Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Committee on Armed Services. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Levin. Without written report.

Bill Text
An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military construction, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Committee on Armed Services. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Levin. With written report No. 110-335.

Bill Text
An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. 5/12/2008--Reported to Senate 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.) National 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 [...]

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Latest Action: 06/25/2008 - Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Bill Text
A bill to amend chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, to create a presumption that a disability or death of a Federal employee in fire protection activities caused by any of certain diseases is the result of the performance of such employee's duty.

8/1/2007--Introduced.

Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends federal law to provide that, in the case of an employee in fire protection activities: (1) heart disease, lung disease, specified cancers and infectious diseases shall be presumed to be proximately caused by the employee's employment; (2) the disability or death of an employee in fire protection activities due to such a disease shall be presumed to result from personal injury sustained while in the performance of such employee's duty; and (3) such presumptions may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence.

Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye without amendment. With written report No. 110-28.

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A bill to establish a United States Boxing Commission to administer the Act, and for other purposes. 3/1/2007--Reported to Senate 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.) Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 to: (1) authorize a tribal organization to establish a boxing commission to regulate professional boxing matches held on Indian land; and (2) provide that its provisions shall apply to professional boxing matches held on tribal lands to the same extent and in the same way as they apply to such matches held in any state. Requires health and safety standards and licensing requirements for matches to be at least as restrictive as: (1) standards and requirements in the state in which the Indian land is located; or (2) the guidelines established [...]

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

Bill Text
To amend title 5, United States Code, to create a presumption that disability of a Federal employee in fire protection activities caused by certain conditions is presumed to result from the performance of such employee's duty.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends federal law to provide that, with regard to an employee in fire protection activities: (1) heart disease, lung disease, specified cancers and infectious diseases shall be presumed to be proximately caused by the employee's employment; (2) the disability or death of an employee in fire protection activities due to such a disease shall be presumed to result from personal injury sustained while in the performance of such employee's duty; and (3) such presumptions may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence.

Latest Action: 01/18/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S765)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure and foster continued patient quality of care by establishing facility and patient criteria for long-term care hospitals and related improvements under the Medicare program. 1/18/2007--Introduced. Medicare Long-Term Care Hospital Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prescribe requirements for a long-term care hospital (LTCH) and patient criteria for prospective payment to an LTCH.Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) determine a list of medical conditions associated with a high severity of illness of patients who are appropriate for treatment in long-term care hospitals, as indicated by the presence of clinical comorbidities in accordance with a methodology specified by the Secretary; and (2) study and report to Congress on appropriate quality measures for Medicare beneficiaries receiving care in LTCHs. Directs the Secretary to [...]

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Latest Action: 01/30/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1332)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act to revise and extend that Act. 1/30/2007--Introduced. Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Reauthorizes for for FY2007-FY2012 and revises the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act. Requires any Department of Health and Human Services grant to or contract with Papa Ola Lokahi (an organization of public agencies and private organizations focused on improving the health status of Native Hawaiians) to support community-based initiatives that reflect holistic approaches to health. Requires Papa Ola Lokahi to report to Congress on the impact of federal and state health care financing mechanisms and policies on the health and well-being of Native Hawaiians. Makes Papa Ola Lokahi eligible to receive research endowments under the Public Health Service Act. Adds to authorized services the support of culturally appropriate activities enhancing health and wellness, including [...]

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Latest Action: 01/24/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure and foster continued patient quality of care by establishing facility and patient criteria for long-term care hospitals and related improvements under the Medicare Program. 1/18/2007--Introduced. Medicare Long-Term Care Hospital Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prescribe requirements for a long-term care hospital (LTCH) and patient criteria for prospective payment to an LTCH. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) determine the LTCH diagnosis related groups (LTCH-DRGs) associated with a high severity of illness for specified medical conditions; and (2) study and report to Congress on appropriate quality measures for Medicare patients receiving care in LTCHs.Directs the Secretary to choose three quality measures from the study for LTCHs to report.Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act [...]

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Latest Action: 02/13/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1912)

Bill Text
A bill to accelerate efforts to develop vaccines for diseases primarily affecting developing countries and for other purposes. 2/13/2007--Introduced. Vaccines for the Future Act of 2007 - Directs the President to establish a comprehensive strategy to accelerate efforts to develop vaccines and microbicides for neglected diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. States that such strategy shall: (1) expand public-private partnerships and seek to leverage foreign country and private sector resources; (2) include the negotiation of advance market commitments and other economic incentives for the research, development, and manufacturing of vaccines and microbicides for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other neglected diseases; (3) address related intellectual property and regulatory issues; (4) maximize U.S. capabilities to support clinical trials of vaccines and microbicides in developing countries; and (5) expand the purchase and delivery of existing vaccines.[...]

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Latest Action: 10/09/2007 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden under authority of the order of the Senate of 10/04/2007 with amendments. With written report No. 110-192.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to assist countries in sub-Saharan Africa in the effort to achieve internationally recognized goals in the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS and other major diseases and the reduction of maternal and child mortality by improving human health care capacity and improving retention of medical health professionals in sub-Saharan Africa, and for other purposes. 10/9/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) African Health Capacity Investment Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to provide assistance, including through international or nongovernmental organizations, for programs to improve human health care capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. Directs the President to develop and transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy for coordinating, implementing, and monitoring assistance programs for human health care capacity [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Committee on Armed Services. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Levin. With written report No. 110-335.

Bill Text
An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. 5/12/2008--Reported to Senate 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.) National 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 [...]

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Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Committee on Armed Services. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Levin. Without written report.

Bill Text
An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military construction, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 02/14/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1072-1073)

Bill Text
A resolution designating the month of March 2008 as "MRSA Awareness Month".

2/14/2008--Introduced.

Designates March 2008 as MRSA Awareness Month.

Recognizes: (1) the need to apply what is already known about reducing the transmission of infections in hospitals, effectively using diagnostics, and ensuring appropriate use of antibiotics to meet patient and public health needs; (2) the need to pursue operational research to find the best ways of preventing hospital- and community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and developing new antibiotics for improving care for MRSA patients; and (3) the importance of raising awareness of MRSA and methods of preventing MRSA infections.

Expresses support for the work of advocates, healthcare practitioners, and science-based experts in educating, supporting, and providing hope for individuals and their families affected by community and healthcare associated infections.

Latest Action: 02/14/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Bill Text
Designating the month of March 2008 as "MRSA Awareness Month".

2/14/2008--Introduced.

Recognizes: (1) the need to apply what is known about reducing the transmission of infections in hospitals and assuring appropriate use of antibiotics to meet patient and public health needs; (2) the need to pursue operational research on preventing hospital- and community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and developing new antibiotics for improving care for MRSA patients; and (3) the importance of raising awareness of MRSA and methods of preventing MRSA infections.

Expresses support for the work of advocates, healthcare practitioners, and science-based experts in educating, supporting, and providing hope for individuals and their families affected by community and healthcare associated infections.

Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to protect health care workers and first responders, including police, fire-fighters, emergency medical personnel, and other workers at risk of workplace exposure to infectious agents and drug resistant infections, such as MRSA and pandemic influenza. 12/19/2007--Introduced. Worker Infection Protection Act - Directs the Secretaries of Labor and of Health and Human Services (HHS) to jointly develop and issue workplace standards, recommendations, and plans to protect health care workers and first responders and other workers at risk of workplace exposure to infectious agents and drug resistant infections, such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and pandemic influenza.Directs the Secretary of Labor to develop and issue an emergency temporary standard and, not later than six months after such issuance, a permanent standard for the protection of workers at risk of exposure, to prevent occupational exposure to infectious agents and toxins, such as [...]

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Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to prevent health care facility-acquired infections. 12/19/2007--Introduced. MRSA Infection Prevention and Patient Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations that: (1) define "MRSA" (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus); (2) provide a list of best practices for antibiotic resistant staphylococcus; (3) define "high risk hospital departments" for purposes of applying such practices; and (4) provide screening, recordkeeping, and other requirements as they relate to MRSA reductions. Requires acute care hospitals to screen patients entering intensive care units and other high risk hospital departments. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a process and a timetable for extending the screening requirements to patients admitted to all hospitals by January 1, 2012, subject to a waiver; and (2) report to Congress, by January 1, 2009, on whether payment adjustments should be made under Medicare [...]

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Latest Action: 12/14/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to remove a provision from the Immigration and Nationality Act that prohibits individuals with HIV from being admissible to the United States, and for other purposes.

12/14/2007--Introduced.

HIV Nondiscrimination in Travel and Immigration Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) bar to U.S. admission.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) convene a panel of public health experts to review immigration policies regarding HIV as a communicable disease of public health significance (and thus a health-related ground for inadmissibility); and (2) make a determination and report to Congress regarding the continued listing of HIV as a health-related ground for inadmissibility.

Latest Action: 12/13/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Social Security Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and the Public Health Service Act to ensure a sufficient supply of vaccines, and for other purposes. 12/13/2007--Introduced. Vaccine Shortage Preparedness Act of 2008 - Amends the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to sell to public health departments or back to the manufacturers such quantities of the six-month supply of pediatric vaccines acquired for unanticipated needs as the Secretary determines appropriate. Makes proceeds of such sales available only for purposes of procuring pediatric vaccine stockpiles. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require: (1) a manufacturer of an approved vaccine to notify the Secretary 12 months prior to discontinuing manufacture of the vaccine, with exceptions; and (2) the Secretary, promptly after receiving such notice and after determining that a reduction applies, to inform the Director of the [...]

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Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to preparation for an influenza pandemic, including an avian influenza pandemic, and for other purposes. 12/6/2007--Introduced. Attacking Viral Influenza Across Nations Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit to the Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) a proposal related to establishing a Pandemic Fund for countries affected by pandemic influenza. Establishes the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Policy Coordinating Committee to develop an Interagency Preparedness Plan. Requires the Secretary to strengthen, expand, and coordinate domestic pandemic influenza preparedness activities. Requires states to have an approved state preparedness plan as a condition of receiving funds related to bioterrorism from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). [...]

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Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Bill Text
To improve the prevention, detection, and treatment of community and healthcare-associated infections (CHAI), with a focus on antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 11/15/2007--Introduced. Community and Healthcare-Associated Infections Reduction Act of 2007 - Directs the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop best-practices guidelines for internal infection control plans to prevent, detect, control, and treat community and healthcare-associated infections at hospitals.Requires AHRQ to: (1) establish best practices with supporting justification, including the establishment of an infection control oversight committee; (2) collaborate with other agencies and organizations whose area of expertise is the identification, treatment, and prevention of infectious disease; (3) publish proposed guidelines; (4) provide for a comment period of not less than 90 days; and (5) establish final [...]

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