zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Assure Access to Mammography Act of 2008 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish a floor for payment of screening and diagnostic mammography under the Medicare Program. Sets the payment floor for 2009 at 115% of the fee scheduled amount for mammography for 2008, increased by the percentage increase in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI). Requires the payment floor for subsequent years to be the previous year's amount, again increased by the percentage increase in the MEI.

Date: 2008-04-03
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Medicare Remote Monitoring Access Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover remote patient management services for certain chronic health conditions. Directs the Secretary to establish a demonstration project for evaluating the impact and benefits of covering under the Medicare program remote patient management services for certain chronic health conditions.

Date: 2008-04-10
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Medicare Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner Services Coverage Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of clinical pharmacist practitioner services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).

Date: 2008-04-10
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act - Transfers marijuana from schedule I to schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act.Provides that no provision of the Controlled Substances Act or the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act shall prohibit or otherwise restrict, in a state in which marijuana may, under state law, be prescribed or recommended by a physician for medical use: (1) a physician from prescribing or recommending marijuana for medical use; (2) an individual from obtaining, possessing, transporting, manufacturing, or using marijuana in accordance with such a prescription or recommendation; (3) an individual authorized under state law to do so from obtaining, possessing, transporting, or manufacturing marijuana on an authorized patient's behalf; (4) a pharmacy or other entity authorized to do so from obtaining, possessing, or distributing marijuana to such patients; or (5) an entity established by such a state or local government thereof to do so from producing, possessing, or distributing marijuana for such a prescription or recommendation.

Date: 2008-04-17
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Alopecia Areata Medicaid Improvement and Parity Act of 2008 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act with respect to inpatient hospital services to require states to provide hair prostheses under the Medicaid program for: (1) individuals diagnosed with alopecia areata universalis or alopecia areata totalis; or (2) individuals whose attending physician certifies in writing the medical necessity of that proposed course of rehabilitative treatment.

Date: 2008-04-30
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Medicare Paramedic Intercept Services Coverage Act of 2008 - Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to revise requirements for payment for paramedic intercept service providers in rural communities.Changes from discretionary to mandatory the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in promulgating regulations for coverage of ambulance services, to cover advanced life support intercept services (ALS intercept services), regardless of the area involved. (Currently they must be provided in a rural area).Includes new conditions of coverage that define ALS intercept services as consisting of a qualified paramedic providing ALS level services in connection with the transport of a patient by an ambulance qualified to provide only a basic life support level of services. Requires that: (1) the entity providing the ambulance transportation be a public, non-profit, or volunteer organization; and (2) the paramedic providing such services is not employed or compensated by the entity providing the ambulance transportation. (Currently the ALS intercept services must be provided under a contract with one or more volunteer ambulance services which are required to be prohibited by state law from billing for any such services.) Requires, in addition, that: (1) such services be medically necessary based on the medical condition for which they are dispatched (currently they must be medically necessary based on the health condition of the individual being transported); and (2) the paramedic providing the intercept services accompanies and provides an ALS assessment or ALS intervention to the patient during the transport.Prohibits the Secretary from taking into account any payments made pursuant to this Act in determining payment amounts under the Medicare ambulance fee schedule, or the aggregate amount of payments under such fee schedule, for any year.

Date: 2008-05-16
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Patient Fairness and Indigent Care Promotion Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain medical care providers a tax deduction for uncompensated medical care provided to individuals with income below 135% of the poverty line.

Date: 2008-05-20
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Taxation
Assuring Access to Medicare Doctors Act of 2008 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend Medicare physician payment rates. Makes adjustments to funding available to the Physician Assistance and Quality Initiative (PAQI) Fund. Reduces amounts available to the Fund for expenditure during 2013, but adds funds for 2014 expenditures (under the same limitations provided for those made with money available during 2013). Provides for the transfer and deposit into the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund of amounts appropriated under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, which have not otherwise been obligated as of January 1, 2009, for allotments to states for payments to eligible providers for unreimbursable costs incurred by providing emergency health care services to undocumented aliens

Date: 2008-05-22
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Cure and Understanding through Research for Alzheimer's Act of 2008 or La Cura Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to ensure sufficient resources for activities relating to Alzheimer's disease and Hispanic communities, including by: (1) increasing efforts in epidemiological work in Hispanic subgroups; (2) allocating resources to the National Institute on Aging Alzheimer's disease research centers and other academic centers involved in such research to increase participation of Hispanics and other underrepresented ethnic groups in research and clinical trials in sufficient numbers to draw valid conclusions; and (3) conducting social, behavioral, and health services research to understand the underlying reasons why Hispanic individuals delay diagnosis and underutilize services, to identify culturally and linguistically appropriate approaches to address such delays and underutilization, and to identify approaches for providing, and improving the quality of, culturally competent care.Requires the Director to expand and intensify NIH efforts to educate communities about the importance of research relating to Alzheimer's disease and to respond effectively to cultural concerns about participation in such research.Authorizes appropriations for a program of grants to states to carry out demonstration programs related to Alzheimer's disease.Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct an aggressive, evidence-based education and outreach program to promote public awareness and risk reduction with respect to Alzheimer's disease, particularly to Hispanic populations.

Date: 2008-06-05
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Restorative and Enhanced Vision Access for Medicare Patients (REVAMP) Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover vision restoration therapy devices and associated software used in the patient's home to treat impaired visual function as durable medical equipment (DME).

Date: 2008-06-11
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Acquisition Reform Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to delay generally until after 2011 full implementation of the Medicare competitive acquisition program for the purchase of durable medical equipment (DME), prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS). Revises such program, dividing its implementation into two rounds, and specifying covered item updates for 2009-2014. Prescribes requirements for application of accreditation in implementing quality standards. Requires suppliers to disclose subcontractors. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for a competitive acquisition ombudsman within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to respond to complaints and inquiries by suppliers and individuals. Specifies topics for the Comptroller General's required study and report to Congress on the impact of competitive acquisition of DME on suppliers, manufacturers, and patients. Sets forth a special rule for the competitive acquisition program for diabetic testing strips.

Date: 2008-06-12
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Medicare Physician Telephone Consultation Services Coverage Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover unscheduled physician telephone consultation services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration program to test the effectiveness of providing Medicare coverage for such services.

Date: 2008-06-26
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) extend through July 1, 2012, Medicare incentive payments for physician scarcity areas; and (2) establish new rules for scarcity areas in the case of physicians' services furnished on or after July 1, 2008. Direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study whether the primary and specialist care ratios applied under such new rules are appropriate to provide the proper incentive payments for physician scarcity areas.

Date: 2008-06-26
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Medicare Imaging Disclosure Sunshine Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) to require physicians referring an individual for imaging and other specified radiology services to inform the individual at the time of referral that such services may be obtained from persons other than the referring physician, a member of the referring physician's group practice, or an individual directly supervised by the referring physician or another physician in the group practice. Requires the referring physician to provide the referred individual a written list of suppliers who furnish such services in the area in which the individual resides.

Date: 2008-08-01
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to define outpatient speech-language pathology services.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Autonomy for Psychologists and Social Workers Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove the restriction that a clinical psychologist or clinical social worker provide services in a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility to a patient only under the care of a physician.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Equity for Clinical Social Workers Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for reimbursement of covered clinical social worker services according to a new reimbursement methodology similar to the one currently used for other health care professionals. Provides coverage and reimbursement under the new methodology for supplies furnished incident to such services. Excludes the services of clinical social workers from the definition of "inpatient hospital services" for purposes of Medicare.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) require each participating hospital to adopt and implement a staffing system that ensures a number of registered nurses on each shift and in each unit of the hospital to ensure appropriate staffing levels for patient care; (2) provide for the public reporting of certain staffing information, including a daily posting for each shift in the hospital of the current number of licensed and unlicensed nursing staff directly responsible for patient care; (3) prescribe recordkeeping, data collection, and evaluation requirements for participating hospitals; (4) specify civil monetary penalties for violations of such requirements; and (5) provide whistleblower protections.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include podiatrists as physicians in order to cover their services under the Medicaid program.

Date: 2007-01-25
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Physician Pathology Services Continuity Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with regard to a laboratory-furnished technical component of certain physician pathology services, to treat such component as a service for which payment shall be made to the laboratory, and not as an inpatient hospital or hospital outpatient service for which payment is made to the hospital.

Date: 2007-01-31
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Rural Health Services Preservation Act of 2007 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require Medicare Advantage organizations to provide for a payment rate for critical access hospital services and rural health clinic services that is: (1) at least the applicable payment rate established under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for such services; or (2) 103% of the otherwise applicable payment rate, if the critical access hospital or the rural health clinic determines appropriate.

Date: 2007-02-15
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Remote Monitoring Access Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of remote patient management services for chronic health care conditions.

Date: 2007-02-15
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Kidney Care Quality and Education Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish demonstration projects to: (1) increase public awareness about the factors that lead to chronic kidney disease, how to prevent it, how to treat it, and how to avoid kidney failure, as well as enhance surveillance systems and expand research to better assess the prevalence and incidence of kidney disease; and (2) enable individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) to develop self-management skills. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for Medicare coverage of kidney disease patient education services. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish blood flow monitoring demonstration projects; and (2) arrange with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate the barriers to increasing the number of individuals with ESRD who elect to receive home dialysis services or other treatment modalities under Medicare. Sets forth required training for patient care dialysis technicians. Directs the Secretary to establish an independent, multidisciplinary, nonpartisan End-Stage Renal Disease Advisory Committee. Establishes the annual update framework for the Medicare ESRD composite rate. Directs the Secretary to establish a three-year continuous quality improvement initiative under which quality payments are provided to renal dialysis facilities, providers of services, and physicians that: (1) provide items and services to individuals with ESRD enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); and (2) meet quality benchmarks and demonstrate quality improvements. Requires the Secretary to make quality incentive payments to facilities and providers whose services to individuals with ESRD have substantially improved or exceeded a certain threshold. Extends Medicare as secondary payer with respect to individuals with ESRD.

Date: 2007-02-27
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Diabetes Screening and Medicaid Savings Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require states to provide diabetes screening tests under the Medicaid program for adult enrollees with diabetes risk factors. Provides a comprehensive package for individuals with diabetes.

Date: 2007-03-02
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the national program for traumatic brain injury registries to make grants for state traumatic brain injury surveillance systems or registries (currently, only for registries) to: (1) determine the incidence and prevalence of traumatic brain injury and related disability; (2) ensure the uniformity of reporting under each such system or registry; (3) link individuals with traumatic brain injury to services and supports; and (4) link such individuals with academic institutions to conduct applied research. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to report to the relevant congressional committees on activities and procedures that can be implemented by the CDC to improve the collection and dissemination of compatible epidemiological studies on the incidence and prevalence of traumatic brain injury in individuals who were formerly in the military. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Director of CDC, to conduct a study to: (1) determine the incidence of traumatic brain injury and prevalence of traumatic brain injury related disability; (2) report national trends in traumatic brain injury; (3) identify common therapeutic interventions which are used for the rehabilitation of individuals with such injuries; (4) identify interventions and therapies that can prevent or remediate the development of secondary neurologic conditions related to traumatic brain injury; and (5) develop practice guidelines for such rehabilitation. (Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2012 for NIH's trauma research program. (Sec. 6) Allows the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), to make grants to states and American Indian consortia (currently, only to states) to improve access to rehabilitation and other services (currently, to health and other services) regarding traumatic brain injury. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY2009-FY2012. Requires the Administrator and the Commissioner of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities to coordinate the collection of data regarding protection and advocacy services. Directs the Administrator to make a grant for training and technical assistance to protection and advocacy systems, if funds permit. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2012.

Date: 2007-03-07
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to authorize qualified physical therapists to provide services for Medicare beneficiaries without the requirement of a physician referral. Provides for treatment of outpatient speech-language pathology services separately from outpatient physical therapy services.

Date: 2007-03-20
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish and evaluate a grant program to enable states or consortia of states to develop stroke care systems; (2) foster the development of systems of stroke care through total quality improvement of health systems providing primary stroke prevention and identification, treatment, and rehabilitation of individuals who experience a stroke; (3) provide a state, consortia of states, and local agencies technical assistance; and (4) collaborate with appropriate medical and health professional associations to disseminate evidence-based practices on stroke systems of care. Authorizes the Secretary to award matching grants to states or consortia of states to develop and implement stroke care systems that provide high-quality prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Sets forth requirements for each state or consortium, including to: (1) establish, enhance, or expand a statewide stroke care system to promote the total quality improvement of stroke care consistent with evidence-based practices; (2) establish, enhance, or expand stroke care centers; (3) enhance, develop, and implement effective methods for training emergency medical services personnel in the identification, assessment, stabilization, and prehospital treatment of stroke patients; and (4) establish, enhance, or improve a support network to provide assistance to facilities with smaller populations of stroke patients or less advanced on-site stroke treatment resources. Allows each state or consortium to use grant funds to: (1) improve existing stroke prevention programs; (2) conduct a stroke education and information campaign; (3) make grants to public and nonprofit private entities for medical professional development; and (4) develop and implement education programs for appropriate medical personnel and health professionals in the use of evidence-based diagnostic approaches, technologies, and therapies for the prevention and treatment of stroke.Prohibits the Secretary from making payments to a state or consortium unless the state or consortium agrees that the payments will not be expended: (1) to make cash payments to intended recipients of services; (2) to satisfy any federal matching requirements; (3) to provide financial assistance to any entity other than a public or nonprofit private entity; or (4) for construction, alteration, or improvement of any building or facility.Authorizes the Secretary to give special consideration in awarding grants to any state or consortium: (1) in geographic areas in which there is an elevated incidence or prevalence of stroke or disability resulting from stroke or in an area that is underserved by medical specialists; (2) that demonstrates a significant need for assistance in establishing a comprehensive stroke care system; or (3) that will enhance regional cooperation.Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012.

Date: 2007-03-27
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility, and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish standards to ensure the safety and accuracy of medical imaging studies and radiation therapy treatments. Imposes such standards on personnel who perform, plan, or evaluate, or verify patient doses for, medical imaging studies and radiation therapy procedures and not on the equipment used. Exempts physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Directs the Secretary to ensure that individuals demonstrate compliance with such standards. Requires the Secretary to provide a method for the recognition of individuals whose training and experience are determined to equal or exceed that of: (1) a graduate of an accredited educational program in that specialty; or (2) an individual who is regularly eligible to take the licensure or certification examination for that discipline. Directs the Secretary to certify qualified nonprofit organizations as approved bodies to provide accreditation to individuals that demonstrate compliance with such standards. Requires individuals who provide medical imaging services relating to mammograms to continue to meet standards under the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992. Deems state standards for licensure or certification of personnel, accreditation of educational programs, or administration of examinations to be in compliance with the standards under this Act unless the Secretary determines otherwise. Requires the Secretary to establish a process by which a state may appeal such a determination. Requires the Secretary to ensure that all programs under the authority of the Secretary meet such standards. Authorizes the Secretary to develop alternative standards for rural areas or health professional shortage areas as appropriate to assure access to quality medical imaging.

Date: 2007-03-29
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Home and Community Services Copayment Equity Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate part D cost-sharing for certain non-institutionalized full-benefit dual eligible individuals with income below 135% of the poverty line who: (1) reside in an assisted living facility, a resident care program facility, a board and care facility, or any other appropriate licenced facility, including a community mental health center, a psychiatric health facility, a mental health rehabilitation center, and a mental retardation developmental disability facility; or (2) receive home and community-based services in a home setting under a home and community-based waiver.

Date: 2007-04-12
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
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: 2007-04-19
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act of 2007 - Prohibits any federal funds from being provided to a hospital under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act or to a state, with respect to hospital services, under title XIX (Medicaid) of such Act, unless the hospital meets certain conditions related to a woman who is a victim of sexual assault, including that the hospital: (1) provides the woman with accurate and unbiased information about emergency contraception; (2) offers emergency contraception to the woman; (3) provides the woman such contraception at the hospital on her request; (4) provides the woman with risk assessment, counseling, and treatment for certain sexually transmitted infections; and (5) does not deny any such services because of the inability of the woman or her family to pay.

Date: 2007-04-26
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Medicare Provider Accountability Act - Directs the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to: (1) take all necessary steps to participate in the Federal Payment Levy Program as soon as possible; and (2) ensure that at least 50% of all payments under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act are processed through such program within one year of enactment of this Act, and all remaining payments within two years. Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to offset Medicare provider payments by the amount of the provider's delinquent federal debt. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make notice and opportunity for hearing before levy requirements inapplicable if the Secretary of the Treasury has approved a levy on specified (Medicare provider) payments.

Date: 2007-05-03
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Access to Medicare Imaging Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish a two-year moratorium on certain Medicare physician payment reductions for imaging services. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress during such moratorium on imaging services furnished under the Medicare program.

Date: 2007-05-08
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit of up to $500 for the purchase of a qualified hearing aid for an individual who is either: (1) age 55 or older; or (2) is claimed as a dependent of the taxpayer.

Date: 2007-05-16
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Taxation
Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Access Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from awarding any contracts under the competitive durable medical equipment items and services acquisition program unless: (1) the quality standards have been implemented; and (2) the Secretary has received advice from the program oversight committee. Requires the Secretary (who currently is authorized), in carrying out competitive acquisition programs, to exempt: (1) rural areas and areas with low population density within urban areas that are not competitive, unless there is a significant national market through mail order for a particular item or service; and (2) items and services for which the application of competitive acquisition is not likely to result in significant savings. Adds to such exemptions smaller metropolitan statistical areas. Modifies requirements for the protection of small suppliers in bidding and contracting. Requires the Secretary to permit suppliers classified as small businesses to continue to participate as suppliers at the single payment amount so long as they submit bids at less than the fee schedule amount otherwise applicable to the items and they otherwise comply with applicable program requirements. Provides for appeal rights (currently denied). Requires the Secretary to exempt from competitive acquisition requirements items and services for which the application of competitive acquisition is not likely to result in significant savings of at least 10%. Prohibits the Secretary from implementing a program with respect to an item or service unless the Secretary demonstrates a probability of achieving significant savings of at least 10%, compared to the fee schedule in effect on January 1, 2006, by including the item or service in the program. Prohibits the Secretary from implementing certain requirements for the payment basis for covered items furnished after January 1, 2009, with respect to the application of rates in an area that is not a competitive acquisition area, unless the Secretary has completed and published in the Federal Register a comparability analysis to ensure the application is appropriate. Requires application of the comparability analysis requirement to certain other part B items and services.

Date: 2007-05-17
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Voluntary Medicare Quality Reporting Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to evaluate the quality reporting system under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act as applied for 2007 before transition to a new voluntary Medicare quality reporting system. Directs the Secretary to enter into contracts for conducting demonstrations for defining appropriate mechanisms whereby eligible professionals may provide data on quality measures to the Secretary through an appropriate medical registry. Allows eligible professionals to continue to report to the Secretary specified quality measures for professional services in order for the Secretary to refine systems for reporting them. Prohibits use of the Physician Assistance and Quality Initiative Fund for quality reporting bonus payments in 2008. Specifies quality measures for covered professional services for the voluntary Medicare quality reporting program.

Date: 2007-05-24
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to create an exception to the 60-day limit on Medicare reciprocal billing arrangements in the case of arrangements between two physicians over a longer continuous period during all of which one of them is ordered to active duty as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces. Applies this exception to medical services provided before January 1, 2008.

Date: 2007-07-11
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through either the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to authorize and oversee certain activities relating to Down syndrome or other prenatally or postnatally diagnosed conditions. Includes among such activities the awarding of grants, contracts or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to: (1) collect, synthesize, and disseminate current evidence-based information relating to such conditions; and (2) coordinate the provision of, and access to, new or existing supportive services for patients receiving a positive diagnosis for such conditions. Includes within such supportive services: (1) the establishment of a resource telephone hotline; (2) the expansion of the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities; (3) the expansion of national and local peer-support programs; (4) the establishment of a national registry, or network of local registries, of families willing to adopt newborns with such conditions; and (5) the establishment of awareness and education programs for health care providers who provide, interpret, or inform parents of the results of prenatal tests for such conditions. Requires the Secretary to place an emphasis on funding partnerships between health care professional groups and disability advocacy organizations in distributing funds.Requires a grantee under this Act to make available to health care providers of parents who receive a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis: (1) up-to-date, evidence-based, written information concerning the range of outcomes for individuals living with the diagnosed condition, including physical, developmental, educational, and psychosocial outcomes; and (2) contact information regarding support services, including information hotlines, resource centers or clearinghouses, national and local peer support groups, and other educational and support programs. Requires information provided to be culturally and linguistically appropriate and to be approved by the Secretary.Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress concerning the effectiveness of current health care and family support programs serving as resources for the families of children with disabilities.

Date: 2007-07-18
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to place limitations on mandatory overtime for nurses, prohibit retaliation against them in any manner with respect to any aspect of employment, and establish civil money penalties for violations of this Act.Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to Congress on standards to establish for the maximum number of hours that a nurse may work without compromising the safety of patients.Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to study and report to Congress on the extent to which federally operated medical facilities have in effect practices and policies for overtime requirements for nurses that are inconsistent with the requirements added by this Act.

Date: 2007-07-20
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Electronic Prescription Drug Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for payments to physicians for writing electronic prescriptions.

Date: 2007-08-01
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish new separate fee schedule areas for physicians' services in states with multiple fee schedule areas to improve Medicare physician geographic payment accuracy.

Date: 2007-08-02
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Physician Payments Sunshine Act of 2007 - Amends part A of title XI of the Social Security Act to require quarterly transparency reports to the Secretary of Health and Human Services of payments to physicians or their employers by manufacturers of covered drugs, devices, or medical supplies under titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), or XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)) of the Social Security Act.

Date: 2007-09-06
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit Medicare beneficiaries to continue to rent certain items of complex durable medical equipment.

Date: 2007-10-15
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Medicare Access to Community Health Centers (MATCH) Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the definition of "federally qualified health center services" to include ambulatory services furnished by a federally qualified health center (FQHC) for which payment may otherwise be made under Medicare if such services were furnished by a non-FQHC health care provider or health care professional employed by or under contract with an FQHC.Permits payment for hospital-based services. Provides for a Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for Medicare-covered services provided by FQHCs.

Date: 2007-10-17
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Medicaid Emergency Psychiatric Care Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act with respect to reimbursement for specified emergency care and services of private institutions for mental diseases subject (under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Medicaid (EMTALA) Program) to certain requirements for examination and treatment for emergency medical conditions.Requires the Medicaid program to reimburse such institutions for care and services required to stabilize an emergency medical condition of an individual between ages 21 and 65, if the treatment is within the range of services that such institution typically provides.

Date: 2007-12-04
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 1997 to extend by one year the moratorium on: (1) implementation of a specified 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) the finalization of a certain proposed rule regarding the authority of states to make payments related to graduate medical education (GME payments). Imposes a one-year moratorium on finalization or implementation of a certain proposed rule regarding the scope of permissible Medicaid payments that redefines outpatient hospitals and specifies methodologies for calculation of the outpatient services upper payment limit.

Date: 2007-12-12
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover the services of a qualified respiratory therapist performed under the general supervision of a physician.

Date: 2008-03-05
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Deamonte Driver Dental Care Access Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to schools of dentistry and hospitals with accredited training programs in pediatric dentistry. Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require the Secretary to provide for a pilot program to increase access to dental care for underserved populations through the use of new allied dental health professionals. Requires the Secretary to award grants to federally qualified health centers to expand and improve the provision of dental services to medically underserved populations. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to develop, implement, and evaluate public health and clinical strategies to prevent and manage early childhood caries. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business tax credit for a portion of compensation received for providing dental services under SSA titles XIX (Medicaid) or XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) or from an uninsured individual. Requires the Secretary, acting through the the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct a public education and awareness campaign on preventing, controlling, and ultimately eliminating early childhood caries. Amends SSA titles XIX and XXI to expand reporting requirements with respect to children's dental services. Requires the Comptroller General to study payment rates for dental services provided to individuals under Medicaid or SCHIP. Requires the Secretary to ensure the inclusion of dental health prevention and promotion activities within existing prenatal and maternal child health programs.

Date: 2008-03-06
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Ensuring the Future Physician Workforce Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (the Act), with respect to the formula for calculating payments for physicians' services. Resets to 2007 the base year for application of the sustainable growth rate formula, which shall be eliminated in 2010. Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, as amended by the Act, to extend the current transitional bonus payments. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a reporting system for quality measures relating to physicians' services that focus on disease-specific high cost conditions. Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the Secretary to create standards for health information technology (HIT) payment incentives. Amends SSA title XI to create safe harbors to antikickback and civil and criminal penalties for provision of HIT and training services. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the impact of such safe harbors. Amends SSA title XVIII to create an exception to the limitation on certain physician referrals for the provision of HIT and training services to health care professionals. Directs the Secretary to report annually to: (1) each physician information on the physician's total Medicare billings; and (2) each individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) on the amount of Medicare payments made to or on behalf of the individual during the year involved. Directs the Secretary to collect data on annual savings in expenditures in the Medicare program due to physicians' services that resulted in hospital or in-patient diversion. Requires the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund to monitor and examine the extent to which the different funding mechanisms under Medicare parts A, B, and D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) provide an appropriate alignment with the program goals of the respective parts. Directs the Secretary to arrange for a study of price inputs and relative values for physicians' services recommended by the AMA/Speciality Society Relative Value Unit Scale Update Committee process. Requires the Secretary to provide for a study of, and report to Congress on, health care disparities in high-risk health condition areas and minority communities with respect to the impact reporting requirements may have on physician penetration in such communities.

Date: 2008-03-06
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Medicaid Levy Enhancement Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a continuous levy on payments to Medicaid providers and suppliers for delinquent taxes owed by such providers and suppliers.

Date: 2008-04-10
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Taxation
Dental Health Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to condition eligibility for loan repayment programs on dentists meeting any (rather than all) of the following requirements: (1) agreeing to practice in designated dental health professional shortage areas; (2) being dental school graduates and agreeing to serve as public health dentists for the federal, state, or local government; or (3) agreeing to provide services to patients regardless of ability to pay and using a sliding payment scale for patients who are unable to pay the total cost of services.Reauthorizes appropriations for grants to states for programs to address the dental workforce needs of designated dental health professional shortage areas.

Date: 2008-05-22
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Medicare Wound Therapy Patient Protection Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exempt from the Medicare competitive acquisition program negative pressure wound therapy pumps and related supplies and accessories, until the Secretary of Health and Human Services can validate, using a panel of wound care clinical experts, the clinical comparability of all such products. Expresses the sense of the Senate that this Act should be deficit neutral over the five-year period beginning on October 1, 2008, through appropriate offsets.

Date: 2008-06-05
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Medicare Physician Payment Equity Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to recognize equality of physician work in all geographic areas under the Medicare physician fee schedule. Makes the geographic index 1.0 in all fee schedule areas for physician services furnished on or after January 2010. Requires the Secretary, after calculating the practice expense geographic index, for purposes of payment for services furnished in 2009, to increase the practice expense geographic index to 1.0 for any locality for which such practice expense geographic index is less than 1.0. Requires the practice expense geographic index, for services furnished on or after January 1, 2010, to reflect half the difference between the relative costs of employee wages and office rents in each of the different fee schedule areas and the national average of such wages and rents.

Date: 2008-07-23
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health
Medicare Imaging Disclosure Sunshine Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) to require physicians referring an individual for imaging and other specified radiology services to inform the individual at the time of referral that such services may be obtained from persons other than the referring physician, a member of the referring physician's group practice, or an individual directly supervised by the referring physician or another physician in the group practice. Requires the referring physician to provide the referred individual a written list of suppliers who furnish such services in the area in which the individual resides.

Date: 2008-07-26
Topic: Health (Insurance Providers)
Subject: Health