bill_id,congress,bill_type,bill_number,title,policy_area,introduced_date,latest_action_date,latest_action_text,origin_chamber,sponsor_name,sponsor_state,sponsor_party,sponsor_bioguide_id,cosponsor_count,summary_text,update_date,url
104-s-2195,104,s,2195,"A bill to provide for the regulation of human tissue for transplantation to ensure that such tissue is handled in a manner to preserve its safety and purity, and for other purposes.",Health,1996-10-03,1996-10-03,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.,Senate,"Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]",OR,D,W000779,2,"Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to establish a specific definition for ""human tissue"" which expressly excludes vascularized human organs, gene therapy, blood, soluble blood components, milk, or products made by combining human tissue with biomaterials.  Declares that human tissue is not a drug, biological product, or device unless reclassified under this Act. Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to subject human tissue to regulation under such Act only if voluntary regulation is inadequate, or if it is reclassified as a drug, biological product, or device pursuant to specified guidelines established by this Act. Requires any person subject to such regulation who recovers, processes, stores, or distributes human tissue for transplantation or implantation in the United States to register in accordance with FFDCA drug registration procedures.  Deems registrants to be authorized to conduct human tissue recovery, processing, storage, and distribution activities identified as applicable on the registration, unless, among other things, the Secretary of Health and Human Services suspends or revokes such authority after determining that the registrant fails to meet operating standards established by the Secretary. Prescribes certain human tissue labeling and advertising requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to reclassify human tissue as a drug, biological product, or device in specified circumstances. Outlines the mechanism for enforcement of this Act in the event that any violations of it constitute a significant risk to the public health. Subjects registrants to inspections under the Act. Applies the PHSA to umbilical cord blood to the same extent as it applies to human tissue. Prohibits the Secretary from regulating eyes until voluntary regulation is inadequate to protect the public health.",2025-04-21T12:24:17Z,
104-s-2184,104,s,2184,Tobacco-Free Children's Internet Act of 1996,Health,1996-10-01,1996-10-01,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.,Senate,"Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]",NJ,D,L000123,0,Tobacco-Free Children's Internet Act of 1996 - Directs the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration to issue regulations limiting the advertising of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco over the Internet or other interactive computer service within the United States in a manner consistent with certain previously issued regulations.,2025-08-21T20:15:01Z,
104-s-2186,104,s,2186,Healthy Children Family Assistance Health Insurance Program Act of 1996,Health,1996-10-01,1996-10-01,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.,Senate,"Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]",MA,D,K000148,1,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Coverage for Children and Pregnant Women           Subtitle A:  Definitions           Subtitle B:  Participating State Program      Title II:  Qualifying Policies           Subtitle A:  Qualifying Policies           Subtitle B:  Access and Preexisting Condition                Limitations           Subtitle C:  General Duties and Responsibilities of the                Secretary      Title III:  Assistance to Families and Pregnant Women      Title IV:  Miscellaneous Provisions Healthy Children Family Assistance Health Insurance Program Act of 1996 - Title I:  Coverage for Children and Pregnant Women - Subtitle A:  Definitions - Sets forth definitions used in this Act. Subtitle B:  Participating State Program - Sets forth the general framework for a State program negotiated and contracted with at least one health plan to provide access to qualified health plans to eligible children and pregnant women residing in the State.  Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide certain payments for operating and administrative costs of participating States. Title II:  Qualifying Policies - Subtitle A:  Qualifying Policies - Describes the qualifying health policies for children and pregnant women, with a prohibition under each policy against any cost-sharing requirements for preventive services. Subtitle B:  Access and Preexisting Condition Limitations - Places certain limitations on the imposition of preexisting condition exclusions under such policies, prohibiting them outright with regard to pregnant women. Subtitle C:  General Duties and Responsibilities of the Secretary - Authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations and interim final regulations to implement the State program. Title III:  Assistance to Families and Pregnant Women - Prescribes guidelines for determining the eligibility of children and pregnant women for premium and cost-sharing assistance.  Requires States to have such assistance programs in effect to qualify for Federal payments under this Act.  Prescribes penalties for material misrepresentation and false information in applications for assistance. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations under which each State operating a program for premium assistance shall have in effect an enrollment outreach system.  Requires reduction of Federal payments for administrative errors. Title IV:  Miscellaneous Provisions - Prohibits any employer which elects to make employer contributions on behalf of an employee, or an employee dependent, for health insurance coverage from conditioning, or varying, such contributions with respect to any such individual by reason of their status as an individual eligible for premium assistance.  Provides that an employer shall not be treated as failing to meet such requirements if the employer ceases to make employer contributions for health insurance coverage for all its employees. (Sec. 402) Prohibits a participating State from modifying the eligibility requirements for children or pregnant women under the State Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act in any manner that would have the effect of reducing the eligibility of children or pregnant women for coverage under such program. (Sec. 403) Expresses the sense of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate that the program established under this Act should be fully financed in a budget neutral manner by offsetting revenues derived from increasing the taxes on tobacco and providing for reductions in undeserved corporate tax breaks.",2025-08-21T20:15:16Z,
104-s-2167,104,s,2167,Children's Health Insurance for Long-Term Development Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-30,1996-10-03,Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12350-12351),Senate,"Sen. Kerrey, J. Robert [D-NE]",NE,D,K000146,0,"Children's Health Insurance for Long-Term Development Act of 1996 -   Requires health plans and employee health benefit plans to ensure coverage of all medically necessary health care and related services for children during the Infant Neurological Risk Exposure Period (INREP), which extends through age three and encompasses the period of most rapid neurological changes in young children. Prohibits health plans from using a service limitation, including a lifetime benefit limit, to deny medically necessary health care and related services to a child. Sets forth enforcement provisions.",2025-08-21T20:15:21Z,
104-s-2171,104,s,2171,Comprehensive Telehealth Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-30,1996-09-30,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.,Senate,"Sen. Conrad, Kent [D-ND]",ND,D,C000705,1,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Medicare Reimbursement for Telehealth Services      Title II:  Telehealth Licensure      Title III:  Periodic Reports to Congress from the Joint           Working Group on Telehealth      Title IV:  Development of Telehealth Networks Comprehensive Telehealth Act of 1996 - Title I:  Medicare Reimbursement for Telehealth Services - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make payments from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act in accordance with a specified payment methodology for professional consultation via telecommunications systems with an individual or entity furnishing a service for which payment may be made to a Medicare beneficiary residing in a rural or an underserved area, notwithstanding that the individual health care practitioner providing the professional consultation is not at the same location as the individual furnishing the service to the Medicare beneficiary. (Sec. 101) Amends the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 to require the Health Care Financing Administration's report to the Congress on Medicare's reimbursement of telemedicine services to include telehealth services. Title II:  Telehealth Licensure - Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on:  (1) practitioners licensed to provide telehealth services across State lines, including those licensed to provide them in more than three States; (2) any reciprocal or other licensure agreements between or among various States; (3) any efforts to develop uniform national sets of licensure standards for interstate telehealth services; (4) a projection of future interstate telehealth consultations; (5) State efforts to increase or reduce licensure as a burden to interstate telehealth practice; and (6) any State licensure requirements that appear to constitute unnecessary barriers to interstate telehealth services. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on relevant developments concerning such matters.  Provides that, if States are not making progress in facilitating interstate telehealth services by eliminating unnecessary requirements, adopting reciprocal licensing arrangements, implementing uniform licensure requirements, or other means, the Secretary must include in the report recommendations on the Federal actions required to reduce licensure as a barrier to the interstate provision of telehealth services. Title III:  Periodic Reports to Congress from the Joint Working Group on Telehealth - Redesignates the Joint Working Group on Telemedicine as the Joint Working Group on Telehealth, with the chairperson designated by the Director of the Office of Rural Health Policy.  Makes it the mission of the Joint Working Group on Telehealth to:  (1)) identify, monitor, coordinate, and analyze Federal telehealth projects, data sets, and programs; and (2) make further recommendations for coordination of Federal and State efforts to increase access to health services, education, and information in rural and underserved areas. Requires the Joint Working Group to report annually to the Congress on mission status and the state of the telehealth field generally. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV:  Development of Telehealth Networks - Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Office of Rural Health Policy, to provide specified financial assistance to eligible providers to expand access to health care services for individuals in rural and frontier areas through the use of telehealth.  Authorizes appropriations.",2025-08-21T20:16:49Z,
104-s-2178,104,s,2178,Better Pharmaceuticals for Children Act,Health,1996-09-30,1996-09-30,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.,Senate,"Sen. Kassebaum, Nancy Landon [R-KS]",KS,R,K000017,5,"Better Pharmaceuticals for Children Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow for additional deferred effective dates for the approval of certain new drug applications to allow for additional pediatric information developed by further studies of the drug concerned.",2025-08-21T20:16:14Z,
104-hr-4277,104,hr,4277,Better Pharmaceuticals for Children Act,Health,1996-09-28,1996-10-11,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Greenwood, James C. [R-PA-8]",PA,R,G000439,6,"Better Pharmaceuticals for Children Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow for additional deferred effective dates for the approval of certain new drug applications to allow for additional pediatric information developed by further studies of the drug concerned.",2025-08-21T20:15:40Z,
104-hr-4284,104,hr,4284,Late Term Abortion Restriction Act,Health,1996-09-28,1996-10-04,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5]",MD,D,H000874,15,"Late Term Abortion Restriction Act - Makes it unlawful, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, to knowingly perform an abortion after the fetus has become viable, except, if in the medical judgment of the attending physician, it is necessary to preserve the life of the woman or to avert serious adverse health consequences to her.",2025-08-21T20:15:11Z,
104-hr-4296,104,hr,4296,Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-28,1996-10-04,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]",CT,D,D000216,16,"Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 1996 - Requires health plans that provide medical and surgical benefits for the treatment of breast cancer to ensure that inpatient coverage is provided for a minimum of 48 hours after a mastectomy, and 24 hours after a lymph node disection, except where the attending physician and patient determine that a shorter period is appropriate. Prohibits health plans from modifying the terms and conditions of coverage based on an enrollee's determination to request less than the minimum coverage required. Prescribes appropriate health plan notice requirements regarding required coverage.",2025-08-21T20:14:20Z,
104-hr-4298,104,hr,4298,To provide for a special Medicare part B enrollment period and a special Medigap open enrollment period for certain military retirees and dependents.,Health,1996-09-28,1996-10-11,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Ensign, John [R-NV-1]",NV,R,E000194,0,"Instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in the case of certain military retirees and dependents, to provide for a special enrollment period during which such an individual may enroll under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Prohibits an issuer of a Medicare supplemental policy, in the case of such an individual who seeks to enroll during such special enrollment period, from denying or conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of such a policy, or from discriminating in its pricing on the basis of the individual's health status, medical condition, claims experience, receipt of health care, medical history, genetic information, evidence of insurability, or disability.",2024-02-07T16:32:33Z,
104-hr-4300,104,hr,4300,Children Health Insurance Access Amendments of 1996,Health,1996-09-28,1996-10-11,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Furse, Elizabeth [D-OR-1]",OR,D,F000434,0,Children Health Insurance Access Amendments of 1996 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the guaranteed availability of individual health insurance coverage to uninsured children.,2025-08-21T20:14:48Z,
104-hr-4315,104,hr,4315,Patient and Health Care Provider Protection Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-28,1996-10-22,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Owens, Major R. [D-NY-11]",NY,D,O000159,9,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Health Plan Requirements      Title II:  Office of Consumer Advocacy for Health      Title III:  Independent Consumer Advisory Committees      Title IV:  Coordination Among Office, Committees, and           Secretary Patient and Health Care Provider Protection Act of 1996 - Title I: Health Plan Requirements - Prohibits a health plan that is part of any contract or agreement with a health care provider from providing any restriction on or interference with any medical communication (other than a knowing misrepresentation):  (1) between the provider and a current, former, or prospective patient (or the guardian or legal representative of a patient); (2) between the provider and or any employee or representative of the plan; or (3) between the provider and any employee or representative of any State or Federal licensing or oversight authority.  Authorizes States to establish or enforce requirements related to such prohibition, but only if they are more protective of a medical communication than that provided by such prohibition. (Sec. 102) Prohibits the operation of an improper health care provider incentive plan. (Sec. 103) Requires health plans to:  (1) establish criteria for the denial of plan services, as well as criteria to assure the quality of plan care; (2) provide for an initial physical exam of enrollees before denying plan services; and (3) establish standards and procedures to protect certain private information from public disclosure. (Sec. 106) Requires a health plan to pay the State an annual fee of one percent of the total amount of the annual premiums paid by State residents enrolled in the plan. (Sec. 107) Provides for the enforcement of this title through the imposition of civil monetary penalties. (Sec. 108) Prohibits the taking of adverse actions against health care providers for certain actions, including those taken for the purpose of notifying a health plan of potentially dangerous conditions. Title II:  Office of Consumer Advocacy for Health - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish for each State an independent Office for such State to assist consumers in dealing with problems that arise with respect to health plans and health care providers operating in the State, including assistance to individuals with grievances against a plan as well as assistance for individuals who seek to report dangerous conditions in health care services. (Sec. 201) Requires the Secretary, through a competitive grant award process, to designate a non-profit organization to serve as the Office for a State, which shall be headed by a Consumer Advocate for Health for the State selected from among individuals with expertise and experience in the fields of health care and consumer advocacy. Requires the State Office to establish a local office in each community rating area established by the Secretary.  Gives the Secretary oversight over such offices. (Sec. 208) Funds such Offices out of certain fees collected under this Act that are imposed on health plans. Title III:  Independent Consumer Advisory Committees - Requires each health plan to establish and maintain an independent Consumer Advisory Committee to develop and coordinate programs for outreach to the community and ensure that enrollee grievances are addressed. (Sec. 305) Requires each Committee to report annually to the Office for the State in which the health plan offers services, providing recommendations for improvements in health care delivery under the plan. (Sec. 306) Provides for funding of Committees. Title IV:  Coordination Among Office, Committees, and Secretary - Requires an Office to establish and maintain a system of referrals among the Office, other consumer advocacy organizations, legal assistance providers serving low-income persons, and protection and advocacy systems for individuals with disabilities. (Sec. 402) Requires an Office to provide technical assistance to such Committees and distribute and account for funding for them. (Sec. 403) Requires annual submissions from each Committee to each Office, and from each Office to the Secretary, of compilations of enrollee quality care data, for analysis and use in developing Federal guidelines for evaluating the performance of health plans operating in community rating areas.",2025-08-21T20:14:55Z,
104-hr-4325,104,hr,4325,Patient's Compassion and Visitation Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-28,1996-09-28,Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.,House,"Rep. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY-9]",NY,D,S000148,2,Patient's Compassion and Visitation Act of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require hospitals to extend fair visitors privileges to non-family members.,2025-08-21T20:17:08Z,
104-s-2154,104,s,2154,Pharmaceutical Equity Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-28,1996-09-28,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA]",PA,R,S000709,3,"Pharmaceutical Equity Act of 1996 - Extends for a two-year period the term of any patent in force on September 24, 1984, and on this Act's effective date, that claims a drug product or a method of using or manufacturing it from the product's expiration date if:  (1) an exemption became effective for the drug product before September 24, 1984; (2) the regulatory review period for such product exceeded 120 months or 60 months, as appropriate. Provides that during such extensions, the rights in the extended patents shall be the same as those that existed before their expirations, thereby guarding against patent infringements during the extensions. Requires:  (1) the patentee to notify the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks of such patent extended number; and (2) the Commissioner to confirm the patent extension by placing a notice thereof in the official file of the patent and to publish an appropriate notice in the Official Gazette of the Patent and Trademark Office.",2025-08-21T20:14:31Z,
104-hr-4229,104,hr,4229,Medicare Home Health Services Prospective Payment Amendments of 1996,Health,1996-09-27,1996-10-22,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.",House,"Rep. Johnson, Nancy L. [R-CT-6]",CT,R,J000163,0,"Medicare Home Health Services Prospective Payment Amendments of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for payments for home health services in accordance with a prospective payment system (including an episodic system) developed according to specified criteria, with a special rule for Christian Science providers. Requires the Medicare Prospective Payment Review Commission, during the first three years in which payments are made under this Act, to report annually to the Congress on the effectiveness of the payment methodology established. Amends SSA title XI to require review by peer review organizations of home health services provided under Medicare. Eliminates certain fiscal intermediary responsibilities under Medicare with regard to home health services. Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 to provide for a retroactive reinstatement of presumptive waiver of liability.",2025-08-21T20:17:13Z,
104-hr-4244,104,hr,4244,To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive the 3-day prior hospitalization requirement for coverage of skilled nursing facility services in the case of individuals classified within certain diagnosis-related groups.,Health,1996-09-27,1996-09-28,Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1797),House,"Rep. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL-20]",IL,D,D000563,1,"Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for coverage under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act of extended care services for individuals with a condition classifiable within a select diagnosis-related group (DRG).  (Waives the three-day prior hospitalization requirement for coverage of skilled nursing facility services for such DRGs.) Requires the Secretary to select at least five DRGs beginning in FY 1998, and additional qualified groups for subsequent fiscal years. Provides for recovery of excessive expenditures by:  (1) reductions in payable amounts for post-hospital extended care services in the following fiscal year; and (2) rescission of the selection of any DRG.",2024-02-07T16:32:33Z,
104-hr-4248,104,hr,4248,Medicare Antibiotic Coverage Amendments of 1996,Health,1996-09-27,1996-10-04,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Waldholtz, Enid Greene [R-UT-2]",UT,R,G000408,0,"Medicare Antibiotic Coverage Amendments of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) coverage of certain antibiotics, including vancomycin, parenterally administered in a home setting.  Mandates adjustments in average standardized payment amounts in order to maintain budget neutrality.",2025-08-21T20:15:20Z,
104-hr-4250,104,hr,4250,To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to permit a State the option of covering community-based attendant services under the Medicaid program.,Health,1996-09-27,1996-10-04,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Gunderson, Steve [R-WI-3]",WI,R,G000524,1,Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit States the option of covering community-based attendant services.,2024-02-05T14:30:09Z,
104-hr-4257,104,hr,4257,To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide a one-stop shopping information service for individuals with serious or life-threatening diseases.,Health,1996-09-27,1996-10-04,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Lazio, Rick [R-NY-2]",NY,R,L000155,0,"Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate, in the National Institutes of Health, a program regarding information on research, treatment, detection, and prevention regarding serious or life-threatening diseases and conditions.  Requires, in carrying out that program, establishment of a data bank of information on clinical trials and treatments.  Authorizes appropriations.",2024-02-05T14:30:09Z,
104-hr-4264,104,hr,4264,Medicare Diabetes Education and Treatment Amendments of 1996,Health,1996-09-27,1996-10-04,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Nethercutt, George R., Jr. [R-WA-5]",WA,R,N000051,6,Medicare Diabetes Education and Treatment Amendments of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of diabetes outpatient self-management training services and blood-testing strips for individuals with diabetes.,2025-08-21T20:15:36Z,
104-hr-4268,104,hr,4268,Medicare Telemedicine and Medical Informatics Demonstration Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-27,1996-10-11,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Rangel, Charles B. [D-NY-15]",NY,D,R000053,1,"Medicare Telemedicine and Medical Informatics Demonstration Act of 1996 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, to make a grant to a consortium meeting specified criteria to provide for a project for the development and operation of telemedicine and medical informatics systems to demonstrate the application of high-capacity computing and advanced networks to the provision of health care to residents of medically underserved rural and inner-city areas.  Requires the project to focus on Medicare beneficiaries and on improvements in primary care (and prevention of complications) for residents with diabetes (mellitus).  Lists project objectives, which include improving patient access to and compliance with appropriate care guidelines for chronic diseases through direct telecommunications link with information networks in order to improve patient quality-of-life and reduce overall health care costs. Authorizes appropriations.",2025-08-21T20:14:43Z,
104-hr-4270,104,hr,4270,Health Care Research and Development and Consumer Protection Act,Health,1996-09-27,1996-10-11,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large]",VT,I,S000033,0,"Health Care Research and Development and Consumer Protection Act - Requires reporting to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and public disclosure of certain research and development (R and D) patent and funding information, including the amount of Federal funds expended, with regard to new drugs, new animal drugs, and antibiotics approved for marketing under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Provides that if any Federal agency or any nonprofit entity undertakes federally funded health care R and D, and is to convey or provide a patent or other exclusive right to use such R and D for a drug or other health care technology, such agency or entity shall not make such conveyance or provide such patent or other right until the person who will receive it first agrees to a reasonable pricing agreement with the Secretary or the Secretary makes a determination that the public interest is served by a waiver of the reasonable pricing agreement. Requires, for any drug approved for marketing by the Food and Drug Administration which was developed with significant Federal support, that the Secretary review the drug price to determine a reasonable price for Federal reimbursements under titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act and other Federal programs that elect to participate in the Secretary's reasonable pricing program. Provides that, if in connection with R and D for health care technologies the Secretary determines that the public interest will be advanced by his or her ability to conduct research on biological substances or other materials, the Secretary shall have the authority to compel the owner of such substances or materials to provide them to him or her in accordance with a described materials transfer agreement. Requires any person engaged in the manufacture of drugs for introduction into interstate commerce to establish for each drug, in accordance with specified procedures, an account for funds to be reinvested in R and D for health care technologies. Requires certain sales reports to the Health Care Financing Administration with regard to new drugs, new animal drugs, and antibiotics approved for marketing under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress annually on estimated Federal expenditures, made directly or through reimbursement, for purchasing prescription drugs, including estimated annual expenditures on drugs developed with significant Federal support.",2025-08-21T20:15:09Z,
104-hr-4271,104,hr,4271,Primary Care Promotion Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-27,1996-10-04,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.",House,"Rep. Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [D-NY-28]",NY,D,S000480,0,Primary Care Promotion Act of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to direct graduate medical education for residents enrolled in combined approved primary care medical residency training programs. Provides for full-time-equivalent resident reimbursement for the minimum number of years of formal training required to satisfy the requirements for initial board eligibility in the longest of the individual programs plus one additional year.  Declares that a resident enrolled in a combined medical residency training program that includes an obstetrics and gynecology program qualifies for the period of board eligibility under this Act if the other programs such resident combines with such obstetrics and gynecology program are for training a primary care resident.,2025-08-21T20:17:03Z,
104-s-2149,104,s,2149,Transitional Health Insurance for Workers Changing Jobs Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-27,1996-09-27,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.,Senate,"Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA]",MA,D,K000105,1,"Transitional Health Insurance for Workers Changing Jobs Act of 1996 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add a new title XXVIII (Health Insurance for Workers Changing Jobs) under which the Secretaries of Labor and of Health and Human Services are required to establish a joint program to award grants to States with approved plans to enable them to provide temporary health insurance premium assistance for eligible individuals and their families in accordance with specified guidelines.  Makes appropriations. Expresses the sense of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate that the joint program established by this Act should be financed in a budget neutral manner by offsetting revenues derived from eliminating undeserved corporate tax breaks, especially tax breaks that encourage American corporations to move jobs overseas and that reward book-keeping transactions that artifically place corporate income overseas for tax purposes.",2025-08-21T20:17:13Z,
104-hr-4196,104,hr,4196,National Institute of Biomedical Imaging Establishment Act,Health,1996-09-26,1996-10-11,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Burr, Richard [R-NC-5]",NC,R,B001135,11,"National Institute of Biomedical Imaging Establishment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging, headed by a Director, which shall conduct and support research, training, and dissemination of health information and other programs with respect to radiologic and other imaging modalities, imaging techniques, and imaging technologies with biomedical applications. Directs the Director of the Institute to:  (1) establish a National Biomedical Imaging Program; and (2) prepare and transmit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of the National Institutes of Health a plan to initiate, expand, intensify, and coordinate activities of the Institute respecting biomedical imaging. Authorizes appropriations.",2025-08-21T20:16:39Z,
104-hr-4217,104,hr,4217,Safe Motherhood Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-26,1996-10-30,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Schroeder, Patricia [D-CO-1]",CO,D,S000142,7,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Epidemiological and Educational Activities           Regarding Pregnancy-Related Complications      Title II:  Public Education Regarding Folic Acid as Dietary           Supplement      Title III:  Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of           1996      Title IV:  Ultrasound Safe Motherhood Act of 1996 - Title I:  Epidemiological and Educational Activities Regarding Pregnancy-Related Complications - Pregnancy-Related Morbidity and Mortality Surveillance and Research Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) (the Secretary), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), to:  (1) provide technical assistance to the States to assist them with various matters involving pregnancy-related complications; (2) carry out activities to educate health professionals and the public on the prevention of pregnancy-related complications and the treatments available for such complications; and (3) study and report to the Congress on such complications, including the extent to which research on the prevention and treatment of such complications is being conducted in the United States.  Requires such report to include:  (1) recommendations for improving the effectiveness of Federal and State activities for the collection of epidemiological data on such complications; and (2) an agenda for the conduct and support by the Federal Government of research on preventing and treating them. Authorizes appropriations. Title II:  Public Education Regarding Folic Acid as Dietary Supplement - Folic Acid Public Education Act - Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the CDCP Director, to carry out a program to encourage physicians, nurses, nutritionists, and other health professionals to educate patients that consuming a daily supplement of folic acid is effective in preventing birth defects. Authorizes appropriations. Title III:  Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1996 - Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1996 - Requires health plans providing maternity benefits to ensure that coverage is provided with respect to a mother who is a participant, beneficiary, or policyholder under such plan and her newborn child for a minimum inpatient length of stay of 48 hours following a normal delivery, and 96 hours following a caesarean section, without requiring the attending provider to obtain prior plan authorization.  Makes an exception to such requirement in cases where the provider has consulted with the mother beforehand about an earlier discharge and the plan provides coverage for post-delivery follow-up care as described below. (Sec. 304) Requires that when a decision is reached to discharge a mother and her newborn child from the inpatient setting before expiration of the minimum inpatient length of stay period, the health plan must provide coverage for timely post-delivery care by a registered nurse, physician, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physician assistant experienced in maternal and child health with the mother having the option of being provided with such care in different places, including her home. (Sec. 305) Provides that, in implementing the requirements of this title, a health plan may not:  (1) deny enrollment or continued coverage to a mother and her newborn child based on their compliance with this title; (2) provide monetary payments or rebates to mothers to encourage them to request less than the required minimum coverage; or (3) take other specified actions regarding provider reimbursement and incentives. (Sec. 306) Prescribes appropriate notice requirements for health plans. (Sec. 308) Requires each State to require that each health plan issued, sold, renewed, offered for sale or operated in such State by a health plan issuer meet the standards established under this Act and submit such information as required by the Secretary of Labor demonstrating effective implementation of the requirements of this title.  Requires the Secretary of Labor to enforce such standards and requirements in a State if the State fails substantially to do so. Subjects each health plan issuer operating in such a State to appropriate civil enforcement under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). (Sec. 310) Specifies aspects of State law regarding maternity and pediatric care which are not preempted by this title.  Declares that the post-delivery follow-up care requirements of this title shall not preempt those provisions of State law that provide greater protection to patients or policyholders than those required under this title or that provide mothers and newborns with an option of timely post delivery follow-up care in the home. (Sec. 311) Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory panel to develop and report to the Secretary a consensus, if any, regarding the appropriateness of the specific requirements of this title. Directs the Secretary to study and report to certain congressional committees on various specified matters with regard to post-natal care, together with recommendations for improvements in pre- and post- natal care, delivery and follow-up care, and whether their implementation should be accomplished by the private health sector, Federal or State governments, or any combination of them. Title IV:  Ultrasound - Ultrasound Quality Standards Act of 1996 - Amends PHSA to require the certification of ultrasound facilities operated in accordance with certain standards the Secretary shall establish.  Provides for compliance inspection of such facilities by the Secretary or a delegated State agency.  Allows for suspension and revocation of facility certification, as well as the imposition of other specified sanctions to promote voluntary compliance, for facilities failing to comply with applicable requirements and standards.  Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 403) Directs the Institute of Medicine, by itself or with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to survey the data collected on the prevalence of the use of fetal ultrasound and the interaction between physicians and consumers that may be driving the use of fetal ultrasound.  States that the survey should begin with data collected after the report in 1984 by NIH on a consensus development conference on diagnostic ultrasound imaging in pregnancy. (Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide educational outreach to medical practitioners and the public regarding the appropriateness of fetal ultrasound for the health of mothers and fetuses. (Sec. 405) Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on whether this program has resulted in improvement of the quality of fetal ultrasound, and a reduction in nonmedically indicated fetal ultrasonography, without affecting access to medically necessary services or unnecessarily burdening health care providers.",2026-03-23T12:41:21Z,
104-hr-4220,104,hr,4220,Managed Care Consumer Protection Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-26,1996-10-22,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.",House,"Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13]",CA,D,S000810,0,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Protections for Beneficiaries Enrolled in Managed           Care Plans      Title II:  Medicare      Title III:  Medicaid Managed Care Consumer Protection Act of 1996 - Title I: Protections for Beneficiaries Enrolled in Managed Care Plans - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide beneficiaries under managed care health plans with certain consumer protections against plan abuses through the imposition of an excise tax on managed care group health plans, or issuers offering managed care health insurance coverage, which fail to meet specified requirements. (Sec. 101) Prohibits a plan from denying coverage of, or payment for, items and services on the basis of a utilization review program, unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services certifies (and periodically recertifies) that the programs meets certain standards established by the Secretary in accordance with specified requirements.  Includes among such requirements written descriptions of utilization review policies, clinical review criteria, information sources, and the process used to review and approve medical services under the program.  Prohibits individuals who perform utilization reviews from receiving financial compensation based upon the number of coverage denials. Requires plans or issuers to:  (1) assure enrollees timely access to the covered health services of a sufficient number, distribution, and variety of qualified health care providers, including, when medically necessary, specialty treatment; (2) provide procedures for hearing and resolving grievances between the plan or issuer and enrollees; (3) provide information on physician incentive plans to enrollees upon request; (4) provide certain minimum childbirth benefits; (5) demonstrate that enrollees with chronic diseases or who otherwise require specialized services would have access to designated Centers of Excellence; and (6) cover emergency services without prior authorization and without regard to whether or not the provider furnishing such services has a contractual or other arrangement with the plan or issuer. Prohibits discrimination in any activity against an individual on the basis of race, national origin, gender, language, socioeconomic status, age, disability, health status, or anticipated need for health services. Sets restrictions on commissions for plan or issuer agents. Prohibits plan or issuer interference with physician-patient communications. Prohibits plans or issuers from denying coverage of items or services furnished to an enrollee participating in approved clinical studies. Exempts governmental and church plans from the requirements of this title. Title II:  Medicare - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to prohibit the Secretary from making payment to an eligible organization under a risk-sharing contract with respect to an enrollee until it certifies to the Secretary that it has provided the enrollee with an orientation meeting certain requirements and has a medical profile with respect to the enrollee.  Directs the Secretary to promulgate specific requirements for the orientation and medical profile. (Sec. 202) Makes certain changes in requirements for Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policies relating to community rating and loss ratios.  Revises the loss ratio to increase from 75 to 85 the percentage of the aggregate amount of premiums collected which a policy can be expected to return to policyholders in the form of aggregate benefits. (Sec. 203) Prohibits Medigap policy issuers from denying or conditioning a policy for certain continuously covered individuals, from discriminating in pricing because of the individual's health status, or from imposing an exclusion of benefits based on a pre-existing condition.  Requires extension of the six-month initial enrollment period to non-elderly Medicare beneficiaries. (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary to establish by regulation standards for Medicare Select policies that, to the extent practicable, are the same as the standards established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) with respect to such policies.  Requires any additional standards to be developed in consultation with NAIC. Requires Medicare Select policies, generally, to meet the same requirements in effect under Medicare for Medicare risk-sharing contractors. (Sec. 205) Requires eligible organizations to have certain arrangements with out-of-area dialysis providers to assure that enrollees requiring renal dialysis who are temporarily outside of the organization's service area have reasonable access to such services. (Sec. 206) Requires each issuer of a Medigap policy to have an open enrollment period of at least 30 days duration every year during which the issuer may not deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of such a policy, or discriminate in its pricing because of age, health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition.  Prohibits the policy from providing any time period applicable to pre-existing conditions, waiting periods, elimination periods, and probationary periods except as provided under Medicare.  Authorizes the Secretary to require enrollment through a designated third party. Makes the periods for enrollment applicable for Medicare Select policies the same as those applicable to a Medigap policy. Details enrollment periods for new Medicare beneficiaries and those who move. Requires the Secretary to provide upon request enrollment and other information on eligible organizations and Medigap policies to any individual entitled to Medicare benefits. Title III:  Medicaid - Prohibits the Secretary from making payment to an eligible organization under SSA title XIX (Medicaid) with respect to an enrollee until it certifies to the Secretary that: (1) it has provided the enrollee with an orientation meeting certain requirements; (2) it has taken a medical profile of the enrollee; and (3), if responsible for providing immunizations for a child enrollee, it has obtained the child's immunization status and begun to provide for such immunizations according to established standards.  Directs the Secretary to promulgate specific requirements for the orientation and medical profile. (Sec. 302) Prohibits Medicaid payment to a State with respect to expenditures incurred for payment to an entity under a prepaid capitation plan (or on any other risk basis) unless the requirements of this title are met respecting the entity's provision of appropriate immunization to enrolled children.",2025-08-21T20:14:29Z,
104-hr-4185,104,hr,4185,Medicare Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrient Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-25,1996-10-04,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13]",CA,D,S000810,0,Medicare Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrient Act of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for reimbursement of intradialytic parenteral nutrients provided to patients with end stage renal disease as part of the payment under Medicare for renal dialysis services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish criteria to determine medically appropriate uses of such nutrients when provided to a patient determined to have such disease. Conditions Medicare payment for such nutrients after a certain future date on their meeting such criteria.,2025-08-21T20:17:14Z,
104-hr-4189,104,hr,4189,Medicare Vancomycin Home Parenteral Therapy Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-25,1996-10-04,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13]",CA,D,S000810,0,Medicare Vancomycin Home Parenteral Therapy Act of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of vancomycin home parenteral therapy for treatment of an infection caused by:  (1) beta-lactam-resistant gram-positive microorganisms; or (2) gram-positive microorganisms in the case of a patient with a severe allergy to beta-lactam antimicrobials.,2025-08-21T20:16:19Z,
104-hr-4190,104,hr,4190,Medicare Coverage of Infectious Diseases Therapy Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-25,1996-10-04,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.",House,"Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13]",CA,D,S000810,0,"Medicare Coverage of Infectious Diseases Therapy Act of 1996 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to the Congress on coverage of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy, drugs, and services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA). Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for Medicare coverage of such antimicrobial-related items if outpatient administration would result in reduced costs.",2025-08-21T20:15:58Z,
104-hr-4191,104,hr,4191,To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study of the effect on payments under medicare where certain inpatient services are replaced by outpatient services.,Health,1996-09-25,1996-10-04,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.",House,"Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13]",CA,D,S000810,0,Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to the Congress on coverage for outpatient services in lieu of inpatient services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act.,2025-04-07T15:27:23Z,
104-s-2121,104,s,2121,Medicare Access to Emergency Medical Care Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-25,1996-09-25,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.,Senate,"Sen. Graham, Bob [D-FL]",FL,D,G000352,8,Medicare Access to Emergency Medical Care Act of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish requirements for Medicare managed care regarding access to emergency services.,2025-08-21T20:16:30Z,
104-hr-4135,104,hr,4135,Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection and Mental Health Parity Implementation Amendments of 1996,Health,1996-09-24,1996-09-24,Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.,House,"Rep. Thomas, William M. [R-CA-21]",CA,R,T000188,1,Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection and Mental Health Parity Implementation Amendments of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (as amended by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) with respect to group health plan requirements to:  (1) provide standards for benefits to mothers and newborns; and (2) provide for parity of specified mental health benefits with surgical and medical benefits.,2025-08-21T20:14:04Z,
104-hr-4149,104,hr,4149,Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-24,1996-10-22,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Hall, Ralph M. [D-TX-4]",TX,D,H000067,120,"Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1996 - Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to provide, procure, furnish, fund, or support, or to compel any individual, institution, or government entity to provide, procure, furnish, fund, or support, any item, good, benefit, program, or service, the purpose of which is to cause, or to assist in causing, the suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing of any individual. Amends the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to incorporate a modified version of this prohibition.  Adds a further prohibition, with regard to protection and advocacy systems, against certain assistance provided under such Federal laws for asserting or advocating a legal right to cause, or to assist in causing, or to receive assistance in causing, suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing. Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the use or availability of appropriations under such Act to provide any item, or service, for the purposes of causing or assisting in suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing. Prohibits Federal financial participation under title XIX (Medicaid), or Federal reimbursement under title XVIII (Medicare), of the Social Security Act for assisted suicide or related services. Provides for the treatment of advance directives under both Medicare and Medicaid. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for assisted suicide and related services under the Older Americans Act of 1965, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and under title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services Program) of the Social Security Act. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for assisted suicide and related services under the military and Federal employees health care systems, and as health care for Peace Corps volunteers and Federal prisoners. Amends the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to ban the use of Federal funds for assisted suicide and related services. Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to prohibit the use of legal assistance for assisted suicide and related services, and for asserting or advocating a legal right to such services.",2025-08-21T20:15:37Z,
104-hr-4158,104,hr,4158,To exclude certain general service wages and hours associated with a separate skilled nursing facility owned by certain hospitals in determining a hospital's eligibility for continued geographic reclassification under the Medicare program.,Health,1996-09-24,1996-09-24,Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.,House,"Rep. Ramstad, Jim [R-MN-3]",MN,R,R000033,1,"Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in calculating a municipality-owned hospital's average hourly wage for purposes of continued geographic reclassification as an urban hospital under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, to exclude the general service wages and hours of personnel associated with a separate skilled nursing facility owned by the hospital or the same municipality and physically separated from the hospital to the extent that such wages and hours are not shared with the hospital, and are separately documented.",2024-02-07T16:32:33Z,
104-hr-4160,104,hr,4160,Medicare and Medicaid Health Plan Beneficiary Orientation and Medical Profile Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-24,1996-10-11,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13]",CA,D,S000810,0,"Medicare and Medicaid Health Plan Beneficiary Orientation and Medical Profile Act of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to prohibit any payments except to those entities which certify to the Secretary of Health and Human Services that they provide for orientation and medical profiles for enrollees. Applies the same requirement to payments under SSA title XIX (Medicaid), plus a requirement for appropriate immunizations of child enrollees. Directs the Secretary to promulgate requirements for orientation and medical profiles.",2025-08-21T20:16:01Z,
104-s-2108,104,s,2108,Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-24,1996-09-24,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.,Senate,"Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND]",ND,D,D000432,17,"Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1996 - Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to provide, procure, furnish, fund, or support, or to compel any individual, institution, or government entity to provide, procure, furnish, fund, or support, any item, good, benefit, program, or service, the purpose of which is to cause, or to assist in causing, the suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing of any individual. Amends the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to incorporate a modified version of this prohibition.  Adds a further prohibition, with regard to protection and advocacy systems, against certain assistance provided under such Federal laws for asserting or advocating a legal right to cause, or to assist in causing, or to receive assistance in causing, suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing. Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the use or availability of appropriations under such Act to provide any item, or service, for the purposes of causing or assisting in suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing. Prohibits Federal financial participation under title XIX (Medicaid), or Federal reimbursement under title XVIII (Medicare), of the Social Security Act for assisted suicide or related services. Provides for the treatment of advance directives under both Medicare and Medicaid. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for assisted suicide and related services under the Older Americans Act of 1965, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and under title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services Program) of the Social Security Act. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for assisted suicide and related services under the military and Federal employees health care systems, and as health care for Peace Corps volunteers and Federal prisoners. Amends the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to ban the use of Federal funds for assisted suicide and related services. Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to prohibit the use of legal assistance for assisted suicide and related services, and for asserting or advocating a legal right to such services.",2025-08-21T20:15:46Z,
104-sres-300,104,sres,300,"A resolution to designate the week of November 3, 1996, as ""National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week"".",Health,1996-09-24,1996-09-28,Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.,Senate,"Sen. Wellstone, Paul D. [D-MN]",MN,D,W000288,9,"Designates the week of November 3, 1996, as National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week.",2025-07-21T19:32:26Z,
104-s-2099,104,s,2099,"A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide post-eligibility treatment of certain payments received under a Department of Veterans Affairs pension or compensation program, and for other purposes.",Health,1996-09-20,1996-09-20,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.,Senate,"Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]",IA,R,G000386,1,"Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise the post-eligibility treatment of the income of certain individuals (veterans and related persons) who are institutionalized or receiving home or community-based services under a certain waiver.  Requires that any and all payments received under a Department of Veterans Affairs pension or compensation program be taken into account as income, including payments attributable to the recipient's medical expenses or to the recipient's need for aid and attendance, but excluding that part of any augmented benefit attributable to a dependent.",2025-01-14T18:59:41Z,
104-hres-527,104,hres,527,"Relating to breast implants, the Food and Drug Administration, and public health.",Health,1996-09-19,1996-09-25,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. McIntosh, David M. [R-IN-2]",IN,R,M000481,0,"Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Food and Drug Administration should:  (1) ensure that women with breast cancer and other women seeking breast reconstruction have enhanced access to silicone gel breast implants; (2) eliminate requirements that those women participate in clinical studies in order to obtain the implants; and (3) issue a definitive statement on the relationship (or lack thereof) between silicone gel breast implants and connective tissue disease, classic auto-immune symptoms, and other serious diseases.",2024-02-05T14:30:09Z,
104-sres-295,104,sres,295,"A resolution to designate October 18, 1996, as ""National Mammography Day"".",Health,1996-09-18,1996-09-25,Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.,Senate,"Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE]",DE,D,B000444,56,"Designates October 18, 1996, as National Mammography Day.",2025-07-21T19:32:26Z,
104-hr-4100,104,hr,4100,Medicare and Medicaid Hospital Self-Referral Amendments of 1996,Health,1996-09-17,1996-09-25,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13]",CA,D,S000810,1,Medicare and Medicaid Hospital Self-Referral Amendments of 1996 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require hospitals participating in the Medicare or Medicaid programs to:  (1) give notice of availability of providers as part of the discharge planning process; and (2) maintain and disclose information on certain referrals. Amends SSA title XI to provide for public disclosure of certain information on hospital financial interest and referral patterns by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.,2025-08-21T20:15:59Z,
104-sjres-60,104,sjres,60,"A joint resolution to disapprove the rule submitted by the Health Care Financing Administration on August 30, 1996, relating to hospital reimbursement under the medicare program.",Health,1996-09-17,1996-09-17,Failed of passage in Senate by Unanimous Consent.,Senate,"Sen. Lott, Trent [R-MS]",MS,R,L000447,0,"Disapproves the rule submitted by the Health Care Financing Administration on August 30, 1996, relating to hospital reimbursement under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act.",2016-10-26T07:52:56Z,
104-s-2075,104,s,2075,Medigap Portability Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-16,1996-09-16,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.,Senate,"Sen. Chafee, John H. [R-RI]",RI,R,C000269,3,"Medigap Portability Act of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to Medicare supplemental policies, providing for additional consumer protections, among them: (1) guaranteeing policy issuance (with no preexisting condition exclusions and no discrimination in pricing because of the individual's health, claims experience, or disability) to certain individuals who have had continuous coverage (or no break in coverage longer than 63 days) if the policy in which they wish to enroll has a comparable or less generous benefits package; (2) prohibiting insurers from excluding benefits based on a pre-existing condition during the initial six-month enrollment period after an individual first becomes eligible for Medicare; and (3) extending the six-month initial enrollment period to non-elderly Medicare beneficiaries. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to private, independent, nonprofit consumer organizations and State agencies applying to conduct programs to prepare and make available to Medicare beneficiaries comprehensive and understandable information on enrollment in health plans with a Medicare managed care contract and in Medicare supplemental policies in which they are eligible to enroll.  Requires any eligible organization with a Medicare managed care contract or any issuer of a Medicare supplemental policy to conduct a consumer satisfaction survey of the enrollees under such contract or such policy and make the results of such survey available to the Secretary and the State Insurance Commissioner of the State in which the enrollees are so enrolled. Requires each organization which provides a Medicare managed care contract or issues a Medicare supplemental policy to pay to the Secretary its pro rata share of the estimated costs to be incurred in providing the grants.  Makes necessary appropriations.",2025-08-21T20:14:23Z,
104-hconres-214,104,hconres,214,Expressing the sense of the Congress that a patient has certain rights regarding medical care that should be protected by law.,Health,1996-09-12,1996-09-20,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Smith, Linda [R-WA-3]",WA,R,S000587,0,"Expresses the sense of the Congress that the law should protect a patient's right to receive disclosure from providers, choose providers, receive disclosure from health plans, have access to medical records and limit the access of others to those records, choose courses of treatment, refuse interference from third party payers, and contract with providers.",2025-01-02T17:32:44Z,
104-hr-4069,104,hr,4069,Graduate Medical Education Trust Fund Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-12,1996-09-20,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.",House,"Rep. Bentsen, Ken [D-TX-25]",TX,D,B000400,0,"Graduate Medical Education Trust Fund Act of 1996 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXI (Teaching Hospital and Graduate Medical Education Trust Fund), which establishes in the Treasury the Teaching Hospital and Graduate Medical Education Trust Fund for formula payments to teaching hospitals for the direct and indirect costs of operating approved medical residency training programs.  Authorizes appropriations. Provides for certain adjustments in Medicare payments under SSA title XVIII, removing medical education and disproportionate share hospital payments from calculation of adjusted average per capita cost. Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services a National Advisory Council on Postgraduate Medical Education to advise the Secretary on appropriate policies for making postgraduate medical education support payments in order to assure an adequate supply of physicians trained in various specialties, consistent with the health care needs of the United States.",2025-08-21T20:14:54Z,
104-hr-4075,104,hr,4075,Essential Health Facilities Investment Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-12,1996-09-20,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.",House,"Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13]",CA,D,S000810,0,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Essential Access Community Hospital Program      Title II:  Capital Financing Assistance for Safety Net           Providers           Subtitle A:  Amendments of Internal Revenue Code of 1986           Subtitle B:  Capital Financing Assistance for Safety Net                Providers      Title III:  Capital Allocation Plans Essential Health Facilities Investment Act of 1996 - Title I: Essential Access Community Hospital Program - Amends part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to:  (1) revise the Essential Access Community Hospital Program (EACH), extending EACH to all States and authorizing increased appropriations for EACH grants; and (2) establish a program of assistance (PA) for activities related to the formation of State and local community health networks.    (Sec. 103) Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report on EACH and PA effectiveness in increasing medically underserved population health care. Title II:  Capital Financing Assistance for Safety Net Providers - Subtitle A:  Amendments of Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to impose a tax on the hospital gross receipts of any person for the taxable year. Subtitle B:  Capital Financing Assistance for Safety Net Providers - Amends SSA to establish a program to provide capital financing assistance in the form of loan guarantees, interest rate subsidies, matching loans, and direct grants to eligible hospitals and facilities. Creates in the Treasury the related Capital Financing Trust Fund. (Sec. 212) Provides for adjustment of Medicare hospital payments to take into account any capital financing assistance received by the hospital. (Sec. 213) Amends the IRC to grant tax-exempt status to State and local bonds guaranteed by the Fund. Title III:  Capital Allocation Plans - Amends SSA title XVIII to mandate that each State establish a plan for Federal approval of capital expenditures for certain non-rural health care services in the State in order to receive Medicare reimbursement for capital-related expenses.",2025-08-21T20:15:52Z,
104-s-2067,104,s,2067,A bill to extend certain Medicare community nursing organization demonstration projects.,Health,1996-09-12,1996-09-12,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.,Senate,"Sen. D'Amato, Alfonse [R-NY]",NY,R,D000018,6,Provides for a three-year extension of certain Medicare community nursing organization demonstration projects under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987.,2025-01-14T18:59:41Z,
104-hr-4047,104,hr,4047,Medigap Amendments of 1996,Health,1996-09-11,1996-09-20,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Johnson, Nancy L. [R-CT-6]",CT,R,J000163,42,"Medigap Amendments of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to certification of Medicare supplemental health insurance policies, particularly coverage for pre-existing conditions, providing for additional consumer protections for certain individuals whose enrollment with an eligible organization ceases for one or more specified reasons.  Prohibits a Medicare supplemental policy issuer from denying or conditioning a policy to such an individual, from imposing preexisting condition exclusions, and from discriminating in pricing because of the individual's health, claims experience, or disability in the case of such an individual who has had continuous coverage (with no break longer than 63 days), if the policy in which the individual wishes to enroll has a comparable or less generous benefits package. Revises the prohibition against an insurer's excluding benefits based on a pre-existing condition during the initial six-month enrollment period after an individual first becomes eligible for Medicare.  Extends the six-month initial enrollment period to non-elderly Medicare beneficiaries. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to private, independent, nonprofit consumer organizations and State agencies applying to conduct programs to prepare and make available to Medicare beneficiaries comprehensive and understandable information on enrollment in health plans with a Medicare managed care contract and in Medicare supplemental policies in which they are eligible to enroll.  Requires any eligible organization with a Medicare managed care contract or any issuer of a Medicare supplemental policy to:  (1) conduct a consumer satisfaction survey of the enrollees under such contract or such policy; and (2) make the survey results available to the Secretary and the State Insurance Commissioner of the State in which the enrollees are so enrolled. Requires each organization which provides a Medicare managed care contract or issues a Medicare supplemental policy to pay to the Secretary its pro rata share of the estimated costs to be incurred by the Secretary in providing the grants.  Makes necessary appropriations.",2025-08-21T20:15:33Z,
104-hr-4051,104,hr,4051,To waive temporarily the Medicaid enrollment composition rule for Managed Health Services of Wisconsin.,Health,1996-09-11,1996-09-20,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Kleczka, Gerald D. [D-WI-4]",WI,D,K000259,1,"Waives for contract periods through December 31, 1999, with respect to Managed Health Services of Wisconsin, the requirement under the Social Security Act that Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries under titles XVIII and XIX of that Act constitute less than 75 percent of the membership of a participating health maintenance organization.",2024-02-05T14:30:09Z,
104-hr-4052,104,hr,4052,Health Care Assurance for Retired Employees Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-11,1996-09-27,Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.,House,"Rep. Kleczka, Gerald D. [D-WI-4]",WI,D,K000259,27,"Health Care Assurance for Retired Employees Act of 1996 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, to require advance notice to participants and the Secretary of Labor of material reductions in group health plan covered services.  Prohibits any such change from taking effect until the Secretary determines that it does not violate the plan, including collective bargaining agreements. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require qualified pension plans to provide qualifying persons 55 years of age or older a coverage continuation option until they are eligible for Medicare.  Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide retired workers who lose their retiree health benefits with specified Medicare enrollment and coverage protections.",2026-03-23T12:41:21Z,
104-hr-4058,104,hr,4058,Mental Health Parity Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-11,1996-09-27,Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.,House,"Rep. Roukema, Marge [R-NJ-5]",NJ,R,R000465,22,"Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 - Requires a group health plan that applies an aggregate lifetime (or annual) limit for medical or surgical services, if the plan also provides a mental health benefit, to include mental health payments in that limit or establish a separate aggregate lifetime (or annual) limit for mental health services, with the mental health limit not less than the medical or surgical limit.  Prohibits a group health plan that does not apply a medical or surgical limit from applying a mental health limit.  Exempts employers with fewer than 26 employees.  Makes this Act ineffective after September 30, 2001.  Exempts a purchaser from this Act if the Act's provisions result in a one percent or greater increase in the cost of a group health plan's premiums.",2026-03-23T12:41:21Z,
104-s-2064,104,s,2064,Breast Cancer Research Extension Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-11,1996-09-11,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.,Senate,"Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]",ME,R,S000663,2,Breast Cancer Research Extension Act of 1996 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for breast cancer research.,2025-08-21T20:16:22Z,
104-hr-4045,104,hr,4045,National Mental Health Parity Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-10,1996-09-20,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.",House,"Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13]",CA,D,S000810,1,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Parity for Treatment of Mental Illness      Title II:  Medicare Mental Health Improvement National Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 - Title I:  Parity for Treatment of Mental Illness - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose on the applicable issuer a tax equal to 25 percent of a health plan's premiums received during the calendar year if the plan imposes limitations or financial requirements on the coverage of benefits provided with respect to any of specified psychiatric conditions (described in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual), while similar limitations or requirements are not imposed on coverage of benefits with respect to other conditions. Provides similar obligations and sanctions with respect to group health plan parity for treatment of mental illness. Title II:  Medicare Mental Health Improvement - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to restructure the mental health benefit, including:  (1) coverage under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) of inpatient hospital services furnished primarily for the diagnosis or treatment of mental illness or substance abuse for up to 60 days during a year, as well as coverage of intensive residential services furnished to an individual for up to 120 days during a year; (2) lower co-payments for certain out-patient mental health and substance abuse services; (3) waiver of co-payment for case management services furnished to a seriously mentally ill adult, a seriously emotionally disturbed child, or an adult or child with serious substance abuse disorder; (4) case management services for an unlimited duration for such individuals; (5) provision of items and services furnished under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for the treatment of mental illness or emotional disturbances according to standards established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (6) a new category of intensive community- based services covering, among other services, current partial hospitalization services as well as psychiatric rehabilitation services, in-home services, and day treatment for substance abuse for individuals of any age and for other mental health services for individuals under age 19; (7) mandatory authorization under State law or certification by an appropriate accreditation entity (approved by the State in consultation with the Secretary) for intensive community- based services programs (whether facility-based or freestanding); and (8) supervision of individualized treatment programs by non-physician mental health professionals to the extent permitted under State law.",2025-08-21T20:14:39Z,
104-s-2055,104,s,2055,A bill to waive temporarily the medicare enrollment composition rules for The Wellness Plan.,Health,1996-09-05,1996-09-05,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.,Senate,"Sen. Abraham, Spencer [R-MI]",MI,R,A000355,1,"Waives for contract periods through December 31, 1999, with respect to Comprehensive Health Services, Inc. (doing business as The Wellness Plan), the requirement under the Social Security Act (SSA) that each eligible organization with which the Secretary of Health and Human Services contracts under Medicare have, for the duration of the contract, an enrolled membership at least one-half of which consists of individuals who are not entitled to Medicare or Medicaid benefits under SSA titles XVIII and XIX, respectively.",2025-01-14T18:59:41Z,
104-hr-4022,104,hr,4022,To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reduce the Medicare payment for general overhead costs of transplant centers in acquiring organs for transplant from organ procurement organizations.,Health,1996-09-04,1996-09-04,Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.,House,"Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13]",CA,D,S000810,0,Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to limit Medicare payment of the overhead expenses of transplant centers to those costs directly attributable to acquiring organs from organ procurement organizations.,2024-02-07T16:32:33Z,
104-s-2051,104,s,2051,Pharmacotherapy Development Act of 1996,Health,1996-09-03,1996-09-03,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.,Senate,"Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE]",DE,D,B000444,0,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Development of Drugs for the Treatment of           Addictions to Illegal Drugs      Title II:  Development, Manufacture, and Procurement of Drugs           for the Addiction (sic) of Cocaine and Heroin Addictions Pharmacotherapy Development Act of 1996 - Title I:  Development of Drugs for the Treatment of Addictions to Illegal Drugs - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to add references to drugs for the treatment of addiction to illegal drugs to provisions relating to drugs for rare diseases or conditions, allowing exclusive approval, certification, or licensure, subject to exception.  Requires that the sponsor of such a treatment drug be encouraged to design open protocols. Title II:  Development, Manufacture, and Procurement of Drugs for the Addiction (sic) of Cocaine and Heroin Addictions - Requires that the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences establish criteria for an acceptable drug for the treatment of addiction to cocaine and an acceptable drug for the treatment of addiction to heroin. Allows the patent owner of a drug to treat cocaine or heroin addiction to apply to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to sell the patent rights to, or make an exclusive licensing agreement with, the Secretary.  Sets the purchase amount at $100 million for the cocaine treatment drug and $50 million for the heroin treatment drug.  Directs the Secretary, after the sale or licensing, to develop a manufacturing and distribution plan. Authorizes appropriations.",2025-08-21T20:16:40Z,
104-hr-3958,104,hr,3958,Federal Coverage for Clinical Trials Act of 1996,Health,1996-08-02,1996-09-04,Referred to the Subcommittee on Hospitals and Health Care.,House,"Rep. Johnson, Nancy L. [R-CT-6]",CT,R,J000163,0,"Federal Coverage for Clinical Trials Act of 1996 - Prohibits the Medicare program (title XVIII of the Social Security Act), the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan, the veterans health care program, and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) from denying, limiting, or imposing additional conditions on coverage because of participation in an approved clinical study. Directs the Secretary of Heath and Human Services to make available to the public information about clinical investigations and results obtained from approved clinical studies.",2025-08-21T20:14:30Z,
104-hr-3959,104,hr,3959,Medicare Cancer Clinical Trial Program Coverage Act of 1996,Health,1996-08-02,1996-08-13,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.",House,"Rep. Johnson, Nancy L. [R-CT-6]",CT,R,J000163,1,"Medicare Cancer Clinical Trial Program Coverage Act of 1996 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration project which provides for payment under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act of routine patient care costs for Medicare beneficiaries with cancer who are enrolled in an approved clinical trial program, while still applying the beneficiary cost sharing provisions of such program to project participants. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the impact on Medicare of covering such routine patient care costs if coverage were extended to Medicare beneficiaries with a diagnosis other than cancer.",2025-08-21T20:15:37Z,
104-hr-3991,104,hr,3991,Prescription Drug Benefit Equity Act of 1996,Health,1996-08-02,1996-09-06,Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.,House,"Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-18]",NY,D,L000480,6,Prescription Drug Benefit Equity Act of 1996 - Prohibits a health plan from providing mail-order prescription drug coverage without also providing non-mail-order prescription drug coverage meeting benefit and cost-sharing requirements.  Provides for enforcement.,2026-03-23T12:41:21Z,
104-hr-3992,104,hr,3992,Medicare Commission Act of 1996,Health,1996-08-02,1996-08-13,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.",House,"Rep. McCarthy, Karen [D-MO-5]",MO,D,M000316,21,"Medicare Commission Act of 1996 - Establishes the National Commission on the Long-Term Solvency of the Medicare Program to provide analyses of and recommendations with respect to the current and long-term financial condition of the Medicare trust funds for a report to the President, the Congress, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.  Outlines steps for the development and consideration of legislation with regard to such recommendations that provides for the long-term solvency of the Medicare trust funds.",2025-08-21T20:15:09Z,
104-hr-4008,104,hr,4008,Genetic Information Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Act of 1996,Health,1996-08-02,1996-09-06,Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.,House,"Rep. Solomon, Gerald B. H. [R-NY-22]",NY,R,S000675,0,"Genetic Information Health Insurance Nondiscrimination Act of 1996 - Prohibits health insurance and group health plan discrimination on the basis of genetic information or on the basis of a request for, or receipt of, genetic information or a genetic test.  Regulates the collection and disclosure of genetic information by insurers. Provides for enforcement, including fallback enforcement under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).  Amends ERISA to allow amounts appropriated under the Act to be used to carry out this Act.",2026-03-23T12:41:21Z,
104-hr-4012,104,hr,4012,To waive temporarily the Medicare enrollment composition rules for The Wellness Plan.,Health,1996-08-02,1996-10-02,"House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 4, 1996.",House,"Rep. Upton, Fred [R-MI-6]",MI,R,U000031,4,"Waives for contract periods through December 31, 1999, with respect to Comprehensive Health Services, Inc. (doing business as The Wellness Plan), the requirement under the Social Security Act (SSA) that each eligible organization with which the Secretary of Health and Human Services contracts under Medicare have, for the duration of the contract, an enrolled membership at least one-half of which consists of individuals who are not entitled to Medicare or Medicaid benefits under SSA titles XVIII and XIX, respectively.",2025-04-07T15:26:14Z,
104-s-2024,104,s,2024,A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide a one-stop shopping information service for individuals with serious or life-threatening diseases.,Health,1996-08-02,1996-08-02,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.,Senate,"Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]",ME,R,S000663,2,"Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate, in the National Institutes of Health, a program regarding information on research, treatment, detection, and prevention regarding serious or life-threatening diseases and conditions.  Requires, in carrying out that program, establishment of a data bank of information on clinical trials and treatments.  Authorizes appropriations.",2025-04-21T12:24:17Z,
104-s-2031,104,s,2031,Mental Health Parity Act of 1996,Health,1996-08-02,1996-08-02,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.,Senate,"Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM]",NM,R,D000407,16,"Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 - Requires a group health plan that applies an aggregate lifetime (or annual) limit for medical or surgical services, if the plan also provides a mental health benefit, to include mental health payments in that limit or establish a separate aggregate lifetime (or annual) limit for mental health services, with the mental health limit not less than the medical or surgical limit.  Prohibits a group health plan that does not apply a medical or surgical limit from applying a mental health limit.  Exempts employers with fewer than 26 employees.",2025-08-21T20:14:18Z,
104-s-2034,104,s,2034,Medicare Hospice Benefit Amendments of 1996,Health,1996-08-02,1996-08-02,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.,Senate,"Sen. Breaux, John B. [D-LA]",LA,D,B000780,6,"Medicare Hospice Benefit Amendments of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to hospice care to: (1) restructure the hospice care benefit period; (2) cover ambulance services, diagnostic tests, and anticancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy services; (3) permit contracting with independent physicians or physician groups for hospice care services; (4) allow waiver of certain staffing requirements for hospice care programs in non- urbanized areas; (5) define coverage denial, with respect to the limitation on the liability of beneficiaries and providers, to mean a determination that an individual is not terminally ill; and (6) extend the period for physician certification of an individual's terminal illness.",2025-08-21T20:14:36Z,
104-hr-3937,104,hr,3937,HIV Prevention Act of 1996,Health,1996-08-01,1996-08-12,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Coburn, Tom [R-OK-2]",OK,R,C000560,29,"HIV Prevention Act of 1996 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to add certain requirements relating to prevention of the transmission of the HIV virus which State Medicaid plans must incorporate in order to receive Federal approval. Includes among such requirements:  (1) mandatory confidential reporting of HIV positive results by the health professional or other entity performing HIV tests to the State public health officer; (2) informing of individuals who may have been exposed to HIV by the public health officer of the State; (3) mandatory HIV testing of alleged rapists for which victims and their attorneys are notified of the results; (4) subjection to mandatory HIV testing of prospective patients who are to undergo an invasive medical procedure that would place the health professionals involved at risk of becoming infected with HIV, with the health professionals notified of the results; and (5) notification of individuals who are to undergo an invasive medical procedure by any health professional who is to perform such procedure and knows that he or she has HIV disease. Expresses the sense of the Congress that:  (1) with respect to health professionals with HIV disease who perform invasive medical procedures on patients, the medical profession should develop guidelines to assist them in complying with the requirements of this Act; (2) the States should have in effect laws providing that, in the case of individuals who know they have HIV disease, it is a felony to engage in any behaviors that the individual knows will place others at risk of infection with the disease, regardless of whether the behaviors actually transmit such infection; and (3) strict confidentiality should be maintained in carrying out the requirements added by this Act.",2025-08-21T20:16:14Z,
104-hr-3942,104,hr,3942,To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit the geographic reclassification of hospitals for purposes of disproportionate share hospital payment adjustments under the Medicare program.,Health,1996-08-01,1996-08-01,Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.,House,"Rep. Ney, Robert W. [R-OH-18]",OH,R,N000081,17,Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit the geographic reclassification of hospitals under Medicare for purposes of disproportionate share payment adjustments.,2025-01-02T17:39:17Z,
104-s-2004,104,s,2004,Health Care Quality Improvement Act Amendments of 1996,Health,1996-07-31,1996-07-31,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.,Senate,"Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]",OR,D,W000779,2,"Health Care Quality Improvement Act Amendments of 1996 - Amends the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 to require, in a professional review action (PRA), the granting of a motion for summary judgment that PRA standards have been met unless, considering the evidence in the light most favorable to the opposing party, a reasonable finder of fact could conclude that the presumption that such standards have been met has been rebutted.  Allows appeal as of right to a Federal court of appeals (except the Federal Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit) of any decision on such a motion. (Sec. 3) Requires each person (as well as entity), including a Federal, State, or local government, and any Federal officer and employee, who makes payment in whole or partial settlement of a medical malpractice action or claim, to report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services certain information on the payment and its circumstances.  Applies this reporting requirement to any physician or other licensed health care professional who makes such a payment and whose acts or omissions are the basis for the action or claim.  Waives this requirement for any such physician or other licensed health care professional whose payment is made as a refund of fees for the health service involved, when such payment does not exceed the amount of the original charge for such services. Applies other specified reporting requirements to Federal health facilities and any PRAs taken by them regarding the competence or professional conduct of Federal physicians to the same extent and in the same manner as they apply to health care entities and PRAs. (Sec. 4) Requires each Board of Medical Examiners to report to the Secretary any denials of a physician's license. (Sec. 6) Requires that certain information reported under the Act:  (1) be available (to authorized entities) organized by medical field and specialty; and (2) in some cases, specify whether the action was a class action. (Sec. 7) Imposes on each Board of Medical Examiners the duty to request from the Secretary any information reported on a physician at the time the physician applies for a physician's license, or for continuation of such a license, in the State involved.  Presumes any Board to have knowledge of any such information it fails to request. Requires the Secretary to establish a system for electronically transmitting information to States that elect to install equipment necessary to participate in such system.  Grants the Board of Medical Examiners in a participating State the option, in lieu of requesting information upon a physician's application for license continuation, to transmit annually through the system data identifying all individuals holding a valid physician's license issued by the Board. Requires a Board exercising such an option also, upon receiving from the Secretary a list of physicians who have been the subject of information on incidents giving rise to malpractice actions or claims, to identify promptly and request from the Secretary information on any such physician who has had an incident in another State. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary, on request, to make reported information available to State licensing boards and certain other hospitals and health service organizations, allowing a fee (for that and other permitted disclosure) reasonably related to the Secretary's costs under the Act. Requires the Secretary to publish and make available to the public every three months information, with specified exceptions, from the reports. (Sec. 9) Prohibits any entity from making any payment in whole or partial settlement of a medical malpractice action or claim without the written consent of the physician or other licensed health care practitioner whose acts or omissions are the basis of the action or claim.  Excepts from such prohibition court judgments, alternative dispute resolution processes, and an entity's reasonable belief, after delivering a written notice, that the physician or other licensed health care practitioner concerned does not object to payment.  Sets forth civil money penalties for any entity violating this prohibition. Prohibits a health services organization from terminating the employment of a physician (or a contract with a physician for provision of health services) unless adequate notice and hearing procedures have been afforded the physician involved.  Specifies conditions such an organization must meet to satisfy this requirement. (Sec. 10) Subjects to such Act any unlicensed or unapproved hospital if State or local law allows the hospital to operate without being licensed or otherwise approved.",2025-08-21T20:14:11Z,
104-s-2005,104,s,2005,Patient Communications Protection Act of 1996,Health,1996-07-31,1996-07-31,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.,Senate,"Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]",OR,D,W000779,1,Patient Communications Protection Act of 1996 - Prohibits an entity offering a health plan from prohibiting or restricting any communication by a health care provider with a patient regarding the patient's physical or mental condition or treatment options.  Mandates a civil monetary penalty.  Allows related State requirements only if they are more protective of such communications than the requirements of this Act.,2025-08-21T20:16:51Z,
104-hr-3908,104,hr,3908,Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996,Health,1996-07-26,1996-09-04,Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.,House,"Rep. Fazio, Vic [D-CA-3]",CA,D,F000053,1,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Importation of Methamphetamine and Precursor           Chemicals      Title II:  Provisions to Control the Manufacture of           Methamphetamine      Title III:  Increased Penalties for Trafficking and           Manufacture of Methamphetamine and Precursors      Title IV:  Legal Manufacture, Distribution, and Sale of           Precursor Chemicals      Title V:  Education and Research Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996 - Title I: Importation of Methamphetamine and Precursor Chemicals - Directs the Attorney General to coordinate internal drug enforcement efforts to decrease the movement of methamphetamine and methamphetamine precursors into the United States. (Sec. 102) Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (CSIEA) to:  (1) make specified prohibitions against the possession, manufacture, or distribution for purposes of unlawful importation of a schedule I or II controlled substance applicable to a listed chemical; and (2) set penalties of a fine and ten years' imprisonment for manufacturing, possessing with intent to distribute, or distributing a listed chemical in violation of such prohibitions. Title II:  Provisions to Control the Manufacture of Methamphetamine - Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to:  (1) include chemicals within the scope of provisions regarding penalties for simple possession; and (2) prohibit knowingly or intentionally possessing a list I chemical obtained pursuant to or under authority of a registration that has expired or that has been revoked or suspended or if the registrant has ceased to do business in the manner contemplated by his registration.  Amends the CSA and the Tariff Act of 1930 to permit the seizure and forfeiture of list I chemicals involved in illegal trafficking. (Sec. 202) Directs:  (1) the Attorney General to study and report to the Congress on measures to prevent the diversion of agents used in methamphetamine production; and (2) the United States Sentencing Commission (the Commission) to amend the sentencing guidelines to ensure that the manufacture of methamphetamine in violation of the CSA is treated as a significant violation. (Sec. 203) Amends the CSA to increase penalties for the manufacture and possession of equipment used to make controlled substances. (Sec. 204) Adds iodine and hydrochloric gas to list II chemicals, but excludes iodine from specified requirements for listed chemicals under the CSIEA. (Sec. 205) Prohibits distributing a laboratory supply to a person who uses it to manufacture a controlled substance or a listed chemical in violation of the CSA with reckless disregard for the illegal uses to which such supply will be put.  Sets civil penalties for businesses that violate such provision. (Sec. 206) Amends the CSA to enjoin anyone convicted of specified felony violations relating to the manufacture and exportation of a listed chemical from engaging in a transaction involving a listed chemical for up to ten years.  (Current law covers only ""receipt, distribution, or importation"" of a listed chemical and bars violators from engaging in such a ""regulated"" transaction for that period.) Authorizes the Attorney General to commence a civil action for appropriate declaratory or injunctive relief, subject to specified requirements. (Sec. 207) Authorizes the court, when sentencing a defendant convicted of specified CSA offenses involving the manufacture of methamphetamine, to order restitution and reimbursement by the defendant for costs incurred by the United States for the associated cleanup. (Sec. 208) Modifies the CSA to require each regulated person to keep a record of each regulated transaction involving a listed chemical, a tableting machine, or an encapsulating machine for two years. Title III:  Increased Penalties for Trafficking and Manufacture of Methamphetamine and Precursors - Amends the CSA and the CSIEA to increase penalties for trafficking in methamphetamine and list I chemicals. (Sec. 303) Directs the Commission to determine whether the sentencing guidelines adequately punish specified offenses relating to the handling of hazardous waste and related issues under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and Federal transportation provisions, and, if not, to promulgate or amend existing guidelines to enhance the punishment for a defendant convicted of such offense. Title IV:  Legal Manufacture, Distribution, and Sale of Precursor Chemicals - Amends the CSA to provide for the regulation of pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine, subject to specified limitations. Specifies that any sale of:  (1) ordinary over-the-counter pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine products by retailed distributors shall not be a regulated transaction, with exceptions; and (2) other products containing pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine by retail distributors shall not be a regulated transaction if the distributor's sales are limited to less than the threshold quantity of 24 grams of pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine in each single transaction. Directs the Attorney General to reinstate an exemption with respect to a particular ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine drug product upon determining that such product is manufactured and distributed in a manner that prevents diversion. Authorizes the Attorney General to establish single-transaction limits of 24 grams of pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine base for retail distributors, subject to specified conditions.  Sets penalties for violations. (Sec. 402) Requires each regulated person who engages in a transaction with a non-regulated person which involves ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine (including drug products containing these chemicals) and which uses or attempts to use the Postal Service or any private or commercial carrier, to submit monthly reports of such transactions to the Attorney General. Title V:  Education and Research - Establishes a Methamphetamine Interagency Task Force. (Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a public health monitoring program to monitor methamphetamine abuse in the United States. (Sec. 503) Requires the Attorney General to:  (1) establish an advisory panel consisting of an appropriate number of representatives from Federal, State, and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies with experience in investigating and prosecuting illegal transactions of precursor chemicals; (2) continue specified current efforts; and (3) establish a Suspicious Orders Task Force.",2025-08-21T20:14:04Z,
104-hr-3904,104,hr,3904,Clinical Research Enhancement Act of 1996,Health,1996-07-25,1996-08-09,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-18]",NY,D,L000480,8,"Clinical Research Enhancement Act of 1996 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the President to establish the President's Clinical Research Panel, as part of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), to evaluate the status of the U.S. clinical research environment.  Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Advisory Committee to the Director (of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)) on Clinical Research to report to the Director and to the Panel and to implement recommendations as the Committee determines necessary to remedy NIH clinical research deficiencies.  Terminates the Committee five years after enactment of this Act. Requires the OSTP to review the compositions, functions, and outcomes of study section activities at all Federal agencies as such activities relate to clinical research proposals for investigator-initiated support.  Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director to:  (1) support and expand NIH's clinical research involvement; (2) support and expand available resources; and (3) establish certain peer review mechanisms. Mandates grants for:  (1) the establishment of general clinical research centers to provide the infrastructure for clinical research training and career enhancement; (2) clinical research career enhancement awards; and (3) innovative medical science awards to support individual clinical research projects.  Authorizes appropriations. Increases the maximum aggregate number of contracts that may be made under existing provisions relating to:  (1) undergraduate scholarships regarding professions needed by NIH; and (2) loan repayments regarding clinical researchers (currently, clinical researchers from disadvantaged backgrounds).  Authorizes appropriations for the loan repayment program.  Requires that at least 50 percent of such funds for a fiscal year be used for contracts with qualified health professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds.",2025-08-21T20:14:24Z,
104-hr-3871,104,hr,3871,To waive temporarily the Medicaid enrollment composition rule for certain health maintenance organizations.,Health,1996-07-23,1996-10-09,Became Public Law No: 104-267.,House,"Rep. Towns, Edolphus [D-NY-10]",NY,D,T000326,2,"Waives for contract periods through January 1, 1999, with respect to Catholic Health Services Plan of Brooklyn and Queens, Inc. and Managed Healthcare Systems of New York, Inc., the requirement under the Social Security Act that Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries constitute less than 75 percent of the membership of a participating health maintenance organization.  Provides a similar waiver for contract periods through December 31, 1999, with respect to Health Partners of Philadelphia, Inc.",2025-04-07T15:30:33Z,
104-hr-3881,104,hr,3881,To establish the Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare to make findings and issue recommendations on the future of the Medicare program.,Health,1996-07-23,1996-08-09,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Stearns, Cliff [R-FL-6]",FL,R,S000822,6,Establishes the Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare to make findings and recommendations to the Congress concerning specified aspects of the Medicare program.,2025-01-02T17:39:18Z,
104-hr-3866,104,hr,3866,To waive temporarily the Medicaid enrollment composition rule for certain health maintenance organizations.,Health,1996-07-22,1996-07-24,See H.R.3871.,House,"Rep. Towns, Edolphus [D-NY-10]",NY,D,T000326,2,"Waives for contract periods through December 31, 1999, with respect to Catholic Health Services Plan of Brooklyn and Queens, Inc.  (doing business as Fidelis Health Plan), Managed Healthcare Systems of New York, Inc., and Health Partners of Philadelphia, Inc., the requirement under the Social Security Act that Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries under titles XVIII and XIX of that Act constitute less than 75 percent of the membership of a participating health maintenance organization.",2025-01-02T17:38:54Z,
104-hr-3847,104,hr,3847,Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Consolidation and Reorganization Act of 1996,Health,1996-07-18,1996-07-26,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Barton, Joe [R-TX-6]",TX,R,B000213,0,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Administration      Title II:  Programs and Functions of Administration           Subtitle A:  Transfers from Substance Abuse and Mental                Health Services Administration; Transfer from Other                Agencies           Subtitle B:  Additional Provisions Regarding Prevention                and Treatment of Substance Abuse           Subtitle C:  Funding      Title III:  Advisory Council; Peer Review      Title IV:  Miscellaneous Authorities      Title V:  Disposition of Remaining Programs and Functions of           Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services           Administration      Title VI:  General Provisions Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Consolidation and Reorganization Act of 1996 - Title I:  Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Administration - Establishes as an independent agency in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Administration, to be headed by an Administrator appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Title II:  Programs and Functions of Administration - Subtitle A: Transfers from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; Transfer from Other Agencies - Transfers to the Administration programs and functions:  (1) relating to the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Public Health Service Act substance abuse block grants, or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); (2) under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1994; (3) under specified provisions of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 administered by the HHS' Administration for Children and Families (relating to drug abuse and youth gangs and or runaway and homeless youth); (4) under the Public and Assisted Housing Drug Elimination Act of 1990; and (5) under the Drug-Free Public Housing Act of 1988. Subtitle B:  Additional Provisions Regarding Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse - Mandates a program to coordinate public and nonprofit private entity activities to provide for a nationwide network for substance abuse prevention.  Authorizes grants to assist communities in coordinating substance abuse prevention services. (Sec. 212) Mandates coordination of Administration and Office of National Drug Control Policy activities. Subtitle C:  Funding - Authorizes appropriations for the Administration. Title III:  Advisory Council; Peer Review - Mandates an advisory council and peer review of grants and cooperative agreements. Title IV:  Miscellaneous Authorities - Sets forth miscellaneous authorities of the Secretary of HHS and the Administrator, including regarding facilities (acquiring, constructing, improving, etc.) and the use of personnel, consultants, experts, and volunteers. Title V:  Disposition of Remaining Programs and Functions of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - Transfers to the HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration all functions of SAMHSA not transferred under title II of this Act.  Terminates SAMHSA. Title VI:  General Provisions - Sets forth transitional and savings provisions and makes conforming amendments.",2025-08-21T20:14:41Z,
104-hr-3852,104,hr,3852,Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996,Health,1996-07-18,1996-09-26,Received in the Senate.,House,"Rep. Heineman, Frederick K. (Fred) [R-NC-4]",NC,R,H000452,7,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Importation of Methamphetamine and Precursor           Chemicals      Title II:  Provisions to Control the Manufacture of           Methamphetamine      Title III:  Increased Penalties for Trafficking and           Manufacture of Methamphetamine and Precursors      Title IV:  Legal Manufacture, Distribution, and Sale of           Precursor Chemicals      Title V:  Education and Research Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996 - Title I: Importation of Methamphetamine and Precursor Chemicals - Directs the Attorney General to coordinate internal drug enforcement efforts to decrease the movement of methamphetamine and methamphetamine precursors into the United States. (Sec. 102) Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (CSIEA) to:  (1) make specified prohibitions against the possession, manufacture, or distribution for purposes of unlawful importation of a schedule I or II controlled substance applicable to a listed chemical; and (2) set penalties of a fine and ten years' imprisonment for manufacturing, possessing with intent to distribute, or distributing a listed chemical in violation of such prohibitions. Title II:  Provisions to Control the Manufacture of Methamphetamine - Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to:  (1) include chemicals within the scope of provisions regarding penalties for simple possession; and (2) prohibit knowingly or intentionally possessing a list I chemical obtained pursuant to or under authority of a registration that has expired or that has been revoked or suspended or if the registrant has ceased to do business in the manner contemplated by such registration.  Amends the CSA and the Tariff Act of 1930 to permit the seizure and forfeiture of list I chemicals involved in illegal trafficking. (Sec. 202) Directs:  (1) the Attorney General to study and report to the Congress on measures to prevent the diversion of agents used in methamphetamine production; and (2) the United States Sentencing Commission (the Commission) to amend the sentencing guidelines to ensure that the manufacture of methamphetamine in violation of the CSA is adequately punished. (Sec. 203) Amends the CSA to increase penalties for the manufacture and possession of equipment used to make controlled substances. (Sec. 204) Adds iodine and hydrochloric gas to list II chemicals, but excludes iodine from specified requirements for listed chemicals under the CSIEA. (Sec. 205) Prohibits distributing a laboratory supply to a person who uses it to manufacture a controlled substance or a listed chemical in violation of the CSA with reckless disregard for the illegal uses to which such supply will be put.  Sets civil penalties for businesses that violate such provision. (Sec. 206) Amends the CSA to enjoin anyone convicted of specified felony violations relating to the manufacture and exportation of a listed chemical from engaging in a transaction involving a listed chemical for up to ten years.  (Current law covers only ""receipt, distribution, or importation"" of a listed chemical and bars violators from engaging in such a ""regulated"" transaction for that period.) Authorizes the Attorney General to commence a civil action for appropriate declaratory or injunctive relief, subject to specified requirements. (Sec. 207) Authorizes the court, when sentencing a defendant convicted of specified CSA offenses involving the manufacture of methamphetamine, to order restitution and reimbursement by the defendant for costs incurred by the United States for the associated cleanup. (Sec. 208) Modifies the CSA to require each regulated person to keep a record of each regulated transaction involving a listed chemical, a tableting machine, or an encapsulating machine for two years. (Sec. 210) Declares to be null and void the final rule concerning removal of the exemption for certain pseudoephedrine products marketed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act published in the Federal Register on August 7, 1996. Title III:  Increased Penalties for Trafficking and Manufacture of Methamphetamine and Precursors - Amends the CSA and the CSIEA to increase penalties for trafficking in methamphetamine and list I chemicals. (Sec. 303) Directs the Commission to determine whether the sentencing guidelines adequately punish specified offenses relating to the handling of hazardous waste and related issues under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and Federal transportation provisions, and, if not, to promulgate or amend existing guidelines to enhance the punishment for a defendant convicted of such offense. Title IV:  Legal Manufacture, Distribution, and Sale of Precursor Chemicals - Amends the CSA to provide for the regulation of pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine, subject to specified limitations. Specifies that any sale of:  (1) ordinary over-the-counter pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, or combination ephedrine products by retail distributors shall not be a regulated transaction, with exceptions; and (2) other products containing such products by retail distributors shall not be a regulated transaction if the distributor's sales are limited to less than the threshold quantity of 24 grams of pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, or ephedrine in a single transaction. Directs the Attorney General to reinstate an exemption with respect to a particular ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine drug product upon determining that such product is manufactured and distributed in a manner that prevents diversion, subject to specified requirements. Authorizes the Attorney General to establish single-transaction limits of 24 grams of pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, and ephedrine base for retail distributors, subject to specified conditions.  Sets penalties for violations. (Sec. 402) Requires each regulated person who engages in a transaction with a non-regulated person which involves ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine (including drug products containing these chemicals) and which uses or attempts to use the Postal Service or any private or commercial carrier, to submit monthly reports of such transactions to the Attorney General. Title V:  Education and Research - Establishes a Methamphetamine Interagency Task Force. (Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a public health monitoring program to monitor methamphetamine abuse in the United States. (Sec. 503) Requires the Attorney General to:  (1) establish an advisory panel consisting of an appropriate number of representatives from Federal, State, and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies with experience in investigating and prosecuting illegal transactions of precursor chemicals; (2) continue specified current efforts; and (3) establish a Suspicious Orders Task Force.",2025-04-07T15:23:03Z,
104-hr-3856,104,hr,3856,To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for prospective payment under the Medicare program for inpatient services of rehabilitation hospitals and units based on discharges classified by functional-related groups.,Health,1996-07-18,1996-07-18,Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.,House,"Rep. LoBiondo, Frank A. [R-NJ-2]",NJ,R,L000554,8,Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for prospective payment under Medicare for inpatient rehabilitation hospital services and units based on discharges classified by functional-related groups.,2025-01-02T17:39:02Z,
104-hr-3859,104,hr,3859,To amend section 1848 of the Social Security Act to extend for 1 year the treatment of certain practice relative value units under the Medicare payment system for physicians' services.,Health,1996-07-18,1996-08-09,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Whitfield, Ed [R-KY-1]",KY,R,W000413,1,Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for a one-year extension of the treatment of certain practice relative value units under the Medicare payment system for physicians' services.,2025-01-02T17:39:02Z,
104-s-1963,104,s,1963,Medicare Cancer Clinical Trial Coverage Act of 1996,Health,1996-07-17,1996-07-17,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.,Senate,"Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]",WV,D,R000361,15,"Medicare Cancer Clinical Trial Coverage Act of 1996 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration project which provides for payment under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act of routine patient care costs for Medicare beneficiaries with cancer who are enrolled in an approved clinical trial program, while still applying the beneficiary cost sharing provisions of such program to project participants. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the impact on Medicare of covering such routine patient care costs if coverage were extended to Medicare beneficiaries with a diagnosis other than cancer.",2025-08-21T20:14:04Z,
104-s-1964,104,s,1964,Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 1996,Health,1996-07-17,1996-07-17,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.,Senate,"Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]",NM,D,B000468,4,Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services of registered dieticians and nutrition professionals.,2025-08-21T20:15:38Z,
104-s-1965,104,s,1965,Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996,Health,1996-07-17,1996-10-03,Became Public Law No: 104-237.,Senate,"Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]",UT,R,H000338,17,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Importation of Methamphetamine and Precursor           Chemicals      Title II:  Provisions to Control the Manufacture of           Methamphetamine      Title III:  Increased Penalties for Trafficking and           Manufacture of Methamphetamine and Precursors      Title IV:  Legal Manufacture, Distribution, and Sale of           Precursor Chemicals      Title V:  Education and Research Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996 - Title I: Importation of Methamphetamine and Precursor Chemicals - Directs the Attorney General to coordinate international drug enforcement efforts to decrease the movement of methamphetamine and methamphetamine precursors into the United States. (Sec. 102) Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (CSIEA) to:  (1) make specified prohibitions against the possession, manufacture, or distribution for purposes of unlawful importation of a schedule I or II controlled substance applicable to a listed chemical; and (2) set penalties of a fine and ten years' imprisonment for manufacturing, possessing with intent to distribute, or distributing a listed chemical in violation of such prohibitions. Title II:  Provisions to Control the Manufacture of Methamphetamine - Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to:  (1) include chemicals within the scope of provisions regarding penalties for simple possession; and (2) prohibit knowingly or intentionally possessing a list I chemical obtained pursuant to or under authority of a registration that has expired or that has been revoked or suspended or if the registrant has ceased to do business in the manner contemplated by his registration.  Amends the CSA and the Tariff Act of 1930 to permit the seizure and forfeiture of list I chemicals involved in illegal trafficking. (Sec. 202) Directs:  (1) the Attorney General to study and report to the Congress on measures to prevent the diversion of agents used in methamphetamine production; and (2) the United States Sentencing Commission (the Commission) to amend the sentencing guidelines to ensure that the manufacture of methamphetamine in violation of the CSA is treated as a significant violation. (Sec. 203) Amends the CSA to increase penalties for the manufacture and possession of equipment used to make controlled substances. (Sec. 204) Adds iodine and hydrochloric gas to list II chemicals, but excludes iodine from specified requirements for listed chemicals under the CSIEA. (Sec. 205) Prohibits distributing a laboratory supply to a person who uses it to manufacture a controlled substance or a listed chemical in violation of the CSA with reckless disregard for the illegal uses to which such supply will be put. Creates a rebuttable presumption of reckless disregard if:  (1) the Attorney General notifies a firm in writing that a laboratory supply sold by the firm or any other person or firm has been used by a customer of the notified firm, or distributed further by that customer, for the unlawful production of controlled substances or listed chemicals a firm distributes; and (2) two weeks or more after the notification the notified firm distributes a laboratory supply to the customer.  Sets civil penalties for businesses that violate such provision. (Sec. 206) Amends the CSA to enjoin anyone convicted of specified felony violations relating to the manufacture and exportation of a listed chemical from engaging in a transaction involving a listed chemical for up to ten years.  (Current law covers only ""receipt, distribution, or importation"" of a listed chemical and bars violators from engaging in such a ""regulated"" transaction for that period.) Authorizes the Attorney General to commence a civil action for appropriate declaratory or injunctive relief, subject to specified requirements. (Sec. 207) Authorizes the court, when sentencing a defendant convicted of specified CSA offenses involving the manufacture of methamphetamine, to order restitution and reimbursement by the defendant for costs incurred by the United States for the associated cleanup. (Sec. 208) Modifies the CSA to require each regulated person to keep a record of each regulated transaction involving a listed chemical, a tableting machine, or an encapsulating machine for two years. (Sec. 210) Makes ineffective the final rule concerning removal of exemption for certain pseudoephedrine products marketed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, published in the Federal Register of August 7, 1996. Title III:  Increased Penalties for Trafficking and Manufacture of Methamphetamine and Precursors - Directs the Commission to:  (1) review and amend its guidelines and policy statements to provide for increased penalties for unlawful manufacturing, importing, exporting, and trafficking of methamphetamine and other similar offenses; and (2) submit to the Congress explanations therefor and any additional policy recommendations for combating methamphetamine offenses. (Sec. 302) Amends the CSA and the CSIEA to increase penalties for trafficking in methamphetamine and list I chemicals.  Directs the Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines to increase by at least two levels the offense level for offenses involving list I chemicals under specified CSA and CSIEA provisions, ensuring that such levels are calculated proportionally based on the quantity of controlled substance that reasonably could have been manufactured in a clandestine setting using the quantity of the list I chemical possessed, distributed, imported, or exported. (Sec. 303) Directs the Commission to determine whether the sentencing guidelines adequately punish specified offenses relating to the handling of hazardous waste and related issues under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and Federal transportation provisions, and, if not, to promulgate or amend existing guidelines to enhance the punishment for a defendant convicted of such offense. Title IV:  Legal Manufacture, Distribution, and Sale of Precursor Chemicals - Amends the CSA to provide for the regulation of pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine, subject to specified limitations. Specifies that any sale of:  (1) ordinary over-the-counter pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine products by retailed distributors shall not be a regulated transaction, with exceptions; and (2) other products containing pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine by retail distributors shall not be a regulated transaction if the distributor's sales are limited to less than the threshold quantity of 24 grams of pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine in each single transaction.  Modifies the definition of ""retail distributor"" to mean a grocery, general merchandise, drug store, or other entity or person whose activities as a distributor relating to pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine products are limited almost exclusively to sales for personal use, both in number and volume of sales, either directly to walk-in customers or in face-to-face transactions by direct sales. Directs the Attorney General to reinstate an exemption with respect to a particular ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine drug product upon determining that such product is manufactured and distributed in a manner that prevents diversion. Authorizes the Attorney General to establish single-transaction limits of 24 grams of pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine base for retail distributors, subject to specified conditions.  Sets penalties for violations. Sets forth provisions regarding:  (1) isolated or infrequent use, or use in insubstantial quantities, of ordinary over-the counter pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine sold at the retail level for the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine or amphetamine; and (2) combination ephedrine products.  Directs the Attorney General to report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees regarding the factual basis for establishing any new single transaction limits. (Sec. 402) Requires each regulated person who engages in a transaction with a non-regulated person which involves ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine (including drug products containing these chemicals) and which uses or attempts to use the Postal Service or any private or commercial carrier, to submit monthly reports of such transactions to the Attorney General. Title V:  Education and Research - Establishes a Methamphetamine Interagency Task Force. (Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a public health monitoring program to monitor methamphetamine abuse in the United States. (Sec. 503) Requires the Attorney General to:  (1) establish an advisory panel consisting of an appropriate number of representatives from Federal, State, and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies with experience in investigating and prosecuting illegal transactions of precursor chemicals; (2) continue specified current efforts; and (3) establish a Suspicious Orders Task Force.",2025-04-07T15:23:04Z,
104-s-1955,104,s,1955,National Center for Pain Research Act of 1996,Health,1996-07-16,1996-07-16,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.,Senate,"Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]",UT,R,H000338,8,"National Center for Pain Research Act of 1996 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish, in the National Institutes of Health, the National Center for Pain Research.  Makes the National Pain Research Center Advisory Board the advisory council for the Center. Mandates establishment of not less than six regional pain research centers.  Authorizes appropriations.",2025-08-21T20:14:07Z,
104-hr-3787,104,hr,3787,Healthy Start Act of 1996,Health,1996-07-11,1996-07-19,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.",House,"Rep. Gibbons, Sam [D-FL-11]",FL,D,G000153,10,"Healthy Start Act of 1996 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXI (Healthy Start), incorporating certain current SSA title XI peer review and fraud and abuse provisions.  Establishes an entitlement program of health insurance for eligible children under age 13 and mothers-to-be who are not covered under a qualified health plan.  Outlines the scope of benefits for such individuals, which generally consist of the same benefits that are available under SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to individuals entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance), including well child services and pre- and post-natal care provided to such children and women, respectively, without the application of deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments.  Entitles to benefits as both a child and a pregnant woman any individual entitled to program benefits as either the one or the other.  Creates in the Treasury the Children Health Insurance Trust Fund.  Makes necessary appropriations to it out of the premium tax imposed by this Act for use in financing the Healthy Start program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose:  (1) a premium tax on certain individuals covered by the Healthy Start program, with exceptions for certain low-income families, in order to cover uninsured children and mothers-to-be; and (2) certain reporting requirements with regard to qualified health plans (and certain penalties to enforce them).",2025-08-21T20:16:33Z,
104-hr-3791,104,hr,3791,HHS Women Scientist Employment Opportunity Act,Health,1996-07-11,1996-07-26,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [D-NY-28]",NY,D,S000480,0,HHS Women Scientist Employment Opportunity Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to:  (1) establish policies for the Department of Health and Human Services on matters relating to the employment of women scientists; and (2) monitor compliance and take appropriate action if policies have been violated.  Mandates implementation of the recommendations of the Task Force on the Status of NIH (National Institutes of Health) Intramural Women Scientists. Provides for a study and report on pay equity.  Authorizes appropriations.,2025-08-21T20:15:37Z,
104-hr-3796,104,hr,3796,Women's Health and Dioxin Act of 1996,Health,1996-07-11,1996-07-19,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-14]",NY,D,M000087,17,"Women's Health and Dioxin Act of 1996 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate research on the extent to which dioxin in tampons poses any health risks to women, including risks regarding cervical cancer.",2025-08-21T20:16:01Z,
104-s-1944,104,s,1944,Harold Hughes Commission on Alcoholism Act,Health,1996-07-11,1996-07-11,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.,Senate,"Sen. Hatfield, Mark O. [R-OR]",OR,R,H000343,6,"Harold Hughes Commission on Alcoholism Act - Establishes the Harold Hughes Commission on Alcoholism to study:  (1) existing Federal agencies and programs related to alcoholism; (2) public education, both directly by governmental agencies and by governmental agencies working with private sector groups; (3) physician instruction; (4) unmet research needs; and (5) treatment effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Authorizes appropriations.",2025-08-21T20:15:23Z,
104-hr-3779,104,hr,3779,Tobacco Medicaid Recovery Act of 1996,Health,1996-07-10,1996-07-16,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Oberstar, James L. [D-MN-8]",MN,D,O000006,16,Tobacco Medicaid Recovery Act of 1996 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to reward States that recover by lawsuit from manufacturers of tobacco products Federal and State health care costs incurred under Medicaid for the treatment of individuals with diseases attributable to the use of tobacco products.  Provides for:  (1) attributing a portion of such recovered costs to the non-Federal share of expenditures under the Medicaid programs of such States; and (2) paying another portion to the National Institutes of Health for disease research.,2025-08-21T20:15:45Z,
104-hr-3757,104,hr,3757,Safe Medications for the Elderly Act,Health,1996-07-08,1996-07-16,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6]",NJ,D,P000034,19,Safe Medications for the Elderly Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to:  (1) provide for Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) coverage of certain pharmaceutical care services; and (2) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a relative value scale and fee schedules for the payment of such services.,2025-08-21T20:15:52Z,
104-s-1926,104,s,1926,Emergency Medicare Protection Act of 1996,Health,1996-06-28,1996-06-28,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.,Senate,"Sen. Cochran, Thad [R-MS]",MS,R,C000567,1,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Medicare Savings           Subtitle A:  Provisions Relating to Part A           Subtitle B:  Provisions Relating to Part B           Subtitle C:  Provisions Relating to Parts A and B           Subtitle D:  Medicare Part B Premium      Title II:  Expanded Medicare Choice      Title III:  National Commission on Medicare Reform Emergency Medicare Protection Act of 1996 - Title I:  Medicare Savings - Subtitle A:  Provisions Relating to Part A - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) part A of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise requirements for the Hospital Insurance program under it in order to achieve Medicare savings through measures involving, among other things:  (1) adjustments for estimated case mix increase when recalibrating diagnosis-related group (DRG) prospective payment system (PPS) rates for inpatient hospital services; (2) temporary additional reduction in PPS capital and hospital-specific rates; (3) reduction in adjustment for indirect medical education (IME); (4) revisions in determination of amount of payment for medical education; (5) elimination of disproportionate share (DSH) adjustments and IME payments attributable to outlier payments; (6) changes in the treatment of certain transfer cases; (7) incentive payments for PPS-exempt hospitals; (8) reductions to capital payments for PPS-exempt hospitals; (9) updates to per diem cost limits effective for FY 1996 for skilled nursing facilities based on limits for FY 1993, with payment for such facilities made on an interim prospective basis until FY 1998 when a full prospective payment system is to be implemented; (10) salary equivalency guidelines for various specified therapy services; (11) additional payments to hospitals for graduate medical education programs and managed care enrollees; (12) expanding the choice of base years and eliminating the volume adjustment with regard to sole community hospitals; (13) expanding the essential access community hospital (EACH) program (renamed the rural primary care hospital program) to all States with an end to new EACH designations, a limitation on length of inpatient stays, and certain payment-related changes, among other modifications; (14) permanent grandfathering of rural referral center status; and (15) Medicare-dependent, small, rural hospital payment extension. (Sec. 11104) Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the National Commission on Medical Education and Workforce Priorities to develop and recommend to the HHS Secretary specific policies concerning health centers and the health care workforce.  Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 11118) Amends title XVII (Health Information and Health Promotion) of the Public Health Service Act to direct the HHS Secretary to establish a grant program for promoting the development of rural telemedicine networks under a newly added part B (Telemedicine Development).  Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 11119) Amends title III (General Powers and Duties of Public Health Service) of the Public Health Service Act to provide for a Rural Health Outreach Grant Program under a newly added part O (Rural Health Outreach Grants).  Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B:  Provisions Relating to Part B - Revises requirements for Medicare's Supplementary Medical Insurance program under SSA title XVIII part B to achieve Medicare savings and provide for coverage of additional benefits through such measures involving, among other things:  (1) new updates for physician services; (2) incentives to control high volume for in-hospital physicians' services; (3) reduced payment increases for ambulatory surgical center services for FY 1997 through 2002; (4) reductions in monthly payment amounts for oxygen and oxygen equipment; (5) freezes in the updates for durable medical equipment and orthotics and prosthetics for 1997 through 2002; (6) elimination of formula-driven overpayments for certain outpatient hospital services; (7) reduction in payments for capital-related costs, and for certain other costs, with regard to hospital outpatient services; (8) provision for a prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services; and (9) program coverage of colorectal screening and of annual screening mammography for women over age 49. (Sec. 11130) Waives cost-sharing for mammography. (Sec. 11133) Establishes set payment amounts for certain vaccines and ties annual increases in them to increases in the yearly update for physicians' services for the particular year involved.  Eliminates coinsurance and deductible for hepatitis B vaccine. (Sec. 11134) Provides program coverage of diabetes outpatient self-management training services. Includes as covered durable medical equipment blood glucose monitors for individuals with diabetes. (Sec. 11135) Provides limited program coverage of respite services (the temporary care provided to individuals for the purpose of ensuring periodic time-off for co-resident primary informal caregivers). (Sec. 11136) Revises payments to physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists. Subtitle C:  Provisions Relating to Parts A and B - Directs the HHS Secretary to use a competitive process to contract with centers of excellence for coronary artery bypass surgery or other heart procedures, knee surgery, hip surgery, and other appropriate services, with payment for such services on the basis of specified negotiated or all-inclusive rates.  Requires the amount of payment made by the HHS Secretary to the center for covered services to be less than the aggregate amount of payments that would have otherwise been made to it had not such process been in effect. (Sec. 11142) Restructures payment policy for home health services, among other things:  (1) temporarily basing updates to per visit cost limits on pre-July 1, 1994 levels; (2) providing interim reduced cost limits for FY 1997 through 1999; (3) directing the HHS Secretary, for cost reporting periods beginning on or after FY 2000, to provide for payments for home health services in accordance with a PPS which pays home health agencies on a per episode basis; (4) basing payment on the location where the home health service is furnished; and (5) elimination of periodic interim payments for home health agencies. (Sec. 11147) Provides for permanent extension of certain secondary payer provisions under Medicare, including those for the working disabled. Subtitle D:  Medicare Part B Premium - Modifies Medicare part B premium provisions, directing the HHS Secretary, during each September, to determine and promulgate a monthly premium rate for the succeeding calendar year equal to 50 percent of the monthly actuarial rate for enrollees age 65 and over for that succeeding calendar year. Title II:  Expanded Medicare Choice - Gives Medicare a managed care component under a new part C (Managed Care Organizations) under which every individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A and enrolled under Medicare part B (or enrolled under part B only) shall be eligible to enroll with any eligible organization contracting with the HHS Secretary to serve the geographic area in which the individual resides.  Extends to such individuals a broader choice of managed care coverage through qualified health maintenance organizations, competitive medical plans, preferred provider organizations, or provider sponsored organizations.  Delineates the types of benefits offered by each managed care organization or plan, requiring certain minimum services, with supplemental benefits subject to the Secretary's approval and provided at the enrollees' option.  Outlines other program particulars regarding internal quality assurance, payment for services, and sanctions for noncompliance with program requirements. (Sec. 11203) Directs the HHS Secretary to develop and promulgate interim final regulations for:  (1) certification standards for eligible organizations; (2) standards for fiscal soundness and requirements against the risk of insolvency for provider sponsored organizations seeking certification as an eligible organization; (3) standards for monitoring eligible organizations under a risk or partial risk contract under this new part; and (4) any other standards or procedures required to implement provisions of part C. (Sec. 11204) Provides for the applicability of Medicare rates to enrollees who use an out-of-plan service provider. (Sec. 11205) Directs the HHS Secretary to provide for regulations requiring the collection, analysis, and reporting of data that will permit measurement of outcomes and other indices of the quality of managed care plans under contract with the Secretary. (Sec. 11206) Allows the HHS Secretary to waive certain HMO- and competitive medical plan (CMP)-related requirements under Medicare with regard to certain described experiments and demonstration projects under provisions for economy while maintaining or improving quality in health services (competitive pricing demonstrations). (Sec. 11207) Eliminates the health care prepayment plan option for entities eligible to participate under Medicare part C. (Sec. 11208) Provides various specified changes under the Medicare supplemental policy program, including uniform enrollment periods and community-rated premiums. (Sec. 11209) Directs the HHS Secretary to develop a standard package of benefits (in addition to those already covered under Medicare) that may be offered by eligible organizations under Medicare part C. Requires the HHS Secretary to request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to examine the standard benefit packages for Medicare supplemental health insurance policies and recommend any restructuring needed in order to facilitate to the maximum extent feasible comparison across such policies and benefits offered by eligible organizations.  Requires the HHS Secretary, after taking into account any such recommendations, to restructure such packages as needed. (Sec. 11210) Provides that in any action under the antitrust laws the conduct of an organization that provides health care services in negotiating, making, or performing a contract under Medicare part C, and the conduct of any member of such an organization in carrying out such a contract, shall not be deemed illegal per se if each member of the organization shares, directly or indirectly, substantial financial risk in connection with the organization's operations. (Sec. 11211) Revises the Public Health Service Act with regard to certain requirements for certificates and laboratory inspections. (Sec. 11212) Modifies the exceptions under Medicare's limitation on certain physician referrals to both ownership and compensation arrangement prohibitions, among other changes repealing the exception for physicians' services and adding a new exception for shared facility services. Title III:  National Commission on Medicare Reform - Establishes the National Commission on Medicare Reform to:  (1) review relevant analyses of the current and long-term financial condition of the Medicare trust funds; (2) identify problems that may threaten the long-term solvency of such funds; (3) analyze potential solutions to such problems that will both assure the financial integrity of the Medicare program and the provision of appropriate benefits under it; (4) provide appropriate recommendations to the HHS Secretary, the President, and the Congress; and (5) develop a legislative proposal to carry them out for submission to the Congress.  Outlines the procedures for the Congress to consider such recommendations. Authorizes appropriations.",2025-08-21T20:15:08Z,
104-hr-3751,104,hr,3751,Managed Care Bill of Rights for Consumers Act of 1996,Health,1996-06-27,1996-07-10,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-12]",NY,D,V000081,7,"Managed Care Bill of Rights for Consumers Act of 1996 - Establishes certain requirements for managed care plans, including:  (1) coverage for services furnished by a specialist not contracted with a managed care plan; (2) continued services of a specialist without pre-authorization; (3) assurance of equitable coverage with respect to emergency services; (4) availability on a continuous basis of translation bilingual resources in areas where enrollees speak English as a second language; (5) prohibition for payment of financial bonuses to physicians who reduce or limit medically necessary services; (6) submission of a plan outlining a proposal for service to a medically underserved population in an area a plan is seeking to provide services; (7) certification that a plan in an area provides a minimum number of doctors; (8) disclosure of information on certain financial arrangements; (9) geographical accessibility of items and services covered under the plan; and (10) right of an enrollee to seek care from an out of network provider. Establishes a civil money penalty.  Applies provisions of the Social Security Act to civil money penalties in the same manner as they apply under such Act.",2025-08-21T20:14:59Z,
104-hr-3753,104,hr,3753,Rural Health Improvement Act of 1996,Health,1996-06-27,1996-07-16,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Gunderson, Steve [R-WI-3]",WI,R,G000524,59,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Equalization of Medicare Reimbursement Rates to           Health Maintenance Organizations and Competitive Medical                Plans      Title II:  Grants to Encourage Establishment of Community           Rural Health Networks      Title III:  Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospitals and Rural           Emergency Access Care Hospitals           Subtitle A:  Rural Primary Care Hospital Program           Subtitle B:  Rural Emergency Access Care Hospitals      Title IV:  Incentives for Health Professionals to Practice in           Rural Areas           Subtitle A:  National Health Service Corps           Subtitle B:  Primary Care Services Furnished in Shortage                Areas      Title V:  Classification of Rural Referral Centers      Title VI:  Promotion of Health Centers in Rural Regions      Title VII:  Medicare Payment Methodologies      Title VIII:  Antitrust      Title IX:  Financing Rural Health Improvement Act of 1996 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that this Act reflects the dedication of the late U.S. Representative Bill Emerson to ensuring health care access for all rural Americans. Title I:  Equalization of Medicare Reimbursement Rates to Health Maintenance Organizations and Competitive Medical Plans - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise provisions for payments to health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and competitive medical plans (CMPs) for the stated purpose of equalizing Medicare reimbursement rates to HMOs and CMPs. Title II:  Grants to Encourage Establishment of Community Rural Health Networks - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants over a three year period to eligible States for development of plans to increase access to health care services for residents of areas in the State that are designated as chronically underserved.  Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 202) Directs the HHS Secretary to make funds available to provide technical assistance and advice for certain entities seeking to establish or enhance a community rural health network in an underserved rural area.  Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 203) Directs the HHS Secretary to provide financial assistance (development grants) to eligible entities for the development and implementation of community rural health networks, giving priority to eligible entities in States with developed plans to increase the access of residents of chronically underserved areas to health care services.  Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 205) Ends Federal financing for the grant program for rural health transition under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 and a certain program for rural outreach grants. Title III:  Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospitals and Rural Emergency Access Care Hospitals - Subtitle A:  Rural Primary Care Hospital Program - Replaces the Essential Access Community Hospital Program (EACH) under Medicare with the Medicare Rural Primary Care Hospital Program, while continuing payment to designated EACHs.  Bases payment for inpatient and outpatient rural primary care hospital services on the reasonable costs of the hospital in providing such services.  Lengthens from 72 to 96 hours the maximum period of permitted inpatient stay at a rural primary care hospital. Subtitle B:  Rural Emergency Access Care Hospitals - Provides for a new Medicare Rural Emergency Access Care Hospital program, detailing coverage and payment for services. Title IV:  Incentives for Health Professionals to Practice in Rural Areas - Subtitle A:  National Health Service Corps - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude qualified National Health Service Corps scholarship payments and loan repayments from gross income. (Sec. 402) Requires the HHS Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the allocation of Corps members among shortage areas. (Sec. 403) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to give special priority to applications by community rural health networks for the assignment of Corps personnel for providing health services in or to a health professional shortage area. Subtitle B:  Primary Care Services Furnished in Shortage Areas - Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for an increase in the amount of additional Medicare payments for primary care services (currently, physicians' services) furnished in rural shortage areas, and for services that are furnished by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse midwife that would be physicians' services if furnished by a physician.  Extends such payment for former shortage areas. Requires carriers to report on services provided. Title V:  Classification of Rural Referral Centers - Amends SSA title XVIII to prohibit denial of a rural referral center's request for reclassification on the basis of comparability of wages.  Provides for the continuing treatment of previously designated rural referral centers. Title VI:  Promotion of Health Centers in Rural Regions - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the HHS Secretary, in making grants in rural areas for new or expanded services for each fiscal year, to give priority to projects that would be located in a State, or county or region of a State, that is not already serviced by an existing community health center.  Requires also the Secretary to give special consideration to projects which have entered into a collaborative agreement with a community hospital meeting certain requirements. Title VII:  Medicare Payment Methodologies - Directs the HHS Secretary to establish a methodology for making payments under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for telemedicine services furnished on an emergency basis to rural residents. Title VIII:  Antitrust - Expresses the sense of the Congress that:  (1) the Federal Trade Commission, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, give special consideration to antitrust guidelines affecting physician and hospital networks located in rural areas during its ongoing review of such guidelines; and (2) the completion of the Commission's review be expedited to provide relief and clarification to physicians and hospitals working to develop alternative means of providing accessible, affordable, and quality health care services to all Americans, especially those living and working in rural areas. Title IX:  Financing - Revises Medicare secondary payer requirements.  Makes permanent the requirements for:  (1) employer responses to fiscal intermediary or carrier inquiries about the coverage of an employee or employee's spouse under a group health plan of the employer; and (2) the prohibition against a large group health plan's taking into account that the employee or a dependent of the employee is entitled to Medicare or end stage renal disease benefits.",2025-08-21T20:16:34Z,
104-s-1910,104,s,1910,Women's Cardiovascular Diseases Research and Prevention Act,Health,1996-06-27,1996-06-27,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.,Senate,"Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]",CA,D,B000711,0,"Women's Cardiovascular Diseases Research and Prevention Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate expansion, intensification, and coordination of research and related activities of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute with regard to cardiovascular diseases in women.  Authorizes appropriations.",2025-08-21T20:17:00Z,
104-hr-3714,104,hr,3714,Medicare Hospice Benefit Amendments of 1996,Health,1996-06-25,1996-07-10,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.",House,"Rep. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD-3]",MD,D,C000141,79,"Medicare Hospice Benefit Amendments of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to hospice care to:  (1) restructure the hospice care benefit period; (2) cover ambulance services, diagnostic tests, and anticancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy services; (3) permit contracting with independent physicians or physician groups for hospice care services; (4) allow waiver of certain staffing requirements for hospice care programs in non-urbanized areas; (5) define coverage denial, with respect to the limitation on the liability of beneficiaries and providers, to mean a determination that an individual is not terminally ill; and (6) extend the period for physician certification of an individual's terminal illness.",2025-08-21T20:16:03Z,
104-hr-3715,104,hr,3715,LAM Disease Research Act of 1996,Health,1996-06-25,1996-07-10,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1]",OH,R,C000266,26,"LAM Disease Research Act of 1996 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that the National Heart, Blood Vessel, Lung, and Blood Diseases and Blood Resources Program conduct or support research on lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM).  Authorizes appropriations.",2025-08-21T20:14:02Z,
104-s-1898,104,s,1898,Genetic Confidentiality and Nondiscrimination Act of 1996,Health,1996-06-24,1996-06-24,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.,Senate,"Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM]",NM,R,D000407,5,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Collection, Storage, and Analysis of DNA Samples      Title II:  Disclosure of Genetic information      Title III:  Discrimination Prohibited      Title IV:  Exceptions for Identification and Court-Ordered           Genetic Analysis      Title V:  Research Activities      Title VI:  Minors      Title VII:  Miscellaneous Provisions      Title VIII:  Enforcement      Title IX:  Effective Dates; Applicability; and Relationship           to Other Laws Genetic Confidentiality and Nondiscrimination Act of 1996 - Title I:  Collection, Storage, and Analysis of DNA Samples - Prohibits, except as allowed under title IV, collection or analysis of DNA samples without the consent of the individual.  Regulates written consent.  Makes a DNA sample the property of the individual and gives the individual the right (subject to title IV provisions) to order sample destruction.  Mandates certain notice. Title II:  Disclosure of Genetic information - Prohibits disclosure or redisclosure of genetic information except in accordance with a written authorization meeting certain requirements.  Provides for information inspection, copying, and amendment.  Prohibits compelling disclosure in any judicial, legislative, or administrative proceeding unless:  (1) the request for compulsory disclosure is in accordance with title IV; (2) the individual is a party; or (3) the information is for use in a law enforcement matter in which the individual is the subject or party. Title III:  Discrimination Prohibited - Prohibits employment and insurance discrimination regarding genetic information, specifying prohibited acts.  Applies enforcement provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to violations by employers and provides for insurance enforcement. Title IV:  Exceptions for Identification and Court-Ordered Genetic Analysis - Allows use of DNA samples to identify a dead body. Allows sample collection and use for identification of active duty armed forces members.  Declares that this Act does not prohibit certain information use in law enforcement and paternity matters. Title V:  Research Activities - Prohibits research analysis of DNA samples unless an Institutional Review Board (IRB) has made certain determinations.  Prohibits disclosure for research purposes unless an IRB has approved the study and the individual has consented, but allows limited access for statistical use. Title VI:  Minors - Prohibits collection, storage, or analysis of samples of individuals under 18 years old to determine the risk that does not produce signs of disease before the age of 18 unless:  (1) there is an effective intervention; (2) the intervention is initiated before the individual reaches 18; and (3) the individual's parent or guardian has consented.  Provides for sample destruction.  Prohibits newborn screening except as authorized by State law or regulation. Title VII:  Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires every person who maintains genetic information to annually notify their employees of responsibilities and penalties under this Act.  Provides for the transfer of ownership and the discontinuance of a program, business, enterprise, or services involving DNA samples. Title VIII:  Enforcement - Authorizes any person whose rights under this Act have been violated to bring a civil action for damages or equitable relief in Federal or State court.  Mandates, for negligent violations:  (1) the greater of actual damages or $50,000; (2) treble damages if the violation resulted in monetary gain; and (3) costs and attorney's fees.  Mandates, for wilful violations:  (1) the greater of actual damages or $100,000; (2) punitive damages; and (3) costs and attorney's fees.  Allows the Attorney General to bring an action for a restraining order or injunction, with the court allowed to order a civil monetary penalty, costs, and attorney's fees. Title IX:  Effective Dates; Applicability; and Relationship to Other Laws - Prohibits State laws or regulations except as they prohibit or further restrict the DNA sample collection, storage, analysis, or disclosure or provide additional privacy protections to the individual.",2025-08-21T20:15:54Z,
104-s-1900,104,s,1900,A bill to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to permit a waiver of the prohibition of offering nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs in certain nursing facilities.,Health,1996-06-24,1996-06-24,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.,Senate,"Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND]",ND,D,D000432,4,Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit waiver of the prohibition on offering nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs in certain facilities.,2025-04-07T15:23:09Z,
104-s-1901,104,s,1901,A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to repeal the requirement for annual resident review for nursing facilities under the Medicaid program and to require resident reviews for mentally ill or mentally retarded residents when there is a significant change in physical or mental condition.,Health,1996-06-24,1996-06-24,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.,Senate,"Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND]",ND,D,D000432,2,"Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to repeal the requirement for annual resident review for mentally ill and mentally retarded nursing facility residents, and instead require a review in case of a significant change in the physical or mental condition of such a resident, as well as an appropriate, prompt notification to the applicable State authority after such change.",2025-01-14T18:59:41Z,
104-s-1897,104,s,1897,National Institutes of Health Revitalization Act of 1996,Health,1996-06-21,1996-11-08,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,Senate,"Sen. Kassebaum, Nancy Landon [R-KS]",KS,R,K000017,5,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Provisions Relating to the National Institutes of           Health      Title II:  Provisions Relating to the National Research           Institutes      Title III:  Specific Institutes and Centers           Subtitle A:  National Cancer Institute           Subtitle B:  National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (sic)           Subtitle C:  National Institute of Allergy and                Infectious Diseases           Subtitle D:  National Institute of Child Health and                Human Development           Subtitle E:  National Institute on Aging           Subtitle F:  National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and                Alcoholism           Subtitle G:  National Institute on Drug Abuse           Subtitle H:  National Institute of Mental Health           Subtitle I:  National Center for Research Resources           Subtitle J:  National Library of Medicine      Title IV:  Awards and Training      Title V:  Research with Respect to AIDS      Title VI:  General Provisions           Subtitle A:  Authority of the Director of NIH           Subtitle B:  Office of Rare Disease Research           Subtitle C:  Certain Reauthorizations           Subtitle D:  Miscellaneous Provisions           Subtitle E:  Repeals and Conforming Amendments National Institutes of Health Revitalization Act of 1996 - Title I:  Provisions Relating to the National Institutes of Health - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for: (1) the discretionary fund of the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH); and (2) the development and improvement of vaccines. Title II:  Provisions Relating to the National Research Institutes - Authorizes appropriations for research and related activities concerning osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and related bone disorders. (Sec. 202) Declares that the purpose of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) is to characterize the structure and function of the human genome, including:  (1) mapping and sequencing of genes; and (2) addressing related ethical, legal, and social issues. Transfers to NHGRI all functions of the National Center for Human Genome Research.  Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 203) Increases the dollar thresholds for requiring technical and scientific peer review and advisory council approval for contracts and cooperative agreements. (Sec. 204) Revises advisory council requirements. (Sec. 205) Eliminates (or reduces the frequency of) mandated reports by:  (1) NIH; (2) various coordinating committees and advisory boards and a task force; and (3) the Secretary of Health and Human Services.  Revises requirements regarding research on sudden infant death syndrome.  Amends the International Health Research Act of 1960 to eliminate a mandated report by the President. Mandates a report to specified congressional committees with plans and time frames regarding implementation of the findings and recommendations of the report to the Congress entitled ""Support for Bioengineering Research."" Title III:  Specific Institutes and Centers - Subtitle A: National Cancer Institute - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for the National Cancer Institute and for activities related to breast, gynecological, prostate, and other cancers.  Authorizes appropriations regarding conditions associated with diethylstilbestrol (DES). Subtitle B:  National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (sic)  - Authorizes appropriations for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Subtitle C:  National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Authorizes appropriations for community-based clinical trials of treatments for infection with the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Subtitle D:  National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - Authorizes appropriations for activities regarding contraception and infertility. Subtitle E:  National Institute on Aging - Authorizes appropriations for the National Institute on Aging. Subtitle F:  National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - Authorizes appropriations for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.  Modifies requirements regarding grants to National Alcohol Research Centers. Subtitle G:  National Institute on Drug Abuse - Authorizes appropriations for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (including the Medication Development Program).  Modifies requirements regarding grants to Drug Abuse Research Centers. Subtitle H:  National Institute of Mental Health - Authorizes appropriations for the National Institute of Mental Health. Subtitle I:  National Center for Research Resources - Authorizes appropriations for biomedical and behavioral research facilities. Authorizes (currently, requires) reservation of an unspecified amount (currently, $5 million) for regional centers for primate research. (Sec. 382) Mandates grants:  (1) for the establishment of general clinical research centers; (2) to support individual careers in clinical research; and (3) to support individual clinical research projects.  Authorizes appropriations for each of the grants. (Sec. 384) Modifies:  (1) the composition of the Scientific and Technical Review Board on Biomedical and Behavioral Research Facilities; and (2) requirements regarding biomedical and behavioral research facilities grants. Subtitle J:  National Library of Medicine - Authorizes appropriations for the National Library of Medicine. Title IV:  Awards and Training - Mandates expansion of the Medical Scientist Training Program to include fields that will contribute to training clinical investigators in the skills of performing patient-oriented clinical research. (Sec. 402) Increases the maximum annual educational loan repayment that may be made on behalf of health professionals (including, in some cases, those from disadvantaged backgrounds) conducting AIDS, contraception, infertility, or other research.  Authorizes appropriations regarding the AIDS research loan repayments. (Sec. 403) Mandates a program of educational loan repayments for health professionals conducting research in areas identified by the NIH Director.  Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 404) Increases the aggregate limit on the number of undergraduate scholarships for professions needed by NIH and the number of loan repayment contracts regarding NIH clinical researchers.  Replaces, in provisions authorizing those loan repayments, references to being from disadvantaged backgrounds with a requirement that a specified percentage of appropriated funds be used for such individuals.  Authorizes appropriations for the loan repayments. Title V:  Research with Respect to AIDS - Authorizes appropriations for:  (1) carrying out a comprehensive plan for NIH AIDS activities; and (2) the AIDS emergency discretionary fund. Title VI:  General Provisions - Subtitle A:  Authority of the Director of NIH - Adds to the authorities of the NIH Director conducting and supporting research training and appointing health care professionals. Subtitle B:  Office of Rare Disease Research - Establishes the Office for Rare Disease Research and a related advisory council. Subtitle C:  Certain Reauthorizations - Authorizes appropriations for:  (1) National Research Service Awards; and (2) the National Foundation for Biomedical Research. Subtitle D:  Miscellaneous Provisions - Establishes the National Fund for Health Research. (Sec. 633) Establishes in NIH the Pediatric Research Initiative. Authorizes appropriations and authorizes transfer of funds appropriated to any NIH institutes. (Sec. 634) Authorizes appropriations for diabetes research. (Sec. 635) Establishes a Parkinson's disease research and training program.  Mandates not more than ten Core Center Grants to encourage innovative multidisciplinary research and provide training regarding Parkinson's.  Requires each Center to be designated a Morris K. Udall Center for Research on Parkinson's Disease.  Mandates a grant program to support innovative proposals leading to significant breakthroughs in Parkinson's research.  Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 636) Pain Research Consortium Act of 1996 - Establishes in NIH the Pain Research Consortium to coordinate and support research, training, health information dissemination and related activities regarding pain.  Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle E:  Repeals and Conforming Amendments - Replaces, in provisions limiting administrative expenses, a reference to the National Center for Nursing Research with a reference to the National Institute of Nursing Research. Revises ex officio or other membership regarding various advisory councils and advisory boards.  Repeals provisions establishing the National Diabetes Advisory Board, the National Digestive Diseases Advisory Board, the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Advisory Board, the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Advisory Board, and the National Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Advisory Board. Removes provisions requiring that the National Academy of Sciences be requested to conduct certain studies on biomedical and behavioral research personnel. Amends the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1979 to repeal provisions establishing the National Commission on Alcoholism and Other Alcohol-Related Problems. Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to remove provisions establishing an advisory council relating to hazardous substance research and training.",2025-04-21T12:24:17Z,
104-hr-3691,104,hr,3691,Prescription Drug Consumer Protection Act of 1996,Health,1996-06-20,1996-06-28,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Johnson, Tim [D-SD-At Large]",SD,D,J000177,3,"Prescription Drug Consumer Protection Act of 1996 - Establishes in the executive branch the Prescription Drug Price Review Board which shall review the prices of prescription drugs.  Permits the Board, after notice and a hearing, to take such actions as may be necessary to revoke a drug patent, if the drug's manufacturer does not reduce the price of a drug found to have an excessive price.",2025-08-21T20:14:25Z,