TASK DEFINITION: In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Spacefaring Priorities for America's 
Continued Exploration Act'' or the ``SPACE Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Russia is not a reliable partner.--(A) Unless Space 
        Shuttle operations are extended beyond 2010, the United States 
        will be heavily reliant on Russia to supply crew and possibly 
        cargo transport services to the International Space Station 
        during the gap period of 2010 through 2015. There will be no 
        other way to fly our astronauts into space during this period.
            (B) The United States should not increase its reliance on 
        Russia to transport American astronauts into space, given the 
        increasingly divergent views and posturing from Russia. Russia 
        opposes the United States plan to base an antimissile radar 
        system in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in Poland 
        to deal with the threat posed by the Iranian nuclear weapons 
        and missile programs. Russia also suspended its participation 
        in the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty, one of the 
        most significant arms control agreements of the Cold War years. 
        Additionally, Russia continues to arm some of America's most 
        hostile adversaries, Iran and Venezuela. Despite United States 
        objections, Russia sold billions of dollars worth of weapons to 
        the regime of Hugo Chavez in 2006. Such meddling is a possible 
        violation of the Monroe Doctrine and a throwback to the Cold 
        War era. Even more troublesome is the Russian history of 
        weapons trading with Iran. Russia has supplied advanced 
        conventional arms technology, missile technology, and nuclear 
        technologies to this very anti-American regime.
            (2) Russia has abused past nasa cooperation agreements.--
        (A) In the late 1990s, Russia fell short in fulfilling its 
        commitment to the International Space Station.
            (B) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (in 
        this Act referred to as ``NASA'') was forced to transfer 
        hundreds of millions of dollars to enable the Russians to 
        complete the critical Space Station service module Zvezda, 
        without which the International Space Station could not 
        operate.
            (C) Russia delayed completion of the Zvezda service module 
        for several years. Under the International Space Station 
        agreement, the Russian government had committed to fund as well 
        as build the Zvezda service module. Subsequent transfers from 
        the United States, in order to complete the module, reflect 
        serious Russian mismanagement in the field of space.
            (D) In 2000, while Russia was failing to meet its 
        commitment to the International Space Station, Russia was 
        diverting financial and human resources away from fulfilling 
        its International Space Station commitments in order to keep 
        the Russian's Mir Space Station aloft.
            (E) Russia's past shortcomings in fulfilling commitments to 
        its international space partners should serve as a warning to 
        the United States as we consider increased reliance on Russian 
        space services in the future. It is not prudent for the United 
        States to depend on Russia for access to space given our past 
        experience with this relationship.
            (3) American space science should not be dependent on 
        russian support.--(A) The United States has already invested 
        billions of dollars in the International Space Station program 
        since its inception.
            (B) There is much research of great value being conducted 
        in space, and on the International Space Station, that may 
        yield tremendous gains. Research being conducted on the 
        International Space Station may help scientists back on Earth 
        develop medicines to treat diseases and help us better 
        understand the Earth's climate. Many scientists believe that 
        the microgravity environment of space will enable the 
        development of new drugs, vaccines, and other therapies. 
        Equipment on the International Space Station will monitor 
        stratospheric gases, and investigate ozone chemistry.
            (4) The united states must have assured access to space.--
        (A) To ensure that the United States realizes the dividends 
        from the considerable investment we have made in the 
        International Space Station, we need to ensure continued access 
        to space for our astronauts. However, NASA's plan for transport 
        of crew to and from the International Space Station fails to 
        provide necessary redundancies to provide assured access to 
        space.
            (B) NASA anticipates that the Russian Soyuz spacecraft will 
        be the only vehicle for astronaut crew rotation to the 
        International Space Station after 2010. From 2011 until the 
        planned operation of Orion in 2015, NASA likely has no other 
        option for transporting American astronauts to space other than 
        on Russian vehicles.
            (C) NASA has conceded that without the Space Shuttle, it 
        will be unable to transport the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer 
        (AMS) to the International Space Station. Scientists involved 
        in the development of the AMS acknowledge that it will enhance 
        scientific discoveries. While the AMS has cost over 
        $1,500,000,000 to develop and build, NASA has stated that the 
        remaining Space Shuttle manifest does not allow for transport 
        of the AMS and that it will not be an option to retrofit 
        another launch vehicle in order to fly it into space. Only by 
        extending Space Shuttle operations beyond 2010 will NASA be 
        able to transport the AMS to the International Space Station. 
        As long as the AMS meets all required standards to verify its 
        validity and justify its transport on the Space Shuttle, NASA 
        should fulfill its obligation to the Department of Energy and 
        our international partners.
            (D) In addition, the Japanese Centrifuge Accommodation 
        Module, which can only fly to the International Space Station 
        on the Space Shuttle, will also be unable to reach the Space 
        Station absent extending Space Shuttle operations.
            (5) A better approach.--(A) Due to NASA's lack of a backup 
        plan for reliance on the Russians for transport of American 
        astronauts to space, the United States needs a better approach. 
        The best approach is the Space Shuttle, a proven, domestic 
        source of space transport for assured access to space, 
        including the International Space Station, for crew and cargo 
        transport.
            (B) With 2 Shuttle missions per year during the human 
        spaceflight program flight gap between Shuttle and Orion, 
        currently scheduled from 2010 through 2015, we can replace our 
        need to rely on the Russians for crew rotation for the 
        International Space Station.
            (C) Savings from replacing Russian transport services to 
        the International Space Station with the Space Shuttle would 
        pay for a portion of the costs for flying 2 Space Shuttle 
        missions per year.
            (D) Only by closing the gap between 2010 and 2015, or until 
        the Orion is operational, will our Nation be able to keep our 
        Nation's highly skilled and critically important spaceworkers 
        and engineers gainfully employed, and mitigate the loss of 
        critical skills.
            (E) By extending Space Shuttle operations, NASA may realize 
        considerable savings by no longer having to pay retention 
        bonuses to critical space workers. But retention bonuses would 
        not be the only added costs associated with the end of Space 
        Shuttle operations when critical skilled workers leave NASA or 
        its contractors. Recruitment incentives for new workers and 
        contract cost increases could also be incurred by NASA since 
        the majority of the Kennedy Space Center's workforce are 
        contractors.
            (F) The success of the Constellation program will depend on 
        having the most skilled and experienced workforce possible. The 
        workforce gap, as currently envisioned by NASA, will jeopardize 
        this. NASA has acknowledged that thousands of critical space 
        workers will lose their jobs in the transition from the Space 
        Shuttle to the Constellation program. Continued operation of 
        the Space Shuttle, but on a reduced flight requirement, while 
        also integrating these workers into the Orion program, is the 
        best way to retain many of these critical workers and skill 
        sets.
            (G) An August 2007 study by the Government Accountability 
        Office, ``NASA Progress Made on Strategic Human Capital 
        Management, but Future Program Challenges Remain,'' stated that 
        ``the agency as a whole faces challenges in recruiting and 
        retaining highly experienced senior-level engineers in certain 
        specialties. NASA's principal workforce challenge will be faced 
        in the transition to the next generation of human space flight 
        systems.''.
            (H) This Act authorizes for NASA additional funding under 
        section 4 to fully restore the appropriation shortfalls in 
        fiscal years 2007 and 2008 compared to the funds that were 
        authorized for NASA. An additional $1,000,000,000 is authorized 
        in section 4(b) to reimburse NASA for the costs incurred by 
        NASA from the Space Shuttle return-to-flight efforts following 
        the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON USE OF RUSSIAN SPACE SERVICES.

    NASA shall not rely solely on the Russian government for astronaut 
transport or cargo resupply services. This prohibition does not apply 
to the current Soyuz emergency escape services for astronauts on the 
International Space Station.

SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR NASA.

    (a) Additional Authorization for Fiscal Year 2007 Shortfall.--There 
are authorized to be appropriated to NASA $1,648,000,000, 41.6 percent 
of which shall be for Exploration Systems, and 28.7 percent of which 
shall be available for Space Operations.
    (b) Columbia Return-to-Flight.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to NASA $1,000,000,000 for emergency funding to reimburse 
for Columbia return-to-flight costs, of which the Exploration Systems 
and Space Operations Accounts shall receive funding at the rate 
proportional to the amounts used to pay the costs associated with the 
Space Shuttle return-to-flight efforts.
    (c) Additional Authorization for Fiscal Year 2008 Shortfall.--There 
are authorized to be appropriated to NASA $1,064,000,000, 41.7 percent 
of which shall be for Exploration Systems.
    (d) Preservation of Funding for Programs.--NASA shall not take any 
funding from its Exploration Systems account or the Constellation 
program in order to fund the continued operation of the Space Shuttle 
program as required in this Act.

SEC. 5. EXTENDING SPACE SHUTTLE OPERATIONS.

    (a) Use of Space Shuttle for Access to Space.--NASA shall fly at 
least 2 Space Shuttle missions per year for crew transport, instead of 
Russian crew and cargo services, for the period of 2010 through 2015, 
or until Orion is operational. There are authorized to be appropriated 
to NASA such sums as may be necessary, in addition to amounts otherwise 
authorized, to carry out this subsection, including for the production 
of more external tanks as may be needed.
    (b) Insufficient Funding.--Except as provided under subsection (c), 
the requirements of this Act shall have effect only to the extent that 
sufficient funding is appropriated, as authorized under subsection (a). 
Sufficient funding is defined as funds required to fully or partially 
comply with the requirements of this Act.
    (c) Report to Congress.--NASA shall report to Congress not later 
than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act on the specific 
costs and actions needed to extend the operation of the Space Shuttle 
in accordance with this Act.
    (d) Operational Efficiencies.--As soon as possible, but no later 
than March 31, 2011, NASA shall investigate areas of reduced operations 
and enhanced cost savings and implement those that do not impinge the 
safe operation of the Space Shuttle program, including the following:
            (1) The possible retirement of one Space Shuttle orbiter, 
        leaving 2 to remain operational, in a manner that ensures the 
        safe operation of the Space Shuttle program.
            (2) Significantly reducing changes to the design of the 
        Space Shuttle orbiters, in a manner that ensures the safe 
        operation of the Space Shuttle program. This shall include 
        changes to the Space Shuttle software systems.
            (3) Significantly reducing Space Shuttle orbiter 
        configuration operations and payload configuration operations, 
        in a manner that ensures the safe operation of the Space 
        Shuttle program.
            (4) Maximizing the use of shared personnel between the 
        continued operation of the Space Shuttle and Constellation and 
        other NASA programs.
    (e) Facilities.--If conflicts arise in NASA's efforts to allocate 
facilities, personnel, and other resources in order to fly the Space 
Shuttle as well as continue the development of Constellation, then NASA 
shall identify in a report to Congress in advance such conflicts, along 
with recommendations as to how they can be mitigated.

SEC. 6. SHUTTLE RECERTIFICATION.

    Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
NASA shall define achievable and attainable requirements for operation 
of the Space Shuttle program beyond 2010, as recommended by the 
Columbia Accident Investigation Board. NASA shall transmit these 
requirements to Congress in the form of a report. NASA shall then 
immediately begin the process of satisfying these requirements and 
shall satisfy all requirements no later than March 31, 2010.

SOLUTION: Spacefaring Priorities for America's Continued Exploration Act or SPACE Act - Prohibits the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from relying solely on the Russian government for astronaut transport or cargo resupply services, except for the current Soyuz emergency escape services for astronauts on the International Space Station.

Authorizes appropriations to NASA for: (1) exploration systems; and (2) emergency funding for Columbia return-to-flight costs.

Requires NASA to fly at least two space shuttle missions per year for crew transport, instead of Russian crew and cargo services, for the period 2010-2015, or until Orion is operational. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such operations. Requires NASA to report to Congress on the specific costs and actions needed to extend the operation of the space shuttle.

Requires NASA, by March 31, 2011, to investigate areas of reduced operations and enhanced cost savings and implement those that do not impinge on the safe operation of the space shuttle program.

Directs NASA to define achievable and attainable requirements for the operation of such program beyond 2010, as recommended by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. Requires: (1) NASA to report to Congress on such requirements; and (2) NASA to immediately begin satisfying those requirements and to satisfy all of them by March 31, 2010.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Territorial Health Parity Act of 
2009''.

SEC. 2. MEDICAID PAYMENT PARITY FOR THE TERRITORIES.

    (a) Elimination of Funding Limitations for Puerto Rico, the Virgin 
Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.--
            (1) In general.--Section 1108 of the Social Security Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 1308) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (f), in the matter before 
                paragraph (1), by striking ``subsection (g)'' and 
                inserting ``subsections (g) and (h)'';
                    (B) in subsection (g)(2), in the matter before 
                subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and subsection (h)'' 
                after ``paragraph (3)''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                subsection:
    ``(h) Sunset of Funding Limitations for Puerto Rico, the Virgin 
Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.--
Subsections (f) and (g) shall not apply to Puerto Rico, the Virgin 
Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa for any 
fiscal year after fiscal year 2009.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 1903(u) of such Act (42 
        U.S.C. 1396c(u)) is amended by striking paragraph (4).
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall apply beginning with fiscal year 2010.
    (b) Parity in FMAP.--
            (1) In general.--Section 1905(b)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
        1396d(b)(2)) is amended by inserting after ``50 per centum'' 
        the following: ``(except that, beginning with fiscal year 2012, 
        the Federal medical assistance percentage for Puerto Rico, the 
        Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and 
        American Samoa shall be the Federal medical assistance 
        percentage determined by the Secretary in consultation (for the 
        Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and 
        American Samoa) with the Secretary of the Interior)''.
            (2) 2-fiscal-year transition.--Notwithstanding any other 
        provision of law, during fiscal years 2010 and 2011, the 
        Federal medical assistance percentage established under section 
        1905(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(b)) for 
        Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana 
        Islands, and American Samoa shall be the highest such Federal 
        medical assistance percentage applicable to any of the 50 
        States or the District of Columbia for the fiscal year 
        involved, taking into account the application of subsections 
        (a) and (b)(1) of 5001 of division B of the American Recovery 
        and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) to such States 
        and District for calendar quarters during such fiscal years for 
        which such subsections apply respectively.
            (3) Per capita income data.--
                    (A) Report to congress.--Not later than October 1, 
                2010, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall 
                submit to Congress a report that describes the per 
                capita income data used to promulgate the Federal 
                medical assistance percentage in the territories and 
                how such data differ from the per capita income data 
                used to promulgate Federal medical assistance 
                percentages for the 50 States and the District of 
                Columbia. The report should include recommendations on 
                how the Federal medical assistance percentages can be 
                calculated for the territories to ensure parity with 
                the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
                    (B) Application.--Section 1101(a)(8)(B) of the 
                Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1308(a)(8)(B)) is 
                amended--
                            (i) by striking ``(other than Puerto Rico, 
                        the Virgin Islands, and Guam)'' and inserting 
                        ``(including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, 
                        Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and 
                        American Samoa)''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``(or, if such 
                        satisfactory data are not available in the case 
                        of the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern 
                        Mariana Islands, or American Samoa, 
                        satisfactory data available from the Department 
                        of the Interior for the same period, or if such 
                        satisfactory data are not available in the case 
                        of Puerto Rico, satisfactory data available 
                        from the Government of the Commonwealth of 
                        Puerto Rico for the same period)'' after 
                        ``Department of Commerce''.
            (4) Relation to american recovery and reinvestment act of 
        2009.--For any period and territory in which the provisions of 
        this subsection apply to a territory, the provisions of section 
        5001(b)(2) of division B of the American Recovery and 
        Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) shall not apply 
        (except as otherwise specifically provided in paragraph (2)).

SEC. 3. CLARIFICATION OF MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR CITIZENS OF FREELY 
              ASSOCIATED STATES.

    (a) In General.--Section 402(b)(2) of the Personal Responsibility 
and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1612(b)(2)) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(G) Medicaid exception for citizens of freely 
                associated states.--With respect to eligibility for 
                benefits for the program defined in paragraph (3)(C) 
                (relating to the Medicaid program), paragraph (1) shall 
                not apply to any individual who lawfully resides in the 
                United States (including territories and possessions of 
                the United States) in accordance with the Compacts of 
                Free Association between the Government of the United 
                States and the Governments of the Federated States of 
                Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and 
                the Republic of Palau.''.
    (b) Conforming Definition of Qualified Alien.--Section 431(b) of 
such Act (8 U.S.C. 1641(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (6), by striking ``or'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; or''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(8) an individual who lawfully resides in the United 
        States (including territories and possessions of the United 
        States) in accordance with a Compact of Free Association 
        referred to in section 402(b)(2)(G), but only with respect to 
        the program defined in section 402(b)(3)(C) (relating to the 
        Medicaid program).''.
    (c) Setting FMAP at 100 Percent.--The third sentence of section 
1905(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(b)) is amended by 
inserting before the period at the end the following: ``and as medical 
assistance for individuals described in section 402(b)(2)(G) of the 
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 
1996''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act take effect on 
October 1, 2009, Act and apply to benefits and assistance provided on 
or after that date.

SOLUTION: Territorial Health Parity Act of 2009 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to sunset at the end of FY2009 the limitation on Medicaid payments to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.

Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to: (1) repeal, as of the end of FY2011, the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) of 50% that applies to such territories; and (2) set the new FMAP for such territories at one determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior. Specifies a transitional FMAP for such territories for FY2010-FY2011.

Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the per capita income data used to promulgate the FMAP in the territories and how such data differ from the per capita income data used to promulgate FMAPs for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Requires the report to include recommendations on how FMAPs can be calculated for the territories to ensure parity with the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to extend the Medicaid program to the citizens of the Freely Associated States (Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau).

Amends SSA title XIX to set a 100% FMAP for otherwise qualified services rendered to such citizens.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Cancer 
Treatment Education Act of 2012''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
  TITLE I--COMPREHENSIVE CANCER PATIENT TREATMENT EDUCATION UNDER THE 
                            MEDICARE PROGRAM

Sec. 101. Medicare coverage of comprehensive cancer patient treatment 
                            education services.
      TITLE II--RESEARCH ON CANCER SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT

Sec. 201. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 202. NIH Research on cancer symptom management improvement.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Many people with cancer experience side effects, 
        symptoms, and late complications associated with their disease 
        and their treatment, which can have a serious adverse impact on 
        their health, well-being, and quality of life.
            (2) Many side effects and symptoms associated with cancer 
        and its treatment can be reduced or controlled by the provision 
        of timely symptom management and services and also by educating 
        people with cancer and their caregivers about the potential 
        effects before treatment begins.
            (3) Studies have found that individualized educational 
        intervention for cancer pain management from a registered nurse 
        was effective for patients with cancer being treated in 
        outpatient and home-based settings. Similarly, the number of 
        caregivers who said they were well informed and confident about 
        caregiving after attending a family caregiver cancer education 
        program which increased after program attendance.
            (4) People with cancer benefit from having an educational 
        session with oncology nurses in advance of the initiation of 
        treatment to learn how to reduce the risk of and manage adverse 
        effects and maximize well-being. Helping patients to manage 
        their side effects reduces adverse events and the need for 
        urgent or inpatient care.
            (5) The Oncology Nursing Society has received reports from 
        its members that, because the Medicare program and other payers 
        do not cover the provision of patient treatment education, 
        patients and their caregivers often do not receive adequate 
        education before the onset of such patients' treatment for 
        cancer regarding the course of such treatment and the possible 
        side effects and symptoms such patients may experience. The 
        Oncology Nursing Society recommends that all patients being 
        treated for cancer have a one-on-one educational session with a 
        nurse in advance of the onset of such treatment so that such 
        patients and their caregivers receive the information they need 
        to help minimize adverse events related to such treatment and 
        maximize the well-being of such patients.
            (6) Insufficient or non-existent Medicare payments coupled 
        with poor investment in symptom management research contribute 
        to the inadequate education of patients, poor management and 
        monitoring of cancer symptoms, and inadequate handling of late 
        effects of cancer and its treatment.
            (7) People with cancer often do not have the symptoms 
        associated with their disease and the associated treatment 
        managed in a comprehensive or appropriate manner.
            (8) People with cancer deserve to have access to 
        comprehensive care that includes appropriate treatment and 
        symptom management.
            (9) Patients who receive infused chemotherapy likely obtain 
        some treatment education during the course of the 
        administration of their treatment; yet, many do not, and 
        individuals who may receive a different type of cancer care, 
        such as radiation or surgical interventions or oral 
        chemotherapy taken at home, likely do not receive treatment 
        education during their treatment.
            (10) Comprehensive cancer care must include access to 
        services and management associated with nausea, vomiting, 
        fatigue, depression, pain, and other symptoms.
            (11) The Institute of Medicine report, ``Ensuring Quality 
        Cancer Care'' asserts that ``much can be done to relieve the 
        symptoms, ease distress, provide comfort, and in other ways 
        improve the quality of life of someone with cancer. For a 
        person with cancer, maintenance of quality of life requires, at 
        a minimum, relief from pain and other distressing symptoms, 
        relief from anxiety and depressions, including the fear of 
        pain, and a sense of security that assistance with be readily 
        available if needed.''.
            (12) The Institute of Medicine report, ``Cancer Care for 
        the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs'' 
        recognizes that cancer patients' psychosocial needs include 
        information about their therapies and the potential side 
        effects.
            (13) As more than half of all cancer diagnoses occur among 
        individuals age 65 and older, the challenges of managing cancer 
        symptoms are growing for patients enrolled in the Medicare 
        program.
            (14) Provision of Medicare payment for comprehensive cancer 
        patient treatment education, coupled with expanded cancer 
        symptom management research, will help improve care and quality 
        of life for people with cancer from the time of diagnosis 
        through survivorship or end of life.

  TITLE I--COMPREHENSIVE CANCER PATIENT TREATMENT EDUCATION UNDER THE 
                            MEDICARE PROGRAM

SEC. 101. MEDICARE COVERAGE OF COMPREHENSIVE CANCER PATIENT TREATMENT 
              EDUCATION SERVICES.

    (a) In General.--Section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395x) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (s)(2)--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph 
                (EE);
                    (B) by adding ``and'' at the end of subparagraph 
                (FF); and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                subparagraph:
            ``(GG) comprehensive cancer patient treatment education 
        services (as defined in subsection (iii)(1));''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

      ``Comprehensive Cancer Patient Treatment Education Services

    ``(iii)(1) The term `comprehensive cancer patient treatment 
education services' means--
            ``(A) in the case of an individual who is diagnosed with 
        cancer, the provision of a one-hour patient treatment education 
        session delivered by a registered nurse that--
                    ``(i) is furnished to the individual and the 
                caregiver (or caregivers) of the individual in advance 
                of the onset of treatment and to the extent 
                practicable, is not furnished on the day of diagnosis 
                or on the first day of treatment;
                    ``(ii) educates the individual and such caregiver 
                (or caregivers) to the greatest extent practicable, 
                about all aspects of the care to be furnished to the 
                individual, informs the individual regarding any 
                potential symptoms, side-effects, or adverse events, 
                and explains ways in which side effects and adverse 
                events can be minimized and health and well-being 
                maximized, and provides guidance regarding those side 
                effects to be reported and to which health care 
                provider the side effects should be reported;
                    ``(iii) includes the provision, in written form, of 
                information about the course of treatment, any 
                responsibilities of the individual with respect to 
                self-dosing, and ways in which to address symptoms and 
                side-effects; and
                    ``(iv) is furnished, to the greatest extent 
                practicable, in an oral, written, or electronic form 
                that appropriately takes into account cultural and 
                linguistic needs of the individual in order to make the 
                information comprehensible to the individual and such 
                caregiver (or caregivers); and
            ``(B) with respect to an individual for whom a course of 
        cancer treatment or therapy is materially modified, a one-hour 
        patient treatment education session described in subparagraph 
        (A), including updated information on the matters described in 
        such subparagraph should the individual's oncologic health care 
        professional deem it appropriate and necessary.
    ``(2) In establishing standards to carry out paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall consult with appropriate organizations representing 
providers of oncology patient treatment education services and 
organizations representing people with cancer.''.
    (b) Payment.--Section 1833(a)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395l(a)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' before ``(Z)''; and
            (2) by inserting before the semicolon at the end the 
        following: ``, and (AA) with respect to comprehensive cancer 
        patient treatment education service (as defined in section 
        1861(iii)(1)), 150 percent of the payment rate established 
        under section 1848 for diabetes outpatient self-management 
        training services (as defined in section 1861(qq)), determined 
        and applied without regard to any coinsurance''.
    (c) Coverage.--Section 1862(a)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395y(a)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (O), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (P), by striking the semicolon at the 
        end and inserting ``, and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
            ``(Q) in the case of comprehensive cancer patient treatment 
        education services (as defined in subsection (iii)(1)) which 
        are performed more frequently than is covered under such 
        section;''.
    (d) No Impact on Payment for Other Services.--Nothing in this 
section shall be construed to affect or otherwise authorize any 
reduction or modification, in the Medicare payment amounts otherwise 
established for chemotherapy infusion or injection codes with respect 
to the calculation and payment of minutes for chemotherapy teaching or 
related services.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to services furnished on or after the first day of the first 
calendar year that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act.

      TITLE II--RESEARCH ON CANCER SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT

SEC. 201. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) many people with cancer experience side effects, 
        symptoms, and late side effects associated with their disease 
        and their treatment, and such effects can have a serious 
        adverse impact on the effectiveness of their treatment, their 
        health, well-being, and quality of life;
            (2) with the number of cancer survivors continuing to grow, 
        addressing the effects of their symptoms and side effects are 
        becoming increasingly critical in reducing the burden of cancer 
        and its treatments;
            (3) although research is producing new insights into the 
        causes of and cures for cancer, efforts to manage the symptoms 
        and side effects of the disease and its treatments have not 
        kept pace; and
            (4) the National Institutes of Health should continue to 
        support research in the area of symptom management and the role 
        that nurses play in providing those interventions.

SEC. 202. NIH RESEARCH ON CANCER SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Institutes of Health 
shall expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and 
support of research with respect to--
            (1) improving the treatment and management of symptoms and 
        side effects associated with cancer and cancer treatment; and
            (2) evaluating the role of nursing interventions in the 
        amelioration of such symptoms and side effects.
    (b) Administration.--The Director of the National Institutes of 
Health is encouraged to carry out this section through the Director of 
the National Cancer Institute, in collaboration with at least the 
directors of the National Institute of Nursing Research, the National 
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the National Institute 
of Mental Health, the National Center on Minority Health and Health 
Disparities, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative 
Medicine, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

SOLUTION:
Improving Cancer Treatment Education Act of 2012 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, to provide for Medicare coverage of comprehensive cancer patient treatment education services.

Expresses the sense of Congress wih respect to continued support by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the area of symptom management and the role of nurses in providing those interventions.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the NIH Director to expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and support of research with respect to: (1) improving the treatment and management of symptoms and side effects associated with cancer and cancer treatment, and (2) evaluating the role of nursing interventions in the amelioration of such symptoms and side effects.