Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 03/05/2008 - Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-430. 9:30 a.m.

Bill Text
To provide for research on, and services for individuals with, postpartum depression and psychosis. 10/15/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act - Title I: Research on Postpartum Depression and Psychosis - (Sec. 101) Encourages the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), to continue aggressive work on postpartum depression and other postpartum psychosis. Encourages the Director of NIMH to continue research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and find a cure for, postpartum conditions, including: (1) basic research concerning the etiology and causes of the conditions; (2) epidemiological studies to address the frequency and natural history of the conditions and differences among racial and ethnic groups; (3) the development [...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

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A bill to empower women in Afghanistan, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Afghan Women Empowerment Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the protection of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan and their full participation in the reestablishment of democracy are essential to Afghanistan's reconstruction, and to achieve such reconstruction the U.S. government must commit resources to advance the rights of women throughout Afghanistan. Amends the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002 to revise the provisions respecting assistance to women and girls in Afghanistan. Extends funding authority. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) condition the provision of such assistance on the recipient adhering to international standards for women's rights and human rights; and (2) ensure that Afghan women-led nongovernmental organizations with demonstrated experience in delivering services to Afghan women and children [...]

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Latest Action: 11/05/2007 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans. 11/5/2007--Public Law.    (There are 4 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 27, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) suicide among veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious problem; and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in developing and implementing the comprehensive program outlined in this Act, should take into consideration the special needs of such veterans and of elderly veterans who are at high risk for depression and experience high rates of suicide. Directs the Secretary to develop and carry out a comprehensive program designed to reduce [...]

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Latest Action: 02/16/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2173-2178)

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A bill to expand programs of early childhood home visitation that increase school readiness, child abuse and neglect prevention, and early identification of developmental and health delays, including potential mental health concerns, and for other purposes. 2/16/2007--Introduced. Education Begins at Home Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, to make: (1) grants to states for programs of early childhood home visitation; and (2) competitive grants to local educational agencies and other eligible applicants for early home visitation for families with English language learners. Directs the Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, to make competitive grants to eligible applicants for early home visitation for military families. Amends the Head Start Act to direct the Secretary of HHS to establish standards for home visitor staff in Early Head Start programs with respect [...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H9284)

Bill Text
To promote preventive health care for Americans.

2/6/2007--Introduced.

Wellness and Prevention Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to pay up to a specified amount of the medical education loans incurred by any physician who receives board certification in preventive medicine from FY2008-FY2012.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a wellness program tax credit for employers that develop and implement a program that: (1) conducts health risk assessments for each program participant; (2) offers annually at least two preventive health screenings; (3) offers annual counseling sessions on at least three preventive health topics; and (4) includes as participants not less than 50% of full-time employees. Provides a tax credit for qualified employees that participate in their employer's qualified wellness program.

Latest Action: 02/08/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E295)

Bill Text
To empower women in Afghanistan, and for other purposes. 2/8/2007--Introduced. Afghan Women Empowerment Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the protection of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan and their full participation in the reestablishment of democracy are essential to Afghanistan's reconstruction, and to achieve such reconstruction the U.S. government must commit resources to advance the rights of women throughout Afghanistan. Amends the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002 to revise the provisions respecting assistance to women and girls in Afghanistan. Extends funding authority. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) condition the provision of such assistance on the recipient adhering to international standards for women's rights and human rights; and (2) ensure that Afghan women-led nongovernmental organizations with demonstrated experience in delivering services to Afghan women and children receive [...]

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Latest Action: 05/04/2007 - Star Print ordered on S.1196.

Bill Text
A bill to improve mental health care for wounded members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes. 4/24/2007--Introduced. Mental Health Care for Our Wounded Warriors Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) members of the Armed Forces (members) deserve the best possible treatment for mental and physical illnesses and injuries sustained while in military service; (2) members should have access to mental health providers; (3) mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) should be treated with an urgency similar to physical ailments incurred by members; (4) there is a need to recruit, train, and retain more mental health care professionals to diagnose and treat members; and (5) there is a continued need for research, new treatments, and best practices for treating PTSD, as well as a long-term strategy for recruiting, training, and retaining the mental health workforce of the Department of Defense (DOD). Directs the Secretary of Defense [...]

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Latest Action: 05/11/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6022-6023)

Bill Text
A bill to ensure that new mothers and their families are educated about postpartum depression, screened for symptoms, and provided with essential services, and to increase research at the National Institutes of Health on postpartum depression. 5/11/2007--Introduced. Mom's Opportunity to Access Health, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act or the MOTHERS Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to: (1) states to provide to women who have recently given birth and their families, before such women leave their birthing centers, education concerning postpartum depression, postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, and postpartum psychosis and to screen new mothers for such postpartum conditions during their first year of postnatal checkup visits; and (2) public or nonprofit private entities to provide for the delivery of essential services to individuals with such postpartum conditions [...]

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Latest Action: 03/12/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To provide for research on, and services for individuals with, post-abortion depression and psychosis. 3/9/2007--Introduced. Post-Abortion Depression Research and Care Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), to expand and intensify NIMH research and related activities with respect to post-abortion depression and psychosis. Requires the Director of NIMH to: (1) conduct or support research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and to find a cure for, such post-abortion conditions; and (2) conduct a study to determine the incidence and prevalence of cases of post-abortion conditions and the symptoms, severity, and duration of such cases, toward the goal of more fully identifying the characteristics of such cases and developing diagnostic techniques. Requires the Secretary to make grants to establish,[...]

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Latest Action: 07/26/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10156-10157)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act in order to ensure access to critical medications under the Medicare part D prescription drug program. 7/26/2007--Introduced. Medicare Access to Critical Medications Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require prescription drug plan (PDP) formularies to include all or substantially all covered part D drugs in the therapeutic classes: (1) anticonvulsants; (2) antineoplastics; (3) antiretrovirals; (4) antidepressants; (5) antipsychotics; and (6) immunosuppressants.Prohibits the application of a utilization management tool, such as prior authorization or step therapy, to such drugs in certain cases.Prescribes requirements for treatment of such drugs when a determination or reconsideration is requested, as well as the treatment of appeals for such drugs.Establishes data reporting requirements for such drug categories [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 12/10/2008 - Motion to proceed to consideration of measure resumed in Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10859)

Bill Text
A bill to advance America's priorities. 7/22/2008--Introduced. Advancing America's Priorities Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) establish a system to collect data on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and establish a registry for such data; (2) provide for an education and information campaign to promote stroke prevention; and (3) award grants for a pilot project to improve stroke patient outcomes by coordinating health care delivery through telehealth networks.Establishes programs for research, rehabilitation, and quality of life for people with paralysis.Provides for support services to women suffering from postpartum depression and who receive a positive diagnosis of Down syndrome or other prenatally or postnatally diagnosed conditions. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to states to provide vision care for children. Amends the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to expand services for homeless youth [...]

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Latest Action: 07/15/2008 - Vetoed by President.

Bill Text
To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to extend expiring provisions under the Medicare Program, to improve beneficiary access to preventive and mental health services, to enhance low-income benefit programs, and to maintain access to care in rural areas, including pharmacy access, and for other purposes. 7/15/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on June 24, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 - Title I: Medicare - Subtitle A: Beneficiary Improvements - Part 1: Prevention, Mental Health, and Marketing - (Sec. 101) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, to cover additional preventive services. Includes body mass index and end-of-life planning among initial [...]

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Latest Action: 09/18/2008 - Received in the House.

Bill Text
An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. 9/17/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 - Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009 for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement. (Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009 for defense-wide procurement.Subtitle B: Army Programs - (Sec. 111) Provides that, if the Secretary of the Army certifies to Congress the operational effectiveness of the Stryker Mobile Gun System, or the Secretary [...]

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