HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS see also Public Health Service

Amendments

Abortion: protect pain-capable unborn children (H.R. 1797), consideration (H. Res. 266), H3719 [18JN]

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. 252), S6898, S6900 [24SE]

National Solidarity Day for Compassionate Patient Care: designate (S. Res. 21), S788, S789 [14FE]

Appointments

Commission on Long-Term Care, S477 [4FE]

Articles and editorials

Congratulations in Order for Dr. Hannah Gay, UMC, S1705 [12MR]

‘‘God Speed and Blue Skies’’ Air Evac 109 Crew Remembered, S6185 [1AU]

HHS Finds Two Enrollees for Pro-Obamacare Ads, H6764 [23OC]

Iowan Finally Buys Health Care Through Obamacare Site After 100+ Tries, H6764 [23OC]

‘No Excuse’ Administration Has a Whopper of an Excuse for Obamacare, H6764 [23OC]

ObamaCare’s Troubles Are Only Beginning—Be Prepared for Eligibility, Payment and Information Protection Debacles—And Longer Waits for Care, S8980 [18DE]

Second Wave of Health Plan Cancellations Looms, S8980 [18DE]

Time Has Come To Address the Challenges of Long-Term Care, S8358 [20NO]

Bills and resolutions

Abortion: impose admitting privilege requirements with respect to physicians who perform abortions (see S. 139), S284 [24JA]

——— investigate and correct abusive, unsanitary, and illegal abortion practices (see S. Res. 133), S3256 [8MY] (see H. Res. 206), H2533 [8MY]

——— prohibit certain abortion-related discrimination in government activities (see S. 137), S284 [24JA]

——— prohibit discrimination and retaliation against individuals and health care entities that refuse to recommend, refer for, cover, pay for, provide, perform, assist, or participate in abortions (see S. 143), S284 [24JA]

——— prohibit taxpayer funded abortions (see S. 946), S3430 [14MY] (see H.R. 7), H2602 [14MY]

——— protect pain-capable unborn children (see S. 1670), S7927 [7NO]

——— protect pain-capable unborn children (H.R. 1797), consideration (see H. Res. 266), H3686 [17JN]

——— protect pain-capable unborn children in the District of Columbia (see S. 886), S3159 [7MY] (see H.R. 1797), H2392 [26AP]

——— require parental notification and intervention for minors seeking an abortion (see H.R. 3601), H7354 [21NO]

American Chiropractic Association: anniversary (see S. Res. 72), S1270 [7MR]

American College of Surgeons Days: designate (see S. Res. 217), S6208 [1AU] (see H. Res. 307), H4826 [19JY]

American Dental Hygienists’ Association: anniversary (see S. Res. 182), S4983 [21JN]

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. 2796), H4978 [23JY]

Armed Forces: expand use of telehealth under TRICARE program for active servicemembers, their dependents, retirees, and veterans (see H.R. 3507), H7151 [15NO]

——— include a behavioral health professional on any physical evaluation board that considers issues of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or other mental health condition (see H.R. 1236), H1567 [18MR]

——— require the use of only human-based methods for training members in the treatment of severe combat injuries (see S. 1550), S6886 [24SE] (see H.R. 3172), H5832 [25SE]

Boston, MA: commend heroism, courage, and sacrifice of victims recovering from attacks relative to Boston Marathon bombing and the subsequent manhunt (see S. Res. 115), S3029 [25AP] (see H. Res. 176), H2247 [23AP]

——— condemn bombings at the Boston Marathon, express condolences to victims and their families, and commend medical personnel, first responders, and citizens that aided victims (see S. Res. 101), S2749 [17AP] (see H. Res. 168), H2124 [17AP]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: delay enforcement of physician supervision regulations for critical access hospitals pending completion of analysis of impact of such regulations (see H.R. 3769), H8109 [12DE]

——— improve operations of recovery auditors under the Medicare Integrity Program to increase transparency and accuracy in audits conducted by contractors (see S. 1012), S3761 [22MY] (see H.R. 1250), H1629 [19MR]

Colleges and universities: establish fair and consistent eligibility requirements for graduate medical schools operating outside the U.S. and Canada (see S. 1822), S8771 [12DE]

Contraceptives: establish certain duties for pharmacies to ensure provision of FDA-approved contraception (see S. 333), S772 [14FE] (see H.R. 728), H546 [14FE]

Cowley, R. Adams: award Congressional Gold Medal posthumously (see S. 1345), S5840 [23JY] (see H.R. 2782), H4856 [22JY]

Dept. of Defense: implement online computerized assessment to detect behaviors indicating suicide risk and other mental health conditions for Armed Forces members (see S. 810), S3028 [25AP]

——— provide for assignment of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners-Adult/Adolescent to brigades and equivalent units (see H.R. 1986), H2653 [15MY]

Dept. of Education: award grants to establish pediatric early literacy programs for health care providers and facilities (see S. 1126), S4058 [10JN]

——— establish grant program to hire and retain school social workers in high-need local educational agencies (see H.R. 563), H412 [6FE]

——— increase Pell Grants for the children of fallen police officers, firefighters, and other public safety officers (see H.R. 1969), H2602 [14MY]

——— increase recruitment and retention of school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other qualified psychologists by low-income local educational agencies (see H.R. 1854), H2483 [7MY]

——— make grants to eligible local educational agencies to reduce the student-to-school nurse ratio in elementary and secondary schools (see H.R. 1857), H2483 [7MY]

——— make grants to States to hire additional school-based mental health and student service providers (see H.R. 320), H176 [18JA]

——— support teacher and school professional training on awareness of student mental health conditions (see S. 648), S2146 [21MR]

Dept. of HHS: assist low-income individuals in obtaining recommended dental care (see S. 466), S1127 [5MR] (see H.R. 963), H981 [5MR]

——— assure that a nonemergency department physician is available to hospital patients at all times in all non-Federal hospitals with a certain number of beds (see H.R. 244), H85 [14JA]

——— develop a national strategic action plan to assist health professionals in preparing for and responding to the public health effects of climate change (see H.R. 2023), H2717 [16MY]

——— eliminate authority to limit ability of medical providers to conduct lawful businesses (see H.R. 2833), H5088 [25JY]

——— encourage use of medical checklists through research (see H.R. 116), H31 [3JA]

——— establish a grant program to recruit, train, deploy, and professionally support psychiatric physicians in Indian health programs (see H.R. 2037), H2717 [16MY]

——— establish direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals (see S. 739), S2684 [16AP] (see H.R. 1907), H2567 [9MY]

——— establish Frontline Providers Loan Repayment Program (see H.R. 702), H545 [14FE]

——— establish Office of the National Nurse (see S. 1475), S6208 [1AU] (see H.R. 485), H342 [4FE]

——— 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. 973), H982 [5MR]

——— facilitate emergency medical services personnel training and certification curriculums for veterans (see S. 1060), S3844 [23MY]

——— improve field emergency medical services (see H.R. 809), H627 [25FE]

——— include occupational therapists as behavioral and mental health professionals for purposes of the National Health Service Corps (see S. 1815), S8771 [12DE] (see H.R. 1037), H1327 [7MR]

——— 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. 641), S2146 [21MR] (see H.R. 1339), H1822 [21MR]

——— making supplemental appropriations for awarding grants to States to promote universal access to trauma care services provided by trauma centers and trauma-related physician specialties (see H.R. 2660), H4482 [11JY]

——— prohibit replacement of existing coding system for disease and diagnosis classifications in implementing Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards (see S. 972), S3569 [16MY] (see H.R. 1701), H2297 [24AP]

——— promote optimal maternity outcomes by making evidence-based maternity care a national priority (see H.R. 2286), H3250 [6JN]

——— provide for participation in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program of certain specialists needed to respond to environmental public health emergencies (see S. 426), S1012 [28FE]

——— provide for the participation of optometrists in the National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment programs (see S. 1445), S6207 [1AU] (see H.R. 920), H815 [28FE]

——— provide for the participation of physical therapists in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (see S. 602), S1950 [19MR] (see H.R. 1252), H1629 [19MR]

——— provide health care practitioners in rural areas with training in preventive health care (see S. 726), S2649 [15AP] (see H.R. 1559), H2025 [15AP]

——— provide liability protections for volunteer practitioners at health centers (see S. 955), S3531 [15MY] (see H.R. 2703), H4597 [17JY]

——— reauthorize and extend the fetal alcohol syndrome prevention and services program (see S. 237), S519 [7FE]

——— reauthorize grant programs for education and outreach on newborn screening and coordinated followup care once newborn screening has been conducted (see S. 1417), S6206 [1AU] (see H.R. 1281), H1718 [20MR]

——— reauthorize support for graduate medical education programs in children’s hospitals (see S. 1557), S7007 [27SE] (see H.R. 297), H170 [15JA]

——— reauthorize Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Payment Program (see S. 1759), S8457 [21NO]

——— reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (see S. 252), S519 [7FE] (see H.R. 541), H411 [6FE]

Dept. of Labor: issue occupational safety and health standard to reduce injuries to patients, nurses, and other health care workers by establishing a safe patient handling, mobility, and injury prevention standard (see H.R. 2480), H4037 [25JN]

Dept. of Transportation: establish National Yellow Dot Program to alert emergency personnel to medical conditions, prescriptions, and information to treat individuals in motor vehicle emergency situations (see S. 1831), S8845 [16DE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: award grants to establish, or expand upon, master’s degree or doctoral degree programs in orthotics and prosthetics (see S. 522), S1592 [11MR]

——— carry out a grant program and a pilot program designed to improve the delivery of health care to veterans residing in rural areas (see H.R. 1134), H1395 [13MR]

——— clarify qualifications of hearing aid specialists (see H.R. 3508), H7152 [15NO]

——— consider the veteran’s best interest when making determinations about contracted health care (see H.R. 2412), H3758 [18JN]

——— designate certain medical facilities as health professional shortage areas (see S. 1061), S3844 [23MY] (see H.R. 3554), H7309 [20NO]

——— establish a continuing medical education program for medical professionals to increase knowledge and recognition of conditions common to veterans and their families (see S. 1863), S9051 [19DE]

——— establish standards for access to care for veterans seeking health care from departmental medical facilities (see H.R. 241), H84 [14JA]

——— extend authority to carry out the Health Professional Scholarship Program (see H.R. 3053), H5399 [2AU]

——— extend authority to enter into contracts with private physicians to conduct medical disability examinations (see H.R. 1521), H1990 [12AP] (see H.R. 2079), H2838 [21MY]

——— improve authority to enter into contracts with private physicians to conduct medical disability examinations (see S. 1751), S8361 [20NO] (see H.R. 2423), H3758 [18JN]

——— improve authority to hire psychiatrists (see H.R. 2540), H4142 [27JN]

——— improve Health Professionals Education Assistance Program (see S. 845), S3029 [25AP]

——— increase access to complementary and alternative medicine and other approaches to wellness and preventive care (see S. 852), S3029 [25AP]

——— modify authorities relative to collective bargaining of employees in the Veterans Health Administration (see S. 1556), S7007 [27SE]

——— prohibit medical exam requests of veterans who have submitted sufficient evidence provided by non-departmental medical professionals and improve efficiency of disability claims processing (see S. 935), S3371 [13MY] (see H.R. 1980), H2603 [14MY]

——— provide for advance appropriations for certain information technology accounts and include mental health professionals in training programs (see S. 1155), S4406 [12JN] (see H.R. 3499), H7110 [14NO]

——— require entrance into contracts with community health care providers to improve access to health care for veterans in highly rural areas (see H.R. 635), H499 [13FE]

——— require provision of chiropractic care and services to veterans at all departmental medical centers (see S. 422), S1012 [28FE] (see H.R. 921), H815 [28FE]

——— specify requirements for updating the Office of Rural Health strategic plan for improving access to, and quality of, health care services for veterans in rural areas (see S. 1411), S6126 [31JY]

Disasters: limit liability of volunteers who provide health care services in response to a disaster (see H.R. 1733), H2349 [25AP]

Discrimination: remove certain non-discrimination requirements relative to health care providers (see H.R. 2817), H5050 [24JY]

District of Columbia: condemn Navy Yard shootings, express condolences to victims, support for those impacted, and gratitude to responders to the shootings (see S. Res. 265), S7210 [4OC]

Education: extend authorization for certain health care workforce loan repayment programs (see H.R. 1827), H2436 [6MY]

Employment: create an emergency jobs program (see H.R. 1617), H2156 [18AP]

Federal aid programs: authorize grants for graduate medical education partnerships in States with low physician-resident-to-general-population ratio (see H.R. 1178), H1426 [14MR]

Federal employees: provide coverage of acupuncturist services under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (see H.R. 3799), H8125 [19DE]

Flag—U.S.: provide Capitol-flown flags to the families of deceased firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, and other rescue workers (see H.R. 558), H412 [6FE]

——— provide for the flying of the flag at half-staff in the event of the death of a first responder in the line of duty (see H.R. 2386), H3653 [14JN]

Foreign aid: provide assistance for treatment of hydrocephalus in children in developing countries, train health care providers in innovative methods to treat and cure hydrocephalus, and fund related research (see H.R. 3525), H7187 [18NO]

FTC: prescribe rules prohibiting deceptive advertising of abortion services (see S. 981), S3569 [16MY] (see H.R. 2030), H2717 [16MY]

Health: build a stronger health care workforce (see S. 1152), S4405 [12JN]

——— condemn, prevent, and prosecute abusive, unsanitary, and illegal health care practices (see S. Res. 134), S3256 [8MY]

——— create a patient-centered quality of care initiative for seriously ill patients (see H.R. 1666), H2245 [23AP]

——— 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. 128), S3091 [6MY] (see H. Res. 197), H2436 [6MY]

——— extend health information technology assistance eligibility to behavioral health, mental health, and substance abuse professionals and facilities (see S. 1517), S6597 [18SE] (see S. 1685), S7951 [12NO] (see H.R. 2957), H5343 [1AU]

——— improve access to emergency medical services (see S. 961), S3531 [15MY] (see H.R. 36), H28 [3JA]

——— improve access to oral health care for vulnerable populations (see S. 1522), S6597 [18SE] (see H.R. 3120), H5654 [18SE]

——— limit establishment of standards or duties of care owed by health care providers to patients in medical malpractice or medical product liability actions or claims (see S. 1769), S8457 [21NO]

——— make the provision of technical services for medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy treatments safer, more accurate, and less costly (see S. 642), S2146 [21MR] (see H.R. 1146), H1396 [13MR]

——— prevent establishment of Federal health care provider standards of care in medical malpractice cases (see H.R. 1473), H1909 [10AP]

——— prohibit denial of coverage under Federal health care programs based on comparative effectiveness research data and ensure research accounts for advancements in health care and different treatment options (see S. 133), S284 [24JA]

——— prohibit misleading and deceptive advertising or representation in the provision of health care services and require identification of the license of health care professionals (see H.R. 1427), H1856 [9AP]

——— promote development of meaningful treatments for patients (see H.R. 3091), H5546 [12SE] (see H.R. 3116), H5588 [17SE]

——— protect rights of conscience relative to requirements for coverage of specific items and services and prohibit certain abortion-related discrimination in government activities (see S. 1204), S4792 [20JN] (see H.R. 940), H949 [4MR]

——— provide for medical neutrality protecting medical facilities and personnel during armed conflict and establish accountability for violations of the principle of medical neutrality (see H.R. 2033), H2717 [16MY]

——— provide individual and group market reforms to protect health insurance consumers and make such reforms contingent on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act repeal (see H.R. 2165), H2953 [23MY]

——— recognize importance of frontline health workers toward accelerating progress on global health and saving lives of women and children (see H. Res. 135), H1825 [21MR]

——— reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform (see S. 44), S43 [22JA]

——— reform medical liability system, improve access to health care for rural and indigent patients, and enhance access to affordable prescription drugs (see S. 1860), S9051 [19DE]

Homeless: improve provision of medical services to the homeless (see H.R. 29), H28 [3JA]

Immigration: provide incentives to foreign-born physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved communities (see S. 616), S1950 [19MR] (see H.R. 2484), H4037 [25JN]

Institute of Medicine: provide for a study on gaps in mental health services and how these gaps can increase the risk of violent acts (see H.R. 1615), H2156 [18AP]

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. 99), H30 [3JA]

——— require coverage of minimum hospital stays for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection relative to breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations (see H.R. 1531), H1991 [12AP]

Medicaid: apply the primary care payment rate to additional physician providers of primary care services (see S. 755), S2749 [17AP] (see H.R. 1838), H2436 [6MY]

——— cover physician services delivered by podiatric physicians to ensure access by beneficiaries to appropriate quality foot and ankle care (see S. 1318), S5799 [18JY] (see H.R. 1761), H2351 [25AP]

——— extend temporary Medicare payment rate floor for primary care services of primary care physicians to nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, physician assistants, and certified nurse-midwives (see H.R. 2986), H5396 [2AU]

——— extend to physician assistants eligibility for incentive payments for adoption and use of certified electronic health records (see H.R. 1790), H2391 [26AP]

——— provide access to certified professional midwives for enrollees (see H.R. 1976), H2603 [14MY]

——— remove exclusion from medical assistance of items and services for patients in mental institutions (see H.R. 2757), H4825 [19JY]

——— require coverage of optometrists (see H.R. 855), H700 [27FE]

——— require States to report information on payments to abortion providers (see H.R. 2993), H5396 [2AU]

Medicare: add physical therapists to the list of providers allowed to utilize locum tenens arrangements (see H.R. 3426), H6953 [30OC]

——— adjust wage index determination for certain hospitals near State borders to ensure they are treated in the same manner as nearby facilities in other States (see S. 1791), S8601 [10DE]

——— allow certain critical access and sole community hospitals to use interactive telecommunications systems to satisfy available physician requirements for emergency medical conditions (see S. 328), S772 [14FE]

——— allow physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to supervise cardiac, intensive cardiac, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs (see S. 382), S871 [26FE]

——— apply budget neutrality on a State-specific basis in the calculation of hospital wage index floor for non-rural areas (see H.R. 2053), H2802 [20MY]

——— clarify policy relative to physician supervision of therapeutic hospital outpatient services (see S. 1143), S4405 [12JN] (see H.R. 2801), H4978 [23JY]

——— count a period of outpatient observation in a hospital toward satisfying the 3-day inpatient hospital requirement for coverage of skilled nursing facility services (see S. 569), S1853 [14MR] (see H.R. 1179), H1426 [14MR]

——— create alternative sanctions for technical noncompliance with the Stark rule limiting certain physician referrals (see H.R. 3776), H8117 [16DE]

——— create incentives for innovative diagnostics by improving process for determining payment rates for new tests (see H.R. 2085), H2910 [22MY]

——— deliver a meaningful drug benefit and lower prescription drug prices (see S. 408), S1011 [28FE] (see H.R. 928), H815 [28FE]

——— distribute additional residency positions (see S. 577), S1853 [14MR] (see H.R. 1180), H1426 (see H.R. 1201), H1427 [14MR]

——— ensure continued access of beneficiaries to diagnostic imaging services (see S. 623), S2026 [20MR] (see H.R. 846), H700 [27FE]

——— ensure eligibility of certain professionals practicing in rural health clinics for electronic health records and quality improvement incentives (see H.R. 986), H1318 [6MR]

——— ensure more timely access to home health services for beneficiaries (see S. 1332), S5800 [18JY] (see H.R. 2504), H4078 [26JN]

——— establish a maximum threshold for episode reimbursement to skilled home health agencies (see H.R. 3245), H6289 [4OC]

——— establish a payment option to freely contract, without penalty, for fee-for-service items and services, while allowing beneficiaries to use their benefits (see S. 236), S519 [7FE] (see H.R. 1310), H1821 [21MR]

——— establish a provider system under which providers of services and suppliers representing a low risk for submitting fraudulent claims are provided certain claim review protections (see H.R. 3168), H5802 [20SE]

——— establish appropriateness requirements for certain advanced diagnostic imaging services (see H.R. 3705), H7687 [11DE]

——— increase diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias to improve care and outcomes (see H.R. 1507), H1956 [11AP]

——— 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. 1484), H1955 [11AP]

——— modify designation of accreditation organizations for orthotics and prosthetics, apply accreditation and licensure requirements, and modify payment methodology for such devices (see H.R. 3112), H5588 [17SE]

——— modify hospital requirements to qualify for the rural provider and hospital exception to physician ownership or investment prohibition in order take into account certain hospitals (see H.R. 2027), H2717 [16MY]

——— permit certain providers licensed in a State to provide telemedicine services to certain beneficiaries in a different State (see H.R. 3077), H5475 [10SE]

——— permit direct payment to pharmacies for certain compounded drugs for a specific beneficiary for use through an implanted infusion pump (see S. 914), S3326 [9MY] (see H.R. 232), H84 [14JA]

——— prevent budget sequestration from impacting payment for physician-administered drugs (see H.R. 1416), H1856 [9AP]

——— provide comprehensive audiology services to beneficiaries (see H.R. 2330), H3355 [12JN]

——— provide comprehensive cancer care planning coverage and coordination (see H.R. 2477), H4037 [25JN]

——— provide coverage of acupuncturist services (see H.R. 3799), H8125 [19DE]

——— provide coverage of pulmonary self-management education and training services furnished by a qualified respiratory therapist in a physician practice (see H.R. 2619), H4212 [8JY]

——— provide coverage options for beneficiaries under the original fee-for-service program through a Medicare Link program (see H.R. 3567), H7310 [20NO]

——— provide for a primary care graduate medical education pilot project to improve access to the primary care workforce (see H.R. 487), H342 [4FE]

——— provide for bundled payments for certain episodes of care surrounding a hospitalization (see H.R. 3796), H8125 [19DE]

——— provide for expert advisory panel regarding relative value scale process under the physician fee schedule (see H.R. 2545), H4142 [27JN]

——— provide for patient protection by establishing safe nurse staffing levels at certain Medicare providers (see H.R. 1821), H2400 [30AP]

——— provide for payment for services of qualified radiologist assistants (see H.R. 1148), H1425 [14MR]

——— provide for treatment of clinical psychologists as physicians for purposes of furnishing clinical psychologist services (see S. 1064), S3844 [23MY] (see H.R. 794), H596 [15FE]

——— provide payment for anesthesia services by anesthesiologists in certain rural hospitals in the same manner as for services by anesthesiologist assistants and certified registered nurse anesthetists (see S. 1444), S6207 [1AU]

——— recognize attending physician assistants as attending physicians to serve hospice patients (see H.R. 2867), H5173 [30JY] (see H.R. 2969), H5344 [1AU]

——— recognize certain certified diabetes educators as certified providers for purposes of outpatient diabetes self-management training services (see S. 945), S3430 [14MY] (see H.R. 1274), H1630 [19MR]

——— reduce administrative burdens and narrow filing periods for hospitals and providers while ensuring payment accuracy (see H.R. 2329), H3355 [12JN]

——— 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. 574), H412 [6FE]

——— reform sustainable growth rate payment system for physicians (see H.R. 2810), H5049 [24JY]

——— repeal sustainable growth rate payment system for physicians and improve beneficiary access (see S. 1871), S9052 [19DE]

——— strengthen and protect hospice programs (see S. 1053), S3843 [23MY] (see H.R. 2302), H3251 [6JN]

Medicare/Medicaid: amend certain requirements and penalties that would impede eligible professionals from adopting electronic health records to improve patient care (see H.R. 1331), H1822 [21MR]

——— amend qualifications of the director of food services of a skilled nursing facility (see H.R. 473), H341 [4FE] (see H.R. 2181), H2954 [23MY]

——— ensure that unintentional billing disputes involving health care facilities or professionals are not penalized as fraud (see H.R. 2931), H5342 [1AU]

——— establish an exception from the physician self-referral prohibition and a safe harbor from Federal antikickback sanctions for certain incentive payments made by hospitals (see H.R. 1487), H1955 [11AP]

——— exclude pathologists from incentive payments and penalties relative to the meaningful use of electronic health records (see H.R. 1309), H1821 [21MR]

——— provide coverage of voluntary advance care planning consultation (see H.R. 1173), H1426 [14MR]

Mental health: make available needed psychiatric, psychological, and supportive services for individuals diagnosed with mental illness and families in mental health crisis (see H.R. 3717), H8107 [12DE]

——— protect minors from efforts by practitioners to change their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression (see H. Con. Res. 69), H7507 [4DE]

National Case Management Week: designate (see S. Res. 214), S6208 [1AU]

National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 309), H4826 [19JY]

National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week: designate (see S. Res. 208), S6126 [31JY] (see H. Res. 336), H5435 [9SE]

National 9-1-1 Education Month: designate (see S. Res. 108), S2897 [23AP]

National Nurses Week: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 201), H2437 [6MY]

National Osteopathic Medicine Week: designate (see H. Res. 159), H1992 [12AP]

National Public Health Week: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 91), S2328 [22MR] (see H. Res. 124), H1568 [18MR]

National School Psychology Week: designate (see H. Res. 406), H6997 [12NO]

National Solidarity Day for Compassionate Patient Care: designate (see S. Res. 21), S400 [30JA]

Naturopathic Medicine Week: designate (see S. Res. 135), S3326 [9MY] (see S. Res. 221), S6327 [10SE] (see H. Res. 211), H2568 [9MY]

Pakistan: prohibit assistance until Shakeel Afridi is freed (see S. 164), S329 [28JA]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: establish a public health insurance option (see H.R. 261), H168 [15JA]

——— exempt emergency services volunteers from employer health insurance mandate (see S. 1798), S8601 [10DE] (see H.R. 3685), H7627 [10DE]

——— improve the patient navigator program (see S. 1666), S7927 [7NO]

——— prohibit Federal funds for the establishment or operation of patient navigator programs (see H.R. 2087), H2910 [22MY]

——— protect personal and financial information by requiring certain certifications by entities awarded funds to operate a navigator program or other exchange activities (see H.R. 3429), H6953 [30OC]

——— require certain certifications before funds may be awarded for the operation of a navigator program (see H.R. 2980), H5396 [2AU]

——— require certain preconditions for allowing premium tax credits, reductions in cost-sharing, and funding of navigators and related exchange enrollment activities (see H.R. 2951), H5343 [1AU]

Professional Social Work Month: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 78), S1892 [18MR] (see H. Res. 118), H1427 [14MR]

Public Health Service: appoint doctors of chiropractic to regular and reserved corps (see H.R. 171), H51 [4JA]

Rural areas: improve housing for educators, public safety officers, and medical providers, and their households (see S. 386), S871 [26FE]

——— recognize that access to hospitals and other health care providers for patients in rural areas is essential to the survival and success of communities (see S. Res. 26), S520 [7FE] (see H. Res. 356), H5833 [25SE]

SBA: provide loan guarantees for the acquisition of health information technology by eligible professionals in solo and small group practices (see H.R. 28), H28 [3JA]

School Social Work Week: designate (see H. Res. 96), H949 [4MR]

Social Security: expand permissive exclusion from participation in Federal health care programs to individuals and entities affiliated with sanctioned entities (see H.R. 2925), H5342 [1AU]

——— reform (see H.R. 1374), H1824 [21MR]

Social Work Reinvestment Commission: establish (see S. 997), S3657 [21MY] (see H.R. 1466), H1909 [10AP]

Sports: protect certain sports medicine professionals who provide certain medical services in a secondary State (see H.R. 3722), H8107 [12DE]

Taxation: allow a refundable credit for volunteer members of volunteer firefighting and emergency medical service organizations (see H.R. 2476), H3995 [24JN]

——— allow refunds of Federal motor fuel excise taxes on fuels used in mobile mammography vehicles (see S. 490), S1269 [7MR] (see H.R. 1697), H2297 [24AP]

——— exclude from gross income payments under the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program and certain amounts received under the Indian Health Professions Scholarship Program (see H.R. 3391), H6951 [30OC]

——— extend and increase exclusion for benefits provided to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders (see S. 501), S1269 [7MR] (see H.R. 3747), H8108 [12DE]

——— provide exclusion for assistance provided to certain veterinary student loan repayment or forgiveness program participants (see S. 553), S1785 [13MR] (see H.R. 1125), H1395 [13MR]

——— provide recruitment and retention incentives for volunteer emergency service workers (see S. 506), S1269 [7MR] (see H.R. 1009), H1319 [6MR]

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: reevaluate recommendations against prostate-specific antigen-based screening for prostate cancer in consultation with appropriate specialists (see S. Res. 251), S6683 [23SE]

Veterans: extend to all veterans with a serious service-connected injury eligibility to participate in the family caregiver services program (see S. 851), S3029 [25AP] (see H.R. 3383), H6951 [30OC]

——— improve ability of health care professionals to treat veterans via telemedicine (see H.R. 2001), H2654 [15MY]

——— 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. 235), H84 [14JA]

Veterinarians: allow transport and dispensing of controlled substances in the usual course of veterinary practice outside of the registered location (see S. 950), S3430 [14MY] (see S. 1171), S4521 [17JN] (see H.R. 1528), H1991 [12AP]

Women: require mammography reports contain a breast density summary and a statement on the benefit of supplementary screening tests for patients with dense breast tissue (see H.R. 3404), H6952 [30OC]

World Social Work Day: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 78), S1892 [18MR] (see H. Res. 118), H1427 [14MR]

World War II: provide that service in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps constituted active military service for veteran classification (see H.R. 1835), H2436 [6MY]

E-Mails 

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act implementation impact on health care, coverage, costs, and accessibility, S7849–S7851 [6NO], S7982, S7983 [13NO], H6335 [7OC], H6459 [10OC]

Factsheets

Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative: Executive Office of the President, H5841 [26SE]

Fetal Pain—The Evidence: doctorsonfetalpain.org (Internet site), H3715–H3717 [18JN]

Letters

Medicare and Medicaid budget cuts: Alliance for a Just Society, S1017 [28FE]

Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act: Max Richtman, National Committee To Preserve Social Security & Medicare, S1018 [28FE]

Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act: Representative Goodlatte, Committee on the Judiciary (House), H3742 [18JN]

——— Representative Issa, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (House), H3742 [18JN]

——— several religious organizations, H3734, H3737 [18JN]

Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers Who Deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) reauthorization and Dept. of HHS National Pediatric Research Network establishment: Daniel Hayden and Michael Calise, FightSMA (organization), H6965 [12NO]

——— Jim Kaufman, Children’s Hospital Association, H6965 [12NO]

——— Nick Manetto, Coalition for Pediatric Medical Research, H6965 [12NO]

Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers Who Deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) reauthorization and Prematurity Awareness Month observance: Jennifer L. Howse, March of Dimes Foundation, H6966 [12NO]

——— several health organizations, H6966 [12NO]

Violence Against Women Act reauthorization: James L. Madara, AMA, H750 [28FE]

Obituaries

Kapen, Sheldon: South End (Wayne State University publication), E15 [4JA]

Press releases

Detroit VAMC Sleep Clinic Honors Dr. Kapen: Alysse Mengason, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, E15 [4JA]

Remarks in House

Abortion: investigate and correct abusive, unsanitary, and illegal abortion practices (H. Res. 206), E624 [8MY]

——— prohibit taxpayer funded abortions (H.R. 7), H2752–H2754 [17MY]

——— protect pain-capable unborn children (H.R. 1797), H3670, H3677 [17JN], H3691, H3695, H3697, H3698, H3699, H3700, H3730–H3745 [18JN], H3768 [19JN], E928, E942, E952 [20JN]

——— protect pain-capable unborn children (H.R. 1797), consideration (H. Res. 266), H3708–H3720 [18JN]

——— protect pain-capable unborn children in the District of Columbia (H.R. 1797), H2752–H2754 [17MY], H3229–H3233 [6JN], H3636, H3637 [14JN]

American Association of Immunologists, Inc.: anniversary, E450 [12AP]

American Pharmacists Month: observance, E1718 [20NO]

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 (H.R. 2796), E1119 [23JY]

Augusta, ME: Central Maine Regional Communications Center Maine National Emergency Number Association Critical Incident of the Year Award recipient, E785 [4JN]

Baldwin, NY: tribute to nurses at South Nassau Communities Hospital, E525 [24AP]

Boardman, OH: Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley recipient of American Nurses Association Outstanding Nursing Quality Award, E435 [12AP]

Boston, MA: condemn bombings at the Boston Marathon, express condolences to victims and their families, and commend medical personnel, first responders, and citizens that aided victims, H2119 [17AP], H2147 [18AP], H2385–H2389 [26AP]

——— tribute to first responders and citizens for efforts to respond to Boston Marathon bombings, H2036 [16AP], H2076 [17AP]

Bread for the City (organization): Physician Assistant Foundation Caring for Communities Grant recipient, E1391 [27SE]

Brem, Steven: American Brain Tumor Association Joel A. Gingras, Jr., award recipient, E921 [19JN]

Brooklyn, NY: anniversary of New York Methodist Hospital Nursing School graduating class of 1963, E477 [17AP]

Budget: impact of budget sequestration on health care, H1562 [18MR]

Cedar Grove, NJ: anniversary of Cedar Grove Ambulence and Rescue Squad, E666 [15MY]

Clark, S. William, III: American Academy of Ophthalmology Outstanding Advocate Award recipient, E387 [9AP]

Columbia, SC: anniversary of Providence Hospital, E743 [23MY]

Contraceptives: establish certain duties for pharmacies to ensure provision of FDA-approved contraception (H.R. 728), E148 [14FE]

Dallas, TX: anniversary of Children’s Medical Center Dallas, E660 [14MY]

Denville, NJ: anniversary of St. Clare’s Health System, E1054 [11JY]

Dept. of Defense: determine effectiveness of suicide prevention programs, H3570 [13JN]

——— expand State licensure exception to allow certain health care professionals to work across State lines without having to obtain a new license, H2128 [18AP], H2557 [9MY]

——— expedite hiring of certain health care professionals who care for Armed Forces members, H3570 [13JN]

Dept. of Education: increase recruitment and retention of school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other qualified psychologists by low-income local educational agencies (H.R. 1854), H2609 [15MY]

——— make grants to States to hire additional school-based mental health and student service providers, H78 [14JA]

——— make grants to States to hire additional school-based mental health and student service providers (H.R. 320), H487 [13FE]

Dept. of HHS: develop a national strategic action plan to assist health professionals in preparing for and responding to the public health effects of climate change (H.R. 2023), H2812 [21MY]

——— educate women on the importance of preventative wellness exam, H3691 [18JN]

——— eliminate authority to limit ability of medical providers to conduct lawful businesses, H534 [14FE]

——— ensure religious conscience protections relative to insurance coverage of certain women’s preventive health services, H5421 [9SE]

——— establish and implement a Pancreatic Cancer Initiative, H4149 [28JN], H5273 [1AU], E939 [20JN], E1005 [28JN], E1207 [2AU]

——— promote optimal maternity outcomes by making evidence-based maternity care a national priority, H2808 [21MY]

——— reauthorize grant programs for education and outreach on newborn screening and coordinated followup care once newborn screening has been conducted (H.R. 1281), H1643 [20MR], E341 [20MR]

——— reauthorize support for graduate medical education programs in children’s hospitals (H.R. 297), H319–H322 [4FE], E111 [6FE]

——— reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (S. 252), H6959, H6961–H6967 [12NO], E1656 [14NO]

Dept. of Labor: issue occupational safety and health standard to reduce injuries to patients, nurses, and other health care workers by establishing a safe patient handling, mobility, and injury prevention standard (H.R. 2480), H5314 [1AU], E963 [25JN]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: eliminate backlog of benefit claims and delays in receipt of medical care, H2335 [25AP], H3053, H3054, H3086, H3087 [4JN], E816 [6JN]

——— establish standards for access to care for veterans seeking health care from departmental medical facilities (H.R. 241), H2070 [17AP]

——— extend authority to enter into contracts with private physicians to conduct medical disability examinations, H6791 [28OC]

——— extend authority to enter into contracts with private physicians to conduct medical disability examinations (H.R. 1521), H2148 [18AP]

——— improve access to alternative medicine, H3062, H3063 [4JN]

——— improve authority to enter into contracts with private physicians to conduct medical disability examinations, H6791 [28OC]

——— improve authority to hire psychiatrists (H.R. 2540), H5870 [26SE]

——— prohibit funding to implement directive prohibiting access to clinical programs for veterans participating in State-approved marijuana programs, H3073 [4JN]

——— Southern Arizona VA Health Care System recipient of Robert W. Carey Performance Excellence Award, E833 [11JN]

——— tribute to Home Based Primary Care Program for delivery of high quality healthcare at lower costs, E510 [23AP]

Depts. of Defense and Veterans Affairs: clarify implementation of electronic health records, H3067 [4JN]

——— improve and enhance programs and activities on suicide prevention, H5865–H5871 [26SE]

Diseases: increase awareness of risks of breast cancer in young women and provide support for young women diagnosed with breast cancer, H6909 [30OC]

——— pancreatic cancer research funding, H5179 [31JY], H5273 [1AU], H5516 [12SE], H7194 [19NO], E1207 [2AU], E1777 [3DE]

——— provide for scientific frameworks relative to recalcitrant cancers, E1631 [12NO]

Dominican Health Care Association of Florida, Inc.: tribute, E586 [3MY]

Dominican Medical Association, Inc.: anniversary, E522 [23AP], E531 [24AP], E578 [26AP]

Druffner, Lewis: Pittston (PA) Dispatch Joseph Saporito Lifetime of Service Award recipient, E256 [7MR]

Durham, NC: Duke University Hospital recipient of NIST Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, E1720 [20NO]

Edison, NJ: anniversary of Auxiliary of the JFK Medical Center Foundation, E547 [25AP]

Ellensburg, WA: tribute to Kittitas Valley Community Hospital, E458 [15AP]

Elliott, Horace: National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Leadership Award and Dynamic Chiropractic (publication) Person of the Year Award recipient, E1799 [5DE]

Emergency Medical Services Week: observance, E753 [23MY]

FTC: prescribe rules prohibiting deceptive advertising of abortion services (H.R. 2030), E683 [16MY]

Furgenson, Misty: American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living Silver National Quality Award recipient, E1442 [4OC]

Garcia, Catalina: Hispanic 100 (organization) Latina Living Legend award recipient, E1596 [29OC]

Gosnell, Kermit: trial of women’s health clinic doctor for murder and violation of State law forbidding late term abortions, H1914, H1932, H1933–H1939 [11AP], H1986 [12AP], H2074 [17AP], H2276, H2283 [24AP], H2313, H2327, H2328, H2329, H2330, H2346 [25AP], H2377, H2381 [26AP], H2476 [7MY], H2623 [15MY], H2708 [16MY], H2754 [17MY], H3229–H3233 [6JN], H3677 [17JN], H3713, H3733, H3740–H3742 [18JN], H5556 [17SE], E624 [8MY]

Gray, Edmund: Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane, WA, Sister Peter Claver Award recipient, E1643 [13NO]

Greater Prince William Medical Reserve Corps: tribute, E964 [25JN]

Haines, Kevin: Congressional Veteran Commendation for the 3d Congressional District of Texas recipient, E1874 [16DE]

Health: expand and support strong home care workforce and make long-term services and supports affordable and accessible for seniors and individuals with disabilities, E677 [16MY]

——— health care programs funding, H1670 [20MR]

——— protect rights of conscience relative to requirements for coverage of specific items and services, H6162 [2OC]

——— protect rights of conscience relative to requirements for coverage of specific items and services and prohibit certain abortion-related discrimination in government activities (H.R. 940), H955 [5MR], H1435 [15MR], H3106 [5JN], H3347–H3354 [12JN], E1727 [21NO]

——— provide for medical neutrality protecting medical facilities and personnel during armed conflict and establish accountability for violations of the principle of medical neutrality (H.R. 2033), E684 [16MY]

——— reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform, H533, H534 [14FE], H2463 [7MY]

——— tribute to neurosurgeons who worked to update the Guidelines for the Management of Acute Cervical Spine and Spinal Cord Injuries, E1394 [27SE]

Health Delivery, Inc.: anniversary, E1205 [2AU]

Home Care and Hospice Month: observance, E1732 [21NO]

Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association: anniversary, E233 [4MR]

House of Representatives: moment of silence in memory of victims and families of those affected by explosion at West, TX, fertilizer plant, and commend first responders, H2140 [18AP]

Institute of Medicine: provide for a study on gaps in mental health services and how these gaps can increase the risk of violent acts (H.R. 1615), H5840 [26SE]

Insurance: prohibit anti-competitive activities and provide that health insurance issuers and medical malpractice insurance issuers are subject to U.S. antitrust laws (H.R. 99), E9 [3JA]

International Day of Radiology: observance, E1575 [28OC]

Jepsen, Theresa: Cherokee Uniforms (business) A Nurse I Am Scholarship recipient, E1309 [12SE]

Kaiser Permanente (company): anniversary of Southern California Permanente Medical Group, E1341 [19SE], E1373 [25SE]

LifeFlight of Maine (organization): Maine National Emergency Number Association Critical Incident of the Year Award recipient, E785 [4JN]

LifeServe Blood Center (company): tribute, E1888 [16DE]

Lowney, Jeremiah: Presidential Champion of Change award recipient, E418 [10AP]

Manassas, VA: tribute to City of Manassas Community Emergency Response Team volunteers, E963 [25JN]

Mayerik, Theresa A.: Asian American Medical Association Crystal Globe Award recipient, E1626 [12NO]

McCauley, Daniel: Stanislaus Medical Society John Darroch Memorial Award recipient, E620 [8MY]

Mechanicsburg, PA: anniversary of Citizens Fire and Rescue No. 2, E1086 [18JY]

Medicaid: extend to physician assistants eligibility for incentive payments for adoption and use of certified electronic health records (H.R. 1790), E574 [26AP]

Medicare: allow direct billing by independent audiologists, H3263 [11JN]

——— increase diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias to improve care and outcomes (H.R. 1507), H5624 [18SE], H7008 [13NO]

——— modify designation of accreditation organizations for orthotics and prosthetics, apply accreditation and licensure requirements, and modify payment methodology for such devices (H.R. 3112), H5575 [17SE]

——— prevent budget sequestration from impacting payment for physician-administered drugs (H.R. 1416), H1867 [10AP]

——— provide for expert advisory panel regarding relative value scale process under the physician fee schedule (H.R. 2545), E992 [28JN]

——— reform sustainable growth rate payment system for physicians, H535 [14FE], H969–H975 [5MR], H4830 [22JY], H7145 [15NO], H7706–H7708, H8075, H8081, H8082 [12DE]

——— reform sustainable growth rate payment system for physicians (H.R. 2810), H7557 [5DE]

Medicare/Medicaid: establish an exception from the physician self-referral prohibition and a safe harbor from Federal antikickback sanctions for certain incentive payments made by hospitals (H.R. 1487), E429 [11AP]

——— provide coverage of voluntary advance care planning consultation (H.R. 1173), H2070 [17AP], H4218 [9JY], H4829 [22JY], H6833 [29OC], E300 [14MR]

Memphis, TN: tribute to Juneteenth Freedom and Heritage Festival, E922 [19JN]

Mental health: make available needed psychiatric, psychological, and supportive services for individuals diagnosed with mental illness and families in mental health crisis (H.R. 3717), H7697 [12DE]

——— protect minors from efforts by practitioners to change their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, H7407 [3DE]

Monroe, LA: anniversary of St. Francis Medical Center, E1071 [17JY]

Montclair, NJ: anniversary of Montclair Ambulance Unit, E549 [25AP]

National Autism Awareness Month: observance, H2231 [23AP], H2312 [25AP], E576 [26AP]

National Black Nurses Day: observance, E316 [15MR]

National Bladder Health Week: observance, E1638 [12NO]

National Family Caregivers Month: observance, E1695 [18NO]

National Health Center Week: observance, E1194 [1AU], E1216 [2AU]

National Healthcare Quality Week: observance, E1566 [23OC]

National Nurses Week: observance, H2525 [8MY], H2538, H2557 [9MY], E525 [24AP], E625 [8MY], E635, E639 [9MY], E643, E644 [13MY]

National Osteopathic Medicine Week: designate (H. Res. 159), H2032 [16AP]

National Public Health Week: observance, E355 [21MR]

National Rural Health Day: observance, H7337 [21NO]

National Therapeutic Recreation Month: observance, H529 [14FE]

New York, NY: anniversary of Hospital for Special Surgery, E532 [24AP]

Oakland County, MI: anniversary of Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority, E1862 [12DE]

Ohio Psychological Association: tribute, H1335 [12MR]

Old Dominion Dental Society: anniversary, E423 [11AP]

Olympic Games: tribute to 1980 U.S. Olympic medical staff, E685 [16MY]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: exempt emergency services volunteers from employer health insurance mandate (H.R. 3685), H7670 [11DE]

——— impact of decisions of Independent Payment Advisory Board on Medicare reimbursement to doctors and hospitals, H973 [5MR]

——— impact of implementation on health care, coverage, costs, and accessibility, H6015, H6022, H6034–H6040 [30SE], H6061 [1OC], H6114, H6115, H6159–H6162 [2OC], H6182, H6183, H6186, H6187, H6210, H6212, H6218–H6222 [3OC], H6240, H6272, H6275, H6276, H6278, H6286–H6288 [4OC], H6312–H6321 [5OC], H6335 [7OC], H6391, H6392 [8OC], H6423, H6424 [9OC], H6459 [10OC], H6532 [11OC], H6560 [12OC], H6613 [16OC], H6670 [22OC], H6683, H6690, H6691, H6693, H6695, H6763 [23OC], H6777, H6778 [28OC], H6836, H6837, H6838, H6839, H6840 [29OC], H6983–H6990 [12NO], H7114 [15NO], E1612 [30OC]

——— impact of implementation on residency program funding, H6989 [12NO]

——— impact of new medical coding system, H1864 [10AP]

——— implementation, H6838, H6839, H6840 [29OC]

——— prevent from establishing health care provider standards of care in medical malpractice or medical product liability cases, H534 [14FE]

Patient Safety, Science & Technology Movement (organization): tribute to Patient Safety, Science & Technology Summit commitment to eliminate preventable patient deaths, H2029 [16AP]

Phoenix, AZ: tribute to Desert Vista High School Health Occupations Students of America club, E1225 [2AU]

Phoenixville, PA: tribute to Clinic of Phoenixville for reaching medical care milestone, E1537 [22OC]

Plano, TX: Baylor Regional Medical Center recipient of NIST Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, H7198 [19NO]

Providence, RI: tribute to Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College Charter High School, H7008 [13NO]

Public safety officers: tribute to first responders, H3026 [4JN]

Raritan, NJ: anniversary of Hunterdon Medical Center, E1004 [28JN]

Reed, Max: Iowa Emergency Medical Services Association Star of Life designee, E327 [19MR]

Richmond, ME: anniversary of Richmond Area Health Center Star Program, E1581 [28OC]

Rosen, Michael: Cures Within Reach Foundation Patient Impact Legacy Award recipient, E843 [11JN]

San Francisco, CA: express sympathy to victims and families of those affected by crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214, and commend crew and first responders, H4220, H4223 [9JY]

Scarsdale, NY: tribute to Scarsdale Medical Group, E1909 [23DE]

Skowhegan, ME: Somerset Regional Communications Center Maine National Emergency Number Association Critical Incident of the Year Award recipient, E785 [4JN]

Social Security: expand permissive exclusion from participation in Federal health care programs to individuals and entities affiliated with sanctioned entities (H.R. 2925), E1200 [1AU]

——— reform, H2715 [16MY]

Syracuse, NY: anniversary of Syracuse VA Medical Center, E862 [14JN]

Veterans: extend to all veterans with a serious service-connected injury eligibility to participate in the family caregiver services program (H.R. 3383), H7013, H7014 [13NO]

——— improve ability of health care professionals to treat veterans via telemedicine (H.R. 2001), H3004 [3JN]

——— provide grants to State emergency medical service departments to provide for the expedited training and licensing of veterans with prior medical training (H.R. 235), H442, H443 [12FE], H7557 [5DE]

Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of the Florida Keys, Inc.: tribute, E1732 [21NO]

Visiting Nurse Association of Porter County, IN: anniversary of Hospice Program, E920 [19JN]

Wanaque, NJ: anniversary of Wanaque First Aid Squad, E437 [12AP]

West, TX: express sympathy to victims and families of those affected by explosion at fertilizer plant, and commend first responders, H2148, H2154 [18AP], H2231 [23AP], H2306 [25AP], H2409 [6MY]

——— tribute to first responders killed in explosion at fertilizer plant, H3279–H3281 [11JN]

Woods, Susan: American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living Silver National Quality Award recipient, E1442 [4OC]

Remarks in Senate

Abortion: investigate and correct abusive, unsanitary, and illegal abortion practices (S. Res. 133), S3239–S3241 [8MY], S3553–S3555 [16MY], S3807 [23MY]

——— investigate and correct abusive, unsanitary, and illegal abortion practices (S. Res. 133), unanimous-consent request, S3239 [8MY], S3553 [16MY], S3806 [23MY]

——— prohibit taxpayer funded abortions and provide for conscience protections, S4630 [19JN]

——— protect pain-capable unborn children (H.R. 1797), S4629, S4630, S4654 [19JN]

——— protect pain-capable unborn children in the District of Columbia (S. 886), S3240 [8MY]

——— protect pain-capable unborn children (S. 1670), S7898–S7900 [7NO]

American Chiropractic Association: anniversary (S. Res. 72), S1274 [7MR]

American College of Surgeons Days: designate (S. Res. 217), S6259 [1AU]

American Dental Hygienists’ Association: anniversary (S. Res. 182), S4985 [21JN]

Boston, MA: commend heroism, courage, and sacrifice of victims recovering from attacks relative to Boston Marathon bombing and the subsequent manhunt (S. Res. 115), S2982 [25AP]

——— condemn bombings at the Boston Marathon, express condolences to victims and their families, and commend medical personnel, first responders, and citizens that aided victims (S. Res. 101), S2728, S2729 [17AP]

Children and youth: expand and improve the provision and insurance coverage of pediatric dental services to medically underserved populations, S1247–S1249 [7MR], S2291 [22MR]

Clay County, KY: tribute to victims of medical helicopter crash, S6185 [1AU]

Colleges and universities: establish fair and consistent eligibility requirements for graduate medical schools operating outside the U.S. and Canada (S. 1822), S8907 [17DE]

Dept. of Defense: implement online computerized assessment to detect behaviors indicating suicide risk and other mental health conditions for Armed Forces members (S. 810), S3032 [25AP]

Dept. of Education: award grants to establish pediatric early literacy programs for health care providers and facilities (S. 1126), S4060 [10JN]

Dept. of HHS: 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 (S. 641), S2149 [21MR]

——— prohibit replacement of existing coding system for disease and diagnosis classifications in implementing Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards, S3939 [4JN]

——— provide health care practitioners in rural areas with training in preventive health care (S. 726), S6552 [18SE]

——— reauthorize support for graduate medical education programs in children’s hospitals (S. 1557), S7963 [12NO]

——— reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (S. 252), S6900 [24SE], S8069 [14NO], S9047 [19DE], S9095 [20DE]

Dept. of Justice: improve Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program, S8839 [16DE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: eliminate backlog of benefit claims and delays in receipt of medical care, S2838 [22AP]

——— improve the delivery of health care to veterans residing in rural areas, S2123 [21MR]

——— increase access to complementary and alternative medicine and other approaches to wellness and preventive care (S. 852), S3042 [25AP]

——— tribute to Southern Arizona VA Health Care System staff, S697 [13FE]

Diseases: pancreatic cancer research funding, S5781, S5782 [18JY]

District of Columbia: condemn Navy Yard shootings, express condolences to victims, support for those impacted, and gratitude to responders to the shootings (S. Res. 265), S7214 [4OC]

——— condemn Navy Yard shootings and express condolences to victims and gratitude to responders to the shootings, S6473 [16SE], S6477, S6479, S6501 [17SE], S6571, S6574 [18SE]

Gosnell, Kermit: trial of women’s health clinic doctor for murder and violation of State law forbidding late term abortions, S3239 [8MY]

Health: build a stronger health care workforce (S. 1152), S4409 [12JN]

——— condemn, prevent, and prosecute abusive, unsanitary, and illegal health care practices (S. Res. 134), S3239–S3241 [8MY], S3553–S3555 [16MY]

——— condemn, prevent, and prosecute abusive, unsanitary, and illegal health care practices (S. Res. 134), unanimous-consent request, S3239 [8MY], S3553 [16MY], S3806, S3807 [23MY]

——— improve long-term care assistance, S8357 [20NO]

——— national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures, S8940 [18DE]

——— protect rights of conscience relative to requirements for coverage of specific items and services, S2268 [22MR], S6774 [24SE], S6926 [26SE], S6980 [27SE]

——— reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform, S2300, S2301 [22MR], S8940 [18DE]

Jhpiego (organization): anniversary, S4789 [20JN]

Medicare: deliver a meaningful drug benefit and lower prescription drug prices (S. 408), S1015 [28FE]

——— ensure more timely access to home health services for beneficiaries (S. 1332), S5803 [18JY]

——— permit direct payment to pharmacies for certain compounded drugs for a specific beneficiary for use through an implanted infusion pump (S. 914), S3330 [9MY]

——— provide payment for anesthesia services by anesthesiologists in certain rural hospitals in the same manner as for services by anesthesiologist assistants and certified registered nurse anesthetists (S. 1444), S6221 [1AU]

——— reform, S7526 [16OC]

——— reform sustainable growth rate payment system for physicians, S8882 [17DE], S8923 [18DE]

——— reform sustainable growth rate payment system for physicians (H.R. 2810), S8608 [11DE]

——— strengthen and protect hospice programs (S. 1053), S3852 [23MY]

Medicare/Medicaid: reform, S2582 [11AP]

Monroe, LA: anniversary of St. Francis Medical Center, S5837 [23JY]

National Case Management Week: designate (S. Res. 214), S7008 [27SE]

National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week: designate (S. Res. 208), S6138 [31JY]

National Healthcare Decisions Day: observance, S2681 [16AP]

National 9-1-1 Education Month: designate (S. Res. 108), S2904 [23AP]

National Solidarity Day for Compassionate Patient Care: designate (S. Res. 21), S788 [14FE]

Naturopathic Medicine Week: designate (S. Res. 221), S6334, S6335 [10SE]

NIH: impact of budget sequestration on pancreatic cancer research, S5781 [18JY]

Pakistan: prohibit assistance until Shakeel Afridi is freed (S. 164), S333 [28JA], S335 [29JA]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: impact, S6056–S6060 [30JY]

——— impact of implementation on health care, coverage, costs, and accessibility, S6766, S6854 [24SE], S6974, S6976 [27SE], S7018–S7023, S7026 [30SE], S7066–S7076, S7079–S7081, S7094 [1OC], S7141 [2OC], S7161 [3OC], S7176, S7187 [4OC], S7504 [16OC], S7822–S7824 [5NO]

Social Work Reinvestment Commission: establish (S. 997), S3661 [21MY]

Taft, CA: tribute to Taft Union High School staff, students, and first responders for response to gun violence at school, S466 [4FE]

Taxation: provide exclusion for assistance provided to certain veterinary student loan repayment or forgiveness program participants (S. 553), S1789 [13MR]

——— provide recruitment and retention incentives for volunteer emergency service workers (S. 506), S1271 [7MR]

Tornadoes: express condolences for victims, commend first responders, and provide assistance to Oklahoma, S3604 [20MY], S3643 [21MY]

University of Michigan: tribute to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital for use of high-resolution imaging and 3-D printing to treat a life-threatening condition, S4473 [13JN]

Veterans: extend to all veterans with a serious service-connected injury eligibility to participate in the family caregiver services program (S. 851), S3042 [25AP], S8453 [21NO]

Veterinarians: allow transport and dispensing of controlled substances in the usual course of veterinary practice outside of the registered location (S. 1171), S4523 [17JN]

——— allow transport and dispensing of controlled substances in the usual course of veterinary practice outside of the registered location (S. 950), S9043 [19DE]

Violence Against Women Act: improve health care professionals response to violence and abuse of women through training to recognize the signs, S497 [7FE]

West, TX: express sympathy to victims and families of those affected by explosion at fertilizer plant, and commend first responders, S2775, S2777 [18AP]

Reports filed

Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. 851) (S. Rept. 113–107), S6517 [17SE]

Consideration of H.R. 1797, Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 266) (H. Rept. 113–114), H3686 [17JN]

Dept. of HHS Graduate Medical Education Programs in Children’s Hospitals Support Reauthorization: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 1557), S7673 [30OC]

Dept. of HHS Support for Graduate Medical Education Programs in Children’s Hospitals Reauthorization: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 297) (H. Rept. 113–3), H340 [4FE]

Medicare Patient Access and Quality Improvement Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 2810) (H. Rept. 113–247), H6996 [12NO]

Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate Payment System for Physicians Repeal and Beneficiary Access Improvement: Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 1871), S9051 [19DE]

Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 1417), S9051 [19DE]

Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 1797) (H. Rept. 113–109), H3652 [14JN]

Reduce Preterm Labor, Delivery, and Risk of Pregnancy-Related Deaths and Complications Due to Pregnancy, and Reduce Infant Mortality Caused by Prematurity: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 252), S771 [14FE]

Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 235) (H. Rept. 113–5), H340 [4FE]

Rulings of the Chair

Abortion: protect pain-capable unborn children (H.R. 1797), consideration (H. Res. 266), H3708 [18JN]

Statements

Protect Access to Safe and Legal Abortion—Reject the Nationwide 20-Week Abortion Ban: Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., H3736 [18JN]

Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act: Several Organizations, S1790 [13MR]

Texts of

H. Res. 266, consideration of H.R. 1947, Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act and H.R. 1797, Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, H3708 [18JN]

H.R. 235, Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act, H442 [12FE]

H.R. 297, Dept. of HHS support for graduate medical education programs in children’s hospitals reauthorization, H319 [4FE]

H.R. 1797, Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, H3730 [18JN]

S. 252, Dept. of HHS reduction of preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity, S6900 [24SE]

S. 252, Dept. of HHS reduction of preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduction of infant mortality caused by prematurity, H6961–H6963 [12NO]

S. 408, Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act, S1016 [28FE]

S. 726, Rural Preventive Health Care Training Act, S2653 [15AP]

S. 851, Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act, S3042 [25AP]

S. 852, Veterans’ Health Promotion Act, S3043–S3045 [25AP]

S. 1053, Hospice Evaluation and Legitimate Payment Act, S3852 [23MY]

S. 1444, Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act, S6222 [1AU]

S. 1557, Dept. of HHS graduate medical education programs in children’s hospitals support reauthorization, S7963 [12NO]

S. 1822, Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act, S8775 [12DE]

S. Res. 21, National Solidarity Day for Compassionate Patient Care, S406 [30JA], S789 [14FE]

S. Res. 26, recognize that access to hospitals and other health care providers for patients in rural areas is essential to the survival and success of communities, S527 [7FE]

S. Res. 72, American Chiropractic Association anniversary, S1273 [7MR]

S. Res. 78, support goals and ideals of Professional Social Work Month and World Social Work Day, S1909 [18MR]

S. Res. 91, support goals and ideals of National Public Health Week, S2339 [22MR]

S. Res. 101, condemn bombings at the Boston Marathon, express condolences to victims and their families, and commend medical personnel, first responders, and citizens that aided victims, S2751 [17AP]

S. Res. 108, National 9-1-1 Education Month, S2903 [23AP]

S. Res. 115, commend heroism, courage, and sacrifice of victims recovering from attacks relative to Boston Marathon bombing and the subsequent manhunt, S3045 [25AP]

S. Res. 128, expand and support strong home care workforce and make long-term services and supports affordable and accessible for seniors and individuals with disabilities, S3096 [6MY]

S. Res. 133, investigate and correct abusive, unsanitary, and illegal abortion practices, S3263 [8MY]

S. Res. 134, condemn, prevent, and prosecute abusive, unsanitary, and illegal health care practices, S3263 [8MY]

S. Res. 135, Naturopathic Medicine Week, S3343 [9MY]

S. Res. 182, American Dental Hygienists’ Association anniversary, S4984 [21JN]

S. Res. 208, National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, S6132 [31JY]

S. Res. 214, National Case Management Week, S6236 [1AU]

S. Res. 217, American College of Surgeons Days, S6237 [1AU]

S. Res. 221, Naturopathic Medicine Week, S6333 [10SE]

S. Res. 251, reevaluate U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations against prostate-specific antigen-based screening for prostate cancer in consultation with appropriate specialists, S6684 [23SE]

S. Res. 265, condemn Navy Yard shootings, express condolences to victims, support for those impacted, and gratitude to responders to the shootings in District of Columbia, S7211 [4OC]