Top Legislation - View All
Also tagged in: AIDS (Disease), Authorization, Blacks, Boundaries, Budgets, Business, Clinical trials, Communicable diseases, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Continuing education, Curricula, Department of Health and Human Services, Drug resistance in microorganisms, Education, Epidemiology, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Federal advisory bodies, Federal aid to education, Federal aid to research, Foreign policy, Health education, Health planning, Health policy, Higher education, Human immunodeficiency viruses, Immigrant health, Immigration, International affairs, International cooperation in science, Latin America, Lung diseases, Medical care, Medical education, Medical personnel, Medical research, Medicine, Mexico, Minorities, Minority health, Pharmaceutical research, Preventive medicine, Public-private partnerships, Research and development, Research centers, Research grants, Scholarships, Science policy, Scientists, Student loan funds, Tuberculosis, Vaccines, World health
Latest Action: 10/03/2008 - Presented to President. Bill TextTo 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 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Access to health care, Authorization, Budgets, Child health, Children, Cost effectiveness, Education, Emergency management, Emergency medicine, Federal aid to child health services, Federal aid to education, Health information systems, Health policy, Higher education, Medical education, Medical research, Medicine, Mortality, Pediatrics, Quality of care, Rural affairs, Rural health, Science policy, Technology, Trauma care
Latest Action: 05/23/2007 - Star Print ordered on the bill. Bill TextA 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 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Aged, Armed forces, Budgets, Case management, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Chemotherapy, Defense policy, Department of Health and Human Services, Drug abuse, Education, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Federal advisory bodies, Federal aid to research, Federal officials, Government employees, Graduate education, Health policy, Health surveys, Higher education, Imaging systems in medicine, Lung cancer, Medicaid, Medical care, Medical education, Medical research, Medical screening, Medical statistics, Medical tests, Medicare, Medicine, Military medicine, Mortality, Pharmaceutical research, Quality of care, Research centers, Research grants, Science policy, Smoking, Surgery, Technology, Tobacco, Veterans, Veterans' medical care, Vital statistics, Welfare
Latest Action: 08/02/2007 - Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10842) Bill TextA 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 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Administrative procedure, Administrative remedies, Budgets, Civil rights, Communication in medicine, Communications, Damages, Department of Labor, Discrimination in employment, Dismissal of employees, Employee rights, Employee training, Executive departments, Federal aid to health facilities, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Governmental investigations, Grievance procedures, Health facilities, Health information systems, Human engineering, Job training, Labor, Law, Legal fees, Medical care, Medical instruments and apparatus, Medical personnel, Medical statistics, Medical supplies, Medicine, Nurses, Occupational health and safety, Planning, Risk, Signs and signboards, Standards, Technological innovations, Technology, Technology assessment, Transfer of employees, Wage restitution, Whistle blowing
Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections. Bill TextTo 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 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Aged, Communication in medicine, Communications, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Health policy, Home care services, Medical care, Medicare, Medicine, Performance measurement, Technology
Latest Action: 01/17/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Bill TextA 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.
Also tagged in: Associations, institutions, etc., Commemorations, Congressional tributes, Diseases, Health education, Health policy, Medical care, Medical research, Medicine, Reproduction, Science policy, Special weeks, Technology
Latest Action: 04/20/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. Bill TextSupporting 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.
Also tagged in: Aged, Armed forces, Budgets, Case management, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Chemotherapy, Defense policy, Department of Health and Human Services, Drug abuse, Education, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Federal advisory bodies, Federal aid to research, Federal officials, Government employees, Graduate education, Health policy, Health surveys, Higher education, Imaging systems in medicine, Lung cancer, Medicaid, Medical care, Medical education, Medical research, Medical screening, Medical statistics, Medical tests, Medicare, Medicine, Military medicine, Mortality, Pharmaceutical research, Quality of care, Research centers, Research grants, Science policy, Smoking, Surgery, Technology, Tobacco, Veterans, Veterans' medical care, Vital statistics, Welfare
Latest Action: 11/13/2007 - Mrs. Capps moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended. Bill TextExpressing 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.
Also tagged in: Breast cancer, Budgets, Federal aid to research, Imaging systems in medicine, Mammography, Medical care, Medical research, Medicine, Prostate cancer, Research and development, Research grants, Science policy, Technological innovations, Technology, Women
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 TextExpressing 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.
Also tagged in: Access to health care, Budgets, Caregivers, Clinical trials, Clinics, Communication in medicine, Communication in science, Communications, Community health services, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Continuing education, Department of Health and Human Services, Directories, Disabled, Education, Executive departments, Federal aid to education, Federal aid to health facilities, Federal aid to research, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Governmental investigations, Health education, Health information systems, Health planning, Health policy, Higher education, Home care services, Job training, Medical care, Medical education, Medical research, Medicine, Mental health services, Nervous system diseases, Neurology, Nonprofit organizations, Paralysis, Quality of life, Rehabilitation of the disabled, Research centers, Research grants, Science policy, Self-help devices for the disabled, Social services, Spinal cord injuries, Stroke, Technology, Veterans, Veterans' hospitals, Veterans' medical care, Veterans' rehabilitation
Latest Action: 03/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. Bill TextTo 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 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Biomedical engineering, Business, Clinical trials, Conflict of interests, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Consumers, Corporations, Data banks, Department of Health and Human Services, Drug approvals, Drug industry, Drug interactions, Drug utilization, Drugs, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Federal advisory bodies, Finance, Financial disclosure, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Generic drugs, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Health information systems, Labeling, Medical care, Medical instruments and apparatus, Medical supplies, Medicine, Nonprofit organizations, Pharmaceutical research, Politics and government, Product development, Product safety, Research centers, Risk, Science policy, Social services, Technological innovations, Technology
Latest Action: 03/14/2007 - Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held. Bill TextA 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 [...] show full description
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Latest Legislation - View All
Also tagged in: Aged, Business, Clinical trials, Consumers, Department of Health and Human Services, Drug approvals, Drug industry, Drugs, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Federal advisory bodies, Health policy, Law, Medical care, Medical supplies, Medicare, Medicine, Patients' rights, Product safety, Products liability, Technology
Latest Action: 06/17/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. Bill TextTo 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 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Aged, Consumers, Criminal justice, Damages, Data banks, Employee health benefits, Employee training, Finance, Health care fraud, Health information systems, Health insurance, Health policy, Income tax, Insurance premiums, Job training, Labor, Law, Limitation of actions, Medical care, Medical malpractice, Medical records, Medical savings accounts, Medical supplies, Medicare, Medicine, Products liability, Punitive damages, Standards, Tax credits, Tax deductions, Tax refunds, Taxation, Technology
Latest Action: 05/22/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Bill TextA 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 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Aged, Business, Clinical trials, Consumers, Department of Health and Human Services, Drug approvals, Drug industry, Drugs, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Federal advisory bodies, Health policy, Law, Medical care, Medical supplies, Medicare, Medicine, Patients' rights, Product safety, Products liability, Technology
Latest Action: 05/21/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4625) Bill TextA 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 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Consumers, Defective products, Fines (Penalties), Government information, Government publicity, Law, Medical care, Medical supplies, Medicine, Product safety, Technology
Latest Action: 05/15/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Bill TextA 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 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Artificial intelligence, Biomedical engineering, Brain, Brain diseases, Budgets, Business, Commercialization, Department of Health and Human Services, Drug approvals, Economic impact statements, Economic policy, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Federal advisory bodies, Federal aid to research, Governmental investigations, Medical care, Medical ethics, Medical research, Medicine, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Nervous system diseases, Neurology, Pharmaceutical research, Psychiatry, Research centers, Research ethics, Science policy, Small business, Technology
Latest Action: 05/07/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3899-3900) Bill TextA 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 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Artificial intelligence, Biomedical engineering, Brain, Brain diseases, Budgets, Business, Commercialization, Department of Health and Human Services, Drug approvals, Economic impact statements, Economic policy, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Federal advisory bodies, Federal aid to research, Governmental investigations, Medical care, Medical ethics, Medical research, Medicine, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Nervous system diseases, Neurology, Pharmaceutical research, Psychiatry, Research centers, Research ethics, Science policy, Small business, Technology
Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. Bill TextTo 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 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Aged, Consumers, Criminal justice, Damages, Data banks, Employee health benefits, Employee training, Finance, Health care fraud, Health information systems, Health insurance, Health policy, Income tax, Insurance premiums, Job training, Labor, Law, Limitation of actions, Medical care, Medical malpractice, Medical records, Medical savings accounts, Medical supplies, Medicare, Medicine, Products liability, Punitive damages, Standards, Tax credits, Tax deductions, Tax refunds, Taxation, Technology
Latest Action: 05/19/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. Bill TextTo 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 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Aged, Cerebral palsy, Competitive bidding, Disabled, Health policy, Medical care, Medical supplies, Medicare, Medicine, Multiple sclerosis, Muscular diseases, Nervous system diseases, Parkinson's disease, Public contracts, Rehabilitation of the disabled, Self-help devices for the disabled, Spinal cord injuries, Technology
Latest Action: 04/29/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3510) Bill TextA 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.
Also tagged in: Budgets, Data banks, Department of Health and Human Services, Education, Employee training, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Federal advisory bodies, Federal aid to health facilities, Government information, Government paperwork, Health policy, Higher education, Job training, Medical care, Medical education, Medical research, Medicine, Science policy, Simulation methods, Technology
Latest Action: 12/06/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. Bill TextTo 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 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Aged, Authorization, Budgets, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Critically ill, Education, Families, Family services, Federal aid to health facilities, Health information systems, Health policy, Higher education, Hospital care, Hospital personnel, Medical care, Medical education, Medical instruments and apparatus, Medical research, Medical supplies, Medicare, Medicine, Public health personnel, Quality of care, Recruiting of employees, Rural affairs, Rural health, Scholarships, Science policy, Student loan funds, Technological innovations, Technology, Telecommunication, Telemedicine
Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development, and Foreign Agriculture. Bill TextTo 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 [...] show full description
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