Top Legislation - View All

Also tagged in: Armed forces, Brain, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Data banks, Defense policy, Disability evaluation, Disabled, Government information, Head injuries
Latest Action: 06/17/2008 - Ms. Jackson-Lee moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to improve the management of medical care for members of the Armed Forces, to improve the speed and efficiency of the physical disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes. 6/22/2007--Introduced. Servicemembers' Healthcare Benefits and Rehabilitation Enhancement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) assign a medical care manager and a caseworker to each member of the Armed Forces who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, or is otherwise in a medical hold or holdover status, for an injury, illness, or disease incurred or aggravated while on active duty (recovering member); and (2) undertake efforts to improve the speed and efficiency of the Department of Defense (DOD) physical disability evaluation system. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to the congressional defense and veterans' committees a plan to update the disability ratings [...]

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Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Budgets, Congressional reporting requirements, Cytology, Department of Health and Human Services, Donation of organs, tissues, etc., Executive departments, Federal aid to research, Genetic research, Genetics
Latest Action: 01/12/2007 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 6.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research. 1/11/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo, provided such embryos: (1) have been donated from in vitro fertilization clinics; (2) were created for the purposes of fertility treatment; (3) were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment and would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded (as determined in consultation with the individuals seeking fertility treatment);[...]

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Also tagged in: Child health, Children, Education, Elementary and secondary education, Families, Law, Medical care, Medicine, Parent and child, Parent-school relationships
Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S167)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Head Start Act to require parental consent for nonemergency intrusive physical examinations.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Head Start Act to require Head Start agencies to obtain written parental consent before administering any nonemergency intrusive physical examination of a child in connection with participation in a Head Start program.


Comment on Bill
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Budgets, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Cytology, Department of Health and Human Services, Donation of organs, tissues, etc., Executive departments, Federal aid to research, Genetic research
Latest Action: 06/20/2007 - Veto message received in Senate. Ordered held at the desk.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research. 6/7/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.) Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following ethical requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatment and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would [...]

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Also tagged in: Abortion, Actions and defenses, Anesthetics, Communication in medicine, Communications, Damages, Electronic government information, Emergency management, Emergency medicine, Federal preemption
Latest Action: 01/22/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S842-843)

Bill Text
A bill to ensure that women seeking an abortion are fully informed regarding the pain experienced by their unborn child. 1/22/2007--Introduced. Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require an abortion provider, before beginning any abortion of a pain-capable unborn child (defined as an unborn child who has reached a probable stage of development of 20 weeks after fertilization), to: (1) make a specified statement to the pregnant woman that Congress has determined that there is substantial evidence that the process will cause the unborn child pain, and that the mother has the option of having pain-reducing drugs administered directly to the child; (2) provide to the woman an Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure (unless she waives receipt) and an Unborn Child Pain Awareness Decision Form; and (3) obtain on the form the woman's signature and her explicit request for or refusal of the administration of drugs to the child. Creates [...]

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Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Budgets, Business, Civil liberties, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Cytology, Department of Health and Human Services, Executive departments, Executive reorganization
Latest Action: 01/23/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to provide increased Federal funding for stem cell research, to expand the number of embryonic stem cell lines available for Federally funded research, to provide ethical guidelines for stem cell research, to derive human pluripotent stem cell lines using techniques that do not create an embryo or embryos for research or knowingly harm human embryo or embryos, and for other purposes. 1/23/2007--Introduced. Hope Offered through Principled, Ethically-Sound Stem Cell Research Act or the HOPE Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, or testing of pluripotent stem cells that have the flexibility of embryonic stem cells and that may result in improved understanding of, or treatments for, diseases and other adverse health conditions, provided that such techniques do not involve: (1) the creation of a viable human embryo for research purposes; (2) the destruction [...]

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Also tagged in: Appellate procedure, Cloning, Congress, Congressional investigations, Congressional oversight, Congressional reporting requirements, Criminal justice, Cytology, Donation of organs, tissues, etc., Federal-state relations
Latest Action: 03/08/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2905)

Bill Text
A bill to prohibit human cloning and protect stem cell research. 3/8/2007--Introduced. Human Cloning Ban and Stem Cell Research Protection Act of 2007 - Prohibits: (1) conducting or attempting to conduct human cloning; (2) shipping the product of nuclear transplantation in interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of human cloning in the United States or elsewhere; or (3) exporting to a foreign country an unfertilized blastocyst if such country does not prohibit human cloning. Sets forth criminal and civil penalties for violations. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the relevant congressional committees on: (1) actions taken to enforce such prohibitions; (2) actions of state attorneys general to enforce similar state laws; (3) coordination of federal, state, and local enforcement; and (4) international laws relating to human cloning. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require research involving nuclear transplantation to be conducted in accordance [...]

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Comment on Bill
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Authorization, Budgets, Childbirth, Cytology, Data banks, Department of Health and Human Services, Executive departments, Health information systems, Human embryology
Latest Action: 03/22/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for the collection and maintenance of amniotic fluid and placental stem cells for the treatment of patients and research.

3/22/2007--Introduced.

Amniotic Fluid and Placental Stem Cell Banking Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into one-time contracts with qualified amniotic fluid and placental stem cell banks to assist in the collection and maintenance of 100,000 new units of high-quality amniotic fluid and placental stem cells to be made available for treatment though the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation and Treatment Program. Sets forth provisions relating to requirements for contract recipients, the duration of such contracts, and extensions of funding under such contracts.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the Program to provide for amniotic fluid and placental stem cell functions, recruitment, and educational activities.

Authorizes appropriations for the Program through FY2012.


Comment on Bill
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Budgets, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Cytology, Department of Health and Human Services, Donation of organs, tissues, etc., Executive departments, Federal aid to research, Genetic research
Latest Action: 03/28/2007 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 94.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research. 3/27/2007--Introduced. Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following ethical requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatment and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and (3) such individuals donate the embryos with written informed consent and receive no financial or other inducements. Requires the Secretary to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation,[...]

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Comment on Bill
Also tagged in: Abortion, Adoption, Aid to dependent children, Authorization, Birth control, Birth defects, Block grants, Budgets, Cash welfare block grants, Child health
Latest Action: 06/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
To provide for programs that reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, help women bear healthy children, and support new parents. 2/15/2007--Introduced. Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to provide education on preventing teen pregnancies.Provides for: (1) grants to prevent teen pregnancy; and (2) a national center for parents of adolescents to support parents in preventing teen pregnancy.Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of Social Security Act to expand coverage of family planning services. Sets forth requirements for primary care clinics that receive federal financial assistance and provide abortion services.Expands state options to provide health care coverage to low-income pregnant women.Title X Family Planning Services Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations for voluntary family planning projects.Amends the Public [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Also tagged in: Abortion, Fetus, Fines (Penalties), Imaging systems in medicine, Law, Medical care, Medicine, Obstetrics, Women
Latest Action: 01/17/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To ensure that women seeking an abortion receive an ultrasound and the opportunity to review the ultrasound before giving informed consent to receive an abortion.

1/17/2008--Introduced.

Ultrasound Informed Consent Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require abortion providers, before a woman gives informed consent to any part of an abortion, to perform an obstetric ultrasound on the pregnant woman, explain the results, display the ultrasound images so the woman may view them, and provide a medical description of the ultrasound images, including the dimensions of the embryo or fetus and the presence of external members and internal organs, if present and viewable. Provides for: (1) civil penalties for willful failure to comply; and (2) a medical emergency exception.

Prohibits construing this Act to require a woman to view the images or penalizing the physician or the women if she refuses to look at the images.


Comment on Bill
Also tagged in: Abortion, Actions and defenses, Adoption, Authorization, Block grants, Breast feeding, Budgets, Child nutrition, Children, Civil rights
Latest Action: 12/13/2007 - Star Print ordered on on the bill.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for programs that reduce the need for abortion, help women bear healthy children, and support new parents. 12/4/2007--Introduced. Pregnant Women Support Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to increase public awareness of resources available to pregnant women to carry their pregnancy to term and new parents. Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary to make grants for the purchase of ultrasound equipment for examinations of pregnant women. Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a health insurance issuer offering individual coverage from imposing a preexisting condition exclusion or a waiting period or otherwise discriminating against a woman on the basis that she is pregnant. Provides for continuation coverage for newborns. Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to allow states to extend health care coverage [...]

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Comment on Bill
Also tagged in: Abortion, Fetus, Fines (Penalties), Imaging systems in medicine, Law, Medical care, Medicine, Obstetrics, Women
Latest Action: 09/20/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to ensure that women seeking an abortion receive an ultrasound and the opportunity to review the ultrasound before giving informed consent to receive an abortion.

9/20/2007--Introduced.

Ultrasound Informed Consent Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require abortion providers, before a woman gives informed consent to any part of an abortion, to perform an obstetric ultrasound on the pregnant woman, explain the results, display the ultrasound images so the woman may view them, and provide a medical description of the ultrasound images, including the dimensions of the embryo or fetus and the presence of external members and internal organs, if present and viewable. Provides for: (1) civil penalties for willful failure to comply; and (2) a medical emergency exception.

Prohibits construing this Act to require a woman to view the images or penalizing the physician or the women if she refuses to look at the images.


Comment on Bill
Also tagged in: Abortion, Actions and defenses, Anesthetics, Communication in medicine, Communications, Damages, Electronic government information, Emergency management, Emergency medicine, Federal preemption
Latest Action: 08/03/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Bill Text
To ensure that women seeking an abortion are fully informed regarding the pain experienced by their unborn child. 8/3/2007--Introduced. Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require an abortion provider who knowingly performs an abortion of a pain-capable unborn child (defined as an unborn child who has reached a probable stage of development of 20 weeks or more after fertilization), to first: (1) inform the woman of the probable age of the child; (2) provide to the woman an Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure (unless she waives receipt); (3) provide information that pain medicine administered to the mother may not prevent pain in the child, but in some cases anesthesia or pain-reducing drugs can be administered directly to the child; (4) give the woman the provider's best medical judgment of the risks and costs of such anesthesia or analgesic; and (5) obtain the woman's signature on the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Decision Form [...]

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Comment on Bill
Also tagged in: Abortion, Actions and defenses, Adoption, Authorization, Block grants, Breast feeding, Budgets, Child nutrition, Children, Civil rights
Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.

Bill Text
To provide for programs that reduce the need for abortion, help women bear healthy children, and support new parents. 7/26/2007--Introduced. Pregnant Women Support Act - Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to make grants to states for collecting and reporting abortion surveillance data. Requires health facilities that perform abortions to obtained informed consent from a pregnant woman seeking an abortion. Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to allow states to extend health care coverage to an unborn child. Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a health insurance issuer offering individual coverage from imposing a preexisting condition exclusion or a waiting period or otherwise discriminating against a woman on the basis that she is pregnant. Allows the Secretary to make grants [...]

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Comment on Bill
Also tagged in: Adoption, Birth defects, Budgets, Child development, Children, Civil liberties, Communication in medicine, Communication in science, Congress, Congressional investigations
Latest Action: 04/21/2008 - Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Kennedy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the provision of scientifically sound information and support services to patients receiving a positive test diagnosis for Down syndrome or other prenatally and postnatally diagnosed conditions. 4/21/2008--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through either the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to authorize and oversee certain activities relating to Down syndrome or other prenatally or postnatally diagnosed conditions. Includes among such activities the awarding of grants, contracts or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to: (1) collect,[...]

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Comment on Bill
Also tagged in: Abortion, Access to health care, Actions and defenses, Administrative procedure, Aged, Ambulances, Ambulatory care, Auditing, Birth control, Bonds
Latest Action: 09/11/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To establish a United States Health Service to provide high quality comprehensive health care for all Americans and to overcome the deficiencies in the present system of health care delivery. 7/11/2007--Introduced. Josephine Butler United States Health Service Act - Establishes the United States Health Service as an independent executive branch entity to provide health care and supplemental health services to all individuals within the United States. Requires the President to appoint members to a National Health Board to exercise the authority of the Service. Establishes an Office of the Inspector General for Health Services. Requires the Service to ensure that every individual is given certain basic health rights, including the right to receive high quality care and supplemental services from any facility within the Service capable of providing such services without charge and without discrimination. Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide [...]

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Comment on Bill
Also tagged in: Armed forces, Brain, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Data banks, Defense policy, Disability evaluation, Disabled, Government information, Head injuries
Latest Action: 06/17/2008 - Ms. Jackson-Lee moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to improve the management of medical care for members of the Armed Forces, to improve the speed and efficiency of the physical disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes. 6/22/2007--Introduced. Servicemembers' Healthcare Benefits and Rehabilitation Enhancement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) assign a medical care manager and a caseworker to each member of the Armed Forces who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, or is otherwise in a medical hold or holdover status, for an injury, illness, or disease incurred or aggravated while on active duty (recovering member); and (2) undertake efforts to improve the speed and efficiency of the Department of Defense (DOD) physical disability evaluation system. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to the congressional defense and veterans' committees a plan to update the disability ratings [...]

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Comment on Bill
Also tagged in: Armed forces, Brain, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Data banks, Defense policy, Disability evaluation, Disabled, Government information, Head injuries
Latest Action: 06/20/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8077-8078)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to improve the management of medical care for members of the Armed Forces, to improve the speed and efficiency of the physical disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes. 6/20/2007--Introduced. Servicemembers' Healthcare Benefits and Rehabilitation Enhancement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) assign a medical care manager and a caseworker to each member of the Armed Forces who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, or is otherwise in a medical hold or holdover status, for an injury, illness, or disease incurred or aggravated while on active duty (recovering member); and (2) undertake efforts to improve the speed and efficiency of the Department of Defense (DOD) physical disability evaluation system. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to the congressional defense and veterans' committees a plan to update the disability ratings [...]

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Comment on Bill
Also tagged in: Access to health care, Advertising, Alternative medicine, Australia, Business, Canada, Communication in medicine, Communications, Consumers, Customs unions