hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1302
Sponsor: Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY]
Introduced: 2009-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Health care quality
Home and outpatient care
Public contracts and procurement
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-18
text: 
Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) submit to Congress a plan to introduce pay-for-performance mechanisms into contracts which compensate Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contractors for the provision of veterans' health care services through community-based outpatient clinics (clinics); (2) commence plan implementation within 60 days after submission, unless Congress enacts a law prohibiting or modifying plan implementation; and (3) report semiannually to Congress on the advisability of utilizing such mechanisms in the provision of VA health care services by means in addition to such clinics. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-10-21
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 111-264.
action_date: 2009-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6817)
action_date: 2009-06-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6816)
action_date: 2009-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Women's Medical Home Demonstration Act

Bill: 111-s-1303
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2009-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Cancer
Child health
Family planning and birth control
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Medicaid
Minority health
Nursing
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-18
text: 

 

 

 

 
Women's Medical Home Demonstration Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) establish a three-year women's medical home demonstration project to provide enhanced care to women receiving assistance under Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) focusing on specified medical conditions, including premature birth, cervical and breast cancer, menopause, and postpartum depression; (2) establish a Women's Medical Home Advisory Council; and (3) specify standards for certification of certain health care providers as women's medical homes. Defines a &quot;women's medical home&quot; as a physician-led practice, or advanced practice nurse-directed practice, that uses innovations to improve the management and coordination of women's health care and that meets specified standards. 
 
Sets forth project goals, including: (1) increasing cost efficiencies of health care delivery, access to appropriate health care services, and patient satisfaction; (2) decreasing inappropriate emergency room utilization, duplication of health care services, and health disparities; and (3) providing appropriate referrals to multidisciplinary services. 
 
 Authorizes the Secretary to award planning or implementation grants to entities participating in the demonstration project. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1304
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2009-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Bankruptcy
Contracts and agency
Government lending and loan guarantees
Manufacturing
Motor vehicles
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-18
text: 
Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act of 2009 - Prohibits an automobile manufacturer (manufacturer) in which the federal government has an ownership interest, or which receives loans from the federal government, from depriving an automobile dealer (dealer) of its economic rights. Requires the manufacturer to honor those rights as they existed for Chrysler LLC and General Motors Corporation dealers prior to the commencement of the bankruptcy cases of each corporation, including dealer rights to recourse under state law.
 
Requires the appropriate manufacturer to restore the franchise agreement between the dealers and Chrysler LLC or General Motors that was in effect prior to the commencement of their respective bankruptcy cases, and to take assignment of such agreements.
 
States that nothing in this Act is intended to make null and void the transfer of substantially all the assets of such corporations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
MRSA Infection Prevention and Patient Protection Act

Bill: 111-s-1305
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2009-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug therapy
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Hospital care
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-18
text: 
MRSA Infection Prevention and Patient Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to promulgate regulations relating to MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), including regulations that provide a list of best practices for preventing MRSA infections and such other antibiotic resistant pathogens as the Secretary determines appropriate.
 
Requires each acute care hospital to screen each patient entering an intensive care unit or other high-risk hospital department. 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, 2014; and (2) report to Congress on whether payment adjustments should be made under Medicare to assist certain hospitals in defraying the cost of screening for, and the subsequent treatment of, MRSA or other infections. 
 
Requires all hospitals to: (1) comply with specified MRSA best practices, including contact precautions and patient notification; and (2) report hospital-acquired MRSA and other infections that occur in the facility. 
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish systems for identifying infected transferred patients and for promptly informing any facility that has transferred an infected patient; and (2) publish the names of providers who fail to take steps to reduce the incidence of MRSA infections.
 
Permits a hospital to apply to the Secretary for a one-year increase in the amount of the capital-related costs payment made to the hospital under the prospective payment system to provide for the rapid implementation of MRSA screening programs and initiatives.
 
Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to award a grant for a pilot program to develop a rapid, cost-effective method for testing for MRSA using a molecular testing method.
 .


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Improvement Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1306
Sponsor: Sen. Bunning, Jim [R-KY]
Introduced: 2009-06-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Government liability
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Nuclear weapons
Public contracts and procurement
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-19
text: 
Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Compensation Program Act of 2000 to replace the current requirements for occupational illness compensation to the survivors of a Department of Energy (DOE) contractor employee. Requires payment to a survivor of the compensation the deceased contractor employee would otherwise have been paid, if the employee dies after applying for the compensation but before receiving it. Requires payment of the compensation, if no survivors exist, to a claimant's surviving family members.
 
Requires a survivor eligible for contractor employee compensation under this Act as well as survivor compensation under the regular compensation schedule for survivors to elect one or the other. Prohibits any payment to a survivor of both kinds of compensation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6846-6847)
action_date: 2009-06-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Specialty Care Improvement and Protection Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1307
Sponsor: Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI]
Introduced: 2009-06-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Department of Health and Human Services
Disability and paralysis
Executive agency funding and structure
Government studies and investigations
Health care quality
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicaid
Medicare
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-19
text: 
Medicare Specialty Care Improvement and Protection Act of 2009 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to extend through December 31, 2013, the authority to restrict enrollment for specialized Medicare Advantage (MA) plans for special needs individuals (SNPs).
 
Extends such authority through December 31, 2015, in the case of a SNP designated as a Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan..
 
 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to evaluate the MA and the health status risk adjustment payment mechanisms in order to resolve plan payment inequities relative to Medicare fee-for-service payments for high-risk, high cost beneficiaries. Directs the Secretary, using the results of the evaluation, to refine the risk adjustment payment mechanism for such beneficiaries. 
 
Requires the Secretary to provide bonus payments to account for added SNP costs associated with additional benefit, care management, reporting, and other requirements established by Congress and the Secretary in excess of other MA plans.
 
Requires the Secretary to take into account specified factors, including dual eligibility (for both Medicare and SSA title XIX [Medicaid] benefits) and geographic cost differences, with respect to the bid structure for SNPs.
 
Requires the Secretary to have in place a process under which the Secretary designates dual eligible SNPs as Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans for the purpose of advancing fully integrated Medicare and Medicaid benefits and services for dual eligible beneficiaries, including state-designated Dual subsets.
 

 
Directs the Secretary to establish or designate an Office on Medicare/Medicaid Integration.
 
Authorizes a plan, at state option, to provide for a period of presumptive eligibility for an individual who has attained age 65, who has 12 or more consecutive months of Medicaid eligibility, and who the state has reason to believe will be determined to be a full-benefit dual eligible individual.
 
Conditions such presumptive eligibility, however, on the state's: (1) agreement to randomly conducted eligibility audits by the Secretary; and (2) ensuring that any individual enrolled under the state plan who is determined ineligible for medical assistance as a result of such an audit is notified at least 30 days before disenrollment.
 
Extends prescription drug discounts to enrollees of Medicaid managed care organizations. 
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-06-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to authorize major medical facility projects for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2010, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-s-1310
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2009-06-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alabama
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Health facilities and institutions
Home and outpatient care
Kansas
Kentucky
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Texas
Veterans' medical care
Washington State

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-19
text: 
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out major medical facility projects (projects) in FY2010 in: (1) Livermore, California; (2) Walla Walla, Washington; and (3) Louisville, Kentucky.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to carry out projects in FY2010, as previously authorized, for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers in Denver, Colorado, and Bay Pines, Florida.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to carry out specified major medical facility leases (leases) in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas.
 
Authorizes appropriations for projects and leases authorized under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6847-6848)
action_date: 2009-06-19
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6847)
action_date: 2009-06-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Safe Needle Disposal Coverage Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1312
Sponsor: Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA]
Introduced: 2009-06-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health technology, devices, supplies
Home and outpatient care
Medicare
Prescription drugs
Solid waste and recycling

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-19
text: 
Medicare Safe Needle Disposal Coverage Act of 2009 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover as a part D drug any devices approved for home use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the safe and effective containment, removal, decontamination, and disposal of home-generated needles, syringes, and other sharps through a sharps container, decontamination/destructive device, or sharps-by-mail program or similar program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-06-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Extension Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1313
Sponsor: Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN]
Introduced: 2009-06-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Food assistance and relief
Income tax deductions
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: 
Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Extension Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) modify the tax deduction for charitable contributions of food inventory by limiting the reduction in such deduction to the amount by which the fair market valuation of the contributed food exceeds twice the basis of such food; and (2) make such deduction permanent. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Drug Price Competition Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1315
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2009-06-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Intellectual property
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: 
Drug Price Competition Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to expand the definition of &quot;first applicant&quot; under such Act to allow a generic drug manufacturer that is currently considered an applicant subsequent to a brand-name manufacturer's 180-day exclusivity period to qualify as a first applicant for purposes of filing an abbreviated application for a new drug. Requires such applicant to submit a substantially complete application that contains and lawfully maintains a certification for such drug.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Indian Reservation Bank Branch Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1316
Sponsor: Sen. Inouye, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2009-06-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Indian lands and resources rights

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: 
Indian Reservation Bank Branch Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Revised Statutes of the United States to set forth conditions under which Indian tribes may permit branching of banks on Indian reservations.
 
Permits approval of a state bank application to establish and operate a de novo branch within the boundaries of one or more Indian reservations (regardless of whether the Indian reservations are located within the state bank's home state), if the host reservation enacts a law meeting specified requirements. Exempts such a state bank from certain requirements and conditions governing an application for an interstate merger transaction.
 
Prohibits specified state nonmember banks that establish or operate a branch on Indian reservations, except in certain circumstances, from establishing additional branches outside of such reservations in any state in which the Indian reservation is located. 
 
Amends the Revised Statutes of the United States to authorize the Comptroller of the Currency to approve an application of a national bank to establish and operate a de novo branch within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, subject to the same requirements, conditions, and prohibitions of this Act with regard to state banks.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6889)
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1317
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2009-06-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Firearms and explosives
Judicial review and appeals
Licensing and registrations
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: 
Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to authorize the Attorney General to deny the transfer of a firearm or the issuance of a firearms or explosives license or permit (or revoke such license or permit) if the Attorney General: (1) determines that the transferee is known (or appropriately suspected) to be engaged in terrorism or has provided material support or resources for terrorism; and (2) has a reasonable belief that the transferee may use a firearm in connection with terrorism. Allows any individual whose firearms or explosives license application has been denied to bring legal action to challenge the denial. 
 
Extends the prohibition against the sale or distribution of firearms or explosives to include individuals whom the Attorney General has determined to be engaged in terrorist activities. Imposes criminal penalties on individuals engaged in terrorist activities who smuggle or knowingly bring firearms into the United States.
 
Authorizes the Attorney General to withhold information in firearms and explosives license denial revocation lawsuits and from employers if the Attorney General determines that the disclosure of such information would likely compromise national security.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Axe the Stimulus Plaques Act

Bill: 111-s-1318
Sponsor: Sen. Gregg, Judd [R-NH]
Introduced: 2009-06-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Appropriations
Economic development
Government information and archives
Infrastructure development

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: 
Axe the Stimulus Plaques Act - Prohibits the use of funds made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for signage to indicate that a particular project is being carried out using such funds.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Enumerated Powers Act

Bill: 111-s-1319
Sponsor: Sen. Coburn, Tom [R-OK]
Introduced: 2009-06-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Constitution and constitutional amendments
Legislative rules and procedure
Senate

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: 
Enumerated Powers Act - Requires each Act of Congress to contain a concise explanation of the specific constitutional authority relied upon for the enactment of each portion of that Act. Declares that failure to comply with this requirement shall give rise to a point of order in either chamber of Congress.
 
Specifies procedures for disposition of such point of order in the Senate.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-23
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6933-6934)
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (CR S6933-6934)
action_date: 2009-06-22
text: Introduced in Senate
WATER Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1321
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Mark [D-CO]
Introduced: 2009-06-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Environmental technology
Income tax credits
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-23
text: 
Water Accountability Tax Efficiency Reinvestment Act of 2009 or the WATER Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 30% of amounts paid for WaterSense labeled property certified by a licensed independent third party as meeting specifications of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense program. Limits the lifetime dollar amount of such credit to $1,500. Terminates such credit after 2010.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6942)
action_date: 2009-06-23
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6941-6942)
action_date: 2009-06-23
text: Introduced in Senate