HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

Amendments

Abortion: prohibit taxpayer funded abortions (H.R. 7), consideration (H. Res. 42), H492 [22JA]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: provide resource flexibility for health care services (H.R. 3236), consideration (H. Res. 388), H5618 [29JY]

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies: making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), S7786, S7794, S7823, S7831, S7832 [5NO], S7853, S7863, S7864, S7865, S7866 [9NO], S7879, S7880, S7918, S7919, S7931, S7932, S7933 [10NO], S8889 [18DE], H2476 [27AP], H2501 [28AP], H2583, H2586, H2589, H2591, H2592, H2593, H2594, H2596, H2598, H2599, H2600, H2602, H2603, H2604, H2605, H2606, H2607, H2609, H2610, H2612, H2613, H2614, H2615, H2616, H2617, H2618, H2619, H2620, H2621, H2622, H2657, H2658 [29AP], H9390, H9399, H9434 [17DE]

——— making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), consideration of Senate amendment (H. Res. 566), H9388 [17DE]

Medicaid: allow for greater State flexibility relative to excluding providers who are involved in abortions (H.R. 3495), consideration (H. Res. 444), H6322 [29SE]

Medicare: extend the enforcement instruction on supervision requirements for outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals (S. 1461), S6610 [10SE]

——— treatment of patient encounters in ambulatory surgical centers in determining meaningful electronic health records use (S. 1347), S6425 [5AU]

Articles and editorials

Fewer Patients Have Been Dying From Hospital Errors Since Obamacare Started, S8248 [2DE]

Superbug Outbreak Sickens Dozens at Seattle Hospital, H829 [5FE]

Bills and resolutions

Abortion: limit restrictions on the provision of abortion services to protect a women’s right to determine whether and when to bear a child or end a pregnancy (see S. 217), S347 [21JA] (see H.R. 448), H479 [21JA]

——— 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. 220), S347 [21JA]

——— prohibit Federal funding to entities that do not certify that they will not perform, or provide any funding to any other entity that performs, abortions (see H.R. 3197), H5466 [23JY]

——— prohibit Federal funding to entities that do not certify they will not perform, or provide any funding to any other entity that performs, abortions (H.R. 3197), call for committee and floor consideration (see H. Res. 399), H5769 [29JY]

——— prohibit taxpayer funded abortions (see S. 219), S347 [21JA] (see S. 582), S1161 [26FE] (see H.R. 7), H477 [21JA]

——— prohibit taxpayer funded abortions (H.R. 7), consideration (see H. Res. 42), H477 [21JA]

Alaska: convey certain property to the Tanana Tribal Council and the Bristol Bay Area Health Corp. (see S. 2421), S8794 [17DE] (see H.R. 4289), H9691 [17DE]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: adjust the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program in order to avoid disproportionate penalties for hospitals treating vulnerable populations (see S. 688), S1383 [10MR] (see H.R. 1343), H1625 [10MR]

——— delay enforcement of physician supervision regulations for critical access hospitals pending completion of analysis of impact of such regulations (see H.R. 170), H42 [6JA]

Contraceptives: prohibit Federal family planning grants from being awarded to any entity that performs abortions (see S. 51), S57 [7JA] (see H.R. 217), H155 [8JA]

Courts: prohibit recovery of damages in certain wrongful birth and wrongful life civil actions (see H.R. 281), H224 [12JA]

Crime: denounce attacks on healthcare centers for women, providers of healthcare for women, and patients and affirm right of women to access reproductive services without fear of violence or intimidation (see H. Res. 558), H9079 [8DE]

Daniel L. Kinnard Dept. of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic, Newark, OH: designate (see S. 1325), S2849 [13MY] (see H.R. 960), H1035 [12FE]

Dannie A. Carr Veterans Outpatient Clinic, Sevierville, TN: designate (see H.R. 2814), H4491 [17JN]

Dept. of Education: award grants to establish pediatric early literacy programs for health care providers and facilities (see S. 251), S466 [26JA] (see H.R. 523), H581 [26JA]

Dept. of Energy: establish pilot program to award grants and loan guarantees to hospitals to reduce energy costs and increase resilience to improve security (see H.R. 3525), H6074 [16SE]

Dept. of HHS: 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. 1638), H2033 [25MR]

——— develop and disseminate clinical practice guidelines and create a safe harbor for defendants in medical malpractice actions who demonstrate adherence to such guidelines (see S. 1475), S3456 [2JN] (see H.R. 2603), H3756 [2JN]

——— establish a demonstration program to facilitate physician reentry into clinical practice to provide required primary health services (see H.R. 4234), H9270 [10DE]

——— establish a National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission (see S. 586), S1161 [26FE] (see H.R. 1192), H1524 [2MR]

——— establish direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals (see S. 864), S1891 [25MR] (see H.R. 1602), H2031 [25MR]

——— improve access to emergency medical services (see H.R. 836), H916 [10FE]

——— include county and municipal correctional facilities among medical facilities that qualify for designation as health professional shortage areas for purposes of the National Health Service Corps (see S. 1051), S2352 [22AP]

——— increase number of permanent faculty in palliative care at allopathic and osteopathic health care professional schools, and other programs, and promote education in palliative care and hospice (see H.R. 3119), H5329 [21JY]

——— reauthorize and extend the fetal alcohol syndrome prevention and services program (see S. 2060), S6809 [17SE]

——— reauthorize certain trauma care programs (see S. 763), S1585 [17MR] (see H.R. 647, 648), H703 [2FE]

Dept. of HUD: provide that nursing homes receiving poor ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are ineligible for federally-insured mortgage loans (see H.R. 3796), H7089 [21OC]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: adopt and implement a standard identification protocol for use in tracking and procurement of biological implants and tissue or bone grafts (see S. 2334), S8191 [30NO] (see H.R. 1016), H1084 [20FE]

——— allow entrance into agreements with non-departmental health care providers if unable to provide health care in departmental facilities or through contracts or sharing agreements (see S. 2000), S6381 [5AU] (see S. 2179), S7272 [8OC]

——— authorize entrance into contracts with administrative contractors to process claims for hospital care and medical services furnished in non-departmental facilities (see H.R. 3320), H5764 [29JY]

——— authorize major medical facility construction projects and improve administration of such projects (see H.R. 2365), H3251 [15MY] (see H.R. 3106), H5290 [16JY]

——— carry out a pilot program entering into partnership agreements with non-Federal entities for construction of major medical facility projects (see H.R. 4129), H8644 [30NO]

——— carry out a pilot program under which eligible veterans may elect to receive health services at non-departmental facilities (see H.R. 763), H853 [5FE]

——— carry out a program to establish peer specialists in patient aligned care teams at medical centers of the Dept. (see S. 2210), S7546 [27OC]

——— carry out certain major medical facility seismic safety projects for which appropriations were made (see S. 833), S1708 [23MR] (see S. 2422), S8883 [18DE] (see H.R. 1543), H1848 [23MR]

——— clarify distance requirements relative to eligibility of veterans to receive medical care and services at non-departmental facilities (see H.R. 1096), H1368 [26FE]

——— clarify emergency hospital care furnished to certain veterans (see H.R. 3216), H5522 [27JY]

——— conduct annual surveys of veterans on experiences obtaining hospital care and medical services from departmental facilities (see H.R. 1319), H1613 [4MR]

——— convey to the Florida Dept. of Veterans Affairs the property known as ‘‘The Community Living Center’’ at the Lake Baldwin Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, Orlando, FL (see H.R. 4056), H8359 [18NO]

——— designate certain medical facilities as health professional shortage areas (see S. 761), S1585 [17MR] (see H.R. 3639), H6704 [29SE]

——— develop and implement a plan to hire medical center directors (see H.R. 3956), H8150 [5NO]

——— direct the Inspector General to make certain reports publicly available (see H.R. 3686), H6835 [6OC]

——— eliminate sunset date and expand eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program (see S. 1991), S6381 [5AU] (see H.R. 3980), H8151 [5NO]

——— ensure South Texas Veterans Affairs Health Care Center in Harlingen, TX, includes a full-service inpatient health care facility (see S. 1534), S3925 [9JN] (see H.R. 1294), H1611 [4MR]

——— enter into a contract with a non-government entity for the conduct of audits of health care functions (see H.R. 3122), H5329 [21JY]

——— enter into contracts and agreements for the transfer of certain veterans unable to live independently to non-departmental medical foster homes (see H.R. 294), H356 [13JA]

——— enter into enhanced-use leases at the West Los Angeles, CA, Medical Center to provide supportive housing for homeless veterans and out-leases to provide critical services for such veterans (see S. 2013), S6532 [9SE] (see H.R. 3484), H5942 [10SE]

——— establish a national center for diagnosis, treatment, and research of health conditions of descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances during military service (see S. 901), S2110 [13AP] (see H.R. 1769), H2208 [14AP]

——— establish a pain management board in each Veterans Integrated Service Network (see H.R. 1628), H2033 [25MR]

——— establish an Office of Whistleblower and Patient Protection (see H.R. 1129), H1369 [26FE]

——— establish an ombudsman within the Veterans Health Administration (see H.R. 3978), H8151 [5NO]

——— establish Office of Failing Medical Center Recovery (see H.R. 3234), H5588 [28JY]

——— establish Office of Health Care Quality in the Veterans Health Administration (see H.R. 3951), H8150 [5NO]

——— establish the Physician Ambassadors Helping Veterans program (see S. 563), S1118 [25FE] (see H.R. 2145), H2767 [30AP]

——— expand and make permanent the Veterans Choice Program (see H.R. 3183), H5465 [23JY]

——— expand eligibility for reimbursement for emergency medical treatment and prevent insurance companies from limiting reimbursements based on the VA not being an in-network provider (see S. 1452), S3238 [21MY]

——— expand eligibility for reimbursement for emergency medical treatment to certain veterans unable to receive care in the 24-month period preceding the furnishing of such treatment (see S. 1693), S4648 [25JN]

——— expand eligibility of veterans to receive mental health care at non-departmental facilities (see H.R. 1604), H2031 [25MR]

——— expand research and education on and delivery of complementary and alternative medicine to veterans (see H.R. 444), H479 [21JA]

——— expand Veterans Choice Program and provide for removal or demotion of employees based on performance or misconduct (see H.R. 3909), H7623 [3NO]

——— expand Veterans Choice Program to veterans who would otherwise receive medical care from a deficient VA medical facility (see H.R. 1863), H2306 [16AP]

——— extend authority for operation of regional office in Manila, Philippines (see S. 2062), S6849 [21SE]

——— extend authorization for construction of medical center in Aurora, CO, and enter into an agreement with the Corps of Engineers to manage such construction (see S. 285), S589 [28JA] (see S. 997), S2245 [16AP] (see H.R. 593), H660 [28JA] (see H.R. 1681), H2109 [26MR]

——— extend authorization to replace existing medical center in Denver, CO (see H.R. 3595), H6227 [24SE]

——— extend authorization to replace existing medical center in Denver, CO, and authorize transfers of certain funding to replace such medical center (see S. 1568), S4103 [11JN]

——— extend authorization to replace existing medical facility in Denver, CO (see H.R. 2496), H3558 [21MY]

——— extend requirement to furnish health care at non-departmental facilities to veterans who live more than a certain distance from the closest departmental facility that furnishes the necessary care (see S. 374), S772 [4FE] (see H.R. 941), H1034 [12FE]

——— furnish nursing home care and hospital care at State licensed or certified residential care facilities (see H.R. 3019), H5088 [10JY]

——— improve access to child care for certain veterans receiving health care at a departmental facility (see H.R. 1496), H1802 [19MR] (see H.R. 1948), H2416 [22AP]

——— improve certification and licensing of employees and medical laboratories that furnish prosthetic and orthotic services (see H.R. 3414), H5768 [29JY]

——— improve private treatment of veterans who are victims of military sexual assault (see H.R. 1603), H2031 [25MR]

——— improve provision of health care (see H.R. 3883), H7623 [3NO]

——— improve provision of health care to veterans in rural and highly rural areas (see S. 2265), S7912 [10NO]

——— improve use of opioids in treating veterans, improve patient advocacy, and expand availability of complementary and integrative health (see S. 1641), S4346 [22JN] (see H.R. 4063), H8359 [18NO]

——— increase duration of follow-up care provided under the Veterans Choice Program (see H.R. 2974), H4955 [8JY]

——— increase number of graduate medical education positions and improve compensation of health care providers, medical directors, and directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks (see S. 1676), S4602 [24JN] (see H.R. 4011), H8239 [16NO]

——— limit authority to award bonuses and revoke bonuses paid to employees involved in electronic medical appointment wait list manipulations (see H.R. 575), H639 [27JA]

——— make certain grants to assist nursing homes for veterans located on tribal lands (see H.R. 1127), H1369 [26FE]

——— make grants for repair and remodeling of community centers, clinics, and hospitals that serve veterans (see H.R. 4053), H8280 [17NO]

——— make permanent authority to transport individuals to and from health facilities in connection with rehabilitation, counseling, examination, treatment, and care (see S. 603), S1161 [26FE] (see H.R. 2291), H2956 [13MY]

——— modify distance requirements regarding eligibility of certain veterans to receive medical care and services from non-departmental facilities (see S. 1463), S3310 [22MY] (see H.R. 1532), H1847 [23MR]

——— modify treatment of agreements entered into to furnish nursing home care, adult day health care, or other extended care services (see S. 739), S1528 [16MR] (see H.R. 1369), H1661 [16MR]

——— provide access to hospital care and medical services for certain members of Reserve components who received training at Camp Lejeune, NC (see H.R. 3954), H8150 [5NO]

——— provide certain disabled veterans beneficiary travel program coverage for travel for certain special disabilities rehabilitation (see S. 171), S201 [13JA] (see H.R. 288), H356 [13JA]

——— provide for conveyance of land between Illiana Health Care System in Danville, IL, and Danville Area Community College (see S. 1967), S6380 [5AU] (see H.R. 3262), H5589 [28JY]

——— provide for covered agreements and contracts with eligible academic affiliates for the mutually beneficial coordination, use, or exchange of health-care resources (see H.R. 3879), H7622 [3NO]

——— provide resource flexibility for health care services (see H.R. 3236), H5588 [28JY]

——— provide resource flexibility for health care services (H.R. 3236), consideration (see H. Res. 388), H5587 [28JY]

——— publish information on the provision of health care by departmental facilities (see H.R. 1860), H2306 [16AP]

——— require congressional approval before appropriation of funds for major medical facility leases (see H.R. 2914), H4769 [25JN]

——— require provision of chiropractic care and services to veterans at all departmental medical centers (see S. 398), S833 [5FE] (see H.R. 1170), H1499 [27FE]

——— revive and expand the Intermediate Care Technician Pilot Program (see S. 297), S590 [28JA] (see H.R. 1247), H1609 [4MR]

——— revoke bonuses paid to employees involved in electronic medical appointment wait list manipulations (see S. 627), S1246 [3MR]

——— study feasibility of entering into public-private partnerships to improve veterans access to medical facilities in densely populated and rural communities (see H.R. 4125), H8411 [19NO]

——— submit an annual report on the Veterans Health Administration and the furnishing of hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care (see H.R. 2256), H2876 [12MY]

——— terminate any employee who is found to have retaliated against a whistleblower (see S. 788), S1629 [18MR]

——— transfer authority for construction of future major medical facility projects to the Corps of Engineers (see S. 997), S2245 [16AP] (see H.R. 1681), H2109 [26MR]

——— transfer unobligated amounts to the medical accounts to improve the furnishing of health care to veterans (see H.R. 3200), H5466 [23JY]

——— use authorities to furnish health care at non-departmental facilities to veterans who live more than a certain distance from the closest departmental facility that furnishes the necessary care (see S. 207), S347 [21JA] (see H.R. 572, 577), H639 [27JA] (see H.R. 1909), H2354 [21AP]

——— waive copayment requirement for medical and hospital services in the case of certain billing errors and inform veterans of payment plan and waiver rights relative to untimely billing (see S. 2052), S6809 [17SE] (see H.R. 3549), H6136 [17SE]

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies: making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (see S. 2130), S7123 [5OC] (see H.R. 2029), H2474 [27AP]

——— making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), consideration (see H. Res. 223), H2495 [28AP]

——— making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), consideration of Senate amendment (see H. Res. 566), H9373 [16DE]

Depts. of Defense and Veterans Affairs: provide behavioral health readiness services to certain members of the Selected Reserves based on need and expand eligibility to such members for readjustment counseling (see S. 832), S1708 [23MR]

Diseases: recognize importance of cancer program accreditation in ensuring comprehensive, high quality, patient-centered cancer care (see H. Res. 487), H7138 [22OC]

Drugs: establish programs for health care provider training in Federal health care and medical facilities, establish Federal co-prescribing guidelines, and establish a grant program relative to naloxone (see S. 2256), S7814 [5NO]

——— reschedule marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act, allow for medicinal use of marijuana in accordance with State laws, and exclude cannabidiol from the definition of marijuana (see H.R. 1774), H2209 [14AP]

FCC: allow skilled nursing facilities to apply for support from Universal Service Fund Rural Health Care Program (see S. 1916), S6239 [3AU] (see H.R. 4111), H8411 [19NO]

FTC: prescribe rules prohibiting deceptive advertising of abortion services (see H.R. 3378), H5766 [29JY]

GAO: conduct audits relative to timely access of veterans to hospital care, medical services, and other care from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (see S. 2229), S7722 [3NO]

Health: improve access to emergency medical services (see S. 884), S2041 [26MR]

——— improve access to primary care services (see S. 1989), S6381 [5AU]

——— 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. 1741), H2152 [13AP]

——— 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. 1919), S6296 [4AU] (see H.R. 940), H1034 [12FE]

——— recognize right of individuals to have personal control over medical assistance and treatment necessary to alleviate intolerable physical suffering (see S. 2204), S7470 [22OC]

Health care professionals: authorize physicians to transport controlled substances from a practice setting to another practice setting or disaster area (see H.R. 3014), H5029 [9JY]

——— impose admitting privilege requirements with respect to physicians who perform abortions (see S. 78), S58 [7JA]

——— provide incentives to foreign-born physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved communities or VA hospitals (see H.R. 1272), H1610 [4MR]

Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA: designate the Phyllis E. Galanti Arboretum (see S. 1468), S3310 [22MY] (see H.R. 2693), H4001 [9JN]

Loren R. Kaufman Memorial Veterans’ Clinic, Dalles, OR: designate (see H.R. 1762), H2153 [13AP]

Master Chief Petty Officer Jesse Dean Dept. of Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, Laughlin, NV: designate (see H.R. 3969), H8151 [5NO]

Medicaid: allow for greater State flexibility relative to excluding providers who are involved in abortions (see S. 2159), S7219 [7OC] (see H.R. 3495), H5974 [11SE]

——— allow for greater State flexibility relative to excluding providers who are involved in abortions (H.R. 3495), consideration (see H. Res. 444), H6306 [28SE]

——— count portions of income from annuities of a community spouse as income available to institutionalized spouses for purposes of medical assistance eligibility (see H.R. 1771), H2209 [14AP]

——— extend to physician assistants eligibility for incentive payments for adoption and use of certified electronic health records (see H.R. 1345), H1625 [10MR]

——— improve calculation, oversight, and accountability of non-disproportionate share hospital (DSH) supplemental payments (see H.R. 2151), H2768 [30AP]

——— provide for the waiver of institutions for mental diseases (IMD) limitation in order to permit coverage for community-based inpatient substance use disorder treatment (see H.R. 1988), H2463 [23AP]

——— provide for updated and alternative certification requirements for participation in the case of certain facilities treating infants under one year of age with neonatal abstinence syndrome (see H.R. 3865), H7346 [29OC]

——— provide greater clarity for States relative to excluding providers whose actions a State suspects causes termination of fetuses born alive (see H.R. 3494), H5974 [11SE]

——— require States to report information on payments to abortion providers (see H.R. 489), H531 [22JA]

——— strengthen Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program clinics through improved reimbursement and expanded workforce and operations (see S. 2097), S7005 [29SE] (see H.R. 3637), H6704 [29SE]

Medicare: 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 H.R. 2513), H3559 [21MY]

——— allow certain hospitals in Puerto Rico to qualify for incentives for adoption and meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology (see S. 1602), S4250 [17JN] (see H.R. 1225), H1566 [3MR]

——— apply budget neutrality on a State-specific basis in the calculation of hospital wage index floor for non-rural areas (see H.R. 1479), H1802 [19MR]

——— authorize a blanket significant hardship exception for meaningful electronic health records use due to delay in timely publication of certain meaningful use rules (see H.R. 3940), H8150 [5NO]

——— change method of determining disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments (see H.R. 3288), H5762 [29JY]

——— clarify policy relative to physician supervision of therapeutic hospital outpatient services (see S. 257), S541 [27JA] (see H.R. 1611), H2032 [25MR]

——— count a period of receipt of outpatient observation services in a hospital toward satisfying the 3-day inpatient hospital stay requirement for coverage of skilled nursing facility services (see S. 843), S1780 [24MR] (see H.R. 1571), H1899 [24MR]

——— coverage of extended care services without regard to 3-day prior hospitalization requirement (see H.R. 290), H356 [13JA]

——— deliver a meaningful drug benefit and lower prescription drug prices (see S. 1884), S6136 [29JY] (see H.R. 3261), H5589 [28JY]

——— designate Rural Emergency Hospitals to sustain emergency services in rural areas (see S. 1648), S4544 [23JN]

——— develop a crosswalk between Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) and Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Groups (MS-DRG) codes for similar hospital services (see H.R. 3291), H5763 [29JY]

——— distribute additional residency positions (see S. 1148), S2567 [30AP] (see H.R. 2124), H2767 [30AP]

——— enable hospital-based nursing programs that are affiliated with a hospital to maintain payments to hospitals for the costs of such programs (see S. 629), S1246 [3MR] (see H.R. 977), H1067 [13FE] (see H.R. 1784), H2209 [14AP]

——— establish payment parity for ambulatory cancer care services furnished in hospital outpatient departments and physician office settings (see H.R. 2895), H4769 [25JN]

——— establish Value-Based Insurance Design demonstration program to show that reduced copayments or coinsurance can increase utilization, improve clinical outcomes, and lower health care expenditures (see S. 1396), S3183 [20MY]

——— extend certain long-term care hospital payment rules and the moratorium on establishment of certain hospitals and facilities (see S. 2108), S7046 [30SE]

——— extend Medicare-dependent hospital (MDH) program and increase payments under the Medicare low-volume hospital program (see S. 332), S697 [2FE] (see H.R. 663), H703 [2FE]

——— extend the enforcement instruction on supervision requirements for outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals (see S. 1461), S3309 [22MY] (see H.R. 2878), H4650 [24JN]

——— extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program (see S. 607), S1201 [27FE] (see H.R. 672), H754 [3FE]

——— improve access to hospice care (see H.R. 3037), H5116 [13JY]

——— improve how beneficiaries are assigned under the shared savings program by also basing such assignment on primary care services from federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics (see S. 2261), S7860 [9NO]

——— improve how beneficiaries are assigned under the shared savings program by also basing such assignment on primary care services from nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists (see S. 2259), S7860 [9NO]

——— improve process of recovery audit contractors and recovery of overpayments (see H.R. 2568), H3573 [22MY]

——— improve the provision of items and services to beneficiaries in rural areas (see H.R. 1012), H1073 [17FE]

——— improve the way beneficiaries are assigned under the shared savings program by also basing such assignment on primary care services furnished by certain Federally qualified providers (see S. 1456), S3309 [22MY]

——— include recreational therapy among the therapy modalities that constitute an intensive rehabilitation therapy program in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital or unit (see H.R. 1906), H2354 [21AP]

——— 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. 795), H855 [5FE]

——— modernize payments for ambulatory surgical centers (see S. 2071), S6938 [24SE] (see H.R. 1453), H1769 [18MR]

——— permit review of certain payment determinations for disproportionate share hospitals (see S. 2228), S7722 [3NO] (see H.R. 3024), H5088 [10JY]

——— preserve access to rehabilitation innovation centers (see S. 1168), S2568 [30AP] (see H.R. 2292), H2956 [13MY]

——— provide a technical change to long-term care hospital moratorium exception (see S. 202), S347 [21JA] (see H.R. 441), H479 [21JA] (see H.R. 2580), H3581 [29MY]

——— provide comprehensive cancer care planning coverage and coordination (see H.R. 2846), H4591 [23JN]

——— provide for an established 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. 4077), H8360 [18NO]

——— provide for bundled payments for certain episodes of care surrounding a hospitalization (see H.R. 2502), H3558 [21MY]

——— provide for bundled payments for post-acute care services (see H.R. 1458), H1801 [19MR]

——— provide for fairness in hospital payments (see S. 1135), S2530 [29AP]

——— provide for patient protection by establishing safe nurse staffing levels at certain Medicare providers (see S. 1132), S2530 [29AP] (see H.R. 2083), H2652 [29AP]

——— provide for pharmacy benefits manager standards under the prescription drug program and transparency of payment methodology of pharmacies (see H.R. 244), H187 [9JA]

——— provide for site-of-service price transparency (see H.R. 2299), H2957 [13MY]

——— provide for value-based purchasing of post-acute care services (see H.R. 3298), H5763 [29JY]

——— provide parity to Puerto Rico hospitals relative to inpatient hospital payments (see H.R. 1417), H1767 [18MR]

——— provide payment for anesthesia services by anesthesiologists in certain rural hospitals in the same manner as for services by anesthesiologist assistants and certified registered nurse anesthetists (see H.R. 2138), H2767 [30AP]

——— provide payment incentives to transition from traditional x-ray imaging to digital radiography (see H.R. 2550), H3560 [21MY]

——— provide that payments made to a long-term care hospital for inpatient services shall not be made at the applicable site neutral payment rate for certain discharges involving severe wounds (see S. 1211), S2687 [6MY] (see H.R. 1250), H1609 [4MR]

——— reform practices of recovery audit contractors (see H.R. 2156), H2768 [30AP]

——— remove the physician certification requirement for inpatient critical access hospital services (see S. 258), S541 [27JA] (see H.R. 169), H42 [6JA]

——— repeal changes to exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals (see H.R. 976), H1067 [13FE]

——— repeal outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps (see S. 539), S1074 [24FE] (see H.R. 775), H854 [5FE]

——— require hospitals to establish and implement security procedures to reduce the likelihood of infant patient abduction and baby switching (see H.R. 42), H37 [6JA]

——— require hospitals to provide certain notifications to individuals classified by such hospitals under observation status rather than admitted as inpatients of such hospitals (see S. 1349), S2933 [14MY] (see H.R. 876), H980 [11FE]

——— revise coverage and payment for advanced surgical dressings in skilled nursing facilities and home health settings (see H.R. 1184), H1499 [27FE]

——— revise payment for indirect medical education (IME) costs in teaching hospitals (see H.R. 3292), H5763 [29JY]

——— strengthen and protect hospice programs (see H.R. 2208), H2791 [1MY]

——— sunset certain penalties relating to meaningful electronic health records use by eligible professionals and hospitals (see H.R. 3780), H7088 [21OC]

——— treatment of patient encounters in ambulatory surgical centers in determining meaningful electronic health records use (see S. 1347), S2933 [14MY] (see H.R. 887), H981 [11FE]

Medicare/Medicaid: amend qualifications of the director of food services of a skilled nursing facility (see H.R. 3356), H5765 [29JY]

——— continue use of quarterly reporting period for health care providers to demonstrate meaningful uses under electronic health records incentive payment programs (see H.R. 270), H223 [12JA]

——— establish minimum direct care registered nurse staffing levels at nursing and skilled nursing facilities (see H.R. 952), H1035 [12FE]

——— implement a demonstration project to examine costs and benefits of providing payments for health care services provided by purpose-built, continuing care retirement communities to beneficiaries (see S. 395), S833 [5FE] (see H.R. 837), H916 [10FE]

——— improve electronic health records meaningful use programs (see H.R. 3309), H5764 [29JY]

——— improve payments for complex rehabilitation technology and radiation therapy services, extend hardship exemptions from electronic health record meaningful use requirements, and strengthen Medicaid integrity (see S. 2425), S8883 [18DE]

——— improve payments for hospital outpatient department services and complex rehabilitation technology and improve program integrity (see S. 2409), S8725 [16DE] (see H.R. 4273), H9374 [16DE]

National Case Management Week: designate (see S. Res. 261), S6894 [22SE]

National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 366), H5291 [16JY]

National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Week: designate (see S. Res. 303), S7722 [3NO]

National Pregnancy Center Week: designate (see S. Res. 312), S7913 [10NO] (see H. Res. 510), H7624 [3NO]

Older Americans Act: reauthorize (see S. 192), S283 [20JA]

Rural areas: 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 H. Res. 398), H5769 [29JY]

Senior citizens: provide access to health and financial support services (see S. 1574), S4137 [15JN]

Social Security: disregard, for purposes of eligibility for SSI and Medicaid, compensation for participation in clinical trials for rare diseases or conditions (see S. 139), S100 [8JA] (see H.R. 209), H154 [8JA]

——— reform (see H.R. 1756), H2152 [13AP]

Taxation: allow refunds of Federal motor fuel excise taxes on fuels used in mobile mammography vehicles (see S. 91), S58 [7JA] (see H.R. 4112), H8411 [19NO]

——— allow veterans a deduction for certain travel expenses to Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical centers for examinations or treatments relating to service-connected disabilities (see S. 41), S57 [7JA]

——— increase access for the uninsured to high quality physician care by providing incentives for doctors to provide uncompensated care (see S. 1521), S3776 [4JN]

——— prevent extension of tax collection period merely because the taxpayer is a member of the Armed Forces who is hospitalized as a result of combat zone injuries (see S. 907), S2172 [14AP] (see H.R. 2572), H3573 [22MY]

——— provide a credit for eldercare expenses (see S. 879), S2040 [26MR]

Treto Garza South Texas Dept. of Veterans Affairs Health Care Center, Harlingen, TX: designate (see S. 1534), S3925 [9JN]

Veterans: allow Indian Health Service to pay for Indian or Alaska Native veterans’ copayments at Dept. of Veterans Affairs facilities (see S. 2417), S8793 [17DE]

——— improve provision of medical care to veterans at critical access hospitals (see H.R. 4103), H8410 [19NO]

——— issue veterans health care stamp (see H.R. 3958), H8150 [5NO]

Veterans Expedited Recovery Commission: establish to examine mental health treatment models and potential benefits of incorporating certain alternative treatments (see H.R. 271), H223 [12JA]

Women: require breast density reporting to physicians and patients by facilities that perform mammograms (see S. 370), S772 [4FE] (see H.R. 716), H810 [4FE]

Cloture motions

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies: making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), S8857, S8858 [18DE]

——— making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), motion to proceed, S7014 [30SE], S7074 [1OC]

Letters

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services: Dale Barnett, American Legion, S7065 [1OC]

——— Matthew M. Miller, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (organization), H2584 [29AP]

——— several organizations, H2584 [29AP]

Ensuring Access to Clinical Trials Act: several health and medical research organizations, H6277 [28SE]

Extend condolences to victims of airstrike in Afghanistan at Doctors Without Borders (organization) hospital: Representative Waters, E1472 [9OC]

Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act: Donna Barry, Center for American Progress, S1478 [12MR]

——— Edith Klimoski, Give Way to Freedom (organization), S1478 [12MR]

Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility (NOTICE) Act: Joyce A. Rogers, AARP (organization), H1645 [16MR]

——— Mark Parkinson, American Health Care Association, H1645 [16MR]

Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., women’s health care services funding redirection to general health care centers: Carmela Castellano Garcia, California Primary Care Association, H6157 [18SE]

Veteran Partners’ Efforts To Enhance Reintegration (Veteran PEER) Act: Allen Doederlein, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, S7548 [27OC]

——— Georges C. Benjamin, American Public Health Association, S7549 [27OC]

——— Mary Giliberti, National Alliance on Mental Illness, S7548 [27OC]

——— Norbert Ryan, Jr., Military Officers Association of America, S7548 [27OC]

Women’s Public Health and Safety Act: Hilary O. Shelton, NAACP, H6318 [29SE]

——— Karin Johanson and Georgeanne M. Usova, ACLU, H6317 [29SE]

——— Mark S. DeFranceso, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, H6317 [29SE]

——— Reid B. Blackwelder, American Academy of Family Physicians, H6325 [29SE]

Memorandums

Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act: Edward C. Liu and Jon O. Shimabukuro, S2228 [16AP]

Motions

Abortion: prohibit taxpayer funded abortions (H.R. 7), H509 [22JA]

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies: making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), S7014 [30SE], S7779 [5NO], S8844, S8858 [18DE], H2585 [29AP], H2708 [30AP], H9399 [17DE]

Medicaid: allow for greater State flexibility relative to excluding providers who are involved in abortions (H.R. 3495), H6334 [29SE]

Press releases

Sudan—MSF Hospital Bombed in South Kordofan: Doctors Without Borders (organization), H924 [11FE]

VFW Calls New VA Appropriations Bill ‘Bad for Veterans’: VFW, H2584 [29AP]

Remarks in House

Abortion: limit restrictions on the provision of abortion services to protect a women’s right to determine whether and when to bear a child or end a pregnancy (H.R. 448), H484, H488, H504 [22JA]

——— prohibit Federal funding to entities that do not certify that they will not perform, or provide any funding to any other entity that performs, abortions (H.R. 3197), H5534 [28JY]

——— prohibit Federal funding to entities that do not certify they will not perform, or provide any funding to any other entity that performs, abortions (H.R. 3197), H6126 [17SE]

——— prohibit taxpayer funded abortions, H2040, H2041, H2045, H2072, H2074, H2081, H2082, H2091 [26MR], H4982, H5013, H5014 [9JY], H5072, H5073 [10JY], E1046 [13JY], E1069 [15JY]

——— prohibit taxpayer funded abortions (H.R. 7), H483, H484, H494–H511 [22JA], H2894 [13MY], H5760 [29JY], E110 [26JA]

——— prohibit taxpayer funded abortions (H.R. 7), consideration (H. Res. 42), H485–H494 [22JA]

——— prohibit taxpayer funded abortions (H.R. 7), motion to recommit, H509 [22JA]

Akron, OH: anniversary of Akron Children’s Hospital, E1250 [10SE]

Alff, Cathie: Iowa Hospital Association Hospital Hero award recipient, E1820 [17DE]

Altoona, PA: tribute to HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital Personal Achievement Award recipients, E1309 [17SE]

American Stroke Month: observance, H3295 [18MY]

Arlington Heights, IL: tribute to Live4Lali Clinic, E435 [26MR]

Boston, MA: anniversary of Columbia Point Health Center, E1454 [8OC]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: conduct study to determine how efforts to incentivize development of new antibiotics may impact antibiotic resistance, H5074, H5075 [10JY]

Child Home and Community (organization): anniversary, E497 [15AP]

Children’s National Health System: observance of International Day of Radiology, E1488 [20OC]

Colorado Springs, CO: condemn attack and offer condolences to the community, families, and victims of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., clinic shooting, H8850, H8851 [1DE], H8872 [2DE]

Commerce City, CO: Platte Valley Medical Center recipient of Commerce City Business on the Move Award, E399 [24MR]

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (House): hearings on alleged mismanagement at the Philadelphia, PA, VA Regional Office, H2346 [21AP]

Community health centers: tribute, E707 [14MY]

Community Health Centers (organization): anniversary, E1625 [16NO]

Contraceptives: prohibit Federal family planning grants from being awarded to any entity that performs abortions (H.R. 217), H397 [14JA], H5320, H5322, H5323, H5325 [21JY]

Corning, IA: Mercy Corning Hospital recipient of National Safety Council Silver Safety Award, E1191 [29JY]

Dallas, TX: Parkland Health and Hospital System inclusion in Leapfrog Group (organization) Top Hospitals list, E1711 [3DE]

——— tribute to Medical City Children’s Hospital Kids Teaching Kids program, E1597 [4NO]

Danville, PA: anniversary of Geisinger Health System, E1252 [10SE]

Dept. of Defense: post-traumatic stress disorder treatment funding, H4067, H4068 [10JN]

——— traumatic brain injury program funding, H4075 [10JN]

Dept. of HHS: establish direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals (H.R. 1602), H2825 [12MY]

——— reauthorize certain trauma care programs (H.R. 647), H1641, H1642 [16MR], E331 [16MR]

——— reauthorize certain trauma care programs (H.R. 648), H1642, H1643 [16MR], E331 [16MR]

Dept. of HUD: ensure Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services quality rating is included in the criteria for eligibility for Federal loan insurance for nursing homes and elder-care facilities, H6983 [20OC]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: adopt and implement a standard identification protocol for use in tracking and procurement of biological implants and tissue or bone grafts, H5308 [21JY]

——— Center for Women Veterans funding, H2592 [29AP]

——— clarify emergency hospital care furnished to certain veterans (H.R. 3216), E1131 [27JY]

——— direct the Inspector General to make certain reports publicly available (H.R. 3686), H8137 [5NO]

——— eliminate backlog of benefit claims and delays in receipt of medical care, H1120 [25FE], H2670 [30AP], H2952 [13MY], H5242 [16JY]

——— encourage continued screening for colorectal cancer, H2623 [29AP]

——— enter into contracts and agreements for the transfer of certain veterans unable to live independently to non-departmental medical foster homes (H.R. 294), H1509–H1511 [2MR], E314 [6MR]

——— establish Office of Failing Medical Center Recovery (H.R. 3234), H5531 [28JY]

——— expand Veterans Choice Program and provide for removal or demotion of employees based on performance or misconduct (H.R. 3909), H7640 [4NO]

——— extend authorization to replace existing medical center in Denver, CO, H6722–H6725 [30SE]

——— extend authorization to replace existing medical center in Denver, CO, and authorize transfers of certain funding to replace such medical center (S. 1568), H4336 [12JN]

——— extend authorization to replace existing medical facility in Denver, CO (H.R. 2496), H3546, H3547 [21MY]

——— funding, H2583–H2585 [29AP], H2698, H2708, H2709 [30AP], H2888 [13MY], E638 [30AP]

——— improve access of veterans to medical services by improving scheduling, staff training and hiring, access to care from non-departmental providers, and administrative matters, H3646 [2JN], H8427 [30NO]

——— improve accountability of employees, H3399 [20MY], H3545 [21MY], H3646 [2JN], H4371, H4372 [15JN]

——— improve use of opioids in treating veterans, improve patient advocacy, and expand availability of complementary and integrative health (H.R. 4063), H8656 [1DE]

——— include number of unprocessed informal claims in performance metrics report, H2598 [29AP]

——— include outstanding payments owed to certain contracted entities in quarterly reports on the financial status of the Veterans Health Administration and report on national call center effectiveness, H2593 [29AP]

——— Inspector General report on mismanagement at Philadelphia, PA, VA Regional Office, H2590 [29AP]

——— major construction projects funding, H2596 [29AP]

——— major construction projects funding through reductions in administration information technology accounts funding, H2591 [29AP]

——— prohibit bonuses for any Office of Construction and Facilities employees, H2617 [29AP]

——— prohibit employment of uncertified orthotists and prosthetists at VA health care facilities, H2618 [29AP]

——— prohibit funding for creating or maintaining any unofficial patient recordkeeping system, H2618, H2619 [29AP]

——— prohibit funding for Green Management Programs key renewable energy projects, H2619 [29AP]

——— prohibit funding for senior executive bonuses, H2610–H2612 [29AP]

——— prohibit funding to end, suspend, or relocate a health care facility that is the subject of an environmental impact statement, designated a national historic landmark, or located in a highly rural area, H2614 [29AP]

——— prohibit granting bonuses to VA emergency medical care processing staff until claims are processed in a timely and efficient manner, H2605 [29AP]

——— prohibit transfer of funds from the Veterans Choice Fund, H2618 [29AP]

——— provide certain disabled veterans beneficiary travel program coverage for travel for certain special disabilities rehabilitation (H.R. 288), H1857 [24MR]

——— provide resource flexibility for health care services (H.R. 3236), H5535, H5539 [28JY], H5599, H5640–H5650, H5654 [29JY]

——— provide resource flexibility for health care services (H.R. 3236), consideration (H. Res. 388), H5610–H5623 [29JY]

——— provide veterans with the choice of medical providers, improve performance metrics for provided health care, and increase transparency and accountability of operations, H3764, H3765 [3JN]

——— submit an annual report on the Veterans Health Administration and the furnishing of hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care (H.R. 2256), H5304–H5308 [21JY], H5759 [29JY]

——— submit report to Congress describing the status of health clinics currently in leasing or construction process, H2600 [29AP]

——— tribute to maketheconnection.net (Internet site) for mental health care, H2969 [14MY]

——— VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program funding through reductions in VA information technology systems funding, H2606 [29AP]

——— Veterans Choice Program funding, H5573 [28JY], H5648, H5649 [29JY]

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies: making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services, H2446 [23AP]

——— making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), H2574–H2623 [29AP], H2663, H2670, H2702–H2710 [30AP], E636, E638 [30AP], E640 [1MY], E725 [15MY]

——— making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), consideration (H. Res. 223), H2506–H2515 [29AP]

——— making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), consideration of Senate amendment (H. Res. 566), H9379–H9390 [17DE]

——— making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), motion to recommit, H2708, H2709 [30AP]

——— making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), Senate amendment, H9364–H9367, H9369–H9372 [16DE], H9378, H9379, H9390–H9676, H9679–H9684, H9686 [17DE], H10694 [18DE], E1818 [17DE], E1823, E1825, E1826, E1827–E1829, E1831, E1832, E1833, E1834, E1835, E1840, E1842 [18DE], E1847 [31DE]

Detroit, MI: anniversary of Henry Ford Health System, E1793 [15DE]

Doctors Without Borders (organization): extend condolences to victims of airstrike at hospital in Afghanistan, E1472 [9OC]

Fall River Mills, CA: Mayers Memorial Hospital recipient of Dept. of Agriculture rural development grant to address hospital and region’s most urgent needs, H5861 [9SE]

Federal agencies and departments: exempt major rules relative to Dept. of Veterans Affairs from requirement of a congressional joint resolution of approval, H5563 [28JY]

Fisher House Foundation, Inc.: anniversary, H2253 [15AP]

Florida International University: dedication of Toti Mendez Cardiopulmonary Diagnostic Suite, H7168 [23OC]

FTC: prescribe rules prohibiting deceptive advertising of abortion services (H.R. 3378), E1165 [29JY]

Garazi family: tribute to Solomon Garazi Memorial Day at the Races to benefit the Miami Jewish Health Systems, E1168 [29JY]

Gosnell, Kermit: anniversary of conviction for murder and violation of State law forbidding late-term abortions, H2889, H2950 [13MY]

——— trial of women’s health clinic doctor for murder and violation of State law forbidding late-term abortions, H520 [22JA]

Griffin, Margaret O. (Ollie): Yonkers, NY, St. Joseph’s Medical Center Outstanding Service Award recipient, E137 [30JA]

Health care professionals: tribute to nurses, H2481 [28AP]

House of Representatives: moment of silence to honor victims of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., clinic shooting, H8678 [1DE]

Houston, MO: tribute to Texas County Memorial Hospital, E814 [2JN]

Houston, TX: encourage State assistance to keep Riverside Hospital open, H111 [8JA], H4363 [15JN]

——— Memorial Hermann Health System recipient of EPA Energy Star Partner of the Year award, E615 [29AP]

——— reopen Riverside General Hospital, H7198 [27OC]

——— tribute to Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, H1510 [2MR]

——— tribute to TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital wheelchair basketball team, E613 [29AP]

Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA: designate the Phyllis E. Galanti Arboretum (H.R. 2693), H9063 [8DE], H9265 [10DE]

International Plasma Awareness Week: observance, E1451 [8OC]

Israel: tribute to medical treatment of Syrian refugees, E1811 [17DE]

Jeffrey Modell Foundation: dedication of Diagnostic and Research Center for Primary Immunodeficiency at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, E1470 [9OC]

Joliet, IL: anniversary of Will County Community Health Center, E1510 [22OC]

——— tribute to Will-Grundy Medical Clinic wellness program, E1052 [13JY]

Kaiser Permanente (company): anniversary of Sacramento, CA, Medical Center, E676 [12MY]

Katy, TX: Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital nursing staff recipients of American Nursing Credentialing Center Pathway to Excellence designation, E1301 [16SE]

——— Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital recipient of American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program meritorious ranking, E1635 [17NO]

Los Angeles, CA: tribute to VA West Los Angeles Medical Center, E1313 [17SE]

Medicaid: allow for greater State flexibility relative to excluding providers who are involved in abortions (H.R. 3495), H6160 [18SE], H6324–H6337 [29SE], E1395 [30SE]

——— allow for greater State flexibility relative to excluding providers who are involved in abortions (H.R. 3495), consideration (H. Res. 444), H6316–H6324 [29SE]

——— allow for greater State flexibility relative to excluding providers who are involved in abortions (H.R. 3495), motion to recommit, H6334, H6335 [29SE]

——— provide for updated and alternative certification requirements for participation in the case of certain facilities treating infants under one year of age with neonatal abstinence syndrome (H.R. 3865), H8974 [3DE]

Medicare: extend the enforcement instruction on supervision requirements for outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals (S. 1461), H9062 [8DE]

——— include recreational therapy among the therapy modalities that constitute an intensive rehabilitation therapy program in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital or unit (H.R. 1906), H2364 [22AP]

——— increase diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias to improve care and outcomes, H904 [10FE]

——— provide for pharmacy benefits manager standards under the prescription drug program and transparency of payment methodology of pharmacies (H.R. 244), H7017–H7019, H7021–H7023 [20OC], H9029 [8DE]

——— provide parity to Puerto Rico hospitals relative to inpatient hospital payments (H.R. 1417), H1728 [18MR]

——— reimbursement rates for hospital-affiliated facilities considered as outpatient departments, H7270 [28OC]

——— require hospitals to provide certain notifications to individuals classified by such hospitals under observation status rather than admitted as inpatients of such hospitals (H.R. 876), H1644–H1646 [16MR]

——— treatment of patient encounters in ambulatory surgical centers in determining meaningful electronic health records use, H4480, H4481 [17JN]

Medicare/Medicaid: establish minimum direct care registered nurse staffing levels at nursing and skilled nursing facilities (H.R. 952), H2825 [12MY]

——— improve payments for complex rehabilitation technology and radiation therapy services, extend hardship exemptions from electronic health record meaningful use requirements, and strengthen Medicaid integrity (S. 2425), H10706 [18DE]

Monroe, LA: tribute to Pilots for Patients (organization), H6939 [9OC]

National Autism Awareness Month: observance, E566 [23AP]

National Rural Health Day: observance, H8400 [19NO]

National Salute to Veteran Patients: observance, H927 [11FE]

Nierenberg, David and Patricia: PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Foundation Nat Giustina Philanthropy Award recipients, E583 [23AP]

NIH: funding, H8288, H8292 [18NO]

North Chicago, IL: anniversary of Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, H6752 [1OC], E1372 [28SE]

Novant Health (company): tribute, E1830 [18DE]

Obama, President: State of the Union Message, H441 [21JA]

Older Americans Act: reauthorize (S. 192), E1179 [29JY]

Pahrump, NV: delay in construction of new VA clinic, H4436 [17JN]

Pain Awareness Month: observance, E1381 [29SE]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Health Center Fund funding, H2082 [26MR]

Pennsylvania: tribute to Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health Rural Health Award recipients, H53 [7JA]

Pennsylvania State University: tribute to IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) to raise money for the Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital Four Diamonds Fund, H1102 [24FE], H8974 [3DE]

Pensacola, FL: anniversary of Sacred Heart Hospital, E1248 [10SE]

Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.: tribute, H6846 [7OC]

——— tribute to Santa Monica Health Center, E1489 [20OC]

——— women’s health care services funding, H6153–H6160 [18SE]

Plano, TX: opening of Collin County VA Clinic, H6842 [7OC]

Puckett Emergency Management Services: tribute, H1898 [24MR]

Religion: tribute to Franciscan Sisters of Mary, E401 [24MR]

Richmond, TX: anniversary of OakBend Medical Center, E766 [20MY]

Riverview, FL: opening of St. Joseph’s Hospital-South, E143 [2FE]

Rural areas: importance of hospitals and other health care providers in rural areas, H1179 [26FE]

Sacramento, CA: tribute to Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento opening of Anderson Lucchetti Women’s and Children’s Center, E800 [1JN]

Sayegh, Nadem J.: Yonkers, NY, St. Joseph’s Medical Center Outstanding Service Award recipient, E138 [30JA]

Short, Avadele: Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital, Katy, TX, Award of Distinction recipient, E1015 [8JY]

Social Security: disregard, for purposes of eligibility for SSI and Medicaid, compensation for participation in clinical trials for rare diseases or conditions (S. 139), H6276–H6279 [28SE]

South Bend, IN: tribute to partnership between Beacon Health System and Carepayment (company), E1815 [17DE], E1837 [18DE]

Southwest Iowa Mental Health Center: anniversary, E893 [15JN]

Ste. Genevieve, MO: Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary recipient of Missouri Hospital Association Auxiliary of the Year Award, E1696 [2DE]

Streisand, Barbra J.: Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, E1813 [17DE]

Sugar Land, TX: tribute to Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital hospital safety score, E1639 [17NO]

Thibodeau, Cheryl: Hospital Corp. of America (HCA) Frist Humanitarian Award recipient, H6718 [30SE]

Tully, NY: anniversary of Tully Hill Chemical Dependency Center, E1555 [28OC]

University of Kentucky: tribute to Sanders-Brown Center on Aging research on age-related neurodegenerative diseases, H2665 [30AP]

University of Texas System: tribute, E849 [8JN]

Veterans Expedited Recovery Commission: establish to examine mental health treatment models and potential benefits of incorporating certain alternative treatments, H5307 [21JY]

——— establish to examine mental health treatment models and potential benefits of incorporating certain alternative treatments (H.R. 271), H6315 [29SE], H6846 [7OC]

Washington (state): anniversary of Valley Cities Behavioral Health Counseling, E930 [18JN]

Wayne, Peter K.: Yonkers, NY, St. Joseph’s Medical Center Oustanding Service Award recipient, E1640 [17NO]

West Columbia, SC: tribute to Lexington Medical Center Women’s Night Out, H7196 [27OC]

Westchester, NY: anniversary of Wartburg Adult Care Community, E148 [2FE]

Wheat Ridge, CO: Lutheran Medical Center recipient of Jefferson County, CO, Economic Development Corp., Business Recognition Award, E458 [13AP]

Winter Garden, FL: tribute to YMCA Central Florida Roper Family Center partnerships with local health organizations to make health education more accessible, E1440 [7OC]

Women: allow continued access to healthcare services, H6334, H6335 [29SE]

——— protect medical privacy of all women, including victims of rape or incest, relative to her choice of or use of comprehensive health insurance coverage, H509 [22JA]

Yonkers, NY: St. Joseph’s Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program Outstanding Service Award recipient, E135 [30JA]

Remarks in Senate

Abortion: limit restrictions on the provision of abortion services to protect a women’s right to determine whether and when to bear a child or end a pregnancy (S. 217), S6837 [21SE]

——— prohibit taxpayer funded abortions, S1371–S1374 [10MR], S1398, S1404, S1412, S1415, S1416, S1419, S1420, S1426, S1427 [11MR], S1452–S1454, S1458–S1463, S1472–S1474, S1476–S1478 [12MR], S1511–S1515, S1517 [16MR], S1559–S1565, S1570 [17MR], S1591, S1597, S1615–S1618, S1620, S1623–S1625 [18MR], S1637–S1648, S1651–S1653 [19MR], S2144, S2162 [14AP], S2185, S2186, S2192 [15AP], S2227–S2232 [16AP], S2260 [20AP], S2312 [22AP], S2392 [23AP]

Carson City, NV: anniversary of Carson Tahoe Health Center, S8599 [10DE]

Cleveland, OH: tribute to Hospice of the Western Reserve, S7293 [19OC]

Colorado Springs, CO: condemn attack and offer condolences to the community, families, and victims of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., clinic shooting, S8182 [30NO], S8209, S8211 [1DE], S8269, S8302 [2DE]

Dept. of Education: award grants to establish pediatric early literacy programs for health care providers and facilities, S4673 [7JY], S8457 [8DE]

——— award grants to establish pediatric early literacy programs for health care providers and facilities (S. 251), S467 [26JA]

Dept. of HHS: Community Health Center Fund funding, S2513, S2514 [29AP]

——— establish Women’s Health Care and Clinic Security and Safety Fund, S8253, S8255–S8257, S8260–S8264 [2DE], S8341 [3DE]

——— reauthorize certain trauma care programs (S. 763), S1588 [17MR]

Dept. of Justice: create publicly accessible database for sex trafficking victim advocates that contains information about services for sex trafficking survivors, S2336 [22AP]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: access of veterans to care and infrastructure funding through imposition of a minimum effective tax rate for high-income taxpayers, S8349 [3DE]

——— Aurora, CO, VA Medical Center funding, S7037 [30SE]

——— carry out a program to establish peer specialists in patient aligned care teams at medical centers of the Dept. (S. 2210), S7547 [27OC]

——— carry out certain major medical facility seismic safety projects for which appropriations were made (S. 2422), S8885 [18DE]

——— carry out certain major medical facility seismic safety projects for which appropriations were made (S. 833), S1710 [23MR]

——— eliminate sunset date and expand eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program, S7062–S7064 [1OC]

——— eliminate sunset date and expand eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program (S. 1991), S6391 [5AU]

——— enter into enhanced-use leases at the West Los Angeles, CA, Medical Center to provide supportive housing for homeless veterans and out-leases to provide critical services for such veterans (S. 2013), S6535 [9SE]

——— establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to maintain and enhance access, choice, and accountability in veterans care, S1764, S1766 [24MR]

——— establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to provide health care to veterans who have a geographic inaccessibility to care, S1848 [25MR], S1987 [26MR]

——— expand the deficit-neutral reserve fund for veterans and servicemembers, S1881 [25MR], S2003 [26MR]

——— extend authorization to replace existing medical center in Denver, CO, and authorize transfers of certain funding to replace such medical center (S. 1568), S4116 [11JN]

——— extend authorization to replace existing medical facility in Denver, CO (H.R. 2496), S3289, S3290 [22MY]

——— funding, S7038 [30SE], S7073–S7075 [1OC], S8141 [19NO]

——— improve access of veterans to medical services by improving scheduling, staff training and hiring, access to care from non-departmental providers, and administrative matters, S383 [22JA], S730–S732 [3FE], S7448, S7449 [22OC]

——— improve health care to veterans, S7085–S7087 [1OC]

——— improve use of opioids in treating veterans, improve patient advocacy, and expand availability of complementary and integrative health (S. 1641), S4539 [23JN]

——— modify distance requirements regarding eligibility of certain veterans to receive medical care and services from non-departmental facilities, S6119 [29JY]

——— modify distance requirements regarding eligibility of certain veterans to receive medical care and services from non-departmental facilities (S. 1463), S3288, S3290 [22MY]

——— provide resource flexibility for health care services (H.R. 3236), S6117–S6119 [29JY], S6147, S6164–S6166, S6181 [30JY]

——— provide resource flexibility for health care services (H.R. 3236), unanimous-consent agreement, S6144 [29JY]

——— require GAO audits of major medical facilities construction projects, S3736 [4JN]

——— revoke bonuses paid to employees involved in electronic medical appointment wait list manipulations (S. 627), S5507–S5510, S5529 [23JY]

——— use authorities to furnish health care at non-departmental facilities to veterans who live more than a certain distance from the closest departmental facility that furnishes the necessary care (S. 207), S383, S384 [22JA], S730 [3FE], S1465 [12MR], S1848 [25MR], S3277 [22MY]

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies: making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), S7379 [21OC], S7786–S7796, S7801 [5NO], S7846, S7847, S7851, S7853 [9NO], S7869–S7875, S7878–S7881, S7888, S7955 [10NO]

——— making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), House amendment, S8690–S8702, S8709–S8711, S8713–S8715, S8717–S8723 [16DE], S8733–S8735, S8739–S8742, S8750–S8765, S8773–S8776, S8780, S8789–S8791 [17DE], S8838, S8842–S8859, S8866, S8869–S8871, S8874, S8877 [18DE]

——— making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), motion to proceed, S7014, S7038, S7041 [30SE], S7055, S7057–S7060, S7062–S7065, S7067–S7069, S7073–S7075 [1OC], S7779, S7785 [5NO]

——— making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), unanimous-consent agreement, S7878 [10NO], S8750 [17DE]

——— making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (S. 2130), S7127 [5OC], S7130 [6OC]

Detroit, MI: anniversary of Henry Ford Health System, S8600 [10DE]

Drugs: establish programs for health care provider training in Federal health care and medical facilities, establish Federal co-prescribing guidelines, and establish a grant program relative to naloxone (S. 2256), S7819 [5NO]

Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA: designate the Phyllis E. Galanti Arboretum (H.R. 2693), S8618 [10DE]

Little Rock, AR: tribute to veterans residing in Arkansas Hospice at CHI (Catholic Health Initiatives) St. Vincent Hospital, S8013 [17NO]

Medicaid: States voluntary expansion of coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, S733 [3FE]

Medicare: deliver a meaningful drug benefit and lower prescription drug prices (S. 1884), S7119 [5OC]

——— designate Rural Emergency Hospitals to sustain emergency services in rural areas (S. 1648), S4546 [23JN], S4625 [25JN]

——— extend the enforcement instruction on supervision requirements for outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals (S. 1461), S6610 [10SE]

——— improve access to curative care and hospice care, S6171 [30JY]

——— improve how beneficiaries are assigned under the shared savings program by also basing such assignment on primary care services from federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics (S. 2261), S8834, S8835 [17DE]

——— provide a technical change to long-term care hospital moratorium exception (S. 202), S349 [21JA]

——— reimbursement rates for hospital-affiliated facilities considered as outpatient departments, S7637 [29OC]

——— repeal outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps (S. 539), S1076 [24FE]

——— require hospitals to provide certain notifications to individuals classified by such hospitals under observation status rather than admitted as inpatients of such hospitals (H.R. 876), S5920, S5921 [27JY]

——— treatment of patient encounters in ambulatory surgical centers in determining meaningful electronic health records use (S. 1347), S6425 [5AU]

Medicare/Medicaid: deliver a meaningful drug benefit and lower prescription drug prices, S6171 [30JY]

——— improve payments for complex rehabilitation technology and radiation therapy services, extend hardship exemptions from electronic health record meaningful use requirements, and strengthen Medicaid integrity (S. 2425), S8859 [18DE]

Mental health: expand access to community mental health centers and improve the quality of mental health care, S2820 [13MY], S3277 [22MY], S6119 [29JY], S7239 [8OC], S7887 [10NO], S8516 [9DE], S8566 [10DE]

Miracle Flight for Kids (organization): anniversary, S4641 [25JN]

National Association of Community Health Centers: anniversary, S6235 [3AU]

National Case Management Week: designate (S. Res. 261), S7366 [20OC]

National Healthcare Decisions Day: observance, S2241 [16AP]

National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Week: designate (S. Res. 303), S7843 [5NO]

National Pregnancy Center Week: designate (S. Res. 312), unanimous-consent request, S7871, S7872 [10NO]

National Salute to Veteran Patients: observance, S871 [9FE]

Older Americans Act: reauthorize (S. 192), S4196 [16JN], S5154, S5158–S5163 [16JY], S5206 [21JY]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: impact on job creation and hiring, S321 [21JA]

Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.: support and recognize importance of services to communities, S6178–S6180 [30JY], S6279 [4AU], S8302 [2DE]

——— women’s health care services funding, S8216 [1DE], S8269 [2DE]

Salt Lake City, UT: anniversary of Intermountain Healthcare, S6433 [6AU]

Senior citizens: ensure that end-of-life wishes are known and honored, S5154 [16JY]

Social Security: disregard, for purposes of eligibility for SSI and Medicaid, compensation for participation in clinical trials for rare diseases or conditions (S. 139), S105 [8JA], S5175 [16JY]

——— reform, S1482 [12MR], S4821 [8JY]

South Burlington, VT: anniversary of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, S8371 [3DE]

Uganda: opening of Uganda Cancer Institute-Fred Hutch Cancer Centre, S3234 [21MY]

Veterans: commend availability of benefits under the GI Bill, S7897 [10NO]

Women: require breast density reporting to physicians and patients by facilities that perform mammograms (S. 370), S775 [4FE]

Reports

Health Insurance Exchanges—Coverage of Non-Excepted Abortion Services by Qualified Health Plans: GAO (excerpt), H500 [22JA]

Reports filed

Access to Life-Saving Trauma Care for All Americans Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 647) (H. Rept. 114–42), H1660 [16MR]

Consideration of H.R. 7, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 42) (H. Rept. 114–4), H477 [21JA]

Consideration of H.R. 2029, Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Military Construction and Veterans’ Services: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 223) (H. Rept. 114–94), H2495 [28AP]

Consideration of H.R. 3236, Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act and H.R. 1994, VA Accountability Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 388) (H. Rept. 114–234), H5587 [28JY]

Consideration of H.R. 3495, Women’s Public Health and Safety Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 444) (H. Rept. 114–269), H6306 [28SE]

Construction Reform Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (House) (H.R. 3106) (H. Rept. 114–364), H9010 [3DE]

Dept. of HHS Trauma Care Programs Reauthorization: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 648) (H. Rept. 114–43), H1660 [16MR]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Earthquake Protection and Improvement Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. 833), S6434 [6AU]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Revoking of Bonuses Paid to Employees Involved in Electronic Medical Appointment Wait List Manipulations: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. 627) (S. Rept. 114–148), S6974 [28SE]

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Military Construction and Veterans’ Services: Committee on Appropriations (House) (H.R. 2029) (H. Rept. 114–92), H2474 [27AP]

——— Committee on Appropriations (Senate) (H.R. 2029) (S. Rept. 114–57), S3236 [21MY]

Electronic Health Fairness Act: Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 1347) (S. Rept. 114–106), S6186 [30JY]

——— Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 887) (H. Rept. 114–40), H1635 [13MR]

Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (House) (H.R. 294) (H. Rept. 114–35), H1524 [2MR]

LTCH Technical Correction Act: Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 2580) (H. Rept. 114–156), H4430 [16JN]

Medicare Enforcement Instruction on Supervision Requirements for Outpatient Therapeutic Services in Critical Access and Small Rural Hospitals Extension: Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 1461) (S. Rept. 114–109), S6186 [30JY]

Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility (NOTICE) Act: Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 1349) (S. Rept. 114–107), S6186 [30JY]

——— Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 876) (H. Rept. 114–39), H1635 [13MR]

Older Americans Act Reauthorization: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 192), S736 [3FE]

Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Extension Act: Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 607) (S. Rept. 114–102), S6186 [30JY]

Veterans Information Modernization Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (House) (H.R. 2256) (H. Rept. 114–191), H4860 [7JY]

Wounded Warrior Tax Equity Act: Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 907) (S. Rept. 114–18), S2171 [14AP]

Rulings of the Chair

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies: making appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), H2585, H2600, H2601, H2614 [29AP]

Statements

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Military Construction and Veterans’ Services: Executive Office of the President, H2512 [29AP]

No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act: Executive Office of the President, H507 [22JA]

Repeal Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate and Improve Payments for Physicians and Other Professionals and Extend State Children’s Health Insurance Program: Center for American Progress, H2043 [26MR]

Tables

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services (H.R. 2029), H2576–H2579 [29AP]

Texts of

H. Res. 42, consideration of H.R. 7, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act, H485 [22JA]

H. Res. 223, consideration of H.R. 2029, Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services, H2506 [29AP]

H. Res. 388, consideration of H.R. 1994, VA Accountability Act and H.R. 3236, Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act, H5610 [29JY]

H. Res. 444, consideration of H.R. 3495, Women’s Public Health and Safety Act and same-day consideration of resolutions allowing consideration of certain legislation, H6316 [29SE]

H.R. 7, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act, H494 [22JA]

H.R. 294, Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act, H1509 [2MR]

H.R. 647, Access to Life-Saving Trauma Care for All Americans Act, H1641 [16MR]

H.R. 648, Dept. of HHS trauma care programs reauthorization, H1642 [16MR]

H.R. 876, Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility (NOTICE) Act, H1644 [16MR]

H.R. 2029, Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies appropriations for military construction and veterans’ services, S7786–S7793 [5NO]

H.R. 2256, Veterans Information Modernization Act, H5304–H5306 [21JY]

H.R. 2496, Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act, H3547 [21MY]

H.R. 2693, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, Phyllis E. Galanti Arboretum designation, H9063 [8DE]

H.R. 3236, Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act, H5640–H5647 [29JY]

H.R. 3495, Women’s Public Health and Safety Act, H6324 [29SE]

S. 139, Ensuring Access to Clinical Trials Act, S105 [8JA], S5175 [16JY], H6276 [28SE]

S. 192, Older Americans Act reauthorization, S5158–S5162 [16JY]

S. 202, provide a technical change to long-term care hospital moratorium exception, S349 [21JA]

S. 539, Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act, S1077 [24FE]

S. 1051, National Health Service Corps Expansion Act, S2354 [22AP]

S. 1347, Electronic Health Fairness Act, S6425 [5AU]

S. 1461, extend Medicare enforcement instruction on supervision requirements for outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals, S6610 [10SE]

S. 1461, Medicare enforcement instruction on supervision requirements for outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals extension, H9063 [8DE]

S. 1463, Access to Community Care for Veterans Act, S3289 [22MY]

S. 1534, Treto Garza South Texas Veterans Inpatient Care Act, S3931 [9JN]

S. 1568, Dept. of Veterans Affairs authorization to replace existing medical center in Denver, CO, and extension and authorization of transfers of certain funding to replace such medical center, S4116 [11JN], H4337 [12JN]

S. 1884, Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act, S6139 [29JY]

S. 2210, Veteran Partners’ Efforts To Enhance Reintegration (Veteran PEER) Act, S7548 [27OC]

S. 2261, Rural ACO Provider Equity Act, S8835 [17DE]

S. 2425, Patient Access and Medicare Protection Act, S8859–S8861 [18DE], H10706 [18DE]

S. Res. 261, National Case Management Week, S6898 [22SE]

S. Res. 303, National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Week, S7726 [3NO]

S. Res. 312, National Pregnancy Center Week, S7917 [10NO]