jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-03-18 00:00:00

Fulfilling America's Promise to Our Veterans Act - Prohibits, in any case in which a veteran is furnished care or services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for a service-connected disability, the United States from recovering or collecting for such care or services from any third party.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-03-19 00:00:00

Veterans Healthcare Commitment Act of 2009 - Prohibits anything in current law provisions authorizing the recovery by the United States of the cost of certain medical care and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to veterans for non-service-connected disabilities from allowing the United States to recover or collect any charges from any third party for care or services furnished to a veteran for a service-connected disability.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2009-03-25 00:00:00

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat the cost of private umbilical cord blood banking services as a medical care expense for purposes of the tax deduction for medical expenses.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-04-27 00:00:00

Medicare Long-Term Care Hospital Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, as amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to extend from three years to five years the delay in application of: (1) the 25% patient threshold payment adjustment to freestanding and grandfathered long-term care hospitals (LTCHs); (2) any payment adjustment, in certain circumstances, to any applicable LTCH or satellite facility located in a rural area or co-located with an urban single or metropolitan statistical area (MSA) dominant hospital; (3) the very short-stay outlier policy; and (4) a specified one-time prospective adjustment to LTCH prospective payment rates. Extends from three years to five years the moratorium on: (1) the establishment and classification of a LTCH or satellite facility, other than an existing one; and (2) an increase of LTCH beds in existing LTCHs or satellite facilities. Establishes a formula for annual adjustment of the base prospective payment rate for LTCHs for rate years 2011 through 2015 in order to implement a budget neutrality offset of the costs of implementing this Act.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-04 00:00:00

Public Health Emergency Response Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to activate the coverage of short-term emergency health care services if the Secretary determines that there is a public health emergency. Sets forth factors for the Secretary to consider, including the degree to which the emergency is likely to overwhelm health care providers in the region. Requires the Secretary to establish a medical monitoring program for monitoring and reporting on the health care needs of the affected population over time. Limits eligibility for coverage of emergency health care services to: (1) uninsured or underinsured emergency victims who need health care services due to injuries or disease resulting from the public health emergency; or (2) uninsured individuals residing in the affected area whose ability to access care or medicine is disrupted as a result of the emergency. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a streamlined process for determining eligibility for emergency health care services; (2) report to Congress on the number and adequacy of volunteers enrolled in the Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP) who will be available to each state in the event of a public health emergency; and (3) conduct an outreach and public education campaign to inform health care providers and the general public about the availability of emergency health care coverage during the period of the emergency.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-04 00:00:00

Grieving Families Insurance Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in the individual market from: (1) establishing or maintaining rules of eligibility of any individual to enroll under the terms of the coverage based on any individual's receipt of grief counseling at any time; or (2) reducing the benefits covered or offered for coverage on such basis.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-05 00:00:00

Health Care Price Transparency Promotion Act of 2009 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require state Medicaid plans to provide that the state will establish and maintain laws to require disclosure of information on hospital charges, to make such information available to the public, and to provide individuals with information about estimated out-of-pocket costs for health care services. Directs the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to research and report to Congress on: (1) the types of information on the charges and out-of-pocket costs for health care services that individuals find useful in making decisions about where, when, and from whom to receive care; (2) how such types of information vary by whether they have health benefits coverage, and what kinds; and (3) ways in which such information may be available on a timely basis and in easy-to-understand form to individuals facing such decisions.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-07 00:00:00

Reaching Elders with Assessment and Chronic Care Management and Coordination Act or RE-Aligning Care Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) coverage of geriatric assessments and chronic care management and coordination services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct outreach activities to inform likely eligible individuals of such assessments and services. Authorizes Medicare coverage for telehealth services to furnish such assessments and services. Directs the Secretary to contract for a study and report to Congress and the Secretary on: (1) the effectiveness of such coverage in improving the quality of care provided to Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions; and (2) the impact of such assessments and services on reducing Medicare expenditures.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-12 00:00:00

Medicaid Birth Center Reimbursement Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to authorize coverage under the Medicaid program for services at a non-hospital freestanding birth center where childbirth is planned to occur away from the pregnant woman's residence.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-12 00:00:00

Small Business Health Options Program Act of 2009 or the SHOP Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate an office within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to administer a health insurance program for small businesses and self-employed individuals to purchase health insurance coverage meeting certain requirements. Establishes a Small Business Health Board to monitor the implementation of the program and make recommendations for improvements. Requires the Administrator of the program to: (1) enter into contracts with health insurance issuers to provide health insurance coverage under this Act; and (2) enter into agreements with entities to serve as navigators to provide information about the program, provide referrals to applicable agencies for any grievance, complaint, or question, and assist in enrollment. Requires a participating employer to ensure that each eligible employee has an opportunity to enroll in a plan. Sets forth requirements for health plans offered under this Act. Requires the Administrator to contract with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to study: (1) the rating requirements that apply to health insurance purchased in the small group markets in the states and to develop recommendations concerning rating requirements; and (2) the administrative procedures that apply to the program and to health insurance purchased in the small group markets in states. Sets forth premium-setting rules for plans under this Act.Allows a state to prohibit participation in this program if the state offers alternative health benefit plans.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for small employers for qualified employee health insurance expenses under this Act.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-13 00:00:00

American Health Benefits Program Act of 2009 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish under a new title XXII (American Health Benefits Program) a program to provide comprehensive health insurance coverage to all Americans who are: (1) not covered under certain federal health insurance programs; and (2) not eligible for employer-provided insurance coverage. Requires provision of such coverage in a manner similar to that in which coverage has been provided to Members of Congress, federal government employees, retirees, and their dependents under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Requires federal government contributions towards the coverage of eligible individuals. Establishes in the Treasury an American Health Benefits Program Trust Fund. Directs the Administrator of Health Benefits to establish a schedule of cost-sharing subsidies for lower-income individuals. Establishes an independent Health Benefits Administration, headed by the Administrator. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose a premium on individuals enrolled in a qualified health plan under SSA title XXII, which shall be reduced by the amount of government contribution; (2) allow a tax credit to covered individuals equal to the sum of the aggregate amount of premiums paid (other than government contributions) with respect to the individual's coverage, and the applicable premium subsidy; (3) impose on every employer an excise tax equal to the applicable percentage of the wages paid employees; (4) allow a tax credit against such excise tax for periods during which an employee is covered by qualified employer-provided coverage; and (5) impose a tax on hospital revenues. Makes related amendments to SSA titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP). Directs the Administrator of Health Benefits to establish new guidelines that promote the proper use and understanding of health information technologies. Establishes the Health Benefits Commission in the legislative branch to examine and make recommendations regarding the major issues and cost drivers affecting the delivery of healthcare services as it pertains to the American Health Benefits Program.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-05-14 00:00:00

Richard Helm Veterans' Access to Local Health Care Options and Resources Act - Allows a veteran enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) annual patient enrollment system to elect to receive covered health services through a non-VA facility. (Under current law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may contract for such services when VA facilities are not capable of furnishing economic hospital care or medical services because of geographical inaccessibility or are not capable of furnishing the care or services required.) Directs the Secretary to authorize such services pursuant to a contract with such facility. Authorizes the Secretary to furnish to veterans through a VA health care facility drugs and medicines ordered on prescription of a duly licensed private physician under contract with the VA.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Social welfare
Date: 2009-05-14 00:00:00

Identity Protection Act of 2009 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to prohibit the use of Social Security account numbers on identification cards issued by the U.S. government in connection with benefits under SSA titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP). Declares the sense of Congress that private entities should not: (1) use Social Security account numbers as a method identifying individuals on documents made available to the public or on personal identification cards; or (2) include on any such document or card a magnetic strip, bar code, or other means of communication which conveys such number (or a derivative).
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-14 00:00:00

Informed Consumer Choices in Health Care Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) develop standards for health insurance issuers in providing information to group health plans, for forms used in connection with group health insurance coverage, for quality assurance, for marketing of group health insurance coverage, and for the accuracy and clarity of coverage for out-of-network providers; (2) undertake activities to promote accountability of health insurance issuers in meeting federal health insurance requirements; (3) provide grants to Departments of Insurance in states to assist in enforcement of federal health insurance requirements governing health insurance issuers operating in such states; (4) undertake activities to promote transparency in costs, market practices, and other factors for health insurance coverage; and (5) establish within HHS an Office of Health Insurance Oversight to promote accountability and transparency in health insurance and provide for assistance to consumers in selecting health care coverage. Directs the Secretaries of Labor and the Treasury to establish standards and accountability and transparency initiatives for group health plans comparable to the standards established by the HHS Secretary under this Act.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-14 00:00:00

Medicare Ambulance Access Preservation Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase to 6% permanently the rate of increase in the fee schedule for ground ambulance services furnished on or after January 1, 2010, in rural and urban areas. Makes permanent the increase in the base rate of the fee schedule the Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to make for a trip in the case of ground ambulance services furnished on or after July 1, 2004, (and beyond January 1, 2010) for which the transportation originates in a qualified low population density rural area.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-18 00:00:00

Right to a Second Medical Opinion Act of 2009 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require a group health plan to provide coverage for a second opinion requested by a participant or beneficiary or a health care practitioner if certain conditions are met, including that the medical condition threatens loss of life, quality of life, loss of limb, loss of bodily function, loss of cognitive function, or substantial impairment of the mind or body. Directs that the financial responsibility of the participant or beneficiary for a second opinion shall be the same as that for comparable services furnished by a participating physician in connection with an initial opinion. Sets forth provisions governing a health plan: (1) limiting coverage of a second opinion to a participating physician; (2) requiring preapproval for a second opinion; and (3) denying coverage or denying preapproval for a second opinion. Allows a plan to condition payment for a second opinion on the physician providing a consultation report to the health care practitioner making the initial opinion. Requires plans to provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) a timeline for providing reimbursement of claims for second opinions and for responding to requests for preapproval of second opinions. Applies the provisions of this Act to individual health insurance coverage.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-19 00:00:00

Children's Health Insurance Accessibility Act of 2009 - Amends title XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to prohibit application under CHIP of coverage eligibility waiting periods to children: (1) who are under two years of age; (2) who lost group health insurance coverage; or (3) for whom private coverage is unaffordable.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-19 00:00:00

Medicare Cost Contract Extension and Refinement Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to reasonable cost reimbursement contracts with qualified health maintenance organizations (HMOs) or competitive medical plans for Medicare reimbursement of hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Extends until January 1, 2013, the period during which such reasonable cost reimbursement contracts can remain in the market. Revises conditions for approval of an application for a modification to a reasonable cost contract to expand the contract's service area. Applies to extended or renewed reasonable cost contracts certain requirements under Medicare part C (Medicare Advantage).
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2009-05-20 00:00:00

Medical FSA Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow an increased exclusion from gross income through 2011 for distributions from a medical flexible spending arrangement; and (2) make self-employed individuals eligible for benefits under medical flexible spending arrangements and accident and health plans.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-20 00:00:00

Blueprint for Health Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create the Blueprint for Health program to provide a national infrastructure for disease prevention, health promotion, and education about, and better management of, chronic conditions. Sets forth elements to be included in the Blueprint, including: (1) a strategic plan for designing an integrated medical home model of care; (2) chronic management programs; (3) incentives for the prevention of chronic diseases, including investments in health and sustainable local and regional food systems; and (4) a plan for the assessment of current health information technology initiatives. Requires the Secretary to convene an executive committee to advise the Secretary on the creation and implementation of the Blueprint for Health. Requires the Blueprint for Health to promote the effective, efficient, national use of health care information technology initiatives. Directs the Secretary to commission an assessment that examines the implementation of the health information technology provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Requires the Secretary to recommend to Congress legislation to implement the Blueprint for Health, including the establishment of programs designed to enhance primary care, promote multidisciplinary care coordination, prevent disease, improve quality, contain costs, more effectively manage chronic illness, and promote good health and prevention initiatives.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-21 00:00:00

Independence at Home Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize voluntary Independence at Home chronic care coordination pilot programs for high-cost Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions under the traditional Medicare fee-for-service program.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-21 00:00:00

Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend Medicare coverage to medical nutrition therapy services for people with pre-diabetes and risk factors for developing type-2 diabetes.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-21 00:00:00

Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2009 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of association health plans (AHPs), which are group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations, and which meet certain ERISA certification requirements. Sets forth rules governing AHPs, including requirements relating to certification, sponsors and boards of trustees, participation and coverage, nondiscrimination, contribution rates, notice of voluntary termination, correction actions, and mandatory termination. Establishes the Association Health Plan Fund to be used by the Secretary of Labor to make payments to an insurer to maintain coverage for a plan if there is a reasonable expectation that, without such payments, claims would not be satisfied by reason of termination of coverage. Requires the Secretary to establish a Solvency Standards Working Group. Allows a state to impose a contribution tax on an association health plan that commenced operations in such state after the enactment of this Act. Preempts any state law that may preclude a health insurance issuer from: (1) offering health insurance coverage in connection with a certified AHP; or (2) offering health insurance coverage of the same policy type to other employers operating in the state that are eligible for coverage under such AHPs, whether or not such other employers are participating employers in such plan.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2009-05-21 00:00:00

Tax Equity for Health Plan Beneficiaries Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exclude from an employee's gross income employer-provided accident and health plan benefits extended to a domestic partner or non-dependent, non-spouse beneficiary eligible to receive such benefits under an employer plan (i.e., "eligible beneficiary"); (2) exempt such benefits paid to eligible beneficiaries from applicable employment and unemployment taxes; (3) allow self-employed individuals a tax deduction for the health insurance costs of their eligible beneficiaries; (4) allow tax-exempt volutary employees' beneficiary associations to provide sick and accident benefits to the domestic partners and non-dependent, non-spouse beneficiaries of their members; and (5) allow reimbursement of the medical expenses of an eligible beneficiary from a health savings account (HSA). Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide guidance relating to reimbursements from a flexible spending arrangement and a health reimbursement arrangement attributable to an eligible beneficiary as defined by this Act.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-21 00:00:00

Coercion is Not Health Care Act - Prohibits requiring the purchase or maintenance of health insurance coverage as a condition for participation in, or access to, any federal program or for federal benefit eligibility. Prohibits any individual or agency of the federal government from requiring any individual to purchase health insurance coverage.
Topic: Health — Insurance
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-21 00:00:00

Gender Equity in Health Premiums Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a group health plan from requiring any individual to pay a premium or contribution which is greater than that for a similarly situated individual enrolled in the plan on the basis of the gender of such individual or such individual's dependent. Applies such prohibition to individual health insurance coverage. Directs the Comptroller General to evaluate enforcement of group and individual health insurance market rules.