zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize expansion of Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services to diseases, conditions, or disorders other than diabetes or a renal disease.

Date: 2007-06-21
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Medicare Equity and Accessibility Act of 2007 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to certain factors and indices in geographic adjustments to the fee schedule for determination of payments for physicians' services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to increase the practice expense geographic index to 1.0 for any location for which the practice expense geographic index is less than 1.0. Repeals the current termination date in order to extend permanently the 1.0 floor for the work expense geographic index.

Date: 2007-06-22
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Preexisting Condition Exclusion Patient Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to allow a group health plan to impose a preexisting condition exclusion only if: (1) such exclusion relates to a condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within the 30-day period ending on the enrollment date; and (2) such exclusion extends not more than three months, or nine months for a late enrollee, after the enrollment date.Applies such requirement to coverage offered in the individual market. Allows an issuer of individual health insurance coverage to impose a preexisting condition exclusion for a period of not more than three months under certain circumstances.Revises provisions that prohibit health insurance issuers that offer health insurance coverage in the individual market from declining to offer coverage or imposing any preexisting condition exclusion on coverage to an eligible individual to remove eligibility requirements that require an individual to have: (1) elected COBRA continuation coverage, if it was offered; and (2) exhausted such continuation coverage, if elected.

Date: 2007-06-22
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Children's Health Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a group health plan from imposing any preexisting condition exclusion for individuals who have not attained 19 years of age. Applies such requirement to coverage offered in the individual market.

Date: 2007-06-22
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Michelle's Law - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a group health plan from terminating coverage of a dependent child due to a medically necessary leave of absence from, or any other change in enrollment at, a postsecondary education institution that commences while such child is suffering from a serious illness or injury and that causes such child to lose student status for purposes of coverage under the plan, before the earlier of: (1) one year after the first day of the medically necessary leave of absence; or (2) the date on which such coverage would otherwise terminate under the terms of the plan. Requires written certification by the child's treating physician. Directs group health plans to include notice of the terms of this Act with any notice regarding a requirement for certification of student status for coverage under the plan.Provides that coverage under this Act continues in the manner in which the participant or beneficiary is covered under the plan changes so long as the change of coverage continues to provide coverage of beneficiaries as dependent children.Applies such requirement to coverage offered in the individual market.

Date: 2007-06-25
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Medicare IVIG Access Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect and review data on the differences, if any, between: (1) payments to physicians for immune globulins using average sales price payment methodology; and (2) costs incurred by physicians for furnishing these products. Requires the Secretary, after completion of the review, to provide, if appropriate, an additional payment to such physicians for all items related to the furnishing of immune globulins as part of hospital outpatient services. Provides for Medicare coverage of and payment for intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) administered in the home. Directs the Secretary to conduct two surveys, for reports to Congress, of Medicare and non-Medicare patients who need immune globulins in order to measure changes in patient access to those products (and providers furnishing them), as well as changes in the health care status of those patients.

Date: 2007-06-28
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Medicare Advantage Truth in Advertising Act of 2007 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to restrict cost-sharing under the Medicare Advantage (MA) Program to a level no greater (and permissably less) than the cost-sharing that would otherwise be imposed under the original Medicare fee-for-service program option. Declares that nothing regarding original Medicare fee-for-service program option benefits shall be construed as prohibiting an MA plan from using a flat copayment or per diem rate, under this Act, in lieu of the cost-sharing imposed under Medicare part A or part B.

Date: 2007-06-28
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Increased Access to Health Insurance Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the prohibition against the purchase of health insurance from a health savings account.

Date: 2007-06-28
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Taxation
Independent Health Record Trust Act of 2007 - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe standards for the establishment, certification, operation, and interoperability of independent health record trusts (IHRTs).Establishes a fiduciary duty requiring an IHRT to act for the benefit and interest of participants and of the IHRT as a whole. Sets forth penalties for any knowing or reckless breach of such duty. Sets forth permitted uses for an electronic health record, including: (1) a primary use for purposes of the individual's self-care or care by health care professionals; and (2) a secondary use for purposes of public health research or related activities.Directs that participation in an IHRT, or authorizing access to information from such trust, is voluntary. Prohibits any person from requiring that an individual participate in, or authorize access to information from, an IHRT.Authorizes an IHRT to generate revenue to pay for operations through: (1) charging participants account fees; (2) charging authorized IHRT data users for accessing electronic health records; (3) the sale of information; and (4) any other activity determined appropriate by the FTC. Prohibits an IHRT from charging a fee for the transmittal of information from a health care provider to be included in an independent electronic health record.Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an Interagency Steering Committee to coordinate the implementation of this Act. Requires the National Committee for Vital and Health Statistics to serve as an advisory committee for IHRTs.

Date: 2007-07-11
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the average sales price methodology for payment for drugs and biologicals under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for Aged and Disabled). Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to increase the payment amount for a drug or biological to the extent necessary to ensure that it is in no case less than the widely available market price. Limits the prompt pay discounts included in the calculation of the manufacturer's average sales price to those discounts furnished to physicians. Excludes such discounts from the average sales price calculation for years after 2004.

Date: 2007-07-12
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection Coverage Age of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan to provide coverage for colorectal screening for any participant or beneficiary who is 50 years of age or older or at high risk for colorectal cancer under terms and conditions that are no less favorable than those applicable to other screening benefits provided under the plan. Prohibits specified actions by group health plans to avoid the requirements of this Act, including denying enrollment, penalizing the provision of required services, or providing incentives for care inconsistent with this Act.Requires such plan to provide certain disclosures to participants and beneficiaries, including regarding covered benefits, cost sharing, and participating providers. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to modify coverage requirements under this Act to incorporate new scientific and technological advances, practice pattern changes, or other updated medical practices regarding colorectal screening.Applies such requirements to health insurance coverage offered in the individual market and coverage under the federal employees health benefits program (FEHBP).

Date: 2007-07-17
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Medicare Savings Program Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to the Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) and Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB) programs (Medicare Savings Program) to increase the income eligibility levels for: (1) QMBs to 135% of the federal poverty level (FPL); and (2) SLMBs to 150% of the FPL. Eliminates the application of estate recovery for Medicare Savings Program beneficiaries. Modifies the asset tests for QMBs and SLMBs. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for expedited enrollment under the Medicare Savings Program through Social Security offices. Provides for treatment of QMBs, SLMBs, and other dual eligibles as Medicare beneficiaries.Amends SSA title XIX with respect to Medicaid treatment of certain Medicare providers.Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to examine and report on whether providers have attempted to make QMBs liable for deductibles, coinsurance, and co-payments in violation of applicable law. Requires the Secretary to report an enforcement plan of action to Congress regarding any QMBs that have been held so liable in violation of law.Requires states to provide medical assistance to dual eligibles in MedicareAdvantage (MA) plans.

Date: 2007-07-23
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Healthy Americans Act - Requires each adult individual to have the opportunity to purchase a Healthy Americans Private Insurance Plan (HAPI). Makes individuals who are not enrolled in another specified health plan and who are not opposed to coverage for religious reasons responsible for enrolling themselves and their dependent children in a HAPI plan offered through their state of residence. Sets forth penalties for failure to enroll. Establishes standardized coverage and state options for HAPI plans. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate guidelines concerning the benefits, items, and services to be covered. Sets forth requirements for setting premiums. Requires the Secretary to establish the Healthy America Advisory Committee to provide annual recommendations concerning modifications to the benefits, items, and services required. Requires the Secretary to establish Chronic Care Education Centers. Requires states to establish or designate a state Health Help Agency to carry out the administration of HAPI plans and to promote prevention and wellness for residents. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require employers and individuals to each make shared responsibility payments for HAPI plan premiums. Sets forth requirements for health insurance issuers offering a HAPI plan. Establishes the Healthy Americans Public Health Trust Fund for the payment of premium subsidies. Terminates federal health benefits coverage, including coverage provided under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program and the State Children's Health Insurance program (SCHIP). Enhanced Health Care Value for All Act of 2007 - Provides for a Comparative Effectiveness Advisory Board and a Health Care Comparative Effectiveness Research Trust Fund.

Date: 2007-07-24
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Wounded Warriors Expansion of Care Act of 2007 - Entitles any recovering member and any former member with a severe injury or illness to medical and dental care in any military medical facility or through any civilian health care provider authorized by the Secretary of Defense to provide health and mental health services, including services for traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. Authorizes such medical and dental care for three years beginning on the date: (1) of enactment of this Act, for those whose injury or illness was incurred on or after October 7, 2001, and before the enactment of this Act; and (2) on which the injury or illness is incurred, for those whose injury or illness occurs on or after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to waive any limitation on the provision of such care if considered appropriate to assure the maximum feasible recovery and rehabilitation of the member or former member. Prohibits the Secretary from providing such medical and dental care after December 31, 2012, if the Secretary has not provided such care to such member or former member before that date. Entitles members with a severe injury or illness to rehabilitation and vocational benefits from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to reimburse recovering members and former members with a severe injury or illness for certain expenses incurred in connection with the receipt of required medical care.

Date: 2007-07-27
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
HSA Improvement and Expansion Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to health savings accounts (HSAs) to: (1) allow HSAs to incorporate flexible spending and health reimbursement arrangements; (2) increase the annual HSA contribution limitation; (3) permit the use of HSAs to purchase health insurance; (4) allow the payment of certain medical expenses incurred before the establishment of an HSA; (5) allow veterans eligible for service-connected disability benefits to establish an HSA; and (6) allow spouses to make increased catch-up contributions to a single HSA.

Date: 2007-07-31
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Taxation
Flexible Health Savings Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow up to $500 of unused health benefits in a plan or other arrangement that provides for a health flexible spending arrangement to be carried forward to the next plan year or be contributed to a health savings account or a qualified retirement plan, without affecting the status of such plan or arrangement as a tax-exempt employee benefit cafeteria plan.

Date: 2007-08-01
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Taxation
Early Treatment for HIV Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give states the option of providing Medicaid coverage for certain low-income HIV-infected individuals. Provides states taking advantage of this option with an enhanced federal Medicaid match.

Date: 2007-08-02
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Comprehensive Health Care Reform Act of 2007- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) revise the tax credit for the health insurance costs of a taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, and dependents to increase the amount of, and expand eligibility criteria for, such credit; (2) permit up to $500 of unused health benefits under a health flexible spending arrangement to be carried over to a succeeding plan year or paid directly to an employee as compensation; (3) revise the tax deduction for payments to a health savings account to eliminate the requirement for coverage under a high deductible health plan; and (4) repeal the 7.5% threshold limitation on the tax deduction of medical and dental expenses.

Date: 2007-08-02
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Taxation
Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow individual taxpayers a refundable tax credit for health insurance costs paid for the benefit of the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, and dependents; (2) require business taxpayers who receive payments for certain employee health insurance coverage to file informational returns; and (3) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to make advance payments of health insurance tax credit amounts to health insurance providers.

Date: 2007-09-10
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Taxation
Affordable Health Care for Americans Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction from gross income for the health insurance costs of an individual taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, and dependents (available whether or not a taxpayer itemizes deductions).

Date: 2007-09-10
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Taxation
Public and Teaching Hospital Preservation Act - Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007 to extend by one year the moratorium on: (1) implementation of a rule relating to the federal-state financial partnership under titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act; and (2) finalization of a Medicaid rule regarding the treatment of graduate medical education (GME).

Date: 2007-09-14
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Healthier Heroes Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop a single medical examination for members of the Armed Forces to be used by: (1) Department of Defense (DOD) medical evaluation boards and physical evaluation boards to determine the fitness of a member of the Armed Forces to perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating; and (2) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the disability rating, compensation, and benefits programs for a member who is retired or separated because of physical disability. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide appropriate medical care to any veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom for post-traumatic stress disorder regardless of the length of time the veteran has been separated from active duty service. Provides extended benefits under TRICARE (a DOD managed care program) for the primary caregivers of members who incur a serious injury or illness while on active duty. Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to entitle an eligible employee who is the spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin of a covered servicemember to a total of 26 workweeks of leave during a single 12-month period to care for the servicemember. Defines covered servicemember as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or a Reserve, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, is otherwise in medical hold or medical holdover status, or is otherwise on the temporary disability retired list, for a serious injury or illness incurred in the line of duty on active duty that may render the member medically unfit to perform his or her duties. Provides for the substitution of accrued paid vacation, personal, family leave, or medical or sick leave for any part of the 26-week period. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the availability of such leave during any other 12-month period. Amends federal civil service law to entitle civilian federal employees to the same leave allowance. Provides for the substitution of accrued paid annual or sick leave for any part of the 26-week period.

Date: 2007-09-24
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Equity for Our Nation's Self Employed Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow self-employed individuals to deduct health insurance costs in computing the tax on self-employment income.

Date: 2007-09-25
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Taxation
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to permit the disabled surviving spouse of an individual to elect to retain a private group health plan as the primary payor of health insurance benefits under the Medicare program.

Date: 2007-10-23
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit up to $500 of unused health benefits in a plan or other arrangement that provides for a health flexible spending arrangement to be carried forward to the next year of such health flexible spending arrangement without affecting the status of such plan or arrangement as a tax-exempt employee benefit cafeteria plan. Terminates such carryforward after 2009.

Date: 2007-10-23
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Taxation
Health Insurance Affordability Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a tax deduction for health insurance costs.

Date: 2007-10-25
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Taxation
Insurance Non-Discrimination for Survivors Act - Prohibits an insurer from denying or terminating an insurance policy or health benefit plan, restricting or excluding coverage for losses or denying a claim, or adding a premium differential to any policy or health benefit plan on the basis that the insured (or any employee or any person with whom the insured is known to have a relationship or association) is the subject of, or incurs a claim related to, domestic abuse. Prohibits: (1) an insurer from denying or limiting payment to an insured who is the subject of abuse if the claim for payment is a result of the abuse; (2) an insurer or health carrier from terminating health coverage for a subject of abuse because coverage was originally issued in the name of the abuser and the abuser has divorced, separated from, or lost custody of the subject or the abuser's coverage has terminated and the subject does not qualify for an extension of coverage; and (3) any person employed by or contracting with an insurer or health benefit plan to use, disclose, or transfer specified information (including regarding abuse status) without the subject's consent. Requires: (1) insurers to develop and adhere to written policies specifying procedures to be followed to protect the safety and privacy of a subject of abuse; and (2) an insurer that takes an action that adversely affects a subject of abuse to advise that applicant or insured in writing of the specific reasons for the action.

Date: 2007-10-31
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Improving Medication Access for Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish certain prescribed drugs and medicines (i.e., only drugs and medicines included on the National Prescription Drug Formulary of the Department of Veterans Affairs) as specific therapy in the treatment of any illness or injury suffered by each veteran who is receiving additional compensation or allowance due to a service-connected disability, or an increased pension as a veteran of a period of war, by reason of being permanently housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance. Allows any Medicare-eligible veteran to elect to be furnished by the Secretary, on an outpatient basis, such drugs and medicines as specific therapy for any illness or injury suffered by the veteran. Requires such election to last for a calendar year and be irrevocable. Allows for election renewal. Requires appropriate information to be furnished to each veteran prior to making an election. Authorizes the Secretary to administer immunizations to veterans who voluntarily request such immunizations in connection with care for a disability in a Department of Veterans Affairs health care facility. Provides for appropriate copayments for the drugs and medicines received by veterans under this Act.

Date: 2007-11-09
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a major medical facility project for the modernization of inpatient wards at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia.

Date: 2007-11-09
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Requires the determination of whether a veteran can be transferred to a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility after receiving emergency medical treatment in a non-Department facility to be based both on the condition of the veteran and on the availability of a bed in a Department facility that is not geographically inaccessible to the veteran.

Date: 2007-11-09
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Medicare Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2007- Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for the recognition of state- licensed or registered health care professionals who are certified diabetes educators as Medicare providers of diabetes outpatient self-management training services. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the barriers that exist for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes in accessing diabetes self-management training services under the Medicare program. Directs the Director of the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality to develop a series of recommendations on effective outreach methods to educate primary care physicians and the public about the benefits of diabetes self-management training.

Date: 2007-11-15
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code, and the Public Health Service Act to extend the continuation of group health care benefits as provided by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) to certain recipients of benefits paid by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) and to individuals eligible for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) benefits.

Date: 2007-11-15
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to direct state Medicaid plans to require the state to provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services with satisfactory assurances that it has in effect laws requiring the state to make inquiries to third parties, including health insurers, self-insured plans, group health plans, or other parties operating in any state that are responsible for payment of a claim for a health care item or service. Requires third parties to: (1) provide, upon state request, information about Medicaid-eligible or -receiving individuals to determine during what period the individual (or the spouse or dependents) may be (or may have been) covered by a health insurer, as well as the nature of such coverage; (2) accept the state's right of recovery and the assignment to the state of any right of an individual or other entity to payment from the party for an item or service for which payment has been made under the state plan; and (3) agree not to deny a claim submitted by the state solely on the basis of its date of submission, the type or format of the claim form, or a failure to present proper documentation at the point-of-sale that is the basis of the claim, if the claim is submitted by the state within three years after the item or service was furnished, and any action by the state to enforce its rights is commenced within six years of its submission of the claim. Establishes a civil monetary penalty for a third party's failure to reply to inquiries required by this Act.

Date: 2007-12-06
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Medicare Chronic Care Practice Research Network Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Medicare Chronic Care Practice Research Network to develop and evaluate evidence-based chronic care management for Medicare beneficiaries with multiple, chronic conditions, with a focus on beneficiaries under the Medicare fee-for-service program whose care is most costly.

Date: 2007-12-06
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, during the year following enactment of this Act, from taking any action to restrict coverage or payment under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act for rehabilitation services, or school-based administration, transportation, or medical services if such restrictions are more restrictive in any aspect than those applied to such coverage or payment as of July 1, 2007.

Date: 2007-12-11
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Health Care Choice Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide that the laws of the state designated by a health insurance issuer (primary state) shall apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer in the primary state and in any other state (secondary state), but only if the coverage and issuer comply with the conditions of this Act.Exempts issuers from any secondary state's laws that would prohibit or regulate the operation of the issuer in such state, subject to certain restrictions imposed by such state.Specifies the notice that an issuer must provide in any insurance coverage offered in a secondary state and at renewal of the policy.Requires each issuer issuing individual health insurance coverage in both primary and secondary states to submit to: (1) the insurance commissioners of such states a copy of the plan of operation or feasibility study and written notice of any change in its designation of its primary state and of its compliance with all the laws of the primary state; and (2) the insurance commission of each secondary state a copy of the issuer's quarterly financial statement that was submitted to the primary state.Prohibits an issuer from offering, selling, or issuing individual health insurance coverage in a secondary state if the state insurance commissioner does not use a risk-based capital formula for the determination of capital and surplus requirements for all issuers.Gives sole jurisdiction to the primary state to enforce the primary state's covered laws in the primary state and any secondary state. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the effect of this Act on specified health insurance issues.

Date: 2007-12-12
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act - Amends the Federal Employees' Compensation Act to include physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, or certified registered nurse anesthetists as eligible providers of medical, surgical, and hospital services and supplies under such Act.

Date: 2007-12-13
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Veterans' Access to Local Options for Recovery Act of 2007 (VALOR Act) - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into a contract with a non-Department of Veterans Affairs facility located in an eligible metropolitan statistical area to provide hospital care and medical services to veterans.

Date: 2007-12-19
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Adds as health benefits plans that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) may contract for or approve under the federal employee health benefits program one or more plans (other than a government-wide plan or an employee organization plan) that may be underwritten by carriers licensed in any number of states, offering one or more levels of benefits, under which payment is made: (1) by a carrier under contracts with physicians, hospitals, or other health services providers for benefits (of the types provided under a service or indemnity benefit plan) given to employees, annuitants, family members, former spouses, or persons having continued coverage; or (2) by a carrier to the employee, annuitant, family member, former spouse, or person having continued coverage.

Date: 2008-01-03
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Fairness in Autism Treatment Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan that provides both medical and surgical benefits to also provide coverage for pervasive developmental disorders, including coverage for therapeutic, respite, and rehabilitative care for participants or beneficiaries who have not attained 22 years of age. Applies the requirements of this Act separately with respect to benefits provided in-network and out-of-network.Prohibits a group health plan from: (1) imposing any annual or lifetime dollar limitation on benefits for pervasive developmental disorders unless such limitation applies to all medical and surgical benefits as well; (2) imposing a deductible, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing for such disorders that is greater than the cost-sharing imposed for medical and surgical benefits; or (3) denying eligibility, or continued eligibility, to enroll or renew coverage under the term of the plan solely for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of this Act.Considers the requirements of this Act a material change for the purpose of notice requirements. Excludes from the requirements of this Act: (1) a group health plan of a small employer; or (2) a group health plan if the application of this Act results in an increase in the cost under the plan of at least 1%.Provides that this Act shall not be construed to preempt any state law that at least meets the requirements of this Act.

Date: 2008-01-16
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for a Medicare Advantage benchmark adjustment for certain local areas with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and for certain contiguous areas.

Date: 2008-01-23
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2008 - Amends federal bankruptcy law to cite circumstances under which a medically distressed debtor may elect to exempt from the property of the estate in bankruptcy up to $250,000 of the debtor's aggregate interest in specified real or personal property that the debtor (or debtor's dependent) uses as a residence, in a cooperative, or in a burial plot for the debtor or a dependent. Revises requirements for dismissal or conversion of a Chapter 7 case to prohibit the court or specified parties in interest from filing a motion to dismiss or convert to Chapter 11 or 13 if the debtor is a medically distressed debtor or an economically distressed caregiver.

Date: 2008-01-28
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
American Health Benefits Program Act of 2008 - 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 Commissioner of Health Benefits to establish a schedule of cost-sharing subsidies for lower-income individuals. Establishes an independent Health Benefits Administration, headed by the Commissioner. 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 (SCHIP). Directs the Commissioner of Health Benefits to establish new guidelines that promote the proper use and understanding of health information technologies. Establishes the Health Benefits Commission 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.

Date: 2008-02-12
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
No Discrimination in Health Insurance Act of 2008 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code, and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a group health plan from imposing any preexisting conditions exclusion.Requires each health insurance issuer that offers health insurance coverage in the group market in a state to: (1) accept every employer in the state that applies for such coverage; (2) accept enrollment for every eligible individual who applies during the enrollment period; (3) charge the same premium price for the same coverage; and (4) openly disclose such premium price.Eliminates provisions allowing nonfederal governmental plans to opt out of certain group health plan requirements.Prohibits health insurance issuers that offer coverage in the individual market to individuals residing in an area from: (1) declining to offer such coverage to, or denying enrollment of, eligible individuals in the area who desire to enroll; or (2) imposing any preexisting conditions exclusion. Defines "eligible individual" to mean: (1) a U.S. citizen or national; (2) an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence; or (3) an alien who is otherwise lawfully residing in the United States. Requires such issuers to: (1) charge the same premium price for the same coverage, including coverage offered in the group market; and (2) openly disclose such premium price. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish rules to deter individuals from: (1) enrolling in individual health insurance coverage only after they develop an illness or injury; or (2) disenrolling for periods in which they are unlikely to require such coverage.

Date: 2008-02-14
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Patients and Public Health Partnership Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration project under which up to 30 qualifying integrated health systems receive grants for the costs of their operations to expand access to primary and preventive services for the medically underserved.

Date: 2008-03-06
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Amends the Internal Revenue Code concerning the medical care tax deduction to: (1) include meals away from home within the deduction; and (2) eliminate the $50 per individual per night ceiling for medically-related meals and lodging.

Date: 2008-03-06
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Taxation
Medicare Oral Health Rehabilitative Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit physical therapy to be furnished under the Medicare program to individuals under the care of a dentist.

Date: 2008-03-11
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Provides transitional health care (medical and dental care and other military-related health benefits) for 180 days following separation for members of the Armed Forces separated from active duty who agree to become a member of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve.

Date: 2008-03-13
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Group Health Plan Prosthetics Parity Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require a group health plan that provides both medical and surgical benefits and benefits for prosthetic devices and components to provide prosthetics coverage under terms and conditions that are no less favorable than those applicable to substantially all medical and surgical benefits provided under the plan.Prohibits the prosthetics benefit from being subject to separate or more restrictive financial requirements or more restrictive treatment limitations.Applies the requirements of this Act separately with respect to in-network and out-of-network benefits.Requires a group health plan to apply the same prior authorization requirements to the prosthetics benefit as apply for all similar benefits under the plan.Limits the required prosthetics benefit to the most appropriate model that adequately meets the medical requirements of the patient. Includes repair or replacement of prosthetic devices and components within such coverage.Prohibits a group health plan from imposing any annual or lifetime dollar limitation on the prosthetics benefit that is not applied in the aggregate to all medical and surgical benefits provided under the plan.Requires the Secretary of Labor to: (1) assist participants and beneficiaries with any questions or problems regarding compliance with the requirements of this Act; and (2) conduct random audits of group health plans to ensure compliance.Requires the Comptroller General to evaluate the effects of this Act, including on the cost of and access to heath insurance coverage.

Date: 2008-03-13
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health
Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a five-year pilot program to ensure that, for each veteran seeking primary care from a participating medical facility, the standard for access to such care, determined from the date that the veteran contacts the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeking an appointment until a visit with a primary-care provider is completed, is 30 days. Directs the Secretary to periodically review the performance of VA health-care facilities in meeting such standards. Authorizes the Secretary to contract for health care services in non-VA facilities when the Secretary is unable to meet access standards.

Date: 2008-03-13
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Restoring the Partnership for County Health Care Costs Act of 2008 - Amends titles XVI (Supplementary Security Income) (SSI), XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) to allow benefits under such titles for persons in custody in a public institution pending disposition of charges.

Date: 2008-04-03
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Social welfare
Spina Bifida Health Care Program Expansion Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide comprehensive health care coverage through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for a child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida. (Current law requires the Secretary to provide such child such health care as the Secretary determines is needed by the child for the spina bifida or any disability that is associated with such condition.)

Date: 2008-04-08
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Affordable Health Care Expansion Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow individual taxpayers a refundable tax credit for health insurance costs paid for the benefit of the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, and dependents; (2) require business taxpayers who receive payments for certain employee health insurance coverage to file informational returns; and (3) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to make advance payments of health insurance tax credit amounts to health insurance providers.

Date: 2008-04-14
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Taxation
Military Healthcare for Dependents Act - Amends federal provisions concerning contracts for medical care for spouses and children of members of the Armed Forces (members) to: (1) eliminate the requirement that the dependent must reside with the member in order to be eligible for such care; (2) remove a duty order condition with respect to coverage for a dependent of a member who has relocated without the dependent from a remote location where the member and dependent resided together; and (3) remove the condition that, in order for dependents of certain reserve members to be eligible for such care, the residence must be located more than 50 miles, or more than one hour's drive, from the nearest adequate military medical treatment facility.

Date: 2008-04-17
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Allows reimbursement to a veteran who receives emergency treatment in a non-Department of Veterans Affairs facility if, among other requirements, the veteran has no contractual or legal recourse against a third party that would, in whole (currently, in whole or part), extinguish the veteran's liability to the provider.

Date: 2008-04-24
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Small Business Health Options Program Act of 2008 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 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 the rating requirements that apply to health insurance purchased in the small group markets in the states and to develop recommendations concerning rating requirements.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.

Date: 2008-04-29
Topic: Health (Insurance)
Subject: Health