hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Physician Assistant Education Public Health Initiatives Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-1605
Sponsor: Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37]
Introduced: 2017-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Education programs funding
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Medical education
Medical research
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 

Physician Assistant Education Public Health Initiatives Act of 2017

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include workforce development as a type of clinical practice improvement activity for purposes of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). (MIPS adjusts Medicare payments to providers based on performance measures related to quality, cost, utilization of electronic health records, and clinical practice improvement activities.)
 
The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend through FY2022 support provided by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the development, operation, expansion, and improvement of primary care training programs.
 HHS must award grants to nonprofit organizations to increase research on physician assistant education.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-03-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 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 committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 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 committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 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 committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
DOC Access Act

Bill: 115-hr-1606
Sponsor: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
Introduced: 2017-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Dental care
Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Hearing, speech, and vision care
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 

Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act or the DOC Access Act

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit group health plans and individual health insurance coverage from setting rates for items and services provided by a doctor of optometry, of dental surgery, or of dental medicine for which the plan or insurer does not pay a substantial amount.
 
An agreement between a plan or insurer and such a doctor: (1) may only be changed with the doctor's acknowledgement and acceptance, and (2) may last longer than two years only with the prior acceptance of the doctor for each term extension if the agreement is for limited scope dental or vision benefits.
 
Such a doctor must be allowed to participate in: (1) a plan or coverage without accepting terms for ancillary services or procedures, and (2) a provider network without participating in a specific limited scope dental or vision benefit plan.
 
Plans and insurers may not: (1) directly communicate with an enrolled individual in a manner that interferes with an existing doctor-patient relationship or a state or federal requirement, or (2) restrict such a doctor's choice of laboratories or suppliers.
 
The bill establishes a private right of action for a person adversely affected by a violation of this bill. 
 
The bill is preempted by state laws regarding health insurers and dental or vision benefit plans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-1607
Sponsor: Rep. Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-22]
Introduced: 2017-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Crime prevention
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Government studies and investigations
Judicial procedure and administration
Law enforcement administration and funding
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 

National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2017

 
This bill establishes the National Criminal Justice Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system; make recommendations for criminal justice reform; and disseminate findings and guidance to the federal government and to state, local, and tribal governments.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-31
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-1609
Sponsor: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2]
Introduced: 2017-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Department of Defense
Education programs funding
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Higher education
Military personnel and dependents
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 

Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program Act of 2017

 
This bill designates the existing Department of Defense (DOD) information assurance scholarship and grant program as the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program to provide financial assistance (with consideration given to whether the recipient is, or the pursuit of the degree is at, a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education designated by the National Security Agency) to: (1) persons pursuing information assurance degrees or certifications at institutions of higher education in exchange for an agreement to serve on active duty in the armed forces or as a DOD employee for a designated period; and (2) institutions of higher education to support development of faculty, curriculum, laboratories, and research for information assurance disciplines.
 
Not less than 5% of the amounts available for scholarship financial assistance must be available for the pursuit of associate degrees. 
 
DOD must submit a plan for reinvigorating the program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
Medical Loss Ratio Accountability Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-1610
Sponsor: Rep. Lujan Grisham, Michelle [D-NM-1]
Introduced: 2017-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Business records
Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Insurance industry and regulation
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 

Medical Loss Ratio Accountability Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to audit a statistically significant and representative selection of health insurers to verify that insurer reports on medical loss ratio are accurate.
 This bill amends the Social Security Act to base determinations of the medical loss ratio of a Medicare Advantage plan on information from the HHS audit of the plan, if the plan was audited.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-03-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 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 committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 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 committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 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 committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
Gender Diversity in Corporate Leadership Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-1611
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12]
Introduced: 2017-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Executive agency funding and structure
Government studies and investigations
Securities
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 

Gender Diversity in Corporate Leadership Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require each issuer to disclose, in any proxy or consent solicitation material for an annual shareholders meeting, the gender composition of its board of directors and nominees for board membership.
 
The Securities and Exchange Commission shall establish a Gender Diversity Advisory Group, composed of government, academic, and private-sector representatives, to study strategies for increasing gender diversity among the members of issuers' boards of directors.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
Gun Show Loophole Closing Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-1612
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12]
Introduced: 2017-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Business records
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Justice
Firearms and explosives
Licensing and registrations
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 

Gun Show Loophole Closing Act of 2017

 
 This bill makes it unlawful for any person to operate a gun show unless such person: (1) has attained 21 years of age; (2) is not prohibited from transporting, shipping, or receiving firearms and has not violated any federal firearms requirements; (3) has registered with the Department of Justice (DOJ) as a gun show operator and has provided a photograph and fingerprints; (4) has not concealed material information nor made false statements in connection with a gun show operator registration; and (5) notifies DOJ of the date, time, and duration of a gun show not later than 30 days before the commencement of such show and verifies the identity of each vendor at the gun show.
 
The bill makes it unlawful for a person not licensed under this bill to transfer possession of a firearm at a gun show to another person not licensed unless a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer has, among other conditions, recorded the transfer with DOJ. Additionally, the licensed dealer must notify the prospective transferor and transferee of the firearm that the national instant criminal background check system has provided the dealer with a unique identification number indicating that the receipt of the firearm would not violate certain federal or state firearm laws.
 
The bill grants DOJ authority to enter, without a showing of reasonable cause or a warrant, any place where a gun show is held or where a gun show operator is required to maintain records to examine records and inventory to determine compliance with this bill. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-31
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
HELP for Coal Miners Health Care Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-1613
Sponsor: Rep. McKinley, David B. [R-WV-1]
Introduced: 2017-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Coal
Congressional oversight
Employee benefits and pensions
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Mining

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 

Helping Ensure Long-Term Protection for Coal Miners Health Care Act of 2017 or the HELP for Coal Miners Health Care Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) to transfer certain funds to the Multiemployer Health Benefit Plan to provide health benefits to retired coal miners and their families. 
 
The bill expands the group whose retiree health benefits are taken into account in determining the amount that the Department of the Treasury must transfer from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund and the General Fund of the Treasury to the Multiemployer Health Benefit Plan.
 
The Government Accountability Office must study the Multiemployer Health Benefit Plan and submit to Congress reports analyzing whether federal funds are being spent appropriately by the plan. 
 
The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal requirements for current and former signatories to labor agreements with the United Mineworkers of America to pay unassigned beneficiaries premiums or backstop premiums if transfers under SMCRA are less than the amount required to be transferred.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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 committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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 committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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 committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
Student Loan Refinancing Act

Bill: 115-hr-1614
Sponsor: Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
Introduced: 2017-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 

Student Loan Refinancing Act

 
This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow a borrower of a Federal Direct Loan program loan to modify the interest rate on such a loan to the current applicable rate. That interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan, unless the borrower elects to modify it again.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act

Bill: 115-hr-1615
Sponsor: Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]
Introduced: 2017-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business ethics
Corporate finance and management
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Foreign and international corporations
Government Operations and Politics
U.S. and foreign investments

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 

Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act

 
This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to ban campaign contributions and expenditures by corporations that are controlled, influenced, or owned by foreign nationals.
 
Foreign nationals and such corporations may not make disbursements to political committees that accept donations or contributions that do not comply with the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements of FECA.
 
Corporate political action committees may make contributions and expenditures only if they comply with limitations on the involvement of foreign nationals and such corporations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act

Bill: 115-hr-1617
Sponsor: Rep. Reed, Tom [R-NY-23]
Introduced: 2017-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Digestive and metabolic diseases
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 

Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow a nurse practitioner or physician assistant to fulfill documentation requirements for coverage, under Medicare, of special shoes for diabetic individuals. Under current law, such requirements may be satisfied only by a physician.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-03-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 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 committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 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 committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 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 committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
S.O.S. Veterans Caregivers Act

Bill: 115-hr-1618
Sponsor: Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-36]
Introduced: 2017-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Family services
Government studies and investigations
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 

Support our Services to Veterans Caregivers Act or the S.O.S. Veterans Caregivers Act

 
 This bill includes a veteran who has a serious illness or injury (currently, a serious injury) incurred or aggravated in the line of active duty on or after September 11, 2001, as an &quot;eligible veteran&quot; for purposes of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers of eligible veterans. 
 
As part of such program, the VA shall give each caregiver designated as the primary provider of personal care services for an eligible veteran, not less than annually, a multidimensional assessment to measure the burden and strain the caregiver has felt. 
 
The VA's annual report on such program shall include a description of the satisfaction experienced by caregivers and veterans with such program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
Stop Iran From Smuggling Weapons to Terrorists Act

Bill: 115-hr-1619
Sponsor: Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-36]
Introduced: 2017-03-17 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Appropriations
Bahrain
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
Iran
Israel
Kuwait
Marine and inland water transportation
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military education and training
Military operations and strategy
Oman
Persian Gulf States
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Smuggling and trafficking
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Terrorism
United Arab Emirates

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: 

Stop Iran From Smuggling Weapons to Terrorists Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide training to: (1) the national military or other security forces of Israel, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar that have among their functional responsibilities maritime security missions; and (2) ministry, agency, and headquarters level organizations for such forces. 
 
Such assistance and training may be referred to as the Counter Iran Maritime Initiative.
 
Such training: (1) may include the provision of de minimis equipment, supplies, and small-scale military construction; and (2) shall include the promotion of human rights and respect for legitimate civilian authority.
 
It is the sense of Congress that DOD should seek payments from such countries to offset training costs. DOD shall negotiate a training cost-sharing agreement with a recipient country that covers at least 50% of related costs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign 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 committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign 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 committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign 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 committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-03-17
text: Introduced in House