cheaptrix/billsum-US_congress_and_house huggingface dataset:
Northern Mariana Islands Enhanced Nutrition Assistance Act of 2018

To amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 to make funds available for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands pilot project for fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Northern Mariana Islands Enhanced Nutrition Assistance Act of 2018 2. Amendments Section 4031(e)(2) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–79 48 U.S.C. 1841 (1) in subparagraph (A)— (A) by striking subparagraph (B) subparagraphs (B) and (C) (B) in clause (i) by striking and (C) in clause (ii)— (i) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: (iii) $8,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2019 through 2023. ; (2) in subparagraph (B) by striking If Subject to subparagraph (C), if (3) by adding at the end the following: (C) Limitation Notwithstanding subparagraph (B), no funds available under subparagraph (A)(iii) may be provided under subparagraph (B) for a fiscal year if the amount of unexpended funds that remain available under subparagraph (B)(ii) as of January 1 immediately preceding the first day of such fiscal year exceeds $8,500,000. .

Summary: Northern Mariana Islands Enhanced Nutrition Assistance Act of 2018 This bill amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 to reauthorize through FY2023 the pilot program for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to operate the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) in the same manner in which the program is operated in the states. The bill prohibits funds available for the pilot program from being provided for the Northern Mariana Islands nutrition assistance program block grant during a year in which more than $8.5 million in unexpended pilot program funds remain available for the grant.
Military Taxpayer Assistance Act

To direct the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service to establish a special unit within the office of Stakeholder Partnership, Education and Communication to provide members of the uniformed services with tax assistance, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Military Taxpayer Assistance Act 2. Special unit within the office of Stakeholder Partnership, Education and Communication to provide members of the uniformed services with tax assistance (a) Establishment The Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service shall establish a special unit within the office of Stakeholder Partnership, Education and Communication in the Internal Revenue Service. (b) Responsibilities The unit established under subsection (a) shall be responsible for developing and conducting outreach, education, and assistance concerning the tax issues applicable to members of the uniformed services and the organizations that provide tax assistance to these taxpayers. (c) Staffing To the extent possible, the unit established under subsection (a) shall be staffed with veterans. (d) Funding for VITA training overseas The Commissioner shall ensure that ample funding is allocated to the unit established under subsection (a) to provide face-to-face training for the military volunteers providing income tax assistance in overseas locations. 3. Other assistance for members of the uniformed services (a) Toll-Free telephone line The Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service shall establish and maintain a toll-free telephone number for members of the uniformed services and their families to answer tax law and filing questions and to resolve their tax account and compliance issues. (b) Website The Commissioner shall ensure that the information on the website of the Internal Revenue Service relating to military taxpayers is current. 4. Unformed services For purposes of this Act, the term uniformed services

Summary: Military Taxpayer Assistance Act This bill requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to establish a special unit within the IRS office of Stakeholder Partnership, Education and Communication to be responsible for outreach, education, and assistance concerning the tax issues applicable to members of the uniformed services and organizations that provide tax assistance to them. The IRS must: (1) staff the new unit with veterans, to the extent possible; and (2) ensure that ample funding is allocated to the unit to provide face-to-face training for the military volunteers providing income tax assistance in overseas locations. The IRS must also: (1) establish and maintain a toll-free telephone number to answer tax questions and resolve tax account and compliance issues for members of the uniformed services and their families, and (2) ensure that information relating to military taxpayers is current on the IRS website.
Fair Debt Collections Practices Clarification Act of 2018

To amend the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to prohibit a court from making an award of costs to a defendant except on a finding that an action was brought in bad faith. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fair Debt Collections Practices Clarification Act of 2018 2. Clarification that no award of costs may be made against consumers except where action brought in bad faith Section 813(a)(3) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( 15 U.S.C. 1692k(a)(3) A court may make an award of costs or attorney fees to the defendant only after finding that an action under this section was brought in bad faith and for the purpose of harassment, and may not make an award of costs or attorney fees otherwise.

Summary: Fair Debt Collections Practices Clarification Act of 2018 This bill amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to provide that, in an action brought under that Act, costs may be awarded to a defendant only if the action was brought in bad faith.
Medical Debt Tax Relief Act

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from income discharge of medical indebtedness. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Medical Debt Tax Relief Act 2. Exclusion of discharge of medical indebtedness (a) In general Section 108 (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking or , or (F) the indebtedness discharged is qualified medical indebtedness. , and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (j) Qualified medical indebtedness (1) In general For purposes of this section, the term qualified medical indebtedness (A) diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease of the taxpayer or the spouse or a dependent of the taxpayer, or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body of the taxpayer or the spouse or a dependent of the taxpayer, (B) for transportation primarily for and essential to medical care referred to in subparagraph (A), or (C) for qualified long-term care services for the taxpayer or the spouse or a dependent of the taxpayer. (2) Additional rules Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (2), (5), (8), (9), and (11) of section 213(d) shall apply for purposes of this subsection. (3) Terms used in section 213 For purposes of this subsection, any term also used in section 213(d)(1) shall have the same meaning as when used in such section. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to indebtedness discharged after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Medical Debt Tax Relief Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income the discharge of medical indebtedness. The bill applies to the discharge of debt incurred by the taxpayer for expenses of the taxpayer or the spouse or a dependent of the taxpayer for: (1) diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease; (2) the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body; (3) transportation primarily for and essential to medical care, or (4) long-term care services.
Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Adjustment Act of 2018

To amend the Small Business Act to include contracts awarded under section 8127 of title 38, United States Code, in the limitations relating to subcontracting, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Adjustment Act of 2018 2. Amendments to subcontracting limitations in the Small Business Act Section 46 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 657s (1) in subsection (a), by inserting or under section 8127 of title 38, United States Code, 36, (2) in subsection (e)(1)— (A) in subparagraph (D), by striking or (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (F) with respect to a contract awarded under section 8127 of title 38, United States Code, is a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans (as defined in such section). .

Summary: Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Adjustment Act of 2018 This bill amends the Small Business Act to apply certain subcontracting limitations to a small business that receives a federal contracting preference because the business is owned and controlled by a veteran.
Congressional Oversight Needed For Likely Illicit and Corrupt Transactions Act

To amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require employees of the Executive Office of the President or the White House to notify the Office of Government Ethics and Congress in each instance the individual is recused from a particular matter pursuant to section 208 of title 18, United States Code, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Congressional Oversight Needed For Likely Illicit and Corrupt Transactions Act 2. Notification of recusal (a) In general Title I of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 ( 5 U.S.C. App. 101 112. Recusal for conflicts of interest (a) An officer or employee of the Executive Office of the President or the White House who is recused from a particular matter by operation of section 208 of title 18, United States Code, shall, not later than 10 business days after such recusal, provide notification (in writing) of such recusal and the specific reasons for the recusal to— (1) the Director of the Office of Government Ethics; (2) the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives; and (3) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate. (b) With respect to any instance in which an officer or employee of the Executive Office of the President or the White House notifies the designated agency ethics official of a future particular matter that may require recusal under section 208 of title 18, United States Code, the officer or employee shall provide a report to the entities listed in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a) that describes— (1) the particular matter; (2) whether the designated agency ethics official advised the officer or employee that the officer or employee should not participate in the particular matter; and (3) whether the particular matter occurred. . (b) Application The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to any recusal pursuant to section 208 of title 18, United States Code, occurring on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Congressional Oversight Needed For Likely Illicit and Corrupt Transactions Act This bill amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require an officer or employee of the Executive Office of the President or the White House who is recused from a particular matter for a financial conflict of interest to notify Congress and the Office of Government Ethics and provide the specific reasons for the recusal.
TPS Process Reform Act

To amend Immigration and Nationality Act regarding the extension of a foreign state’s designation for purposes of temporary protected status, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the TPS Process Reform Act 2. Extensions of designations of TPS countries Section 244(b)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)(3) (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking determines determines or makes no determination (2) by amending subparagraph (C) to read as follows: (C) Extension of designation If the Attorney General determines under subparagraph (A) that a foreign state (or part of such foreign state) continues to meet the conditions for designation under paragraph (1), the period of designation of the foreign state is extended for an additional period of 6 months (or, in the discretion of the Attorney General, a period of 12 or 18 months). .

Summary: TPS Process Reform Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to the extension of temporary protected status (TPS) designations, which permits eligible nationals of designated counties affected by armed conflict or natural disasters to temporarily reside and work in the United States. The Department of Justice (DOJ) shall extend TPS status for 6 months for a country that continues to meet designation criteria, or at its discretion, extend such designation for 12 or 18 months. A TPS country's status is terminated if DOJ fails to extend an expiring designation.
Rural Hospital Frontier Fairness Act

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend the floor on the area wage index under the inpatient prospective payment system to certain sole community hospitals and to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide eligibility for certain sole community hospitals to discounted drug prices under the 340B drug pricing program. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Rural Hospital Frontier Fairness Act 2. Extending floor on area wage index to certain sole community hospitals Section 1886(d)(3)(E)(iii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(3)(E)(iii) (1) in subclause (I), by inserting before the period at the end the following: and, for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2018, the area wage index applicable under this subparagraph to any sole community hospital that is located not more than 75 miles from the closest frontier State and that makes an election under subclause (V) may not be less than 1.00 (2) by adding at the end the following new subclause: (V) Sole community hospital election The Secretary shall provide for a process under which a sole community hospital described in subclause (I) may elect, at such time and in such manner as specified by the Secretary, to apply subclause (I) to such sole community hospital. . 3. Eligibility of certain sole community hospitals for discounted drug prices under the 340B drug pricing program (a) In general Section 340B(a)(4) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 256b(a)(4) (P) An entity that is a sole community hospital (as defined in section 1886(d)(5)(C)(iii) of the Social Security Act), that was classified as such a hospital before October 1, 2015, and that is located not more than 75 miles from the closest frontier State (as defined in section 1886(d)(3)(E)(iii)(II) of such Act). . (b) Effective date (1) In general The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to drugs purchased on or after the first day of the first month that begins more than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Conforming 340B agreements The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide for such timely modification of agreements entered into under section 340B of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 256b

Summary: Rural Hospital Frontier Fairness Act This bill alters the Medicare prospective payment system for inpatient hospital services furnished at sole community hospitals (i.e., rural hospitals or hospitals that are the sole source of inpatient care in a certain geographic area). Specifically, the bill applies a minimum area wage adjustment to payments to sole community hospitals that are located up to 75 miles from the closest frontier (i.e., predominantly rural) state. Currently, the minimum area wage adjustment applies only to hospitals in frontier states. The bill also amends the Public Health Service Act to allow such sole community hospitals to participate in the 340B drug pricing program (i.e., a program that allows entities to receive covered outpatient drugs at reduced prices from manufacturers).
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for direct payment to physician assistants under the Medicare program for certain services furnished by such physician assistants.

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for direct payment to physician assistants under the Medicare program for certain services furnished by such physician assistants. 1. Direct Medicare payment for services furnished by physician assistants (a) In general Section 1832(a)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395k(a)(2)(B) (v) services of a physician assistant but only if no facility or other provider charges or is paid any amounts with respect to the furnishing of such services; . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to services furnished on or after July 1, 2019.

Summary: This bill allows direct payment, under the Medicare program, to physician assistants for certain services furnished to enrollees.
Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2018

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove the 96-hour physician certification requirement for inpatient critical access hospital services. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2018 2. Removing Medicare 96-hour physician certification requirement for inpatient critical access hospital services (a) In general Section 1814(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395f(a) (1) in paragraph (6), by adding and (2) in paragraph (7), at the end of subparagraph (E), by striking and (3) by striking paragraph (8). (b) Application The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2018.

Summary: Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2018 This bill repeals the 96-hour physician-certification requirement for inpatient critical access hospital services under Medicare. Under current law, as a condition for Medicare payment for such services, a physician must certify that a patient may reasonably be expected to be discharged or transferred to a hospital within 96 hours after admission to the critical access hospital.
Care for All Act of 2017

To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to permit insurers to offer catastrophic coverage plans to anyone, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Care for All Act of 2017 2. Permitting insurers to offer catastrophic coverage plans to anyone (a) In general Section 1302(e) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18022(e) (e) Catastrophic plan A health plan not providing a bronze, silver, gold, or platinum level of coverage shall be treated as meeting the requirements of subsection (d) with respect to any plan year if the plan provides— (1) except as provided in paragraph (2), the essential health benefits determined under subsection (b), except that the plan provides no benefits for any plan year until the individual has incurred cost-sharing expenses in an amount equal to the annual limitation in effect under subsection (c)(1) for the plan year (except as provided for in section 2713); and (2) coverage for at least three primary care visits. . (b) Conforming amendment Section 1312(d)(3)(C) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18032(d)(3)(C) , except that section 1302(e) (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to coverage issued on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Care for All Act of 2017 This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to allow catastrophic plans to be offered as qualified health plans to any individual in the individual or group market. (Qualified health plans are sold on health insurance exchanges, are the only plans eligible for premium subsidies, and fulfill an individual's requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage.) Currently, to be a qualified health plan, a catastrophic plan must enroll only individuals who are below age 30 and exempt from minimum essential coverage requirements.
Healthy Communities Act of 2018

To amend the Public Health Service Act to require that the recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force on the effectiveness, appropriateness, and cost-effectiveness of clinical preventive services be based on data for the respective populations, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Healthy Communities Act of 2018 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Despite marked reductions in health disparities following the enactment of the Affordable Care Act ( Public Law 111–148 (2) According to the Centers for Disease Control, from 2010 to 2014, breast cancer mortality was 41 percent higher among African-American women than White women. (3) According to the Alzheimer’s Association, among individuals in the United States who are over 65 years of age, African-American individuals are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s disease, and Hispanic individuals are about 1 1/2 (4) The National Institutes of Health finds that African Americans, despite making up 13 percent of the population of the United States, account for about 35 percent of individuals with kidney failure in the United States. (5) According to research published in the Journal Frontiers in Bioscience, in the United States, African American men are 1.6 times as likely to develop, and 2 times as likely to die from, prostate cancer when compared to White men. (6) Underutilization of preventive health services remains a barrier to reducing the chronic disease burden in the United States, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities. (7) The Surgeon General of the Public Health Service has stated that Reducing disparities in health will give everyone a chance to live a healthy life and improve the quality of life for all Americans. 3. Basing recommendations of United States Preventive Services Task Force on data for the respective populations Section 915(a) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 299b–4(a) (8) Basing recommendations on data for respective populations In making and updating recommendations on the effectiveness, appropriateness, and cost-effectiveness of clinical preventive services, as described in paragraph (1), the Task Force shall base such recommendations on data for the respective populations, including health disparity populations (as defined in section 464z–3(d)). .

Summary: Healthy Communities Act of 2018 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to base recommendations regarding the effectiveness, appropriateness, and cost-effectiveness of clinical preventive services on data for the respective populations, including health disparity populations. (Health disparity populations have a significant disparity in the overall rate of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality, or survival rates as compared to the general population.)