a needed workforce of nurses and allied health professionals by preserving funding for hospital operated nursing and allied health education programs (see S. 3468), S8275 [10SE] (see H.R. 5174), H555 [29JA]

———coverage of clinical pharmacist practitioner services under part B (see H.R. 5780), H2224 [10AP]

———ensure all physicians are permitted to perform face-to-face examinations and prescribe durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (see H.R. 6119), H4453 [21MY]

———ensure more timely access to home health services for beneficiaries (see H.R. 6826), H7808 [1AU]

———ensure that home health agencies assign the most appropriate skilled service to make the initial assessment visit for home health services for beneficiaries requiring rehabilitation therapy (see H.R. 5704), H2011 [3AP]

———establish Independence at Home Chronic Care Coordination Demonstration Project (see S. 3613), S9657 [26SE] (see H.R. 7114), H10129 [26SE]

———expand coverage of paramedic intercept services (see H.R. 6082), H4064 [16MY]

———expand development of quality measures for inpatient hospital services and implement a performance-based payment methodology for such services (see H.R. 7067), H9972 [25SE]

———extend and revise incentive payments for physician scarcity areas (see H.R. 6386), H6174 [26JN]

———extend physician payment rates (see H.R. 6129), H4829 [22MY]

———improve access to health care for beneficiaries in rural areas (see S. 2786), S2133 [13MR]

———improve fairness and reduce regional inequities in reimbursement payments to providers (see S. 2962), S3698 [1MY]

———improve the provision of items and services to beneficiaries in rural areas (see H.R. 5953), H3018 [1MY]

———increase payments for physicians' services (see H.R. 5445), H993 [14FE]

———increase per resident payment floor for direct graduate medical education payments to hospitals (see S. 2781), S2133 [13MR]

———increase the per resident payment floor for direct graduate medical education payments (see H.R. 5426), H942 [13FE]

———modify designation of accreditation organizations for orthotics and prosthetics, apply accreditation and licensure requirements to such devices, and modify payment methodology for such devices (see H.R. 6878), H8048 [11SE]

———modify physician reimbursement policies to ensure a future physician workforce (see S. 2729), S1703 [6MR] (see H.R. 5545), H1416 [6MR]

———permit physical therapy services to be furnished to individuals under the care of a dentist (see H.R. 5590), H1538 [11MR]

———preserve access to physicians' services (see S. 2785), S2133 [13MR] (see H.R. 6091), H4320 [20MY]

———provide a temporary moratorium on enforcement of the cap amount on payments for hospice care (see S. 2727), S1703 [6MR] (see H.R. 5542), H1416 [6MR]

———provide coverage for consultations regarding orders for life sustaining treatment and provide grants for development and expansion of programs for such orders (see H.R. 7181), H10299 [27SE]

———provide coverage of services of qualified respiratory therapists performed under the general supervision of a physician (see S. 2704), S1596 [5MR]

———provide for a disclosure requirement for physicians referring for imaging services (see S. 3343), S7526 [26JY] (see H.R. 6821), H7808 [1AU]

———provide for a geographic adjustment for cap on hospice care payments and require hospice programs to report comprehensive data on hospice care (see H.R. 6158), H4830 [22MY]

———provide payments for unscheduled physician telephone consultation services when such payments are cost and quality effective (see H.R. 6380), H6173 [26JN]

———reduce fraud (see S. 3164), S5832 [19JN]

———reduce inequitable disparities in physician payments in rural areas and revise the practice expense geographic adjustment (see S. 3318), S7148 [23JY]

Medicare/Medicaid: amend qualifications of the director of food services of a skilled nursing facility (see H.R. 7139), H10130 [26SE]

———extend expiring provisions (see S. 3236), S6504 [9JY]

———improve transparency of information on nursing and skilled nursing facilities and clarify and improve enforcement of requirements on such facilities (see S. 2641), S1054 [14FE] (see H.R. 5799), H2354 [15AP] (see H.R. 7128), H10130 [26SE]

———preserve access to health care (see S. 3656), S10176 [30SE] (see H.R. 7241), H10699 [2OC]

———prevent reduction in physician fee schedule, advance value based purchasing, electronic health records, and electronic prescribing, and maintain and improve access to care in rural areas (see S. 3118), S5524 [11JN]

———promote use of advance directives (see H.R. 5702), H2011 [3AP]

Mental health: increase recruitment and retention of school counselors, social workers, and psychologists by low-income local educational agencies (see S. 3364), S7780 [30JY] (see H.R. 6654), H7627 [30JY]

———integrate services with physical health services, improve access to underserved areas, and provide grants to recruit mental health professionals (see H.R. 5176), H555 [29JA]

Minority AIDS Initiative: anniversary (see S. Con. Res. 103), S9415 [24SE]

National Assisted Living Week: designate (see S. Res. 652), S8179 [9SE]

National Audiology Awareness Month: designate (see H. Con. Res. 433), H9974 [25SE]

National Autism Awareness Month: designate (see S. Res. 481), S2133 [13MR] (see H. Res. 1106), H2266 [14AP]

National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 1359), H6733 [21JY]

National Community Health Aide, Community Health Practitioner, and Dental Health Aide Week: designate (see S. Res. 526), S3257 [22AP]

National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week: designate (see S. Res. 613), S6651 [14JY]

National First Responder Appreciation Day: designate (see S. Res. 670), S9204 [22SE]

National Health Care Decisions Day: support goals and ideals (see S.J. Res. 29), S1999 [12MR] (see S. Con. Res. 73), S2436 [3AP] (see H.J. Res. 77), H1618 [12MR] (see H. Con. Res. 323), H2069 [8AP]

National 9-1-1 Education Month: designate (see S. Res. 468), S1467 [3MR]

National Nurses Week: recognize (see H. Res. 1086), H2069 [8AP]

National Nursing Home Week: designate (see S. Res. 543), S3595 [30AP] (see H. Res. 1203), H4060 [15MY]

National Public Health Week: observance (see S. Res. 509), S2817 [9AP] (see H. Res. 1081), H2016 [4AP]

National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day: designate (see S. Res. 487), S2134 [13MR]

New and Emerging Technologies (NET) 911 Improvement Act: technical correction (see H.R. 6946), H8475 [18SE]

North American Occupational Safety and Health Week: designate (see S. Res. 547), S3699 [1MY]

Occupational Safety and Health Professionals Day: designate (see S. Res. 547), S3699 [1MY]

Pharmaceuticals: authorize grants to States to establish and implement programs for registering pharmaceutical technicians (see H.R. 5491), H1073 [26FE]

———provide grants or contracts to create prescription drug education and outreach academic detailing programs (see S. 3396), S7904 [31JY] (see H.R. 6752), H7787 [31JY]

Pink Prayer Day: designate (see H. Res. 1412), H7808 [1AU]

Public housing: train and employ residents in home-based health services in order to provide Medicaid-covered home-based health services to elderly and disabled residents (see H.R. 6033), H3776 [13MY]

Public safety officers: authorize Federal payment to first responders for costs associated with providing emergency services at international borders (see H.R. 5879), H2657 [23AP]

———provide adequate benefits to officers injured or killed in the line of duty (see S. 3397), S7904 [31JY]

———provide enhanced benefits to survivors of Federal officers killed in the line of duty (see H.R. 7263), H10827 [3OC]

School Social Work Week: designate (see H. Res. 978), H870 [12FE]

Senate Rules: allow part-time, voluntary provision of medical services in private medical facilities by certain Senators (see S. Res. 681), S9415 [24SE]

Senior citizens: attract and retain trained health care professionals and direct care workers dedicated to providing quality care to the growing population of older Americans (see S. 2708), S1596 [5MR] (see H.R. 6337), H5796 [20JN]

———expand, train, and support all sectors of the health care workforce to care for the growing population of older individuals (see S. 3730), S10881 [10DE]

Social Security: disapprove final rule imposing crowd-out strategies on States that expand income eligibility level for children under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (see S.J. Res. 44), S6937 [17JY]

———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 H.R. 5605), H1700 [13MR]

———report on access to primary care and efforts to avoid displacement of private coverage under the State Children's Health Insurance Program and urge use of surveys to measure physician access (see H.R. 6506), H6673 [16JY]

Taxation: allow a continuous levy on payments to Medicaid providers and suppliers (see S. 2843), S2945 [10AP] (see H.R. 5764), H2223 [10AP]

———allow tax-exempt bond financing for fixed-wing emergency medical aircraft (see H.R. 6546), H6726 [17JY]

———improve ability of medical professionals to practice medicine and provide quality care to patients by providing a tax deduction for patient bad debt (see H.R. 6101), H4321 [20MY]

———modify exception from penalty for early withdrawals from government retirement plans for qualified public safety employees (see H.R. 6157), H4830 [22MY]

———provide a refundable tax credit to public safety volunteers (see H.R. 5700), H2010 [3AP]

———provide an exemption from Federal motor fuels excise tax for ground emergency and non-emergency ambulance services (see H.R. 6243), H5327 [11JN]

———provide earnings assistance and tax relief to members of the uniformed services, volunteer firefighters, and Peace Corps volunteers (H.R. 3997), consideration of Senate amendment (see H. Res. 1517), H10330 [28SE]

———provide that elderly and disabled individuals receiving in-home care under certain government programs are not liable for employment taxes for the care providers (see H.R. 5703), H2011 [3AP]

Telecommunications: improve effectiveness of rural health care support (see S. 3491), S8855 [16SE]

———reserve certain proceeds from the auction of spectrum, including the auction of the D-block of spectrum, for use to provide interoperable devices to public safety personnel (see S. 3465), S8275 [10SE]

Tornadoes: express condolences to victims in Southeastern States and gratitude to law enforcement and emergency responders conducting search and rescue operations (see H. Res. 971), H870 [12FE]

Veterans: establish a commission to oversee services for post-traumatic stress and other mental health disorders, the Heroes-to-Healers Program, and grants for mental health provider recruitment (see S. 3374), S7904 [31JY]

———facilitate emergency medical services personnel training and certification curriculums (see S. 2993), S3975 [8MY] (see H.R. 6011), H3402 [8MY]

———health care funding (see S. 2639), S1054 [14FE]

———improve health care benefits (see S. 2889), S3144 [17AP]

———require pilot programs on respite care and on training and certification for family caregiver personal care attendants for veterans and Armed Forces members with traumatic brain injury (see S. 2921), S3442 [28AP]

Veterans Health Administration: establish position of Director of Physical Therapy Service and a fellowship program for physical therapists in geriatrics, rehabilitation, and polytrauma care (see H.R. 6792), H7806 [1AU]

Volunteer workers: award grants for establishment of demonstration programs to enable States to develop health care volunteer indemnity programs (see S. 3354), S7629 [29JY]

———support recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel (see S. 3676), S10324 [1OC]

Women: support legislation promoting improved health care and access to health care (see S. Res. 638), S7905 [31JY]

Biographies

Mulliken, John B., E1780 [15SE]

Cloture motions

Indian Health Care Improvement Act: revise and extend (S. 1200), S1045 [14FE], S1108 [25FE]

Public safety officers: provide collective bargaining rights for State or local government employees (H.R. 980), S4135, S4150 [14MY]

———provide collective bargaining rights for State or local government employees (H.R. 980), motion to proceed, S3883 [7MY], S4072 [13MY]

Letters

Determination of GlaxoSmithKline, PLC, action after receiving study on the potential health risks associated with diabetes drug Avandia: Senator Grassley, Committee on Finance (Senate), S486 [30JA]

Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital financial disclosure policies implementation: Senator Grassley, Committee on Finance (Senate), S5031-S5033 [4JN]

Health Professions and Primary Care Reinvestment Act: American Dental Education Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, S10673 [19NO]

———Harrison C. Spencer, Association of Schools of Public Health, S10673 [19NO]

———John S. Findley, American Dental Association, S10673 [19NO]

———Lisa V. Rubenstein, Society of General Internal Medicine, S10674 [19NO]

———Michael D. Parkinson, American College of Preventive Medicine, S10672 [19NO]

———Rose M. Yuhos, National Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Organization, S10674 [19NO]

———several health care organizations, S10672 [19NO]

———Wanda D. Lipscomb, National Council for Diversity in the Health Professions, S10674 [19NO]

———Wayne Harris, Association of Minority Health Professions Schools, Inc., S10673 [19NO]

———William F. Leinweber, American Academy of Physician Assistants, S10672 [19NO]

Identify constraints encountered by nursing schools in admitting and graduating a sufficient number of nurses to meet health care needs: Carol A. Watson and Pamela A. Thompson, American Organization of Nurse Executives, E152 [7FE]

———Gary S. Carter, New Jersey Hospital Association, E152 [7FE]

———several organizations, E152 [7FE]

Increase per resident payment floor for direct graduate medical education payments to hospitals under the Medicare program: Coalition for Direct Graduate Medical Education Fairness, S2158 [13MR]

———Douglas Strong, University of Michigan Health System, S2157 [13MR]

———Mark Cummings, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, S2157 [13MR]

———Peter B. Ajluni, American Osteopathic Association, S2158 [13MR]

Investigation of Alan Schatzberg at Stanford University under the Physician Payments Sunshine Act: Senator Grassley, S5956-S5958 [23JN]

Investigation of Charles B. Nemeroff of Emory University relative to financial disclosure requirements: Senator Grassley, Committee on Finance (Senate), S10467 [2OC]

Investigation of Frederick Goodwin of George Washington University Medical Center under the Physician Payments Sunshine Act: Senator Grassley, Committee on Finance (Senate), S10642, S10643 [19NO]

Investigation of Physicians at University of Texas System under the Physician Payments Sunshine Act: Senator Grassley, S8166 [9SE]

Investigation under the Physician Payments Sunshine Act into payments made by several pharmacuetical companies to Dr. Alan Schatzberg of Stanford University: Senator Grassley, S7890-S7893 [31JY]

Limit Medicare exception to prohibition on physician referrals for certain physician-owned hospitals: Rick Pollack, American Hospital Association, H1270 [5MR]

NIH extramural funding program oversight and transparency: Senator Grassley, Committee on Finance (Senate), S5030 [4JN]

Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act: Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of New York, NY, S4133 [14MY]

Veterans Health Care Act: James B. Peake, Sec. of Veterans Affairs, S3161 [17AP]

Vision Preservation Act: Michele Haranin, American Optometric Association, S9212 [22SE]

Motions

Public safety officers: provide collective bargaining rights for State or local government employees (H.R. 980), S3883 [7MY], S4137 [14MY]

Taxation: provide earnings assistance and tax relief to members of the uniformed services, volunteer firefighters, and Peace Corps volunteers (H.R. 3997), Senate amendment, H10348 [29SE]

Telephones: facilitate rapid deployment of IP-enabled 911 and E-911 services, encourage transition to a national IP-enabled emergency network and improve 911 and E-911 access to those with disabilities (H.R. 3403), H5828 [23JN]

Remarks in House

Adams County, IN: tribute to emergency management personnel, E1396 [8JY]

Africa: improve health care capacity and retention of health professionals in sub-Saharan Africa to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS and other diseases and reduce maternal and child mortality, H1911 [2AP], H7114 [24JY]

Aileo, Brenna: International Red Cross Florence Nightingale Medal recipient, E7 [15JA]

Alcoholic beverages: observe anniversary of State-based regulation and recognize State officials, public health community, and industry members for creating a successful regulatory and distribution system (H. Con. Res. 415), H8377-H8379 [17SE], E1840 [18SE]

American Pharmacists Month: designate (H. Res. 1437), H10177 [27SE]

American Society of Hematology: anniversary, E706 [23AP], E1567 [25JY]

American University of Antigua & Barbuda: tribute to new nursing program, E880 [8MY]

Armed Forces: allow members to sue the U.S. for damages for certain injuries caused by improper medical care (H.R. 6093), H6318 [9JY]

Army Reserves: tribute to 159th Aviation Regiment, 1st Battalion, F Company air ambulance unit, E1198 [11JN]

Boone, IA: tribute to Boone County Hospital employees, E2122 [28SE]

Brookfield, MO: tribute to Pershing Health System new addition, E2005 [25SE]

Burke, William P.: Greater Pittston, PA, Friendly Sons of St. Patrick (organization) Man of the Year award recipient, E331 [6MR]

Cadillac, MI: anniversary of Mercy Hospital Cadillac, E22 [16JA]

Camp Atterbury, IN: tribute to emergency management personnel, E1361 [26JN]

Capitol Building and Grounds: permit use of rotunda for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Michael E. DeBakey (S. Con. Res. 71), H2298, H2299 [15AP], E699 [23AP]

———tribute to Office of the Attending Physician, E2387 [3JA]

Carter BloodCare, Inc.: tribute, E124 [6FE]

Cropp, Michael: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society New York and Finger Lakes Chapter Service to Mankind award recipient, E241 [26FE]

D'Alessandri, Robert: Lackawanna County, PA, Columbus Day Association Man of the Year award recipient, E2205 [2OC]

Daugherty, Mindy: American Red Cross Central Iowa chapter Hero of the Heartland honoree, E1364 [26JN]

Dearborn County, IN: tribute to emergency management personnel, E1393 [8JY]

Decatur County, IN: tribute to emergency management personnel, E1375 [26JN]

Dept. of Defense: conduct demonstration project to assess the feasibility and efficacy of providing face-to-face post-deployment mental health screenings between Armed Forces members and a mental health provider, H4785 [22MY]

Dept. of HHS: authorize a grant to a qualified youth-serving organization for recruiting and preparing students for careers and volunteer opportunities as health care professionals (H.R. 3618), E764 [29AP]

Dept. of Homeland Security: funding, H1565 [12MR]

———tribute to employees, partners at all levels of government, and other emergency response providers for efforts and contributions to protect and secure the Nation (H. Res. 1429), H10274-H10276 [27SE], E1769 [11SE]

———tribute to employees for efforts and contributions to protect and secure the Nation (H. Res. 1038), H2088-H2092, H2124 [9AP], E578 [10AP]

Dept. of HUD: require States to give priority to veterans, military personnel, teachers, and emergency response personnel when selling housing rehabilitated with Federal funds, H3175 [7MY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: allow veterans in highly rural areas to receive covered health services through outside providers, H9380, H9381 [24SE]

———allow veterans in highly rural areas to receive covered health services through outside providers (H.R. 1527), H7656 [31JY], H7903, H7907 [9SE], E1760 [10SE]

———establish position of Director of Physician Assistant Services within the Office of the Under Sec. of Veterans Affairs for Health (H.R. 2790), H4183-H4185 [20MY], E1002 [21MY]

———extend and modify the Health Professional Scholarship Program (H.R. 6430), E1402 [8JY]

———increase number of medical centers specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder in underserved urban areas, H7756, H7757 [31JY]

———post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury treatment funding, H7757, H7758 [31JY]

———provide comprehensive health care to children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida (H.R. 5729), H4197, H4198 [20MY]

Disasters: provide health benefits to rescue, recovery, and cleanup workers whose health was adversely affected by the 9/11 disaster, H597 [6FE]

Diseases: improve support and services for individuals with autism and their families (H.R. 1881), H4121 [19MY]

District of Columbia: Providence Hospital doctors inclusion in Washingtonian (publication) list of the region's best doctors, E889 [13MY]

East Central Alabama United Cerebral Palsy (organization): anniversary, E1545 [23JY]

East Chicago, IN: anniversary of St. Catherine Hospital, E1194 [11JN]

Education: designate physical therapists as a national need and eligible for student loan forgiveness, H760, H761 [7FE]

———provide for the participation of physical therapists in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (H.R. 1134), H761 [7FE]

Eglin AFB, FL: tribute to opening of Dept. of Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, E717 [24AP]

Employment: establish recruitment and retention programs for public health workers and eliminate critical workforce shortages in Federal, State, local, and tribal public health agencies (H.R. 5496), E247 [26FE]

Exeter Township, PA: anniversary of Exeter Ambulance Association, E1070 [23MY]

Flint, MI: anniversary of Hurley Medical Center, E20 [16JA]

Hale, David: Twin Cities Business (publication) Health Care Hero award recipient, E1180 [10JN]

Health: alleviate critical shortages of physicians in the fields of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, general surgery, and obstetrics-gynecology (H.R. 2584), H602 [6FE]

———improve surveillance and reporting for diseases and conditions (H.R. 6905), E1786 [15SE]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures, H10-H16 [15JA], H561 [6FE]

———promote adoption of health information technology (H.R. 6898), E1790 [15SE]

———provide health care liability reform, H7130 [24JY]

———provide health care liability reform (H.R. 3509), H603 [6FE], H2003 [3AP]

———provide individuals access to their health information, ensure privacy and security in development of health information infrastructure, and impose penalties for unauthorized use of personal health information (H.R. 5442), E199 [14FE]

———use of electronic medical records to decrease health care costs and improve patient safety, H14 [15JA], H601 [6FE]

Health care facilities: establish a loan program for eligible hospitals to establish residency training programs (H.R. 2583), H602 [6FE], H8681, H8682 [23SE]

———maintain access to specialty hospitals under group health plans, H1292 [5MR]

Health care professionals: enhance capacity to recruit and retain nurses, H4430 [21MY]

Henry County, IN: tribute to emergency management personnel, E1362 [26JN]

Henry Ford Scholarship Program: establish to provide scholarships to high-achieving students to pursue undergradusate degrees in mathematics, science, engineering, and health-related fields, H7645 [31JY]

Heyward, Joseph E.: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Alpha Award of Honor and Merit recipient, E1806 [16SE]

Home Health Aide Recognition Day: observance, E2258 [19NO]

Immigration: extend program to waive the foreign country residence requirement relative to international medical graduates (H.R. 5571), H4113-H4115 [19MY], H4433 [21MY], E1083 [23MY]

———extend program to waive the foreign country residence requirement relative to international medical graduates (H.R. 5571), Senate amendment, H10266, H10267 [27SE]

Institute of Medicine of the National Academies: identify constraints encountered by nursing schools in admitting and graduating a sufficient number of nurses to meet health care needs, E152 [7FE]

Insurance: coverage of minimum hospital stays for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection relative to breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations (H.R. 758), H8661-H8666 [23SE], E1980 [25SE], E2021 [26SE], E2118 [28SE], E2176, E2183 [30SE]

Johnson County, IN: tribute to emergency management personnel, E1359 [26JN]

Jones, Helen: West Fresno Health Care Coalition, Inc., Community Health Champions Award recipient, E2273 [19NO]

Kerrigan, Patrick: Wilkes-Barre, PA, Friendly Sons of St. Patrick (organization) Man of the Year award recipient, E287 [4MR]

Kirsner, Joseph B.: award Congressional Gold Medal (H.R. 6865), E1749 [10SE]

Kubala, Mark: Texas Association of Neurological Surgeons Outstanding Neurosurgeon of the Year award recipient, E1623 [30JY]

Lemole, Gerald M.: Wilmington, DE, Senior Center Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, E2143 [28SE]

Lenawee, MI: anniversary of Eye Center, E1363 [26JN]

Madison County, IN: tribute to emergency management personnel, E1404 [8JY]

Maine Association for Community Service Providers: tribute to participation in American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) Governmental Activities Seminar, E1771 [11SE]

Mallard-Warren, Gail: West Fresno Health Care Coalition, Inc., Community Health Champions Award recipient, E2264 [19NO]

McDowell County, NC: tribute to McDowell Fire and Rescue Association award recipients, E1228 [12JN]

McPartlin, Geraldine (Jerre): Chicago, IL, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center Woman's Board Sister Huberta McCarthy R.S.M. Woman of Mercy award recipient, E731 [24AP]

Medicaid: provide funding to States to enable them to increase the wages paid to targeted direct support professionals in providing services to individuals with disabilities (H.R. 1279), H8024 [11SE], E1741 [9SE], E1771, E1777 [11SE], E2104 [28SE]

Medicare: bundle reimbursement payments to providers for end-stage renal disease services, H5907 [24JN]

———ensure that home health agencies assign the most appropriate skilled service to make the initial assessment visit for home health services for beneficiaries requiring rehabilitation therapy (H.R. 5704), E492 [3AP]

———establish Independence at Home Chronic Care Coordination Demonstration Project (H.R. 7114), E2071 [27SE]

———establish new, separate fee schedule areas for physicians' services in States with multiple fee schedule areas to improve physician geographic payment accuracy, H5914 [24JN]

———extend physician payment rates (H.R. 6129), H4868-H4874 [3JN]

———funding, H1653 [13MR]

———increase the per resident payment floor for direct graduate medical education payments (H.R. 5426), E187 [13FE]

———limit exception to prohibition on physician referrals for certain physician-owned hospitals, H1262, H1264, H1267, H1269, H1270, H1298, H1299, H1302, H1303, H1305, H1306 [5MR], H5707 [19JN]

———modify physician reimbursement policies to ensure a future physician workforce, H15 [15JA]

———modify physician reimbursement policies to ensure a future physician workforce (H.R. 5545), H2008 [3AP]

———permit physical therapy services to be furnished to individuals under the care of a dentist (H.R. 5590), E351 [11MR]

———protect and preserve access of beneficiaries in rural areas to health care providers, H5914 [24JN], H6202 [8JY]

———provide coverage for consultations regarding orders for life sustaining treatment and provide grants for development and expansion of programs for such orders (H.R. 7181), E2136 [28SE]

———provide for a disclosure requirement for physicians referring for imaging services (H.R. 6821), E1692 [1AU]

———reform physician payment and modernize quality improvement organization (QIO) program, H598, H599, H602 [6FE]

———require physician utilization of electronic prescription drug program, H6015 [25JN]

———require physician utilization of electronic prescription drug program (S. 2408), H599 [6FE]

———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), H946 [14FE], H6092 [26JN], H8105 [15SE]

Medicare/Medicaid: improve transparency of information on nursing and skilled nursing facilities and clarify and improve enforcement of requirements on such facilities (H.R. 7128), E2100 [28SE]

Mental health: integrate services with physical health services, improve access to underserved areas, and provide grants to recruit mental health professionals (H.R. 5176), E878 [8MY]

Mercedes, TX: tribute to South Texas High School for Health Professions for participation in the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) (organization) State competition, E764 [29AP]

Miami Medical Team Foundation: tribute, E405 [13MR]

Minority AIDS Initiative: anniversary (H. Con. Res. 426), H10228 [27SE]

Mount Vernon, WA: anniversary of Skagit Valley Hospital, E658 [17AP]

Mulliken, John B.: ROFEH International (organization) International Award recipient, E1780 [15SE]

National Autism Awareness Month: designate (H. Res. 1106), H4120, H4121 [19MY], H4433 [21MY], E970 [20MY]

———observance, H1893 [2AP], E574 [10AP]

National Emergency Medical Services Week: observance, E979 [20MY]

National Foot Health Awareness Month: observance, E459 [1AP]

National Health Care Decisions Day: support goals and ideals (H. Con. Res. 323), H2425 [16AP], H2501, H2502 [22AP], E704 [23AP]

National Hospital Week: observance, H3753 [13MY]

National 9-1-1 Education Month: designate (H. Res. 537), H1421-H1423 [10MR]

National Nurses Week: recognize (H. Res. 1086), H3064-H3067 [6MY], H3203 [8MY], E551 [9AP], E837, E847, E848 [7MY], E867, E872 [8MY], E999 [21MY]

National Public Health Week: observance, H2058 [8AP], H2124 [9AP], E537 [8AP], E572 [10AP]

———observance (H. Res. 1081), H2045 [8AP], E579 [10AP]

National Public Safety Telecommunications Week: observance, E635 [16AP]

New and Emerging Technologies (NET) 911 Improvement Act: technical correction (H.R. 6946), H9926 [25SE]

New Haven, CT: anniversary of American Red Cross chapter, E1244 [17JN]

New York (NY) Times: response to article on Senator Murray amending legislation closing physician-owned hospitals in order to protect the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center, H5707 [19JN]

Nurses: enhance capacity to recruit and retain, H4430 [21MY]

———fund comprehensive programs to ensure an adequate supply of nurses, E430 [14MR]

Palestine Children's Relief Fund (organization): tribute, E2253 [19NO]

PeriAnesthesia Nurse Awareness Week: observance, H796 [7FE]

Philadelphia, PA: tribute to American Red Cross chapter, E773 [30AP]

Public safety officers: provide collective bargaining rights for State or local government employees (H.R. 980), H8394 [17SE]

Rush County, IN: tribute to first responders and citizens for efforts in responding to severe storms, E1211 [12JN]

Sahai, Subhash: Iowa Academy of Family Physicians Family Physician of the Year award recipient, E1870 [24SE]

San Antonio, TX: anniversary of American Red Cross chapter, E329 [6MR]

School Social Work Week: designate (H. Res. 978), H1006, H1007 [25FE]

Seattle, WA: tribute to Seattle Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, E1206 [11JN]

Severus Worldwide (organization): tribute to Operation Iraqi Healing project, E774 [30AP]

Sonoma County Medical Association: anniversary, E2158 [29SE], E2170 [30SE]

South Dakota: tribute to direct support professionals participating in the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) Governmental Activities Seminiar, E1739 [9SE]

Taxation: allow tax-exempt bond financing for fixed-wing emergency medical aircraft (H.R. 6546), E1496 [17JY]

———provide earnings assistance and tax relief to members of the uniformed services, volunteer firefighters, and Peace Corps volunteers (H.R. 3997), E2259 [19NO], E2307 [20NO]

———provide earnings assistance and tax relief to members of the uniformed services, volunteer firefighters, and Peace Corps volunteers (H.R. 3997), Senate amendment, H10337-H10411, H10631, H10633, H10634, H10635, H10637 [29SE], E2187 [30SE]

———provide earnings assistance and tax relief to members of the uniformed services, volunteer firefighters, and Peace Corps volunteers (H.R. 3997), consideration of Senate amendment (H. Res. 1517), H10316-H10327 [28SE]

Telephones: facilitate rapid deployment of IP-enabled 911 and E-911 services, encourage transition to a national IP-enabled emergency network and improve 911 and E-911 access to those with disabilities (H.R. 3403), Senate amendment, H5826-H5828 [23JN], E1314 [23JN], E1331 [24JN]

Tornadoes: express condolences to victims in Southeastern States and gratitude to law enforcement and emergency responders conducting search and rescue operations, H640 [7FE], E132 [7FE]

———express condolences to victims in Southeastern States and gratitude to law enforcement and emergency responders conducting search and rescue operations (H. Res. 971), H876, H919-H922 [13FE], E195 [14FE]

Traumatic Brain Injury Act: reauthorize, H7799 [1AU]

———reauthorize (S. 793), H2041-H2045 [8AP], E546 [8AP]

Tzakis, Andreas G.: Pan-Hellenic Federation of Florida award recipient, E978 [20MY]

U.S. Health Service: establish (H.R. 3000), H3006 [1MY]

University of Maryland: anniversary of School of Medicine (H. Res. 870), H10115 [26SE]

Veterans: health care funding, H609, H610 [6FE], H1564-H1566 [12MR], H4205 [20MY], H4991 [5JN], H7650 [31JY], H9296, H9300 [24SE]

———increase in post-traumatic stress disorder, E1067 [23MY]

Village Health Partners (business): Health Care Information and Management System Society Davies Award for Excellence recipient, H1452 [11MR]

Visiting Nurse Service, Inc.: anniversary, E1669 [1AU]

WestCare Health System: tribute, E1126 [3JN]

Remarks in Senate

Alcoholic beverages: observe anniversary of State-based regulation and recognize State officials, public health community, and industry members for creating a successful regulatory and distribution system (S. Res. 551), S9436 [24SE]

American Society of Hematology: anniversary, S1051 [14FE], S8120 [8SE]

Andrews AFB, MD: anniversary of Malcolm Grow Medical Center, S8125 [8SE]

Animals: establish competitive grant program to build capacity in veterinary medical education and expand workforce of veterinarians engaged in public health practice and biomedical research, S7861 [31JY]

Aviation: increase safety of the crew and passengers in air ambulances (S. 3229), S6443 [8JY]

Brooklyn, OH: ceremony honoring returning reservists of the Army 256th Combat Support Hospital, S591 [4FE]

Capitol Building and Grounds: permit use of rotunda for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Michael E. DeBakey (S. Con. Res. 71), S2187 [13MR]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: establish a Wellness Trust (S. 3674), S10337 [1OC]

Children and youth: provide disadvantaged children with dental services, S1116 [25FE], S5010 [4JN]

DeBakey, Michael E.: award Congressional Gold Medal, S3302 [23AP]

Delaware: tribute to health centers, S6717 [15JY]

Dental Health Improvement Act: reauthorize (S. 3067), S4803 [22MY]

Dept. of HHS: prohibit implementation or enforcement of proposed rule limiting patients' access to basic reproductive health care services and information (S. 20), S10745 [20NO]

———reauthorize and extend the fetal alcohol syndrome prevention and services program (S. 2141), S2813 [9AP]

———Traumatic Brain Injury Program funding, S2090 [13MR]

Dept. of Homeland Security: tribute to employees, partners at all levels of government, and other emergency response providers for efforts and contributions to protect and secure the Nation (S. Res. 472), S1546 [4MR]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: enhance capacity to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health care professionals (S. 2969), S3716 [1MY]

———enhance rehabilitative treatment and services to veterans with traumatic brain injury (S. 1233), S4985 [3JN]

———improve collective bargaining rights and procedures for review of adverse actions of certain employees (S. 2824), S2638 [7AP]

Disasters: first responders funding, S174 [23JA]

Diseases: fund breakthroughs in Alzheimer's disease research while providing more help to caregivers and increasing public education about prevention (S. 898), S7855 [31JY]

———improve support and services for individuals with autism and their families (S. 937), S7619 [29JY]

———provide additional research into the chronic neurological condition hydrocephalus (S. Con. Res. 63), S155 [22JA]

———remove barriers hindering cancer research and treatments, improve access to early detection measures and clinical trials, and reduce disparities in treatment, S4564 [21MY]

———require health insurance plans to pay for routine care costs for cancer patients enrolled in a clinical trial, S3769 [6MY]

Education: expand training, improve recruitment and retention, and increase incentives for those serving rural and urban underserved areas (S. 3708), S10671 [19NO]

Federal aid programs: authorize capitation grants to increase the number of nursing faculty and students, S7857 [31JY]

Health: address barriers to pain care by enhancing coordination of research, improving healthcare provider education and training, and elevating public awareness of pain and pain management (S. 3387), S7946 [31JY]

———autism research, treatment, education and intervention funding, S1971 [12MR]

———enhance adoption of a nationwide interoperable health information technology system and improve the quality and reduce the costs of health care (S. 1693), S759 [7FE]

———expand the dental workforce and improve dental access, prevention, and data reporting, S1839 [11MR]

———expand the dental workforce and improve dental access, prevention, and data reporting (S. 2723), S1677 [6MR]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures, S10698-S10700 [20NO]

———promote modernization of the health care system through adoption of electronic prescribing technology, S2050 [13MR]

———provide access to comprehensive primary health care services and improve primary health care delivery through expansion of community health center and National Health Service Corps programs (S. 3413), S7971-S7973 [31JY]

———provide for expansion of Federal programs to prevent and manage vision loss (S. 3534), S9210 [22SE]

———provide health care liability reform, S3378 [24AP]

———strengthen programs for stroke education, prevention, and treatment, S7888 [31JY]

———strengthen programs for stroke education, prevention, and treatment (H.R. 477), unanimous-consent request, S9228 [23SE]

Health care facilities: provide assistance to hospitals impacted by Hurricane Katrina, S10459 [2OC]

Immigration: extend program to waive the foreign country residence requirement relative to international medical graduates (H.R. 5571), S9573 [26SE]

———provide incentives to foreign-born physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved communities (S. 2672), S1272 [27FE]

Indian Health Care Improvement Act: prohibit funding for firearm programs, gun buyback programs, and programs discouraging or stigmatizing private ownership of firearms for certain purposes, S1104 [25FE]

———revise and extend (H.R. 1328), unanimous-consent agreement, S1082 [14FE]

———revise and extend (S. 1200), S25-S34, S36-S39, S41-S48, S52, S58-S65 [22JA], S158, S161-S163, S167-S174, S177-S179 [23JA], S957-S962 [13FE], S993-S1031, S1037, S1038, S1040-S1043, S1045, S1046 [14FE], S1098, S1101, S1103-S1114, S1116, S1146 [25FE], S1150-S1158, S1197 [26FE], S1264, S1275 [27FE]

———revise and extend (S. 1200), unanimous-consent agreement, S1098 [25FE], S1208 [26FE]

Indian Health Service: authorize use of an area distribution fund to allocate funding for Indian health care facility construction and modernization, S1005 [14FE], S1101, S1110, S1111 [25FE], S1151, S1152 [26FE]

———exclude tribes that receive revenue from casino-style gambling from benefiting from health care funds, S1104 [25FE]

———limit charges for contract health services provided by Medicare providers, S37-S39 [22JA]

Medicare: establish Independence at Home Chronic Care Coordination Demonstration Project (S. 3613), S9676 [26SE]

———execution of durable power of attorney to give doctors the authority to make appropriate end-of-life medical decisions, S3379 [24AP]

———impact of physician reimbursement rates on TRICARE program, S6476 [9JY]

———improve access to health care for beneficiaries in rural areas (S. 2786), S2159 [13MR]

———improve fairness and reduce regional inequities in reimbursement payments to providers, S6311 [27JN]

———increase per resident payment floor for direct graduate medical education payments to hospitals (S. 2781), S2157, S2159 [13MR]

———modify physician reimbursement policies to ensure a future physician workforce (S. 2729), S1706 [6MR], S5550 [12JN], S6424 [8JY]

———modify physician reimbursement policies to ensure a future physician workforce (S. 2729), unanimous-consent request, S6479 [9JY]

———preserve access to physicians' services (S. 2785), S5515 [11JN]

———protect and preserve access of beneficiaries in rural areas to health care providers, S5569 [12JN]

———protect and preserve access of beneficiaries in rural areas to health care providers (S. 1605), S5561 [12JN]

———protect beneficiaries' access to home health services, S6485, S6486 [9JY]

———provide a temporary moratorium on enforcement of the cap amount on payments for hospice care (S. 2727), S1676 [6MR]

———provide for a disclosure requirement for physicians referring for imaging services (S. 3343), S7531 [26JY]

———provide incentives to physicians for writing electronic prescriptions, S1949 [12MR], S2050, S2094 [13MR]

———reduce fraud (S. 3164), S5836 [19JN]

———reduce inequitable disparities in physician payments in rural areas and revise the practice expense geographic adjustment (S. 3318), S7156 [23JY]

———require physician utilization of electronic prescription drug program, S5512, S5516 [11JN]

———withhold payment for treatment of certain preventable medical injuries developed during hospital admission, S9355 [24SE]

Medicare/Medicaid: establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund for the expansion of background check pilot program for nursing facility and other long-term care facility employees, S1991 [12MR], S2061 [13MR]

———extend expiring provisions (S. 3236), S6510 [9JY], S6583 [11JY]

———improve transparency of information on nursing and skilled nursing facilities and clarify and improve enforcement of requirements on such facilities (S. 2641), S1058, S1059 [14FE], S7145 [23JY]

———preserve access to health care (S. 3656), S10456-S10458 [2OC]

———preserve access to health care (S. 3656), unanimous-consent request, S10623-S10625 [19NO]

———prevent physician fee schedule reduction, advance value based purchasing, electronic health records, and electronic prescribing, maintain and improve care access in rural areas (S. 3118), unanimous-consent request, S5710 [18JN], S6420-S6424 [8JY]

———prevent reduction in physician fee schedule, advance value based purchasing, electronic health records, and electronic prescribing, and maintain and improve access to care in rural areas (S. 3118), S5526, S5530 [11JN], S5535, S5546-S5548, S5550, S5554, S5560, S5562, S5569, S5577 [12JN]

———require background checks for nursing facility and other long-term care facility employees (S. 1577), S10466 [2OC]

Minority AIDS Initiative: anniversary (H. Con. Res. 426), S10423 [2OC]

National Assisted Living Week: designate (S. Res. 652), S9179 [22SE]

National Autism Awareness Month: observance, S2814 [9AP]

National Community Health Aide, Community Health Practitioner, and Dental Health Aide Week: designate (S. Res. 526), S3267 [22AP]

National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week: designate (S. Res. 613), S6671 [14JY]

National First Responder Appreciation Day: designate (S. Res. 215), S9639 [26SE]

———designate (S. Res. 670), S9179, S9213 [22SE]

National Health Care Decisions Day: support goals and ideals (S. Con. Res. 73), S2588 [3AP]

———support goals and ideals (S.J. Res. 29), S2008 [12MR]

National 9-1-1 Education Month: designate (S. Res. 468), S1578 [5MR], S2825 [9AP]

National Public Health Week: observance, S2937 [10AP]

National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day: designate (S. Res. 487), S2188 [13MR]

Native Americans: improve mental health services, S43 [22JA]

Navy Nurse Corps: anniversary, S5748 [18JN]

New and Emerging Technologies (NET) 911 Improvement Act: technical correction (H.R. 6946), S10019 [27SE]

North American Occupational Safety and Health Week: designate (S. Res. 547), S3730 [1MY]

Occupational Safety and Health Professionals Day: designate (S. Res. 547), S3730 [1MY]

Pharmaceuticals: potential health risks associated with anxiety drug Paxil, S5519 [11JN]

———potential health risks associated with diabetes drug Avandia, S486 [30JA]

———provide grants or contracts to create prescription drug education and outreach academic detailing programs (S. 3396), S7952 [31JY]

Public safety officers: allow State and local governments to opt out of Federal collective bargaining obligations if such obligations would negatively impact public safety or services or increase local taxes, S4082-S4091 [13MY], S4134 [14MY]

———allow State and local governments to pass laws to opt out of Federal collective bargaining obligations within one year of enactment of such mandates, S4092, S4093 [13MY]

———provide collective bargaining rights for State or local government employees (H.R. 980), S3989 [12MY], S4072-S4095 [13MY], S4123, S4130-S4152 [14MY], S4277 [15MY]

———provide collective bargaining rights for State or local government employees (H.R. 980), motion to proceed, S3883 [7MY], S4014-S4016, S4022 [12MY], S4072 [13MY]

———provide collective bargaining rights for State or local government employees (H.R. 980), unanimous-consent request, S3883 [7MY], S4755 [22MY]

———provide collective bargaining rights for State or local government employees (S. 2123), S3991 [12MY], S4050 [13MY]

———provide safety officer bill of rights relative to secret ballot votes on unionizing, use of dues collected by labor unions, and labor union financial transparency, S4079, S4080, S4086, S4090-S4092 [13MY], S4133 [14MY]

Senior citizens: expand, train, and support all sectors of the health care workforce to care for the growing population of older individuals (S. 3730), S10882 [10DE]

Shoreview, MN: tribute to law enforcement officers, emergency responders, and volunteers for efforts to locate man lost in Wisconsin woods, S6149 [25JN]

Social Security: disapprove final rule imposing crowd-out strategies on States that expand income eligibility level for children under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S.J. Res. 44), S6942-S6944 [17JY]

———provide for transparency in the relationship between physicians and manufacturers of drugs, devices, or medical supplies for which payment is made under certain programs, S7890 [31JY]

———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), S2319 [2AP], S5029 [4JN], S5956 [23JN], S8165 [9SE], S10467 [2OC], S10641 [19NO]

Springer, Heather: Bronze Star recipient, S3070 [16AP]

———Dedicated Unhesitating Service to Our Fighting Forces (DUSTOFF) Association Medic of the Year award recipient, S3070 [16AP]

States: 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 (S. 1471), S759 [7FE]

Taxation: provide earnings assistance and tax relief to members of the uniformed services, volunteer firefighters, and Peace Corps volunteers (H.R. 3997), S10037-S10039 [29SE], S10131 [30SE]

———provide earnings assistance and tax relief to members of the uniformed services, volunteer firefighters, and Peace Corps volunteers (H.R. 3997), Senate amendment, S10050 [29SE], S10133-S10135 [30SE]

Telephones: facilitate rapid deployment of IP-enabled 911 and E-911 services, encourage transition to a national IP-enabled emergency network and improve 911 and E-911 access to those with disabilities (H.R. 3403), S5665 [16JN], S7732 [30JY]

Tornadoes: express condolences to victims in Southeastern States and gratitude to law enforcement and emergency responders conducting search and rescue operations, S679, S680, S684 [6FE]

———express condolences to victims in Tennessee and gratitude to emergency response effort, S1191 [26FE], S1219 [27FE]

Traumatic Brain Injury Act: reauthorize (S. 793), S2090 [13MR], S2952-S2954 [10AP], S2972 [14AP]

Veterans: establish a commission to oversee services for post-traumatic stress and other mental health disorders, the Heroes-to-Healers Program, and grants for mental health provider recruitment (S. 3374), S7910-S7914 [31JY], S8243 [10SE]

———health care funding, S637 [5FE], S1327 [28FE], S1801 [10MR], S1974 [12MR]

———health care funding (S. 2639), S1115 [25FE]

———improve health care benefits (S. 2889), S3160 [17AP]

Volunteer workers: award grants for establishment of demonstration programs to enable States to develop health care volunteer indemnity programs (S. 3354), S7631 [29JY]

Women: support legislation promoting improved health care and access to health care (S. Res. 638), S7975 [31JY]

Reports filed

Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 758) (H. Rept. 110-868), H9082 [23SE]

Consideration of Senate Amendment to H.R. 3997, Emergency Economic Stabilization Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 1517) (H. Rept. 110-903), H10330 [28SE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Establishment of Position of Director of Physician Assistant Services Within the Office of the Under Sec. of Veterans Affairs for Health: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (House) (H.R. 2790) (H. Rept. 110-642), H4059 [15MY]

Extend Program To Waive the Foreign Country Residence Requirement Relative to International Medical Graduates: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 5571) (H. Rept. 110-646), H4059 [15MY]

Indian Health Care Improvement Act Revision and Extension: Committee on Natural Resources (House) (H.R. 1328) (H. Rept. 110-564), H2016 [4AP], H5109 [9JN]

National 9-1-1 Education Month: Committee on Judiciary (Senate) (S. Res. 468), S2435 [3AP]

Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act: Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 1577) (S. Rept. 110-474), S9203 [22SE]

Physician Workforce Enhancement Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 2583) (H. Rept. 110-872), H9083 [23SE]

Protecting Records, Optimizing Treatment, and Easing Communication Through Healthcare Technology (PRO(TECH)T) Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 6357) (H. Rept. 110-837), H8048 [11SE]

Rural Veterans Access to Care Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (House) (H.R. 1527) (H. Rept. 110-817), H7805 [1AU]

Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 999), S3079 [16AP]

Traumatic Brain Injury Act Reauthorization: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 1418) (H. Rept. 110-567), H2068 [8AP]

Veterans' Medical Personnel Recruitment and Retention Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Senate) (S. 2969) (S. Rept. 110-473), S9025 [18SE]

Rulings of the Chair

Indian Health Care Improvement Act: revise and extend (S. 1200), S1109 [25FE]

Statements

Indian Health Service Authorization of Use of an Area Distribution Fund To Allocate Funding for Indian Health Care Facility Construction and Modernization: Navajo Nation, S1151 [26FE]

Summaries

Medicare Rural Health Access Improvement Act, S2161-S2163 [13MR]

Tables

Selected disclosures by Dr. Alan Schatzberg and related information reported by pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers, S5958 [23JN], S7891 [31JY]

Selected disclosures by Dr. Augustus J. Rush, Jr., and related information reported by pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers, S8167 [9SE]

Selected disclosures by Dr. Karen Wagner and related information reported by pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers, S8168 [9SE]

Selected disclosures by Frederick Goodwin and related information reported by pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers, S10642, S10643 [19NO]

Speaker event and professional programs databases of Dr. Karen Wagner, S8169 [9SE]

Texts of

H. Con. Res. 323, support goals and ideals of National Health Care Decisions Day, H2501 [22AP]

H. Con. Res. 415, observe anniversary of State-based alcoholic beverage regulation and recognize State officials, public health community, and industry members for creating a successful regulatory and distribution system, H8377 [17SE]

H. Con. Res. 426, Minority AIDS Initiative anniversary, H10228 [27SE]

H. Res. 537, National 9-1-1 Education Month, H1422 [10MR]

H. Res. 870, University of Maryland School of Medicine anniversary, H10115 [26SE]

H. Res. 971, express condolences to victims of tornadoes in Southeastern States and gratitude to law enforcement and emergency responders conducting search and rescue operations, H919 [13FE]

H. Res. 978, School Social Work Week, H1006 [25FE]

H. Res. 1038, tribute to Dept. of Homeland Security employees for efforts and contributions to protect and secure the Nation, H2088 [9AP]

H. Res. 1086, National Nurses Week recognition, H3064 [6MY]

H. Res. 1106, National Autism Awareness Month, H4120 [19MY]

H. Res. 1429, tribute to Dept. of Homeland Security employees, partners at all levels of government, and other emergency response providers for efforts to protect and secure the Nation and support for National Preparedness Month, H10274 [27SE]

H. Res. 1437, American Pharmacists Month, H10177 [27SE]

H. Res. 1517, consideration of H.R. 3997, Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, H10316 [28SE]

H.R. 758, Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act, H8661-H8664 [23SE]

H.R. 1527, Rural Veterans Access to Care Act, H7903 [9SE]

H.R. 2583, Physician Workforce Enhancement Act, H8681 [23SE]

H.R. 2790, establish position of Director of Physician Assistant Services within the Office of the Under Sec. of Veterans Affairs for Health, H4184 [20MY]

H.R. 3403, New and Emerging Technologies (NET) 911 Improvement Act, H5826-H5828 [23JN]

H.R. 3997, Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, H10348-H10359 [29SE]

H.R. 5571, extend program to waive the foreign country residence requirement relative to international medical graduates, H4113 [19MY]

H.R. 5729, Spina Bifida Health Care Program Expansion Act, H4197 [20MY]

H.R. 6946, technical correction to New and Emerging Technologies (NET) 911 Improvement Act, H9926 [25SE]

S. 793, Traumatic Brain Injury Act reauthorization, S2952 [10AP], H2041-H2043 [8AP]

S. 1200, Indian Health Care Improvement Act revision and extension, S1275-S1317 [27FE], S1607-S1653 [5MR]

S. 2889, Veterans Health Care Act, S3160 [17AP]

S. 2969, Veterans' Medical Personnel Recruitment and Retention Act, S3717-S3719 [1MY]

S. 3236, Medicare and Medicaid Extension Act, S6506-S6509 [9JY]

S. 3318, Medicare Physician Payment Equity Act, S7157 [23JY]

S. 3354, Volunteer Health Care Program Act, S7632 [29JY]

S. 3374, Healing Our Nation's Heroes Act, S7910-S7914 [31JY]

S. 3534, Vision Preservation Act, S9211 [22SE]

S. 3613, Independence at Home Act, S9676-S9680 [26SE]

S. Con. Res. 63, provide additional research into the chronic neurological condition hydrocephalus, S155 [22JA]

S. Con. Res. 71, permit use of Capitol rotunda for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Michael E. DeBakey, S2167, S2188 [13MR], H2299 [15AP]

S. Con. Res. 73, support goals and ideals of National Health Care Decisions Day, S2485, S2588 [3AP]

S. Con. Res. 75, take steps to appoint doctors of chiropractic as commissioned officers in the Armed Forces, S2951 [10AP]

S. Con. Res. 88, reverse FDA policy eliminating access to medication containing estriol, S5455 [10JN]

S. Con. Res. 103, Minority AIDS Initiative anniversary, S9425 [24SE]

S. Res. 468, National 9-1-1 Education Month, S1482 [3MR], S2825 [9AP]

S. Res. 472, tribute to Dept. of Homeland Security employees, partners at all levels of government, and other emergency response providers for efforts and contributions to protect and secure the Nation, S1531, S1547 [4MR]

S. Res. 481, National Autism Awareness Month, S2163 [13MR]

S. Res. 487, National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day, S2166, S2188 [13MR]

S. Res. 509, National Public Health Week, S2821 [9AP]

S. Res. 526, National Community Health Aide, Community Health Practitioner, and Dental Health Aide Week, S3262, S3267 [22AP]

S. Res. 543, National Nursing Home Week, S3600 [30AP]

S. Res. 547, North American Occupational Safety and Health Week and Occupational Safety and Health Professionals Day, S3720, S3730 [1MY]

S. Res. 551, observe anniversary of State-based regulation and recognize State officials, public health community, and industry members for creating a successful regulatory and distribution system, S9436 [24SE]

S. Res. 551, observe anniversary of State-based regulation and recognize State officials, public health community, and industry members for creating a successful regulatory and distribution system for alcoholic beverages, S3801 [6MY]

S. Res. 613, National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, S6654, S6671 [14JY]

S. Res. 638, support legislation promoting improved health care and access to health care for women, S7975 [31JY]

S. Res. 652, National Assisted Living Week, S8186 [9SE], S9181 [22SE]

S. Res. 670, National First Responder Appreciation Day, S9183, S9212 [22SE]

S. Res. 681, allow part-time, voluntary provision of medical services in private medical facilities by certain Senators, S9424 [24SE]

S.J. Res. 29, support goals and ideals of National Health Care Decisions Day, S2008 [12MR]

S.J. Res. 44, disapprove final rule imposing crowd-out strategies on States that expand income eligibility level for children under the State Children's Health Insurance Program, S6943 [17JY]