Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/03/2008 - Presented to President.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to making progress toward the goal of eliminating tuberculosis, and for other purposes. 3/15/2007--Introduced. Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to set forth research and demonstration projections for the prevention, control, and elimination of tuberculosis that shall receive priority from the Secretary of Health and Human Services in awarding research grants for tuberculosis.Requires the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis to make recommendations on the development, revision, and implementation of a national plan to eliminate tuberculosis in the United States. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop new tools for the elimination of tuberculosis. Requires the Federal Tuberculosis Task Force to make recommendations on the development of a national plan for the [...]

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Latest Action: 05/23/2007 - Star Print ordered on the bill.

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A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide a means for continued improvement in emergency medical services for children. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Wakefield Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend by one year the length of time for which a grant may be awarded under the emergency medical services for children grant program, which allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to states or schools of medicine to support projects to expand and improve emergency medical services for children who need treatment for trauma or critical care. Sets forth as the purpose of the program the reduction of child and youth morbidity and mortality by supporting improvements in the quality of all emergency medical care children receive. Requires the Secretary to support emergency medical services for children by supporting projects that: (1) develop and present scientific evidence; (2) promote existing innovative technologies appropriate [...]

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Latest Action: 08/02/2007 - Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10842)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the President should declare lung cancer a public health priority and should implement a comprehensive interagency program to reduce the lung cancer mortality rate by at least 50 percent by 2015. 8/2/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Urges the President to: (1) declare lung cancer a public health priority and immediately lead a coordinated effort to reduce the mortality rate of lung cancer by 50% by 2015; (2) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to increase funding for lung cancer research; (3) direct the Secretary of Defense to develop a lung cancer screening and disease management program among members of the Armed Forces and veterans and diagnostic programs for the early detection of lung cancer; (4) appoint the Lung Cancer Scientific [...]

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Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To direct the Secretary of Labor to issue an occupational safety and health standard to reduce injuries to patients, direct-care registered nurses, and other health care providers by establishing a safe patient handling standard. 1/10/2007--Introduced. Nurse and Patient Safety & Protection Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Director of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, to establish a Federal Safe Patient Handling Standard to prevent musculoskeletal disorders for direct-care registered nurses and other health care providers working in health care facilities by requiring the elimination of manual lifting of patients through the use of mechanical devices, except during a declared state of emergency. Requires health care facilities to: (1) develop and implement a safe patient handling plan consistent with such standard; and (2) post a uniform notice that explains the standard and the procedures to report patient handling-related [...]

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Latest Action: 01/17/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to establish pilot projects under the Medicare program to provide incentives for home health agencies to utilize home monitoring and communications technologies.

1/17/2007--Introduced.

Fostering Independence Through Technology Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct pilot projects under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for the purpose of providing incentives to home health agencies to utilize home monitoring and communications technology.

Latest Action: 04/20/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
Supporting the goals of National Infertility Awareness Week to raise awareness about the disease of infertility and the challenges men and women face in building a family, including protecting fertility, and for other purposes.

4/19/2007--Introduced.

Recognizes that: (1) infertility is a disease; and (2) knowledge about infertility will help people make educated decisions about family building. Commends RESOLVE: the National Infertility Association and other organizations for their efforts to promote greater public awareness about infertility. Expresses support for the goals of National Infertility Awareness Week.

Acknowledges federal responsibility to raise awareness and improve education, encourage research, and improve access to information regarding infertility.

Latest Action: 11/13/2007 - Mrs. Capps moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to lung cancer as a public health priority and the recommendations of the Lung Cancer Progress Review Group of the National Cancer Institute.

11/13/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Recognizes: (1) lung cancer as a public health priority; (2) the importance of reducing the lung cancer mortality rate by at least half by 2015; (3) the benefit of graduate medical education programs in thoracic medicine and cardiothoracic surgery; and (4) the importance of the recommendations of the Lung Cancer Progress Review Group of the National Cancer Institute.

Encourages increased investment for lung cancer research and other lung cancer-related programs.

Expresses support for efforts to develop a broad-based lung cancer screening and disease management program among members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

Latest Action: 07/09/2008 - UNANIMOUS CONSENT - Mr. Hill asked unanimous consent that H. Res. 353, which was adopted by the House on June 26, 2008, be considered to have been adopted with the corrected text that was placed at the desk, and that the resolution be re-engrossed in that

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be an increased commitment supporting the development of innovative advanced imaging technologies for prostate cancer detection and treatment.

6/26/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Calls for increased support for research and development of advanced imaging technologies for prostate cancer detection and treatment.

Latest Action: 03/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To enhance and further research into paralysis and to improve rehabilitation and the quality of life for persons living with paralysis and other physical disabilities, and for other purposes. 1/12/2007--Introduced. Christopher and Dana Reeve Quality of Life for Persons with Paralysis Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to permit the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH): (1) acting through the Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, to expand and coordinate NIH activities on paralysis research; (2) to award grants to plan, establish, improve, and provide basic operating support for Christopher Reeve Paralysis Research Consortia; (3) to educate and disseminate information and receive public comment on NIH programs and research regarding paralysis; (4) acting through the Director of the National Institute on Child Health and Human Development and the National Center for Rehabilitation Research, to expand and coordinate NIH [...]

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Latest Action: 03/14/2007 - Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to improve drug safety and oversight, and for other purposes. 2/1/2007--Introduced. Enhancing Drug Safety and Innovation Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require an application for approval for a new drug or biological product to include a proposed risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, which must include: (1) labeling for the drug for use by health care providers; (2) submission of reports for the drug; and (3) a statement as to whether the analysis and surveillance are sufficient to assess the serious risks of the drug. Establishes a Drug Safety Oversight Board. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Reagan-Udall Institute for Applied Biomedical Research as a nonprofit corporation to advance the Critical Path Initiative to modernize medical product development, accelerate innovation, and enhance product [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/17/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to create a new conditional approval system for drugs, biological products, and devices that is responsive to the needs of seriously ill patients, and for other purposes. 6/12/2008--Introduced. Access, Compassion, Care, and Ethics for Seriously Ill Patients Act or the ACCESS Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to permit an investigational drug, biological product, or device to be made available for expanded access under a treatment investigational new drug application or treatment investigational device exemption if specified Compassionate Investigational Access requirements are met.Gives immunity to the manufacturer, distributor, administrator, sponsor, or physician from suit or liability relating to products approved under this Act. Establishes a procedure for accelerated approval of an investigational drug, biological product, or device [...]

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Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for comprehensive health reform. 5/22/2008--Introduced. Making Health Care More Affordable Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to allow individual taxpayers a refundable tax credit for health insurance costs paid.Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of association health plans (AHPs), which are group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations and which meet certain ERISA certification requirements. Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide that the laws of the state designated by a health insurance issuer (primary state) shall apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer in the primary state and in any other state (secondary state), but only if the coverage and issuer comply with certain requirements.Promoting Health for Future Generations Act [...]

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Latest Action: 05/21/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4625)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to create a new conditional approval system for drugs, biological products, and devices that is responsive to the needs of seriously ill patients, and for other purposes. 5/21/2008--Introduced. Access, Compassion, Care, and Ethics for Seriously Ill Patients Act or the ACCESS Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to permit an investigational drug, biological product, or device to be made available for expanded access under a treatment investigational new drug application or treatment investigational device exemption if specified Compassionate Investigational Access requirements are met.Gives immunity to the manufacturer, distributor, administrator, sponsor, or physician from suit or liability relating to products approved under this Act. Establishes a procedure for accelerated approval of an investigational drug, biological product, or [...]

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Latest Action: 05/15/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the postmarket surveillance of devices. 5/15/2008--Introduced. Food and Drug Administration Accountability and Transparency Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to publish in the Federal Register postmarket surveillance plans for medical devices, unless such information is exempted under the Freedom of Information Act. Subjects medical device manufacturers that fail to comply with postmarket surveillance requirements to civil monetary penalties. Requires the Secretary to take into consideration whether the manufacturer is making efforts toward correcting the violation in determining the amount of the civil penalty. Authorizes the Secretary to order notification of health personnel and other relevant persons if a violation of postmarket surveillance requirements of a device presents an unreasonable risk of substantial [...]

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Latest Action: 05/07/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3899-3900)

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, and for other purposes. 5/7/2008--Introduced. National Neurotechnology Initiative Act - Defines "neurotechnology" to mean the science and technology that allows an individual to analyze, understand, treat, and heal the brain and nervous system.Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, under which the Secretary shall: (1) establish goals, priorities, and metrics for evaluation for federal neurotechnology research, development, and commercialization; (2) increase the investment in federal research, development, and translational programs in neurotechnology to achieve such goals; and (3) increase interagency coordination.Requires the Secretary to establish the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office and the National Neurotechnology Advisory Council.Requires the Director [...]

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Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, and for other purposes. 5/7/2008--Introduced. National Neurotechnology Initiative Act - Defines "neurotechnology" to mean the science and technology that allows an individual to analyze, understand, treat, and heal the brain and nervous system.Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, under which the Secretary shall: (1) establish goals, priorities, and metrics for evaluation for federal neurotechnology research, development, and commercialization; (2) increase the investment in federal research, development, and translational programs in neurotechnology to achieve such goals; and (3) increase interagency coordination.Requires the Secretary to establish the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office and the National Neurotechnology Advisory Council.Requires the Director of the [...]

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Latest Action: 05/19/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To provide for comprehensive health reform. 5/1/2008--Introduced. Making Health Care More Affordable Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to allow individual taxpayers a refundable tax credit for health insurance costs paid.Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of association health plans (AHPs), which are group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations and which meet certain ERISA certification requirements. Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide that the laws of the state designated by a health insurance issuer (primary state) shall apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer in the primary state and in any other state (secondary state), but only if the coverage and issuer comply with certain requirements.Promoting Health for Future Generations Act of 2008 [...]

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Latest Action: 04/29/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3510)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to exempt complex rehabilitation products and assistive technology products from the Medicare competitive acquisition program.

4/29/2008--Introduced.

Medicare Access to Complex Rehabilitative and Assistive Technology Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exempt complex rehabilitation products and assistive technology products from the Medicare competititve acquisition program.

Latest Action: 12/06/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize medical simulation enhancement programs, and for other purposes. 12/6/2007--Introduced. Enhancing Safety in Medicine Utilizing Leading Advanced Simulation Technologies to Improve Outcomes Now Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to conduct and support research, evaluations, initiatives, and demonstration projects, and provide grants or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements, to enhance the deployment of medical simulation technologies and the incorporation of such technologies and equipment into medical, nursing, allied health, podiatric, osteopathic, and dental education and training protocols.Requires the Director to: (1) establish medical simulation centers of excellence; (2) promote innovation by conducting and supporting research on complex or challenging medical simulation and interdisciplinary simulation technologies [...]

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Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development, and Foreign Agriculture.

Bill Text
To optimize the delivery of critical care medicine and expand the critical care workforce. 10/18/2007--Introduced. Patient-Focused Critical Care Enhancement Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), to conduct research to assess: (1) the standardization of critical care protocols, intensive care unit layout, equipment interoperability, and medical informatics; and (2) the impact of differences in staffing, organization, size, and structure of intensive care units on access, quality, and efficiency of care. Requires the Secretary to undertake demonstration projects to: (1) optimize the provision of critical care services to Medicare beneficiaries through innovations in such areas as staffing and utilization of technology; and (2) measure and evaluate outcomes derived from a "family-centered" approach to the provision of inpatient critical care services that includes direct [...]

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