Top Legislation - View All

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

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the designation of a National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week, and for other purposes.

1/16/2007--Introduced.

Calls for the establishment of a National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week.

Commends the hospitals, child care councils, schools, and other organizations that are working to increase awareness of the danger of shaking young children.

Latest Action: 03/14/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

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Expressing the need for enhanced public awareness of traumatic brain injury and support for the designation of a National Brain Injury Awareness Month.

3/13/2007--Introduced.

Expresses support for the designation of National Brain Injury Awareness Month.

Latest Action: 08/02/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10781)

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A bill to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to improve benefits and services for members of the Armed Forces, veterans of the Global War on Terrorism, and other veterans, to require reports on the effects of the Global War on Terrorism, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Lane Evans Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2007 - Makes a veteran who served on active duty during a period of war eligible for a mental health evaluation and hospital care, medical services, nursing home care, and family and marital counseling for any identified mental health condition, notwithstanding insufficient medical evidence to conclude that the condition is attributable to such service. Requires: (1) post-deployment medical and mental health screenings to be conducted within 30 days after a deployment; (2) each member, upon discharge, to be provided an electronic copy of all military records of such member; and (3) the Secretary of Defense to ensure appropriate [...]

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Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Kennedy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to add requirements regarding trauma care, and for other purposes. 3/29/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) collect, compile, and disseminate information on achievements and problems in providing trauma care and emergency medical services; and (2) promote the collection and categorization of trauma data in a consistent and standardized manner.(Sec. 3) Removes authorization for the National Clearinghouse on Trauma Care and Emergency Medical Services. (Sec. 4) Allows the Secretary to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities to carry out demonstration projects to improve emergency medical services in rural areas by increasing communication and coordination with state trauma systems. (Sec. 5) Authorizes [...]

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Latest Action: 05/03/2007 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act to add requirements regarding trauma care, and for other purposes. 5/3/2007--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on March 29, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) collect, compile, and disseminate information on achievements and problems in providing trauma care and emergency medical services; and (2) promote the collection and categorization of trauma data in a consistent and standardized manner.(Sec. 3) Removes authorization for the National Clearinghouse on Trauma Care and Emergency Medical Services. (Sec. 4) Allows the Secretary to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities to carry out demonstration projects to improve emergency [...]

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Latest Action: 04/28/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for the expansion and improvement of traumatic brain injury programs. 4/28/2008--Public Law.    (There are 4 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on April 8, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the national program for traumatic brain injury registries to make grants for state traumatic brain injury surveillance systems or registries (currently, only for registries) to: (1) determine the incidence and prevalence of traumatic brain injury and related disability; (2) ensure the uniformity of reporting under each such system or registry; (3) link individuals with traumatic brain injury to services and supports; and (4) link such individuals with academic institutions to conduct applied research. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through [...]

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Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4177-4178)

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A bill to improve the medical care of members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and for other purposes. 3/29/2007--Introduced. Effective Care for the Armed Forces and Veterans Act of 2007 - Prohibits the Secretary of Defense, during a period of a U.S. major military conflict, from: (1) subjecting work performed by an employee of a Department of Defense (DOD) medical facility or an employee of a private contractor of such facility to public-private competition; or (2) converting such employee or the work performed to private contractor performance. Allows an exception to prevent a negative impact on the provision of services. Requires a study by the Comptroller General on competitive outsourcing activities at DOD medical facilities. Provides: (1) a minimum budget for DOD medical services during periods of major military conflicts; and (2) a limitation on the implementation of a recommendation for the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Requires [...]

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Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4204-4207)

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A bill to provide for the improvement of the physical evaluation processes applicable to members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes. 3/29/2007--Introduced. Restoring Disability Benefits for Injured and Wounded Warriors Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to appoint a panel to review each case before a Department of Defense (DOD) Physical Evaluation Board in which: (1) the Board determined to discharge or release a member of the Armed Forces without assigning a rating of disability to the member; and (2) the member appealed a Board determination regarding the rating of disability. Requires the panel to report whether any additional or different action should be taken by the military department concerned with respect to such determinations. Directs the Secretary to appoint a panel to review, and take the same actions as above, cases in which a member was denied, or appealed the amount of, traumatic injury protection awarded under Servicemembers Group [...]

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Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4204-4207)

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A bill to improve the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury in members and former members of the Armed Forces, to review and expand telehealth and telemental health programs of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 3/29/2007--Introduced. Heroes at Home Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a protocol for the assessment and documentation of the cognitive (including memory) functioning of each member of the Armed Forces deployed in Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom before such deployment in order to facilitate their cognitive functioning upon their return. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program on training and certification of family caregivers of veterans and members with traumatic brain injury. Authorizes such Secretaries to jointly: (1) establish a demonstration project to assess the feasibility and advisability of using telehealth technology [...]

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Latest Action: 04/10/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4310)

Bill Text
A bill to provide housing assistance for very low-income veterans. 4/10/2007--Introduced. Homes for Heroes Act of 2007 - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs to: (1) ensure veteran access to HUD housing and homeless assistance programs; (2) coordinate all HUD programs and activities relating to veterans; and (3) serve as a HUD liaison with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Directs the HUD Secretary to provide assistance to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families (that is, families with incomes not exceeding 50% of the area median income). Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to: (1) make housing rental vouchers available to homeless veterans; and (2) include veterans in public housing planning. Excludes veterans' benefits [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

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: 05/21/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4627)

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A concurrent resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Better Hearing and Speech Month.

5/21/2008--Introduced.

Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of National Better Hearing and Speech Month; and (2) the efforts of speech and hearing professionals to improve the speech and hearing development of children.

Urges increased coordination of community-based, comprehensive care for members of the Armed Forces, veterans, athletes, and accident victims who have experienced hearing and speech deficiencies as a result of traumatic brain injury.

Encourages the people of the United States to have their hearing checked regularly and to avoid environmental noise that can lead to hearing loss.

Commends the 46 states that have implemented routine hearing screenings for every newborn.

Latest Action: 05/15/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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 committ

Bill Text
To expand and improve mental health care and reintegration programs for members of the National Guard and Reserve, and for other purposes. 5/15/2008--Introduced. National Guard and Reserve Mental Health Access Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) provide for the implementation of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program for members of the National Guard and reserves and their families required by section 582 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 by not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) report to the congressional defense committees on that Program's implementation. Directs the Secretary to carry out a joint psychological health program to: (1) increase access to and the provision of psychological health care and related services for members of the National Guard following their deployment, and their families; (2) improve coordination among DOD components in the provision of such care during [...]

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Latest Action: 05/16/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Better Hearing and Speech Month, and for other purposes.

5/15/2008--Introduced.

Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of National Better Hearing and Speech Month; and (2) the efforts of speech and hearing professionals to improve the speech and hearing development of children.

Urges increased coordination of community-based, comprehensive care for soldiers, veterans, athletes, and accident victims who have experienced traumatic brain injury.

Encourages the people of the United States to have their hearing checked regularly and to avoid environmental noise that can lead to hearing loss.

Commends the 46 states that have implemented routine hearing screenings for every newborn.

Latest Action: 05/13/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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 committee conc

Bill Text
Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 5/13/2008--Introduced. Clean Global War on Terror Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes emergency supplemental FY2008 appropriations for specified activities related to the war on terror, international affairs, and national defense matters to the Departments of Agriculture (including food relief to certain foreign countries), of Justice, of Defense (military, including funds for Afghan and Iraqi security forces), of Defense (military construction), and of State (including international peacekeeping activities). Rescinds certain funds made available in: (1) the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 for the Defense Health Program; and (2) the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund. Makes additional supplemental appropriations [...]

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Latest Action: 05/01/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3715-3716)

Bill Text
A bill to improve and enhance the mental health care benefits available to members of the Armed Forces and veterans, to enhance counseling and other benefits available to survivors of members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and for other purposes. 5/1/2008--Introduced. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide scholarships to individuals pursuing education or training in behavioral health care specialties that are critical to the operations of Vet Centers (centers for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans) in order to recruit and retain individuals with such specialties for service in Vet Centers. Conditions the scholarship on agreeing to serve in such a capacity for whatever period the Secretary specifies in the agreement. Makes any Armed Forces member who serves in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom eligible for readjustment counseling and related mental health services through Vet Centers regardless [...]

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Latest Action: 04/30/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3596)

Bill Text
A bill to expand and improve mental health care and reintegration programs for members of the National Guard and Reserve, and for other purposes. 4/30/2008--Introduced. National Guard and Reserve Mental Health Access Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) provide for the implementation of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program for members of the National Guard and reserves and their families required by section 582 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 by not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) report to the congressional defense committees on that Program's implementation. Directs the Secretary to carry out a joint psychological health program to: (1) increase access to and the provision of psychological health care and related services for members of the National Guard following their deployment, and their families; (2) improve coordination among DOD components in the provision of such [...]

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Latest Action: 04/28/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to require pilot programs on training and certification for family caregiver personal care attendants for veterans and members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury, to require a pilot program on provision of respite care to such veterans and members, and for other purposes. 4/28/2008--Introduced. Caring for Wounded Warriors Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out up to three pilot programs to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing training and certification for family caregivers of veterans and members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Requires each pilot program to be carried out in a medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Requires the Secretary to develop curricula for the training of such caregivers as personal care attendants. Makes a family caregiver who receives certification as a personal care attendant eligible for compensation from the VA for the care provided.[...]

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Latest Action: 04/17/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3160, S3161)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve veterans' health care benefits, and for other purposes. 4/17/2008--Introduced. Veterans Health Care Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to contract to provide specialized residential care and rehabilitation services to a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom who suffers from a traumatic brain injury, has an accumulation of deficits in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living and, because of these deficits, would otherwise require nursing home admission even though such care would generally exceed the veteran's nursing needs. Directs the Secretary to provide full-time board-certified physicians and dentists the opportunity to continue their professional education through VA sponsored continuing education programs. Authorizes (currently, directs) the Secretary to reimburse such physicians or dentists up to $1,000 per year for continuing [...]

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