Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 08/31/2008 - Cleared for White House.

Bill Text
To establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children's products and to reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 3/6/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) CPSC Reform Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to authorize appropriations: (1) to carry out the Act and any other provision of law the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is authorized or directed to carry out; (2) for the office of Inspector General; (3) to make capital improvements to the research, development, and testing facility of the CPSC; and (4) for research into safety issues related to the use of nanotechnology in consumer products. (Sec. 4) Requires the CPSC, subject to the availability of appropriations, to increase by at least 500 the number of its full-time employees and by at least 50 the number of its port-of-entry and overseas production facility inspectors. Requires [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S115)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to recognize the United States Military Cancer Institute as an establishment within the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, to require the Institute to promote the health of members of the Armed Forces and their dependents by enhancing cancer research and treatment, to provide for a study of the epidemiological causes of cancer among various ethnic groups for cancer prevention and early detection efforts, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Establishes in the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences the United States Military Cancer Institute, headed by a Director, to carry out research studies on: (1) the epidemiological features of cancer among populations of various ethnic origins, as well as complementary research on oncologic nursing; (2) the prevention and early detection of cancer; and (3) basic, translational, and clinical investigation matters relating to such studies. Directs [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/02/2008 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the Congress that there should be established a Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to enhance public awareness of mental illness, especially within minority communities.

5/21/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Expresses the sense of Congress that an appropriate month should be recognized as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to enhance public awareness of mental illness and mental illness among minorities.

Latest Action: 06/14/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
Supporting the goals and ideals of National HIV Testing Day, and for other purposes.

6/14/2007--Introduced.

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National HIV/AIDS Testing Day.

Encourages the use of rapid test kits approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for HIV testing.

Latest Action: 02/08/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Bill Text
Recognizing the public service of Archbishop Patrick Flores.

2/8/2007--Introduced.

Recognizes Archbishop Patrick Flores for: (1) his leadership in improving the opportunities of Hispanics in the United States; (2) his 34 years serving the diverse and growing needs of the Archdiocese of San Antonio as bishop; and (3) a life of public service in the areas of civil rights, health, and education.

Latest Action: 02/07/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (Living Kidney Organ Donation Clarification Act of 2007)

Bill Text
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. 2/5/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day; (2) full and equitable funding for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006; (3) appropriate funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment; (4) the strengthening of stable African-American communities; (5) reducing the impact of incarceration as a driver of new HIV infections within the African-American community; (6) effective and comprehensive HIV prevention education programs to promote the early identification of HIV through voluntary routine testing and to connect those in need to treatment as early as possible; (7) reducing the number of HIV infections in the African-American community resulting from injection drug use; and (8) efforts to link those infected with HIV to accessible care and treatment options.[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of Congress that an appropriate month should be recognized as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to enhance public awareness of mental illness, especially within minority communities.

3/8/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of Congress regarding the importance of access to mental health treatment and services and public awareness of mental illness, especially in minority communities. Calls for recognition of a Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.

Latest Action: 06/07/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and for other purposes.

6/7/2007--Introduced.

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Recognizes the second anniversary of observing that day.

Encourages: (1) state and local governments to recognize that day, publicize its importance, and encourage Caribbean Americans, Caribbean-born individuals, and all people in the United States and its territories to know their status and undergo HIV testing; and (2) media organizations to carry messages in support of that day.

Latest Action: 04/23/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3758-3759)

Bill Text
To require Federal agencies to support health impact assessments and take other actions to improve health and the environmental quality of communities, and for other purposes. 1/10/2007--Introduced. Healthy Places Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an interagency working group to discuss environmental health concerns, particularly concerns disproportionately affecting disadvantaged populations. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish a program at the National Center of Environmental Health at CDC focused on advancing the field of health impact assessment. Requires the Director to develop guidance for the assessment of potential health effects of land use, housing, and transportation policy and plans. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to: (1) establish a program to provide funding and technical assistance to state [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 09/27/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12293-12294)

Bill Text
A resolution recognizing that the occurrence of prostate cancer in African American men has reached epidemic proportions and urging Federal agencies to address that health crisis by designating funds for education, awareness outreach, and research specifically focused on how that disease affects African American men.

9/27/2007--Introduced.

Recognizes that prostate cancer has created a health crisis for African American men. Urges federal agencies to designate additional funds for research and education, awareness, and early detection efforts at the grassroots levels to end that crisis.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/27/2008 - Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6330-6331)

Bill Text
A resolution designating June 27, 2008, as National HIV Testing Day.

6/27/2008--Introduced.

Designates June 27, 2008, as National HIV Testing Day.

Encourages: (1) state and local governments to recognize such day, publicize its importance, encourage individuals to undergo counseling and testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and establish and maintain effective linkages to care and treatment services for individuals testing positive; (2) use of rapid test kits approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a fast and efficient method of HIV testing; (3) media organizations to carry messages in support of the Day; and (4) the President to emphasize the importance of addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic among all individuals in the United States, especially among minority communities.

Expresses support for the development of a national AIDS strategy with clear goals and objectives to reduce new HIV infections, especially among minorities.

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 [...]

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

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. 6/9/2008--Introduced. Medicare Efficiency and Development of Improvement of Care and Services Act (MEDICS Act) of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for coverage of additional preventive services.Provides for gradual elimination of copayment rates for Medicare psychiatric services.Places prohibitions and limitations on certain sales and marketing activities under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and prescription drug plans.Requires offering of a range of Medicare supplemental policies.Extends the qualifying individual program. Provides for application of a full low-income subsidy [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S5539-5564)

Bill Text
A bill 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. 6/6/2008--Introduced. Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for coverage of additional preventive services.Provides for gradual elimination of copayment rates for Medicare psychiatric services.Places prohibitions and limitations on certain sales and marketing activities under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and prescription drug plans.Requires offering of a range of Medicare supplemental policies.Extends the qualifying individual program. Provides for application of a full low-income subsidy assets test under the Medicare [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to ensure sufficient resources and increase efforts for research at the National Institutes of Health relating to Alzheimer's disease, to authorize an education and outreach program to promote public awareness and risk reduction with respect to Alzheimer's disease (with particular emphasis on education and outreach in Hispanic populations), and for other purposes. 6/5/2008--Introduced. Cure and Understanding through Research for Alzheimer's Act of 2008 or the Cura Act of 2008 - Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to ensure sufficient resources for activities relating to Alzheimer's disease and Hispanic communities, including by: (1) increasing efforts in epidemiological work in Hispanic subgroups; (2) allocating resources to the National Institute on Aging Alzheimer's disease research centers and other academic centers involved in such research to increase participation of Hispanics and other underrepresented [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act to ensure sufficient resources and increase efforts for research at the National Institutes of Health relating to Alzheimer's disease, to authorize an education and outreach program to promote public awareness and risk reduction with respect to Alzheimer's disease (with particular emphasis on education and outreach in Hispanic populations), and for other purposes. 6/5/2008--Introduced. Cure and Understanding through Research for Alzheimer's Act of 2008 or La Cura Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to ensure sufficient resources for activities relating to Alzheimer's disease and Hispanic communities, including by: (1) increasing efforts in epidemiological work in Hispanic subgroups; (2) allocating resources to the National Institute on Aging Alzheimer's disease research centers and other academic centers involved in such research to increase participation [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/17/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3146-3147)

Bill Text
A bill to improve and enhance research and programs on cancer survivorship, and for other purposes. 4/17/2008--Introduced. Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to expand and intensify CDC's cancer control programs. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide guidance to states, in collaboration with the Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), on interventions that may be incorporated into state cancer control programs to improve the long-term health status of childhood cancer survivors; (2) encourage states to incorporate strategies for improving their care into their comprehensive cancer plans; (3) collaborate with the NCI Director to improve or develop systems for tracking cancer survivors; and (4) enhance control programs to include [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/06/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1706-1707)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to modify Medicare physician reimbursement policies to ensure a future physician workforce, and for other purposes. 3/6/2008--Introduced. Ensuring the Future Physician Workforce Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (the Act), with respect to the formula for calculating payments for physicians' services. Resets to 2007 the base year for application of the sustainable growth rate formula, which shall be eliminated in 2010. Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, as amended by the Act, to extend the current transitional bonus payments. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a reporting system for quality measures relating to physicians' services that focus on disease-specific high cost conditions. Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the Secretary to create standards [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/06/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the commi

Bill Text
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to modify Medicare physician reimbursement policies to ensure a future physician workforce, and for other purposes. 3/6/2008--Introduced. Ensuring the Future Physician Workforce Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (the Act), with respect to the formula for calculating payments for physicians' services. Resets to 2007 the base year for application of the sustainable growth rate formula, which shall be eliminated in 2010. Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, as amended by the Act, to extend the current transitional bonus payments. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a reporting system for quality measures relating to physicians' services that focus on disease-specific high cost conditions. Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the Secretary to create standards [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/07/2008 - S.AMDT.4143 Amendment SA 4143, previously agreed to, was modified by Unanimous Consent.

Bill Text
A bill to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide greater protection for children's products, to improve the screening of noncompliant consumer products, to improve the effectiveness of consumer product recall programs, and for other purposes. 2/25/2008--Introduced. CPSC Reform Act - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to authorize appropriations to carry out the Act and for other purposes. Creates or modifies provisions relating to personnel and Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), public disclosure of information, and rulemaking procedures. Requires third party certification of, and provides for tracking and record keeping regarding, children's products. Modifies provisions relating reporting of substantial product hazards and corrective action plans. Requires manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and importers to identify each other. Modifies provisions relating to prohibited acts, penalties,[...]

show full description