Top Legislation - View All

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: 01/22/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to prohibit certain abortion-related discrimination in government activities.

1/22/2007--Introduced.

Abortion Non-Discrimination Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include a health care entity's refusal to provide coverage of, or pay for, induced abortions among the bases for which the federal government or any state or local government that receives federal financial assistance may not discriminate against such an entity. Expands the definition of "health care entity" to include a hospital, a provider sponsored organization, a health maintenance organization, a health insurance plan, and any other kind of health care facility, organization, or plan.

Latest Action: 01/23/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit financial institutions to determine their interest expense deduction without regard to tax-exempt bonds issued to provide certain small loans for health care or educational purposes.

1/23/2007--Introduced.

Health and Higher Education Facilities Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a small tax-exempt bond issuer, the proceeds of the obligations of which are to be used to make or finance eligible loans for health care or educational purposes, to elect to apply specified current limitations on the amount of obligations by treating each borrower as the issuer of a separate issue.

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

Bill Text
To provide for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a pilot program to determine the effectiveness of contracting for the use of private memory care facilities for veterans with Alzheimer's Disease.

1/24/2007--Introduced.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct during fiscal years 2007 and 2008 a pilot program to determine the effectiveness of contracting with private memory care facilities to provide services for veterans suffering from Alzheimer's disease as an alternative to the provision by the Secretary of inpatient or home health care for such veterans. Requires the pilot program to be conducted through five medical centers of the Veterans Health Administration selected by the Secretary.

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

Bill Text
To provide for comprehensive health insurance coverage for all United States residents, and for other purposes. 1/24/2007--Introduced. United States National Health Insurance Act (or the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act) - Establishes the United States National Health Insurance (USNHI) Program (the Program) to provide all individuals residing in the United States and in U.S. territories with free health care that includes all medically necessary care, such as primary care and prevention, prescription drugs, emergency care, and mental health services. Prohibits an institution from participating in the Program unless it is a public or nonprofit institution. Allows nonprofit health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that actually deliver care in their own facilities to participate in the Program. Gives patients the freedom to choose from participating physicians and institutions. Prohibits a private health insurer from selling health insurance coverage that [...]

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Latest Action: 02/27/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2277)

Bill Text
A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve the benefits under the Medicare program for beneficiaries with kidney disease, and for other purposes. 2/27/2007--Introduced. Kidney Care Quality and Education Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish demonstration projects to: (1) increase public awareness about the factors that lead to chronic kidney disease, how to prevent it, how to treat it, and how to avoid kidney failure, as well as enhance surveillance systems and expand research to better assess the prevalence and incidence of kidney disease; and (2) enable individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) to develop self-management skills. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for Medicare coverage of kidney disease patient education services. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish blood flow monitoring demonstration projects; and (2) arrange with the Institute of [...]

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Latest Action: 02/01/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.

Bill Text
To expedite payments of certain Federal emergency assistance authorized pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, and to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to exercise certain authority provided under such Act. 1/31/2007--Introduced. Disaster Recovery Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to pay an eligible disaster relief applicant 50% of the federal share of assistance for which the applicant is eligible under specified sections of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, within 60 days after the applicant files a claim for such assistance. Requires authorized reimbursement for clearing and removing debris to include reimbursement for clearing, removing, and disposing of debris from any emergency access road. Authorizes federal assistance for removing, clearing, and disposing of debris [...]

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Latest Action: 04/15/2008 - Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held.

Bill Text
A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey the Alta-Hualapai Site to the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, for the development of a cancer treatment facility.

3/5/2007--Introduced.

Nevada Cancer Institute Expansion Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to convey to the City of Las Vegas, Nevada, all interest of the United States in and to the Alta-Hualapai Site for use by the City for the development of: (1) a nonprofit cancer treatment facility; (2) ancillary commercial projects; (3) an adjacent park; (4) a flood control project; and (5) a water pumping facility.

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 Action: 03/08/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2909-2910)

Bill Text
A bill to provide health care benefits to veterans with a service-connected disability at non-Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities that receive payments under the Medicare program or the TRICARE program.

3/8/2007--Introduced.

Veterans Health Care Empowerment Act of 2007 - Allows any veteran with a service-connected disability to receive hospital care or medical services for any condition at any hospital or medical facility or from any medical provider eligible to receive payments under either Medicare or the TRICARE program (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care program). Requires the cost of such care and services to be borne by the United States.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 110-606.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide assistance for housing. 4/24/2008--Reported to House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008 - Title I: Housing Tax Incentives - Subtitle A: Multi-Family Housing - Part 1: Low-Income Housing Tax Credit - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the low-income housing tax credit and tax-exempt bond rules for financing low-income housing projects.(Sec. 101) Increases in 2008 and 2009 the per capita amount of the low-income housing tax credit allocable by each state.(Sec. 102) Modifies rules for the low-income housing tax credit to: (1) eliminate the distinction between new and existing buildings for purposes of such credit; (2) establish a minimum credit rate for non-federally subsidized buildings; (3) set forth criteria for designating a building as federally subsidized and for considering federal assistance in calculating [...]

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Latest Action: 11/16/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14621-14622)

Bill Text
A bill to establish a demonstration project to provide for patient-centered medical homes to improve the effectiveness and efficiency in providing medical assistance under the Medicaid program and child health assistance under the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

11/16/2007--Introduced.

Medical Homes Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a three-year demonstration project under titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act for the implementation of a patient-centered medical home program to improve the effectiveness and efficiency in providing Medicaid and SCHIP assistance to an estimated 500,000 to 1 million targeted beneficiaries.

Latest Action: 11/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To amend the Public Health Service Act to strengthen and expand substance abuse and mental health services to persons experiencing homelessness in the United States. 11/8/2007--Introduced. Homeless Access to Recovery through Treatment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) require hospitals and other inpatient facilities receiving federal funding under such Act or under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to ensure that patients are referred to appropriate medical care upon discharge and are placed in stable and appropriate housing; (2) establish a state substance abuse planning council to evaluate state substance abuse plans; (3) establish comprehensive community-based substance abuse prevention treatment for the homeless that is linguistically and culturally competent; (4) designate the homeless as a priority population and expand substance abuse and mental health services for the homeless; (5) expand substance abuse services for runaway, homeless,[...]

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Latest Action: 10/31/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13625-13626)

Bill Text
A bill to include health centers in the list of entities eligible for mortgage insurance under the National Housing Act.

10/31/2007--Introduced.

Community Health Center Capital Investment Act - Amends the National Housing Act to revise the eligibility requirements for mortgages insured by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to include a mortgage executed by a health center.

Latest Action: 10/10/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
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.

10/10/2007--Introduced.

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 in sub-Saharan Africa.

Latest Action: 09/07/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Bill Text
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on the provision of traumatic brain injury care in rural areas.

8/4/2007--Introduced.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a five-year pilot program, in five rural states, under which the Secretary trains and then assigns a specific Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) case manager to each veteran diagnosed with traumatic brain injury who is receiving care in a VA facility in that state.

Latest Action: 08/03/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10931-10932)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to simplify certain provisions applicable to real estate investment trusts, and for other purposes.

8/3/2007--Introduced.

REIT Investment Diversification and Empowerment Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to real estate investment trusts (REITs) to: (1) treat passive foreign exchange gains attributable to overseas real estate investment as qualifying REIT income; (2) increase from 20 to 25% the the maximum value of a REIT's total assets thay may be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries; (3) revise safe harbor rules for the excise tax penalty on certain REIT sales activities; (4) treat rental payments made by a health care facility to a REIT as qualifying REIT income; and (5) treat income from, and interests in, foreign-qualified REITs as qualifying REIT income and assets.

Latest Action: 08/02/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10816-10817)

Bill Text
A bill to improve the quality of, and access to, long-term care. 8/2/2007--Introduced. Long-term Care Quality and Modernization Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Service to conduct a demonstration program under which the Secretary shall require a state to establish a process for joint training and education of surveyors and providers for skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities at least annually.Amends title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to set forth provisions related to resumption of nursing aid training programs for skilled nursing facilities after correction of deficiencies.Authorizes the Secretary to exclude from the Medicare prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities: (1) high cost and low probability cancer treatment drugs; and (2) all ambulance services.Authorizes a physician, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist to certify under Medicare that a prescribed [...]

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Latest Action: 09/07/2007 - Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S11278-11279 text as passed Senate: CR S11279)

Bill Text
A resolution designating the week beginning September 9, 2007, as "National Assisted Living Week".

9/7/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Designates the week beginning September 9, 2007, as National Assisted Living Week.

Latest Action: 09/27/2008 - Hearings Held by Subcommittee on Energy and Environment Prior to Introduction and Referral (05/15/2007)..

Bill Text
A bill to provide needed housing reform and for other purposes. 5/8/2008--House agreed to Senate amendment with amendment.    (There are 3 other summaries) American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 - Title I: FHA Housing Stabilization and Homeownership Retention - FHA Housing Stabilization and Homeownership Retention Act of 2008 - Subtitle A: Homeownership Retention - (Sec. 112) Amends the National Housing Act (NHA) to create the Refinance Program Oversight Board, which shall establish and oversee a program for insuring homeownership retention mortgages. Instructs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to insure any homeownership retention mortgage covering a one- to four-family residence made to pay or prepay outstanding obligations under an existing mortgage on the residence. Sets forth mortgagor eligibility criteria, including mortgagor