zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, effective as of the enactment of such Act and provisions. Restores provisions of law amended by such Act and provisions. Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to administer a health insurance program for non-federal employees and to apply to such program the provisions governing the federal employee health insurance program to the greatest extent practicable. Requires OPM, for each calendar year, to enter into a contract with one or more carriers to make health benefits plans available to eligible individuals. Allows any individual to enroll in such a plan unless the individual: (1) is enrolled or eligible to enroll for coverage under a public health insurance program (including Medicaid or Medicare) or under the federal employee health insurance program, or (2) is a member of the uniformed services. Allows rates and premiums for such a plan to differ among geographic regions. Makes such premiums tax deductible. Provides that no government contribution shall be made for any individual enrolled in such a plan. Directs OPM to ensure that covered individuals are in a risk pool separate from that maintained for federal employees. Requires the Director of OPM to submit a comprehensive plan to Congress that provides for the orderly implementation of the amendments made by this Act, including a schedule of actions to be taken to provide for that implementation.

Date: 2011-01-25
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
State Leadership in Health Care Act - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to allow states to apply for a waiver of specified requirements under PPACA with respect to health insurance coverage within that state due to implementation of a state plan that provides comparable coverage for plan years beginning in 2014 (currently, 2017). Permits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) or the Secretary of the Treasury to deny waivers only if: (1) the state plan does not meet requirements for granting a waiver, (2) the Secretary of HHS or Treasury notifies the state in writing of the requirements that the state plan did not meet and provides the state with information used in making such a determination, and (3) the state is given an opportunity to appeal. Requires the Secretary of HHS or Treasury to reconsider the determination in the event of an appeal and issue a written decision within 60 days.

Date: 2011-01-25
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal a provision (added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) that extends to corporations that are not tax-exempt the requirement to report payments of $600 or more. Rescinds $44 billion of appropriated but unobligated discretionary funds. Exempts unobligated funds of the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or the Social Security Administration.  Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to determine and identify from which appropriation accounts such rescissions shall apply and report to the Secretary of the Treasury and Congress on such rescissions.

Date: 2011-02-09
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Taxation
Patients' Freedom to Choose Act - Repeals provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 that: (1) restrict payments from health savings accounts, medical savings accounts, and health flexible spending arrangements for medications to prescription drugs and insulin only; and (2) impose a $2,500 limitation on salary reduction contributions to a health flexible spending arrangement under a cafeteria plan.

Date: 2011-02-10
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Save Our States Act - Delays the effective date of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, and prohibits the federal government from promulgating any further regulations or otherwise preparing to implement the the provisions of such Acts, until the U.S. Supreme Court renders a judgment that includes a holding on the constitutionality of the requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage in any case pending before a federal court on the date of the enactment of this Act.

Date: 2011-02-11
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Expanded & Improved Medicare for All Act - Establishes the Medicare for All Program to provide all individuals residing in the United States and U.S. territories with free health care that includes all medically necessary care, such as primary care and prevention, dietary and nutritional therapies, prescription drugs, emergency care, long-term care, mental health services, dental services, and vision care. Prohibits an institution from participating unless it is a public or nonprofit institution. Allows nonprofit health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that deliver care in their own facilities to participate. Gives patients the freedom to choose from participating physicians and institutions. Prohibits a private health insurer from selling health insurance coverage that duplicates the benefits provided under this Act. Allows such insurers to sell benefits that are not medically necessary, such as cosmetic surgery benefits. Sets forth methods to pay institutional providers of care and health professionals for services. Prohibits financial incentives between HMOs and physicians based on utilization. Establishes the Medicare for All Trust Fund to finance the Program with amounts deposited: (1) from existing sources of government revenues for health care; (2) by increasing personal income taxes on the top 5% income earners; (3) by instituting a modest and progressive excise tax on payroll and self-employment income; (4) instituting a modest tax on unearned income; and (5) by instituting a small tax on stock and bond transactions. Transfers and appropriates to carry out this Act amounts that would have been appropriated for federal public health care programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP). Requires the Medicare for All Program to give first priority in retraining and job placement and employment transition benefits to individuals whose jobs are eliminated due to reduced administration. Requires creation of a confidential electronic patient record system. Establishes a National Board of Universal Quality and Access to provide advice on quality, access, and affordability. Provides for: (1) the eventual integration of the Indian Health Service into the Program; and (2) evaluation of the continued independence of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health programs.

Date: 2011-02-11
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Deauthorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the health care provisions of Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Rescinds any unobligated balances of funds appropriated to carry out such provisions.

Date: 2011-02-14
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
State Health Care Flexibility Act of 2011 - Authorizes a state to opt out of the application of certain provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) with respect to health insurance coverage within the state by: (1) enacting a law that expresses the intent of the state to opt out of any or all of such provisions, lists such provisions, and expresses the intent of the state to continue to administer health care coverage-related laws as in effect in the state on March 22, 2010, or provides for the implementation of related state laws enacted after such date; and (2) notifying the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Secretary of the Treasury that such a state law was enacted. Includes among PPACA provisions that may be made inapplicable within a state provisions related to health coverage, essential health benefits, health insurance exchanges, alternative health plans established by states, individual and employer health coverage requirements, interoperable protocols for enrollment in federal and state health and human service programs, and expansion of Medicaid coverage.

Date: 2011-02-17
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Montana Land Sovereignty Act - Prohibits any further extension or establishment of national parks and monuments in Montana, except by express authorization of Congress.

Date: 2011-03-01
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Directs the Supreme Court to expedite the disposition of any action and appeal challenging the constitutionality of any provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act if a petition for writ of certiori is filed under Rule 11 of the Rules of the Supreme Court on or before the enactment of this Act.

Date: 2011-03-10
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Law
End the Mandate Act of 2011 - Repeals provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 that require individuals to maintain minimum essential health care coverage and require large employers to offer their full-time employees the opportunity to enroll in minimum essential coverage.

Date: 2011-03-15
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Constitutional Protection Act of 2011 - Delays the effective date of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 until the date on which final judgment is entered in all cases challenging the constitutionality of the requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage that are pending before a federal court on the date of enactment of this Act. Prohibits the federal government from promulgating regulations under such Acts or otherwise preparing to implement such Acts until such date.

Date: 2011-03-17
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
American Health Security Act of 2011 - Establishes the State-Based American Health Security Program to provide every U.S. resident who is a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful resident alien with health care services. Requires each participating state to establish a state health security program. Eliminates benefits under: (1) titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act; (2) the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program; and (3) TRICARE. Repeals provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) related to health insurance coverage, including provisions concerning state health insurance exchanges. Requires each state health security program to prohibit the sale of health insurance in that state that duplicates benefits provided under the program. Establishes the American Health Security Standards Board to: (1) develop policies, procedures, guidelines and requirements to carry out this Act; (2) establish uniform reporting requirements and quality performance standards; (3) provide for an American Health Security Advisory Council and an Advisory Committee on Health Professional Education; and (4) establish a national health security budget specifying the total federal and state expenditures to be made for covered health care services. Establishes the American Health Security Quality Council to: (1) review and evaluate practice guidelines, standards of quality, performance measures, and medical review criteria; and (2) develop minimum competence criteria. Establishes the Office of Primary Care and Prevention Research within the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Creates the American Health Security Trust Fund and appropriates to it specified tax liabilities and current health program receipts, including premium assistance credits under PPACA.

Date: 2011-03-17
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to repeal provisions appropriating funds to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to states for activities (including planning activities) related to establishing an American Health Benefit Exchange (a state health insurance exchange). Rescinds any unobligated funds made available under such provisions.

Date: 2011-03-29
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Healthcare Fiscal Accountability Act of 2011 - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to convert specified funding under such Act from a direct appropriation to an authorization of appropriations or from a transfer to an authorization of such transfer, including funding for: (1) the establishment of a temporary high-risk pool for uninsured individuals with preexisting conditions, (2) the establishment of a temporary reinsurance program for early retirees, (3) health insurance exchanges, and (4) the Prevention and Public Health Fund. Rescinds or restores the unobligated balances of funds available pursuant to such direct appropriations or transfers, respectively. Repeals provisions of PPACA, as if such provisions had not been enacted, that appropriate funds to the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) for allotments to states, the Child Enrollment Contingency Fund, and outreach and enrollment grants. Repeals provisions of PPACA appropriating funds, except with respect to FY2010 or FY2011, for: (1) allotments to states for abstinence education, (2) special projects of regional and national significance for the development and support of family-to-family health information centers for families of children with disabilities or special health care needs, and (3) the National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information. Rescinds the unobligated portion of funds available pursuant to such provisions for FY2010-FY2011.

Date: 2011-03-31
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Veterans' Efficiencies Through Savings Act of 2011 or VETS Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the provision of medical care by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for: (1) any 75 square mile area where three or more VA outpatient clinics are located; and (2) any 100 square mile area where two or more VA hospitals are located.

Date: 2011-03-31
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
District of Columbia Medicaid Reimbursement Act of 2011 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to increase the Medicaid federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for the District of Columbia from 70% to 75%.

Date: 2011-03-31
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Repeals provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 related to: (1) the disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotment for Tennessee and Hawaii; (2) an adjustment to the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for qualifying disaster-recovery states; (3) the establishment of a floor on the area wage index for a frontier state for purposes of a geographic adjustment to Medicare payments to hospitals for inpatient services; (4) the eligibility for Medicare coverage of certain individuals exposed to environmental health hazards; and (5) the appropriation of funds for debt service on, or direct construction or renovation of, a health care facility that provides research, inpatient, tertiary care, or outpatient clinical service. Amends PPACA to eliminate revisions to the formula for determining the wage index applicable to Section 508 hospitals. (Section 508 of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 allows the temporary reclassification of a hospital with a low Medicare area wage index to a nearby location with a higher index so that the hospital will receive the higher Medicare reimbursement rate.) Makes this Act effective as if it were included in PPACA or, if applicable, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.

Date: 2011-04-01
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Creating Sunshine, Participation, and Accountability for our Nation Act - Requires any rule issued under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 to be made on the record after opportunity for an agency hearing. Requires the agency hearing to be open to the public, including to radio and television coverage, and to be presided over by an officer confirmed by the Senate.

Date: 2011-04-07
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish cost-effective procedures to ensure that: (1) a Social Security account number (or any derivative) is not displayed, coded, or embedded on the Medicare card issued to an individual entitled to benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act or enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); and (2) any other identifier displayed on such card is easily identifiable as not being the Social Security account number (or a derivative).

Date: 2011-04-13
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the definition of Medicare-covered audiology (hearing and balance assessment) services provided by a qualified and legally authorized audiologist to stipulate that such services are covered without regard to any requirement that: (1) the individual receiving them be under the care of (or referred by) a physician or other health care practitioner, or (2) such services are provided under the supervision of a physician or other health practitioner. Includes audiology services as medical services, as so redefined, under Medicare part B.

Date: 2011-06-03
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
MediFair Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a system for making adjustments to the amount of payment made to entities and individuals for items and services provided under the original Medicare fee-for-service program under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Requires such adjustments in order to make the state average per beneficiary amount equal to the national average per beneficiary amount. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to develop recommendations on policies and practices that would encourage: (1) healthy outcomes and quality care under the Medicare program in states with respect to which payments are reduced under such system, and (2) the efficient use of payments made under the Medicare program in such states.

Date: 2011-06-15
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Health Care OverUse Reform Today Act (HealthCOURT Act) of 2011 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide for the selection and issuance of best practice guidelines for treatment of medical conditions. Requires the Secretary to contract with a qualified physician consensus-building organization to develop guidelines and issue a rule that provides for the establishment of such guidelines. Prohibits the Secretary from making a rule that includes guidelines other than those submitted by such organization. Requires the Secretary to routinely review guidelines and, as necessary, enter into additional contracts to issue guidelines. Prohibits a court from awarding noneconomic damages or punitive damages in any health care lawsuit with respect to treatment that is consistent with a guideline issued under this Act. Prohibits guidelines from being introduced as evidence of negligence or deviation in the standard of care in any health care lawsuit unless such guidelines have previously been introduced by the defendant. Declares that there shall be no presumption of negligence if a health care provider provides treatment in a manner inconsistent with such guidelines. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary to award grants to states for the development, implementation, and evaluation of administrative health care tribunals for the resolution of disputes concerning injuries allegedly caused by health care providers. Sets forth provisions governing the operation of such tribunals, including requiring a review of allegations by an expert panel to assess liability.

Date: 2011-06-24
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include social security benefits that are excluded from gross income in the calculation of modified adjusted gross income for purposes of determining eligibility for the tax credit for coverage under a qualified health plan.

Date: 2011-07-18
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to rescind any funds awarded to a state for an American Health Benefit Exchange (a state health insurance exchange) upon the state notifying the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) that it will not use any remaining funds under the award. Requires such funds to be returned to the general fund of the Treasury for deficit reduction.

Date: 2011-09-15
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
State Authorized Alternative Health Arrangement Act of 2011 - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to authorize a state to establish one or more alternative health arrangements that serve the beneficiaries of one or more qualified benefits programs if certain requirements are met. Defines "qualified benefit program" as an entity or arrangement that: (1) is established, authorized, and operating pursuant to state law to provide or administer health coverage for officials, employees, and retirees of a group of employers; and (2) the state finds satisfies criteria to be a qualified health plan, with exceptions. Requires such a state to designate one or more qualified benefit programs to be offered through such an arrangement. States that such an arrangement is in addition to an American Health Benefits Exchange (health insurance exchange) or a subsidiary Exchange. Deems such an arrangement to be an Exchange under PPACA, except exempts the arrangement from requirements relating to offering coverage to all qualified individuals and Exchange certification. Details how health plan rules apply to the alternative health arrangements provided for under this Act. Treats a qualified benefits program offered through an alternative health arrangement as: (1) meeting the definition of a qualified health plan for purposes of the essential health benefits provisions in PPACA, and (2) a health plan offered in the individual market under the Internal Revenue Code.

Date: 2011-09-29
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Medicare Equity Extension Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to the formulae for determining payments for physician services under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for the Aged and Disabled), to extend through calendar 2013: (1) a specified formula element for the employee wage and rent portions of the Medicare practice expense geographic adjustment, and (2) the Medicare work geographic adjustment floor at 1.0 under the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010. Terminates as of December 31, 2011, the 1.00 floor under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA): (1) on the area wage index for hospitals in frontier states (half of whose counties have a population per square mile of less than 6), (2) on the area wage adjustment factor for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services in frontier states, and (3) for the practice expense index for services furnished in frontier states.

Date: 2011-10-25
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Medicaid Flexibility for States Act - Authorizes a state to limit the application within the state of specified provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that expand the program under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act by enacting a law that: (1) expresses the intent of the state to opt out of one or more of the provisions of PPACA, and (2) contains a list of the provisions that will not apply to the state.

Date: 2011-11-02
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to create a six-month grace period for accreditation of certain Medicare advanced diagnostic imaging services suppliers. Declares that, in the case of a supplier who has not previously received payment for the technological component of advanced diagnostic imaging services under the Medicare fee schedule, that the supplier, applying for accreditation, shall be deemed to be accredited for a grace period beginning on the date the supplier conducts the first image or set of images obtained from an advanced diagnostic imaging service submitted to an accrediting organization. Ends the grace period on the earliest of the following: (1) the date on which the supplier's application for accrediation is approved; (2) the date on which the application is denied; or (3) the end of the six-month period beginning on the date the first image or set of images obtained from an advanced diagnostic imaging service is conducted.

Date: 2011-11-02
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act), as amended by the Budget Control Act of 2011, to exempt specified programs under title XVIII (Medicare ) of the Social Security Act from fall back sequestration. Prohibits any direct spending reductions for such programs.

Date: 2011-11-29
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Americans Need A Healthcare Ruling Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt any lawsuit brought under the tax provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 from the general prohibition against lawsuits to restrain the assessment or collection of tax.

Date: 2011-12-02
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat membership in a tax-exempt health care sharing ministry as coverage under a high deductible health plan for purposes of the tax deduction for contributions to a health savings account.

Date: 2011-12-19
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Taxation
State Health Flexibility Act of 2012 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to replace the Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program with a program of block grants to states for health care services to indigent individuals. Requires states receiving such block grants to pay for health-care-related items and services provided to a citizen, legal resident, or an alien not lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of law, if: (1) such health-care-related items and services are necessary for the treatment of an emergency medical condition; (2) the individual meets all necessary eligibility requirements for health-care-related items and services under the block grant program except for any immigration status requirement; and (3) such items and services are not related to an organ transplant procedure. Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Health Care and Educational Reconciliation Act of 2010, SSA title XIX (Medicaid), and SSA title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP).

Date: 2012-03-07
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Offering Patients True Individualized Options Now Act of 2012 or the OPTION Act of 2012 - Repeals Title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (provisions related to health insurance and health coverage expansion) and any amendments to such provisions made by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Restores provisions of law amended or repealed by such provisions. Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to health savings accounts (HSAs) to: (1) eliminate the high deductible health plan coverage requirement for HSA participants, (2) increase to $10,000 the maximum dollar amount of the tax deduction for payments to an HSA, and (3) permit Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) eligible individuals to contribute to an HSA. Permits: (1) the tax deduction for medical expenses without the gross income percentage limitation, and (2) physicians a tax credit for providing charity care. Extends continuation coverage under COBRA (health insurance continuation benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985). Amends title II (Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a procedure to enroll a Medicare Part A beneficiary in the Medicare Reform Premium Assistance Program to buy private health insurance. Amends Medicare provisions to allow certified medical professionals to assess the nature and extent of an emergency room patient's illness or injury to determine whether an emergency medical condition exists. Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the sale and purchase of health insurance policies across state lines. Sets forth requirements for and restrictions on such policies.

Date: 2012-03-20
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Medicaid Payment Fairness to the Territories Act of 2012 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to tie the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa, beginning in FY2013, to the highest FMAP applicable to any of the 50 states for the fiscal year involved.

Date: 2012-05-08
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Health Savings Accounts Improvements Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to health savings accounts (HSAs), to: (1) allow a tax credit for retirement savings contributions for deductible contributions made to an HSA and salary reduction contributions under a cafeteria plan made by an employer to an HSA; (2) provide a special rule to allow a tax deduction for medical expenses incurred before the establishment of an HSA; (3) allow a husband and wife to make catch-up contributions to the same HSA; (4) allow veterans who receive medical benefits for a service-connected disability to participate in an HSA; and (5) allow HSA participants who are enrolled in a group health plan as a former employee or spouse of a former employee and who have attained age 55, but not age 65, to pay expenses for coverage under such plan from an HSA.

Date: 2012-05-29
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Taxation
Medicaid Accountability and Care Act of 2012 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise payments to states under the Medicaid program, including granting an option to receive Medicare payments for full-benefit dual eligible individuals (who are eligible for Medicare benefits under SSA title XVIII as well as Medicaid).

Date: 2012-06-20
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Healthcare Tax Relief and Mandate Repeal Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) terminate the requirement, added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), that individuals maintain minimum essential health insurance coverage for themselves and dependents; and (2) repeal provisions added by PPACA requiring certain employers who have a workforce of 50 or more full-time employees to provide health insurance coverage for their employees.

Date: 2012-06-28
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
NObamacare Act of 2012 - Repeals the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education and Reconciliation Act of 2010, that were not declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in its decision on June 28, 2012. Restores provisions of law amended by such repealed provisions.

Date: 2012-06-28
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
NObamacare Funds Act of 2012 - Prohibits funds from being obligated or expended to carry out the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.

Date: 2012-06-28
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Repeal of Obamacare Act - Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, effective as of its enactment. Restores provisions of law amended by such Act. Repeals the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education and Reconciliation Act of 2010, effective as of the Act's enactment. Restores provisions of law amended by the Act's health care provisions.

Date: 2012-07-09
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Total Repeal of the Unfair Taxes on Healthcare Act of 2012 or the TRUTH Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to health care provisions added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, to repeal: (1) the excise tax on the excess benefit from certain high cost employer-sponsored health coverage plans; (2) the excise tax on net investment income in the Medicare taxable base; (3) the prohibition against payments from health flexible spending arrangements, health savings accounts (HSAs), and Archer medical savings accounts (MSAs) for over-the-counter drugs; (4) the increased penalty on distributions from an HSA or Archer MSA not used for qualified medical expenses; (5) the limitation on annual salary reduction contributions by an employee to a health flexible spending arrangement under a cafeteria plan; (6) the increase in the income threshold for claiming an itemized deduction for medical expenses; (7) the excise tax on indoor tanning services; (8) the requirement that individuals maintain minimal essential health care coverage; and (9) the excise tax on medical devices. Repeals provisions of PPACA that require: (1) annual fees on branded prescription drug manufacturers and importers and on health insurance providers, and (2) a report by the Secretary of Veteran Affairs (VA) on the effect of fees assessed by such Act on the cost of medical care provided to veterans and on access by veterans to medical devices and branded prescription drugs.

Date: 2012-07-09
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Taxation
Helping Save Americans' Health Care Choices Act of 2012 - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to repeal: (1) the 20% penalty for distributions from a health savings account (HSA) or an Archer medical savings account (Archer MSA) not used for qualified medical expenses, (2) the prohibition on distributions from an HSA for over-the-counter drugs, and (3) the limitation on health flexible spending arrangements under cafeteria plans. Allows the treatment of a high deductible health plan as a qualified health plan under PPACA. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a retirement savings tax credit for contributions to an HSA, (2) payment of premiums for high deductible health plans from an HSA, (3) a tax deduction for medical expenses incurred prior to the establishment of an HSA, (4) an increase of the HSA maximum allowable contribution amount to match the limit on deductible and out-of-pocket expenses under an HSA, (5) an exclusion from gross income of employer-provided coverage for qualified long-term care services that is provided through a flexible spending or similar arrangement, (6) eligibility for veterans with a service-connected disability, participants in Tricare, and certain Medicare beneficiaries for participation in an HSA, (7) both spouses to make catch-up contributions to the same HSA account, and (8) a tax deduction for amounts paid by patients to their primary physician in advance for the right to receive medical services on an as-needed basis. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, through regulations or other guidance, to encourage administrators of health plans and trustees of HSAs to provide for simultaneous enrollment in high deductible health plans and setup of HSAs.

Date: 2012-07-18
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Military Health Care Protection Act of 2012 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) career military personnel and their families endure unique and extraordinary demands and make extraordinary sacrifices over the course of a 20-30 year career, and (2) those decades of sacrifice constitute a significant pre-paid premium for health care during a career member's retirement that is over and above what the member pays with money. Prohibits any cost-sharing requirement under the Department of Defense (DOD) pharmacy benefits program, as well as deductibles under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), from being increased by a percentage greater than that year's percentage increase in retired pay. Prohibits CHAMPUS inpatient charges from exceeding 25% of their total cost or $708 per day. Prohibits, beginning with FY2013, the maximum annual limit on charges under CHAMPUS from being increased by a percentage greater than that year's percentage increase in retired pay. Prohibits former members of the Armed Forces who are entitled to retired pay, as well as dependents of members who died while on active duty or from an injury, illness, or disease incurred while on active duty, from being charged an enrollment fee for CHAMPUS coverage or from being subject to denial of claims for coverage based on failure to enroll.

Date: 2012-08-01
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to provide that provisions of such Act imposing a penalty for failure to purchase minimum essential health care coverage shall not be construed as imposing any tax or as an exercise of any power of Congress under the Constitution to impose a tax. Makes the effective date of the amendment made by this Act retroactive to the enactment date of PPACA.

Date: 2012-08-02
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Electronic Health Records Improvement Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exempt certain eligible physicians in solo practice and physicians near early retirement age from the application of the Medicare payment adjustment for not demonstrating electronic health record (EHR) meaningful use for certain payment years. Establishes a special rebate for eligible professionals who receive a negative adjustment to their payments for failure to establish an EHR process but subsequently do establish a process meeting the criteria for establishing meaningful use of certified EHR technology. Creates specified additional exceptions to the application of the Medicare negative payment adjustment for certain Medicaid providers participating in the Medicaid EHR incentive program and hospital-based eligible professionals not demonstrating EHR meaningful use. Requires treatment of an eligible professional as a meaningful EHR user if the professional demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) use of a certified national speciality registry system in a meaningful manner. Extends: (1) Medicare EHR incentives (increased payments and adjustments) to eligible professionals practicing in rural health clinics, and (2) Medicare ERx and quality reporting incentives to rural health clinics. Disqualifies patient encounters of an eligible professional occurring at an ambulatory surgical center during certain performance years from treatment as a patient encounter in determining whether an eligible professional qualifies as a meaningful EHR user. Exempts certain eligible professionals from certain EHR meaningful use requirements for purposes of the Medicare payment adjustment. Creates a process for eligible professionals to appeal a determination that they did not qualify as a meaningful EHR user. Amends SSA titles XVIII and XIX (Medicaid) to make certain requirements of the Electronic Health Records Act inapplicable to eligible professional Medicare incentives for certain Medicare Advantage organizations and professionals employed by them or furnishing services in them.

Date: 2012-11-16
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Patient Choice Restoration Act - Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Restores provisions of law amended by such Acts.

Date: 2011-01-25
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Rural Preventive Health Care Training Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants and enter into contracts for preventive health care training of rural health care practitioners.

Date: 2011-01-25
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act - Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, effective as of its enactment. Restores provisions of law amended by such Act. Repeals the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education and Reconciliation Act of 2010, effective as of the Act's enactment. Restores provisions of law amended by the Act's health care provisions.

Date: 2011-01-26
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
State Health Care Choice Act - Authorizes a state to limit the application of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) with respect to health insurance coverage within that state by enacting a law that: (1) expresses the intent of the state to opt out of one or more of the provisions of PPACA; (2) contains a list of the provisions that will not apply to the state; and (3) either expresses the state's intent to continue to administer health coverage-related laws as in effect in the state on March 23, 2010, or provides for the implementation of related state laws enacted after such date. Sets forth provisions that may be made inapplicable within a state, including provisions related to health coverage, essential health benefits, health insurance exchanges, alternative health plans established by states, individual and employer health coverage requirements, interoperable protocols for enrollment in federal and state health and human service programs, and expansion of Medicaid coverage.

Date: 2011-02-01
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Empowering States to Innovate Act - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to: (1)  allow states to apply for waivers of certain health insurance coverage requirements in such Act (including requirements for the establishment of qualified health plans and health insurance exchanges) for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014 (currently, January 1, 2017), and (2) require the waiver application process to begin not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act.

Date: 2011-02-01
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Save Our States Act - Delays the effective date of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 until the date on which final judgment is entered in all cases challenging the constitutionality of the requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage that are pending before a federal court on the date of enactment of this Act. Prohibits the federal government from promulgating regulations under such Acts or otherwise preparing to implement such Acts until such date.

Date: 2011-02-03
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Health Care Waiver Transparency Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish detailed criteria used by the Secretary to approve a waiver, adjustment, or other compliance relief provided for under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, including how significant of a decrease in benefits or increase in premiums would need to occur in order to be approved for a waiver. Directs the Secretary to publish each application for a waiver and the approval or rejection of the waiver while ensuring the confidentiality of proprietary information of each applicant. Prohibits any preferential treatment to be given to an applicant based on political contributions or association with a labor union, a health plan provided for under a collective bargaining agreement, or another organized labor group.

Date: 2011-03-17
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Preserving Access to Targeted, Individualized, and Effective New Treatments and Services (PATIENTS) Act of 2011 or the PATIENTS Act of 2011 - Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from using data obtained from comparative effectiveness research, including such research that is conducted or supported using funds appropriated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) or authorized or appropriated under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to deny or delay coverage of an item or service under a federal health care program. Requires the Secretary to ensure that comparative effectiveness research conducted or supported by the federal government accounts for factors contributing to differences in the treatment response and preferences of patients, including patient-reported outcomes, genomics and personalized medicine, the unique needs of health disparity populations, and indirect patient benefits.

Date: 2011-03-29
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
Medicare Data Access for Transparency anc Accountabililty Act - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make available to the public HHS claims and payment data related to SSA title XVIII (Medicare), including data on payments made to any service provider or supplier.

Date: 2011-04-07
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
The Consumer Information Enhancement Act of 2011- Amends title XVIII (Medicare) to provide for the development of reports, based on Medicare data, data that is publicly available, or private data provided by a requesting entity in order to: (1) improve the quality and efficiency of health care; (2) enhance the education and awareness of consumers for evaluating heatlh care services; and (3) provide the public with reports on national, regional, and provider- and suppplier-specific performance, which may be in a provider- or supplier-identifiable format. Requires specified reporting procedures to provide for secure disclosure of Medicare data to Consumer Information Organizations meeting certain requirements under contract with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Directs the Secretary of HHS to permit researchers that meet criteria used to ensure the appropriateness of the release of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data for research purposes to: (1) have access to all Medicare data; and (2) report on the performance of service providers and suppliers.

Date: 2011-04-14
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health
State Flexibility Act - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to repeal certain state Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) maintenance of effort requirements under titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act. (Under "maintenance of efforts" a state is prohibited from having eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures under its state Medicaid or CHIP plan that are more restrictive than those in effect on on July 1, 2008, under ARRA or on March 23, 2010, under PPACA.)

Date: 2011-05-03
Topic: Health (Health Care Reform)
Subject: Health