HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS related term(s) Public Health Service

Amendments

Dept. of HHS: reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (S. 1440), S6860, S6868, S6869 [15NO], H7296 [19DE]

Health: reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform (H.R. 5), H1392 [19MR], H1504, H1505, H1507, H1509, H1511 [22MR]

——— reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform (H.R. 5), consideration (H. Res. 591), H1449 [21MR]

Immigration: permanently reauthorize the EB–5 Regional Center Program, the E-Verify Program, the Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious Worker Program, and the Conrad State 30 J–1 Visa Waiver Program (S. 3245), S6002, S6003, S6007 [2AU]

Kittery, ME: tribute to firefighters and emergency response personnel who responded to fire at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (S. Res. 488), S4249, S4250 [18JN]

Articles and editorials

Kind of Woman Who Needs a Late-Term Abortion, H5447 [31JY]

Man Versus the Therapeutic State, E1750 [13NO]

When States Abuse Women, S1498 [8MR]

Bills and resolutions

Abortion: ensure that women seeking an abortion receive an ultrasound and the opportunity to review the ultrasound before giving informed consent to receive an abortion (see H.R. 3805), H114 [23JA]

——— protect pain-capable unborn children in the District of Columbia (see S. 2103), S567 [13FE] (see H.R. 3803), H114 [23JA]

——— require an abortion provider, before performing an abortion, to wait for a certain period (see H.R. 3802), H114 [23JA]

American Podiatric Medical Association: anniversary (see S. Res. 528), S5304 [24JY]

Animals: expand workforce of veterinarians specialized in care and conservation of wild animals and ecosystems and develop educational programs focused on wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine (see H.R. 3886), H439 [2FE]

Armed Forces: require the use of only human-based methods for training members in the treatment of severe combat injuries (see S. 3418), S5257 [23JY]

Autoimmune Diseases Interdepartmental Coordinating Committee: establish (see H.R. 6218), H5326 [26JY]

Budget: repeal sequestration and replace automatic spending cuts with targeted reforms (see S. 3473), S5870 [1AU] (see H.R. 6389), H5999 [13SE]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: improve operations of recovery auditors under the Medicare Integrity Program to increase transparency and accuracy in audits conducted by contractors (see H.R. 6575), H6310 [16OC]

Cope, Marianne: Catholic Church canonization (see H. Res. 823), H6535 [29NO]

Dept. of Defense: limit increases in certain costs of health care services under departmental health care programs (see S. 3203), S3280 [17MY] (see H.R. 6266), H5629 [1AU]

——— provide funding assistance to State training centers certified by FEMA as capable of providing emergency response training (see H.R. 5620), H2443 [8MY]

——— submit a report to Congress on the future availability of TRICARE Prime throughout the U.S. and ensure certain TRICARE beneficiaries retain access to a primary care provider (see H.R. 6635), H6675 [5DE]

Dept. of Education: make grants to eligible local educational agencies to reduce the student-to-school nurse ratio in elementary and secondary schools and kindergarten (see S. 2047), S208 [31JA]

Dept. of HHS: assist low-income individuals in obtaining recommended dental care (see H.R. 4091), H965 [27FE]

——— assist States in operating Restoring the Doctors of Our Country Through Scholarships (RDOCS) programs to increase availability of health care services in health professional shortage areas (see H.R. 6400), H5999 [13SE]

——— authorize grants to States for demonstration projects to expand State registries on childhood immunization or health to include body mass index (BMI) (see H.R. 6402), H5999 [13SE]

——— define care coordination under the Older Americans Act, include care coordination as a fully restorative service, and detail such departmental functions (see S. 3465), S5870 [1AU] (see H.R. 6543), H6276 [21SE]

——— eliminate authority to limit ability of medical providers to conduct lawful businesses (see H.R. 6320), H5705 [2AU]

——— ensure religious conscience protections relative to insurance coverage of certain women’s preventive health services (see S. 2043), S163 [30JA] (see S. 2092), S494 [9FE] (see H.R. 3897), H475 [3FE] (see H.R. 3982), H640 [8FE]

——— establish a demonstration program to facilitate physician reentry into clinical practice to provide required primary health services (see H.R. 5888), H3404 [1JN]

——— exempt employers from taxes, penalties, or suits for failure to offer insurance coverage for certain women’s preventive services on the basis of religious belief or moral conviction (see H.R. 6097), H4774 [10JY]

——— increase number of permanent faculty in palliative care at allopathic and osteopathic medical schools, nursing schools, and other programs, and promote education in palliative care and hospice (see S. 3407), S5211 [19JY] (see H.R. 6155), H5077 [19JY]

——— make grants to train elementary and secondary school nurses how to respond to a biological or chemical attack or an outbreak of pandemic influenza in a school building or on school grounds (see H.R. 5690), H2566 [9MY]

——— protect and preserve access of Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas to health care providers and extend discounts under the 340B Drug Pricing Program (see H.R. 5194), H2271 [27AP] (see H.R. 5624), H2443 [8MY]

——— provide a comprehensive approach to preventing and treating obesity (see H.R. 6666), H6806 [13DE]

——— provide for the participation of optometrists in the National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment programs (see S. 2192), S1733 [15MR]

——— reauthorize and extend the fetal alcohol syndrome prevention and services program (see S. 2262), S2242 [29MR]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: consider the veteran’s best interest when making determinations about contracted health care and improve access to medical care for veterans with severe injuries or illnesses (see H.R. 6393), H5999 [13SE]

——— designate certain medical facilities as health professional shortage areas (see H.R. 4042), H801 [15FE]

——— extend authority to enter into contracts with private physicians to conduct medical disability examinations (see H.R. 5880), H3362 [31MY]

Depts. of Defense and Veterans Affairs: improve and enhance programs and activities on suicide prevention and resilience and behavior health disorders for Armed Forces members and veterans (see S. 3340), S4460 [25JN]

Diseases: provide for scientific frameworks relative to recalcitrant cancers (see S. 3560, 3566), S6454 [19SE]

Education: increase Pell Grants for the children of fallen police officers, firefighters, and other public safety officers (see H.R. 6281), H5704 [2AU]

——— reform graduate medical education payments (see S. 3201), S3280 [17MY]

Fair Labor Standards Act: preserve companionship services exemption for minimum wage and overtime pay (see S. 3280), S3838 [7JN] (see H.R. 5969), H3807 [19JN]

Health: create a patient-centered quality of care initiative for seriously ill patients (see H.R. 6157), H5077 [19JY]

——— expand and support strong home care workforce and make long-term services and supports affordable and accessible for seniors and individuals with disabilities (see S. Res. 453), S3087 [10MY] (see H. Res. 759), H5707 [2AU]

——— extend health information technology assistance eligibility to behavioral health, mental health, and substance abuse professionals and facilities (see H.R. 6043), H4156 [27JN]

——— improve access to oral health care for vulnerable populations (see S. 3272), S3838 [7JN] (see H.R. 5909), H3660 [7JN]

——— make the provision of technical services for medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy treatments safer, more accurate, and less costly (see S. 3338), S4460 [25JN]

——— protect privacy of protected health information by requiring health care providers to encrypt devices that store health information, restricting access, and improving congressional oversight (see S. 3351), S4674 [27JN]

——— provide individual and group market reforms to protect health insurance consumers (see H.R. 4242), H1541 [22MR]

——— recognize importance of frontline health workers toward accelerating progress on global health and saving lives of women and children (see H. Res. 734), H5008 [18JY]

——— reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform (H.R. 5), consideration (see H. Res. 591), H1426 [20MR]

——— reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform (H.R. 5), return to House (see H. Res. 596), H1641 [27MR]

——— urge Members of Congress favoring a public, federally-run health insurance option to forgo participation in Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and agree to enroll in such option (see H. Res. 615), H1845 [16AP]

Housing: train public housing residents as home health aides and in home-based health services to provide such services to certain elderly or disabled public or federally-assisted housing residents (see H.R. 4220), H1426 [20MR]

Insurance: prohibit anti-competitive activities and provide that health insurance issuers and medical malpractice insurance issuers are subject to U.S. antitrust laws (see H.R. 5838), H3162 [18MY]

Kittery, ME: tribute to firefighters and emergency response personnel who responded to fire at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (see S. Res. 488), S3839 [7JN]

Medicare: allow chiropractors to provide items and services through private contracts (see S. 2304), S2545 [19AP]

——— allow physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to supervise cardiac, intensive cardiac, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs (see S. 2057), S261 [1FE]

——— create incentives for innovative diagnostics by improving process for determining payment rates for new tests (see H.R. 6446), H6230 [20SE]

——— distribute additional residency positions (see H.R. 6352), H5707 [2AU] (see H.R. 6562), H6284 [25SE]

——— eliminate sustainable growth rate system to ensure access to physicians’ services for beneficiaries (see S. 3337), S4460 [25JN]

——— ensure continued access of beneficiaries to diagnostic imaging services (see S. 2347), S2730 [25AP]

——— exempt certain hospice programs from the limitation applicable to payments for hospice care (see H.R. 6466), H6231 [20SE]

——— exempt certain requests by physicians for consultations by radiation oncologists from the limitation on certain physician referrals (see H.R. 4127), H1133 [1MR]

——— extend physician payment rates (see H.R. 6142), H5008 [18JY]

——— increase fines and penalties for Medicare fraud to augment Medicare fraud enforcement activities (see H.R. 6103), H4827 [11JY]

——— make publicly available on the official Medicare Internet site payment rates for frequently reimbursed hospital inpatient procedures, hospital outpatient procedures, and physicians’ services (see H.R. 5730), H2645 [10MY]

——— modify designation of accreditation organizations for orthotics and prosthetics, apply accreditation and licensure requirements and modify payment methodology for such devices (see S. 2125), S909 [17FE]

——— permit direct payment to pharmacies for certain compounded drugs for a specific beneficiary for use through an implanted infusion pump (see S. 3496), S5977 [2AU] (see H.R. 6326), H5706 [2AU]

——— permit pass-through payment of costs for nurse anesthetist services in critical access hospitals notwithstanding the reclassification of such hospitals (see H.R. 6146), H5008 [18JY]

——— protect access to home health services for beneficiaries (see H.R. 6059), H4654 [29JN]

——— protect and preserve access of beneficiaries in rural areas to health care providers (see H.R. 3859), H373 [1FE]

——— provide beneficiaries greater choice with regard to accessing hearing health services and benefits (see S. 3242), S3631 [24MY]

——— provide comprehensive cancer care planning coverage and grant programs for provider education (see S. 2097), S494 [9FE]

——— recognize attending physician assistants as attending physicians to serve hospice patients (see H.R. 3831), H181 [25JA]

——— reform payment for physicians’ services by eliminating sustainable growth rate system and adopting innovative payment and delivery models to improve quality and efficiency (see H.R. 5707), H2567 [9MY]

Medicare/Medicaid: amend certain requirements and penalties that would impede eligible professionals from adopting electronic health records to improve patient care (see H.R. 6598), H6428 [16NO]

——— exclude pathologists from incentive payments and penalties relative to the meaningful use of electronic health records (see H.R. 4066), H901 [16FE]

——— implement prescriber education programs and establish requirements for administration of antipsychotics to residents of skilled nursing facilities (see S. 3604), S6546 [20SE]

Mental health: protect minors from efforts by practitioners to change their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression (see H. Con. Res. 141), H6505 [28NO]

——— require disclosure to parents of information on mental illness treatment for their children under a certain age (see H.R. 6712), H7435 [27DE]

National Autism Awareness Month: designate (see S. Res. 413), S2243 [29MR]

National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 737), H5078 [19JY]

National Convenient Care Clinic Week: designate (see S. Res. 540), S5871 [1AU]

National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week: designate (see S. Res. 548), S6108 [11SE]

National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day: designate (see S. Res. 536), S5871 [1AU]

National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Week: designate (see S. Res. 603), S7215 [29NO]

National Nurses Week: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 644), H2320 [7MY]

National Public Health Week: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 417), S2243 [29MR] (see H. Res. 605), H1805 [29MR]

National Solidarity Day for Compassionate Patient Care: designate (see H. Res. 771), H5707 [2AU]

Navy Dental Corps: anniversary (see S. Res. 534), S5732 [31JY] (see S. Res. 544), S5978 [2AU]

Nobel Prize: recognition of Brian K. Koblinka for chemistry (see S. Res. 615), S7976 [12DE]

——— recognition of Robert J. Lefkowitz for chemistry (see S. Res. 615), S7976 [12DE]

Pakistan: prohibit assistance until Shakeel Afridi is freed (see S. 3260), S3688 [4JN] (see S. 3269), S3781 [6JN] (see H.R. 5924), H3660 [7JN]

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program: improve (see H.R. 4018), H725 [14FE]

Rural areas: improve housing for educators, public safety officers, and medical providers, and their households (see S. 3278), S3838 [7JN]

Senior citizens: attract and retain health providers trained in geriatrics and gerontology by providing loan forgiveness and career advancement opportunities (see H.R. 6710), H7435 [27DE]

Social Security: permit hospitals to make incentive payments to physicians to promote quality and efficiency (see H.R. 6176), H5201 [24JY]

States: recognize authority to regulate air ambulance medical standards (see S. 2376), S2821 [26AP]

Taxation: allow a deduction for charity care provided by physicians (see H.R. 5849), H3162 [18MY]

Veterans: improve ability of health care professionals to treat veterans via telemedicine (see H.R. 6107), H4862 [12JY]

——— provide grants to State emergency medical service departments to provide for the expedited training and licensing of veterans with prior medical training (see H.R. 3884), H439 [2FE] (see H.R. 4124), H1133 [1MR]

Cost Estimates

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvements Act (H.R. 4018): CBO, S7016 [28NO]

Letters

Dept. of HHS ruling on religious conscience protections relative to insurance coverage of certain women’s preventive health services: Kathleen Sebelius, Sec. of HHS, S1168 [1MR]

——— Senator Collins, S1168 [1MR]

EB–5 Regional Center Program, E-Verify Program, Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious Worker Program, and Conrad State 30 J–1 Visa Waiver Program: Representative Kline, Committee on Education and the Workforce (House), H5816 [11SE]

——— Representative Lamar Smith, Committee on the Judiciary (House), H5816 [11SE]

Limit liability of volunteers who provide health care services in response to a disaster: David B. Hoyt, American College of Surgeons, H1512 [22MR]

——— several health care organizations, H1512 [22MR]

Protecting Access to Healthcare Act: James T. Hay, California Medical Association, H1458 [21MR]

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvements Act: Chuck Canterbury, National Fraternal Order of Police, E1153 [27JN]

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program improvements: several public safety officer organizations, S7027 [28NO]

——— Steve Williamson, American Ambulance Association, S7028 [28NO]

Rights of conscience protection relative to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requirements for coverage of specific items and services: Allison Herwitt, Human Rights Campaign (organization), S1133 [29FE]

——— Christopher W. Hansen, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc., S1133 [29FE]

——— Helen M. Alvaré and Kim Daniel, S1117 [29FE]

——— Jeffrey Levi, Trust for America’s Health (organization), S1133 [29FE]

——— Mary Kay Henry, Service Employees International Union, S1133 [29FE]

——— Patrick J. Kennedy, S1124 [29FE]

——— several organizations, S1133, S1134 [29FE]

——— several pediatric and adolescent health organizations, S1134 [29FE]

Scientific frameworks relative to recalcitrant cancers: Francis S. Collins, Dept. of HHS, S7163 [29NO]

Lists

Catholic organizations joining lawsuits relative to Dept. of HHS mandate to provide insurance coverage of certain women’s preventive health services, E946 [1JN]

Motions

Health: reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform (H.R. 5), H1516 [22MR]

Obituaries

London, Marshall G.: Burlington (VT) Free Press, S8069 [17DE]

Proclamations

Tribute to Thomas C. Prince, Jr.: Tim Burchett, Mayor of Knox County, TN, E977 [5JN]

Remarks in House

Abortion: prohibit certain abortion-related discrimination in government activities (H.R. 361), H105 [23JA]

——— prohibit taxpayer funded abortions and provide for conscience protections (H.R. 3), H103 [23JA], H3279 [31MY]

——— protect pain-capable unborn children in the District of Columbia (H.R. 3803), H3074 [17MY], H3155–H3157 [18MY], H4692 [10JY], H4791 [11JY], H4872 [17JY], H5334, H5440–H5448 [31JY], E1369, E1377 [1AU], E1392 [2AU], E1396, E1399, E1400, E1421 [3AU]

Alibhai, Suleiman: Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington Professional Service Award recipient, E212 [16FE]

American Podiatric Medical Association: anniversary, E936 [31MY]

America’s Blood Centers (nonprofit organization): anniversary, E271 [28FE]

Arkansas Nurses Association: anniversary, E1879 [5DE]

Asian American Medical Association: tribute to annual gala, E1805 [27NO]

Belzoni, MS: tribute to Mid-Delta Home Health and Hospice Center, E499 [29MR]

Blanchard, Talbot: New Hampshire Hospital Association Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) of the Year Award recipient, E1032 [8JN]

Brown, Tom: Tri-County Mental Health Services, Inc., Phoenix Community Achievement Leader Award recipient, E1341 [26JY]

Bucci, Frank A.: Neighborhood Housing Services of Lackawanna County, PA, Governor Robert P. Casey Medal for a Lifetime of Service recipient, E551 [17AP]

Cardiology Associates of Albany, GA: anniversary, E1811 [27NO]

Central Service Technicians: tribute, E1873 [4DE]

Chang, Ilwoong: Asian American Medical Association Crystal Globe Award recipient, E1805 [27NO]

Charles Drew University: tribute to graduates, E964 [1JN]

Chicago, IL: tribute to Edward Hines, Jr., Veteran Affairs Hospital, E168 [9FE]

——— tribute to Jesse Brown Veteran Affairs Medical Center, E168 [9FE]

Cleveland, OH: anniversary of the Hospice of the Western Reserve, E988 [6JN]

——— tribute to Federally Qualified Health Centers, E1369 [1AU]

Concord, NC: anniversary of Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast, E1335 [26JY]

Cope, Marianne: Catholic Church canonization (H. Res. 823), H6511 [29NO]

Courts: prohibit exemption of health care professionals who intentionally harm patients from medical malpractice liability, H1482 [21MR]

Dept. of Defense: provide assistance to State training centers to provide emergency response training to the National Guard and Federal agencies performing homeland defense activities, E948 [1JN]

——— provide VA medical personnel access to medical records of soldiers in order to coordinate care and treatment, H3316, H3317 [31MY]

——— suicide prevention and outreach programs funding, H4955, H4956, H4984 [18JY], H5049, H5050 [19JY]

Dept. of HHS: assist States in operating Restoring the Doctors of Our Country Through Scholarships (RDOCS) programs to increase availability of health care services in health professional shortage areas (H.R. 6400), E1524 [13SE]

——— ensure religious conscience protections relative to insurance coverage of certain women’s preventive health services, H223 [1FE], H380, H385, H430, H436–H438 [2FE], H469 [3FE], H520, H549 [7FE], H578, H582, H584, H586, H589, H591, H592, H593, H623, H625–H629 [8FE], H644, H664 [9FE], H713, H722 [14FE], H737, H738 [15FE], H808, H815, H819 [16FE], H906, H929, H930 [17FE], H975, H1004, H1013 [28FE], H1028, H1029, H1030, H1031, H1091 [29FE], H1132 [1MR], H1270 [7MR], H1298, H1300 [8MR], H1537 [22MR], H5624–H5626 [1AU], E129 [3FE], E209 [16FE], E305 [1MR], E341 [8MR]

——— establish and implement a Pancreatic Cancer Initiative, E2037 [2JA]

——— establish and implement a Pancreatic Cancer Initiative (H.R. 733), H6144–H6147 [19SE], E1612 [21SE], E1684 [5OC]

——— lawsuits by Catholic organizations relative to mandate to provide insurance coverage of certain women’s preventive health services, E946 [1JN]

——— reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (S. 1440), H7296–H7301 [19DE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: allow veterans in rural areas to visit an approved non-departmental health care provider in their area, H3327, H3328 [31MY]

——— consider the veteran’s best interest when making determinations about contracted health care and improve access to medical care for veterans with severe injuries or illnesses (H.R. 6393), H5970 [13SE]

——— eliminate backlog of benefit claims and delays in receipt of medical care, H2140 [26AP]

——— ensure timely payments to non-VA medical providers, H3317 [31MY]

——— suicide prevention and outreach programs funding, H3322 [31MY]

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies: extend pay freeze of civilian employees, H3319, H3339 [31MY], E966 [1JN]

Depts. of Defense and Veterans Affairs: improve and enhance programs and activities on suicide prevention, H5206 [25JY]

Disasters: limit liability of volunteers who provide health care services in response to a disaster, H1511–H1513 [22MR]

Diseases: provide for scientific frameworks relative to recalcitrant cancers, H6144–H6147 [19SE]

Dr. Arenia C. Mallory Community Health Center, Inc.: tribute, E197 [15FE]

Drugs: require practitioners to obtain particular training or special certification on addiction and substance abuse, and appropriate and safe use of certain controlled substances (H.R. 2119), H5529 [1AU]

DuPree, Beth: Philadelphia Magazine Be Well Philly Hero Challenge award recipient, E1812 [27NO]

Duval County, FL: anniversary of American Red Cross Life Saving Corps, E676 [26AP]

Economy: provide temporary extension of payroll tax credit, unemployment benefits, and certain health and welfare programs and require Dept. of State to act on a Keystone XL Pipeline permit (H.R. 3765), E122 [2FE]

Evans, William: American Pharmacists Association Remington Honor Medal recipient, E389 [20MR]

Fair Labor Standards Act: preserve companionship services exemption for minimum wage and overtime pay (H.R. 3066), E1154 [27JN]

——— preserve companionship services exemption for minimum wage and overtime pay (H.R. 5969), H4067 [27JN], E1154 [27JN]

Fawcett, Robert: Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians Family Physician of the Year award recipient, E1230 [11JY]

FCC: provide for creation of a public safety broadband network, ensure a more efficient and innovative allocation of the electromagnetic spectrum, and permit the FCC to conduct incentive auctions, H914, H918–H921 [17FE], E237–E239 [24FE]

Foege, William: Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, E758 [10MY], E1091 [20JN]

Freeman, Ira: California Pharmacists Association Pharmacist of the Year award recipient, E674 [26AP]

Gingrich, Newt: characterization of remarks on insurance coverage of certain women’s preventive health services relative to health policies of the Obama administration, H808 [16FE]

Greater Prince William Medical Reserve Corps: tribute, E952 [1JN]

Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly (G.R.A.P.E.): anniversary, E138 [3FE], E182 [13FE]

Guam Diabetes Association: tribute to Guam Diabetes Conference, E1732 [2NO]

Health: cap court-awarded damages in medical negligence claims, H1460, H1461 [21MR]

——— delay enactment of medical malpractice tort reform until the Dept. of HHS has submitted a report on the potential effect on health care premium reductions, H1505–H1507 [22MR]

——— establish health savings accounts for all citizens, provide health savings account and high deductible health plan payments in lieu of certain benefits, and require immigrants to have same such plans, H798 [15FE]

——— expand and support strong home care workforce and make long-term services and supports affordable and accessible for seniors and individuals with disabilities (H. Res. 759), E1597 [21SE]

——— health care programs funding, H1715 [28MR]

——— improve access to emergency medical services, H1508, H1509 [22MR]

——— preserve joint and several liability for damages in medical malpractice, H1465 [21MR]

——— preserve liability for damages for serious and irreversible injuries, E427 [22MR]

——— provide individual and group market reforms to protect health insurance consumers (H.R. 4242), H3799 [19JN], H4749 [10JY]

——— reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform, H2623, H2629 [10MY], H7407 [20DE]

——— reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform (H.R. 5), H1369, H1370, H1384–H1388 [19MR], H1399, H1400, H1420–H1425 [20MR], H1439, H1440, H1441, H1453–H1490, H1494 [21MR], H1499, H1500, H1501–H1519, H1521, H1522, H1524 [22MR], E415, E416, E418, E421, E423, E425, E427, E429, E431, E433, E434, E435, E436 [22MR], E442 [26MR], E481 [29MR]

——— reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform (H.R. 5), consideration (H. Res. 591), H1443–H1452 [21MR]

——— reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform (H.R. 5), motion to recommit, H1516 [22MR]

——— reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform (H.R. 5), return to House (H. Res. 596), H1593 [27MR]

House of Representatives: legislative priorities, H6420–H6422 [16NO]

Houston, TX: inclusion of University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in U.S. News & World Report (publication) ‘‘Best Hospitals’’ for cancer list, H5139 [24JY]

——— tribute to Texas Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ‘‘Wall of Hope’’, E1935 [13DE]

——— tribute to Texas Children’s Hospital pediatric tissue engineering research, H200 [31JA]

Illinois: tribute to first responders and citizens for efforts in responding to tornadoes, E408 [21MR]

Indian Health Care Improvement Act: preserve reauthorization, H4752 [10JY], E1254 [17JY]

Indiana: tribute to first responders and citizens for efforts in responding to tornadoes, H1160 [6MR], E327 [7MR]

Indiana Blood Center (organization): anniversary, E458 [27MR]

International Day of Radiology: observance, E1381 [1AU]

International Institute of Minnesota: tribute, E513 [30MR]

Journal of Medical Ethics: reaction to article supporting after-birth abortions, H1220 [7MR], H1291 [8MR]

Kansas City, KS: University of Kansas Cancer Center designated as NIH National Cancer Institute, H4789 [11JY]

Lightfoot, Robert D.: Medical Association of the State of Alabama Samuel Buford Word Award recipient, E1400 [3AU]

Lijoi, Andre: Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians Family Physician of the Year award recipient, E1230 [11JY]

Livonia, MI: anniversary of Marycrest Manor Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, E220 [16FE]

Madison, WI: St. Mary’s Hospital designation as magnet facility by American Nurses Credentialing Center, E134 [3FE]

Medicare: adjust wage index determination for physicians, H137–H143 [24JA]

——— clarify application of secondary payer rules, H7304–H7306 [19DE], E1998 [21DE]

——— clinical laboratory services payment rates, H924 [17FE]

——— eliminate sustainable growth rate system to ensure access to physicians’ services for beneficiaries, H7472 [31DE]

——— extend physician payment rates (H.R. 6142), H5337 [31JY]

——— home health care services copayment, E1184 [29JN]

——— protect access to home health services for beneficiaries, H2825 [17MY], E297 [1MR], E1512 [13SE]

——— provide coverage of comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia diagnosis and services to improve care and outcomes by increasing detection, diagnosis, care, and planning (H.R. 1386), E1640 [21SE]

——— reform sustainable growth rate payment system for physicians, H738 [15FE], H811 [16FE], H908, H909, H913, H914, H916, H919, H924, H925 [17FE], H1422 [20MR], H5915 [12SE]

——— tribute to home health service workers, E1586 [21SE]

——— tribute to hospice care workers, H3735 [19JN]

Medicare/Medicaid: provide coverage of voluntary advance care planning consultation (H.R. 1589), H1155 [6MR], H3735 [19JN], H5203 [25JY]

Monmouth University: anniversary of Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing & Health Studies, E601 [19AP]

National Association of Chain Drug Stores: observance of RxIMPACT Day, E407 [21MR]

National Autism Awareness Month: observance, E530 [16AP]

National Guard: complete capability assessment of medical equipment in Humvee ambulances, H4960, H4961 [18JY], H5038 [19JY]

National Health Center Week: observance, E1369 [1AU]

National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month: observance, E1648 [21SE]

National Nurses Week: observance, H2819 [17MY], E747 [9MY]

——— support goals and ideals (H. Res. 83), H2333 [8MY]

National Surgical Technologists Week: observance, E1638 [21SE]

New York: tribute to Hudson Valley first responders, E830 [17MY]

——— tribute to passage of law combating prescription drug abuse, H4830 [12JY]

New York, NY: tribute to Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center ‘‘Stepping Up for HIV and AIDS’’ Community Events Week, E1552 [19SE]

North Richland Hills, TX: North Hills Hospital recipient of Society of Chest Pain Centers accreditation, E899 [30MY]

Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services, Inc.: anniversary, E1743 [13NO]

Nurses for Newborns (organization): anniversary, E600 [19AP]

ORBIS International (nonprofit organization): anniversary, E1352 [31JY]

Oregon: Medicare coverage and home health care spending concerns, E1132 [25JN]

Oxford HealthCare (company): tribute, E994 [6JN]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: impact, H4673–H4677 [9JY]

——— impact of implementation on health care, coverage, costs, and accessibility, H1536–H1539 [22MR]

——— impact of repeal on enrollment of Members of Congress in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, H4748 [10JY]

——— protect rights of conscience relative to requirements for coverage of specific items and services, H1221 [7MR]

——— protect rights of conscience relative to requirements for coverage of specific items and services (H.R. 1179), H430 [2FE], H887–H894 [16FE]

Presque Isle, ME: anniversary of Aroostook Medical Center, E931 [31MY]

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program: improve (H.R. 4018), H3994–H3997 [26JN], H4079 [27JN], H4625 [29JN], E1153 [27JN]

Reach Out and Read Rhode Island (organization): tribute, H1029 [29FE]

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science: anniversary, H5687 [2AU]

Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center: tribute, E270 [28FE]

Stand With Those Who Serve Week: observance, E1238 [12JY]

Student Association Volunteer Ambulance Corps: anniversary, E604 [19AP]

Thunder Bay Community Health Service, Inc.: anniversary, E1356 [31JY]

Tornadoes: tribute to first responders in Alabama, E651 [25AP]

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences: anniversary, E1559 [19SE]

Veterans: health care funding, H3235 [30MY]

——— provide grants to State emergency medical service departments to provide for the expedited training and licensing of veterans with prior medical training (H.R. 4124), H6142–H6144 [19SE]

Visiting Nurse Association Health Group: anniversary, E1073 [19JN]

West Columbia, SC: tribute to Lexington Medical Center, E1741 [13NO]

West Liberty, KY: tribute to first responders, E1462 [10SE]

Remarks in Senate

Abortion: ensure that women seeking an abortion receive an ultrasound and the opportunity to review the ultrasound before giving informed consent to receive an abortion, S1497, S1498 [8MR]

American Podiatric Medical Association: anniversary (S. Res. 528), S5318 [24JY]

Armed Forces: require the use of only human-based methods for training members in the treatment of severe combat injuries (S. 3418), S5262 [23JY]

Boyd, Jamie Kamailani: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Health Leaders Award recipient, S153 [30JA]

Budget: repeal sequestration and replace automatic spending cuts with targeted reforms (S. 3473), S5881 [1AU]

Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan: anniversary, S6530 [20SE]

Cope, Marianne: Catholic Church canonization, S6539 [20SE]

Dept. of HHS: assist low-income individuals in obtaining recommended dental care, S1083–S1085 [28FE], S1180 [1MR]

——— define care coordination under the Older Americans Act, include care coordination as a fully restorative service, and detail such departmental functions (S. 3465), S5872 [1AU]

——— ensure religious conscience protections relative to insurance coverage of certain women’s preventive health services, S316 [2FE], S330 [6FE], S370, S372–S374, S376–S379, S381 [7FE], S398–S400, S412, S413, S485, S489 [9FE], S549, S559 [13FE], S818 [16FE], S880, S882–S885, S898–S900 [17FE]

——— facilitate emergency medical services personnel training and certification curriculums for veterans, S6256 [12SE]

——— make grants to volunteer dental projects, improve oral health education and dental disease prevention, and enhance Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Program dental services, S1180 [1MR]

——— provide whistleblower protections for the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service Act, S3468, S3491 [23MY]

——— reauthorize support for graduate medical education programs in children’s hospitals, S8191, S8192 [19DE]

——— reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (S. 1440), S6868–S6870 [15NO]

——— improve and enhance programs and activities on suicide prevention and resilience and behavior health disorders for Armed Forces members and veterans (S. 3340), S4461–S4463 [25JN], S4719 [28JN], S6719 [13NO]

Diaz, Matthew: 9-1-1 for Kids (organization) Medal of Honor recipient, S4458 [25JN]

Diseases: provide for scientific frameworks relative to recalcitrant cancers, S7162–S7164 [29NO]

Education: reform graduate medical education payments (S. 3201), S3286 [17MY]

FDA: ensure that adequate information is disseminated to health care providers about potential benefits and risks of medical products on all patient populations, S3498–S3500 [23MY]

Federal Employees’ Compensation Act: amend, S2582–S2585 [23AP], S2647 [24AP], S2690, S2691 [25AP]

Fetz, Alisha: 9-1-1 for Kids (organization) Medal of Honor recipient, S4458 [25JN]

Health: make the provision of technical services for medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy treatments safer, more accurate, and less costly (S. 3338), S4685 [27JN]

——— reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform (H.R. 5), S2007 [22MR], S2009 [26MR], S2282 [29MR], S2288 [16AP]

——— reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform (H.R. 5), unanimous-consent agreement, S2113 [27MR]

Kansas City, KS: University of Kansas Cancer Center designated as NIH National Cancer Institute, S4923 [12JY]

Kittery, ME: tribute to firefighters and emergency response personnel who responded to fire at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (S. Res. 488), S3872 [7JN], S4249 [18JN]

Leonardtown, MD: anniversary of MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, S1144 [29FE]

Massachusetts: anniversary of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, S6444 [19SE]

Medicare: ensure continued access of beneficiaries to diagnostic imaging services (S. 2347), S2916 [7MY]

——— permit direct payment to pharmacies for certain compounded drugs for a specific beneficiary for use through an implanted infusion pump (S. 3496), S5986 [2AU]

——— reform sustainable growth rate payment system for physicians, S833 [16FE], S890 [17FE], S4875 [11JY]

National Convenient Care Clinic Week: designate (S. Res. 540), S5898, S5900 [1AU]

National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week: designate (S. Res. 548), S6238 [11SE]

National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day: designate (S. Res. 536), S5898 [1AU]

National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Week: designate (S. Res. 603), S7277 [29NO]

National School Nurse Day: observance, S3037 [9MY]

Navy Dental Corps: anniversary (S. Res. 544), S6012 [2AU]

Nobel Prize: recognition of Brian K. Koblinka for chemistry (S. Res. 615), S7989 [12DE]

——— recognition of Robert J. Lefkowitz for chemistry (S. Res. 615), S7989 [12DE]

Pakistan: prohibit assistance until Shakeel Afridi is freed, S3762 [6JN], S3961, S3962 [12JN], S6260 [12SE], S6316 [13SE], S6598–S6601 [21SE]

——— prohibit assistance until Shakeel Afridi is freed (S. 3269), S3799 [6JN], S3803 [7JN], S4619 [26JN], S5054 [17JY], S5186 [19JY], S5279 [24JY]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: impact of implementation on health care, coverage, costs, and accessibility, S5706 [31JY]

——— impact of implementation on health care, coverage, costs, and accessibility for seniors living in rural and frontier areas receiving Medicare, S6308 [13SE]

——— protect rights of conscience relative to requirements for coverage of specific items and services, S1077–S1082 [28FE], S1104–S1110, S1112, S1113, S1115–S1129, S1132–S1139, S1141, S1156 [29FE], S1159–S1173 [1MR]

——— protect rights of conscience relative to requirements for coverage of specific items and services (S. 1467), S330 [6FE], S550 [13FE], S2162 [28MR]

Presque Isle, ME: anniversary of Aroostook Medical Center, S3726 [5JN]

Public safety officers: include nonprofit and volunteer firefighters, ground and air ambulance crew members, and first responders for certain benefits, S7015, S7016 [28NO], S8333–S8336 [21DE]

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program: improve, S342 [6FE], S7025–S7029 [28NO]

——— improve (H.R. 4018), S4781 [29JN], S4783 [9JY]

——— improve (S. 1696), S1921 [21MR]

Rhode Island Medical Society: anniversary, S6440 [19SE]

Rural Health Education Network: anniversary, S3625 [24MY]

Telecommunications: strengthen public safety by establishing a national wireless communications network for emergency responders, S888, S889 [17FE]

Reports filed

Consideration of H.R. 5, Protecting Access to Healthcare Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 591) (H. Rept. 112–416), H1426 [20MR]

Dept. of HHS Reduction of Preterm Labor, Delivery, Risk of Pregnancy-Related Deaths and Complications Due to Pregnancy, and Infant Mortality Caused by Prematurity: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 1440), S6451 [19SE]

District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 3803) (H. Rept. 112–640), H5524 [31JY]

Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 5) (H. Rept. 112–39), H1366 [16MR]

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvements Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 4018) (H. Rept. 112–548), H3981 [25JN]

Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 911) (S. Rept. 112–260), S8363 [21DE]

Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 3566), S6451 [19SE]

Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 1063) (H. Rept. 112–715), H7423 [20DE]

Strengthening Public-Safety and Enhancing Communications Through Reform, Utilization, and Modernization (SPECTRUM) Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 911), S6800 [14NO]

Statements

Dallas Healthcare Policy Conference: Representatives Sessions, Burgess, Fleming, and Cassidy, E1138 [26JN]

Parity for Kids’ Mental Health: Gregory Fritz, S8191 [19DE]

Protecting Access to Healthcare Act: Several Representatives and Scholars, H1504 [22MR]

Summaries

Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act (H.R. 3630): Broadband Spectrum Provisions, H915 [17FE]

Testimonies

Rights of Conscience Protection Relative to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Requirements for Coverage of Specific Items and Services: Sandra Fluke, Georgetown University Law Students for Reproductive Justice, S1135 [29FE]

Texts of

H. Res. 591, consideration of H.R. 5, Protecting Access to Healthcare Act, H1443 [21MR]

H. Res. 596, return to House of H.R. 5, Protecting Access to Healthcare Act, H1593 [27MR]

H.R. 5, Protecting Access to Healthcare Act, H1501–H1503 [22MR]

H.R. 733, Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act, H6144 [19SE]

H.R. 3803, District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, H5440–H5442 [31JY]

H.R. 4018, Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvements Act, H3994 [26JN]

H.R. 4124, Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act, H6142 [19SE]

S. 1440, Dept. of HHS activities to reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity, S6869 [15NO], H7296–H7298 [19DE]

S. 2125, Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Improvement Act, S910–S912 [17FE]

S. 3245, EB–5 Regional Center Program, E-Verify Program, Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious Worker Program, and the Conrad State 30 J–1 Visa Waiver Program permanent reauthorization, S3636 [24MY], H5814 [11SE]

S. 3407, Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, S5215 [19JY]

S. Res. 413, National Autism Awareness Month, S2258 [29MR]

S. Res. 417, support goals and ideals of National Public Health Week, S2259 [29MR]

S. Res. 453, expand and support strong home care workforce and make long-term services and supports affordable and accessible for seniors and individuals with disabilities, S3089 [10MY]

S. Res. 488, tribute to firefighters and emergency response personnel who responded to fire at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME, S3844, S3872 [7JN]

S. Res. 528, American Podiatric Medical Association anniversary, S5308, S5318 [24JY]

S. Res. 534, Navy Dental Corps anniversary, S5738 [31JY]

S. Res. 536, National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day, S5883, S5899 [1AU]

S. Res. 540, National Convenient Care Clinic Week, S5884, S5900 [1AU]

S. Res. 544, Navy Dental Corps anniversary, S5992, S6012 [2AU]

S. Res. 548, National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, S6109, S6238 [11SE]

S. Res. 603, National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Week, S7220, S7277 [29NO]

S. Res. 615, recognition of Robert J. Lefkowitz and Brian K. Koblinka for Nobel Prize for chemistry, S7982, S7989 [12DE]