|
|
|
|
Agriculture | Animal
Rights | Arts | Banking | Budget
and Economy | Business | Campaign Finance | Civil Rights | Consumer Protection | Crime | Defense | Education | Energy | Environment | Health | Housing | Immigration | Insurance | International Relations | Labor | Pensions | Postal Health
Congressman Kucinich believes that we must improve access to health care, insuring families against disaster when a health care calamity strikes, as well as ensuring the overall quality of health care for everyone. Medicare Congressman Kucinich believes that funding for Medicare must be
preserved and that further cuts in the program would be harmful to
Medicare recipients who deserve quality care. Congressman Kucinich voted
against the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 because of its proposed Medicare
cuts. The bill increased Part B Medicare premiums. He has written to the
President objecting to any further cuts in the Medicare program.
Currently, there are many proposals being made to save this program.
However, recently health maintenance organizations (HMOs) have started to
cut benefits or dump Medicare coverage entirely in an effort to increase
profits. This means that millions of seniors may be left with little or no
coverage. This is unacceptable. Kucinich supports only those measures
which safeguard the health care benefits of our elderly citizens and
provide stability for Medicare's health care providers.
Prescription Drugs for Seniors
Congressman Kucinich is an original cosponsor of the Medicare Extension
of Drugs to Seniors (MEDS) plan, H.R. 1512. This bill would bring down the
cost of prescription drugs for all Americans and establish a prescription
drug benefit for all Medicare beneficiaries who choose it. This
legislation would decrease drug costs from one-third to one-half. It would
do this by importing prescription drugs manufactured in FDA-licensed
facilities with strict oversight in the importation process. This would be
a safe, cost-effective way to give relief to patients immediately. This
idea had broad bipartisan support in both the House and Senate last year.
MEDS would allow any Medicare beneficiary to sign up on a voluntary
basis. The plan would pay 80 percent with 20 percent coinsurance, with
more generous coverage for less affluent seniors. The maximum annual
amount that any senior would pay out of pocket is $1600, while other plans
are proposing that seniors might pay up to $6000! Congressman Kucinich is
committed to making sure that seniors have access to affordable
prescription drugs.
One of the ideas was to create a web-based information system so
hospitals instantly know about empty hospital beds in specific
departments. This system, which has worked successfully in other cities
such as Milwaukee, would help doctors transfer patients efficiently from
the emergency room to the next appropriate department. This would also
help alleviate overcrowding in the emergency room. Now, local Cleveland
officials are investigating different systems to find the best one for
Cleveland. Congressman Kucinich has helped to find several federal grants
that could pay the cost of implementing the system.
ER Overcrowding and the Nursing Shortage Congressman Kucinich also hosted a briefing for other members of
Congress, staff and the press on human cloning on June 14, 2001. He
invited experts in the fields of health and law: Judy Norsigian, Interim
Executive Director and Co-founder of Boston Women's Health Book
Collective; Richard Hayes, Executive Director, The Exploratory Initiative
on the New Human Genetic Technologies; Stuart A. Newman, Ph.D., Professor
of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College Board of Directors,
Council for Responsible Genetics; and Andrew Kimbrell, Executive Director,
International Center for Technology Assessment.
Increasing Funding for Health Care Priorities
In the 106th Congress, Congressman Kucinich is also a cosponsor of the
Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act, H.R. 664, a bill that will
significantly lower the cost of prescription drugs for seniors. It allows
Medicare recipients to purchase drugs at a discounted rate that drug
companies charge the federal government. As a matter of fact, Congressman
Kucinich conducted the 5th study of prescription drugs in the 10th
Congressional District. The survey found that seniors pay twice the amount
institutions such as insurance companies and hospitals pay for similar
prescription drugs. The survey included 13 different pharmacies and drug
stores' prices for 12 separate brand name prescription drugs commonly used
by seniors. The survey revealed that instead of drug store chains offering
the lowest prices, two independent "mom and pop" pharmacies offered the
lowest prices and the most flexibility for consumers. For more details
about prescription drug prices you may want to view the survey or contact
the Lakewood congressional office at (216) 228-8850.
In the original Patient’s Bill of Rights introduced in the 107th
Congress by Congressmen Ganske and Dingell, as well as in previous years,
this federal legislation was modeled after successful state-based
legislation that provided, for example, guarantees to patients allowing
access to certain types of emergency care, the continuation of the unique
doctor- patient relationship, and a reduction in regulations governing
doctors and hospitals. In addition, this measure provides direct access to
ob/gyn care and services and ensures that the special needs of children
are met, including access to pediatric specialists and the ability for
children to have a pediatrician as their primary care provider.
Some of the other highlights of the bill include:
Human Research Subject Protection and Promotion Act
of 2000 The federal government provides funds for a vast complex of experiments
that involve human subjects. More than $16 billion per year in federal
funds are used for such research. Some 20,000 experiments at more than
4,000 institutions are involved. At this time, human subject research is
monitored by a small office -- the Office for Protection from Research
Risks (OPRR) -- that was buried far down in the organizational structure
of the National Institutes for Health (NIH) and now in the office of the
Secretary. The bill would make OPRR an independent agency and extend its
authority over 16 other agencies that perform human research experiments
but do not maintain proper protection for human research subjects. The
bill would ensure that all federally funded research on human subjects
receive the proper oversights, and that human subjects have adequate
protection. Congressman Kucinich believes that the public and Congress
should have an independent authority over the protection of human research
subjects.
Congressman Kucinich has been the leading advocate for the protection
of human subjects in medical trials. In February, 2000, Chairman John Mica
of the Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and
Human Resources, and Rep. Kucinich, a member of this committee, sent a
letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Donna Shalala about
specific concerns regarding the protection of human research subjects of
research.
In addition, on May 3, 2000, both Chairman Mica and Rep. Kucinich held
a hearing on the lack of federal protections for research subjects.
Representatives from HHS and other experts were on hand to testify about
the protections in place for subjects entering medical research.
Since the introduction of this legislation, the Office for the
Protection from Research Risk has been relocated out of the National
Institutes of Health and into the Office of the Secretary. The Secretary
informed Mr. Kucinich of efforts to increase resources and staff to the
new office. The Secretary also made assurances that the Department will
work towards providing information and education on the reporting of
adverse events in clinical trials.
Moreover, in October, 1999, Congressman Kucinich wrote to the Johne's
Disease Committee at the United States Animal Health Association. Johne's
Disease is similar to Crohn's disease except that it infects cows. Rep.
Kucinich urged the committee to investigate the relationship between Mp
and the human condition of Crohn's disease. He expressed his belief that
more research is needed in this area to guarantee the safety of milk from
cattle.
Letters of the 107th Congress, 1st Session
October 15, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to
President Bush requesting an additional $1 billion to fight the global
AIDS crisis.
October 11, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to the
Foreign Operations Chairman, Jim Kolbe, and the Ranking Democrat, Nita
Lowey, in support of funding for international tuberculosis control.
October 3, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to
Congressman Bonilla and Congresswoman Kaptur, Department of Agriculture
appropriators, requesting that they ensure that the conferees retain the
Stupak-Boehlert amendment and provide $160 million to fund USDA’s
Nutrition Programs for the Elderly.
September 26, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to
Senators Daschle and Lott urging them to take up to Human Cloning
Prohibition Act in the Senate.
September 10, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to
the Chair and Ranking member of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee
supporting an increase in funding for the Children’s Mental health
Services Program.
July 25, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
Democrats highlighting the weaknesses of the Graham bill in the Senate. It
also stressed that any prescription drug proposal must include strong cost
containment measures.
July 18, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich cosigned a letter to
President Bush, expressing concern about his Administration’s decision to
reopen the decision of the national Park Service to phase out snowmobile
use in Yellowstone and Grant Teton national parks.
July 12, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to supporters
of the Patient’s Bill of Rights supporters urging them to maintain
language which provides coverage of an inpatient hospital stay following a
mastectomy, lumpectomy, or lymph node dissection for a period of time as
determined by the doctor in consultation with the patient.
June 29, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter
urging the Secretary of Agriculture to require all fresh meat and poultry
to have the same nutrition labels as those now required for processed meat
and poultry.
June 27, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to Democrats
in support of an amendment that gives the FDA explicit authority to
regulate imported drugs, and removes funding for enforcing the ban in
oversight activities of the FDA.
June 26, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
his colleagues in Congress urging them to vote yes on an amendment that
allows reimportation of prescription drugs.
June 19, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
Ralph Regula and David Obey of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and
Human Services urging their support for a twenty percent increase in the
appropriation for the Area Health Education Center Program.
June 18, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
Democrats advocating the Patients’ Bill of Rights.
June 11, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to Democrats
advocating the Patient’s Bill of Rights.
June 11, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to the
Appropriations Labor-HHS Subcommittee requesting a 20 percent increase in
the appropriation for the Area Health Education Center Program (AHEC).
Ohio AHEC programs improve health care professionals and access to quality
health care in undeserved areas.
June 8, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
Ralph Regula and David Obey of the Subcommittee on Labor, HHA, and
Education of the Committee on Appropriations urging them to support
funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration
Grants for the Benefit on Homeless Individuals.
June 6, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
C.W. Bill Young, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations,
requesting that the Committee on Appropriations assure funding for the
U.S. Department of Justice’s civil lawsuit against the tobacco industry in
the amount of $57.6 million.
June 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a mailing to
Cuyahoga County residents listing instructions for what to do in case of a
medical emergency, and what constitutes a medical emergency
May 30, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to the
Appropriations Committee asking for an increase in funding given to the
Department of Justice for the tobacco law suits.
May 23, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
Jerry Lewis, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Defense, urging him to
provide $20 million for the Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research
Program.
May 23, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
John Murtha of the Subcommittee on Defense urging him to provide $20
million for the Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program.
May 21, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
President George W. Bush requesting additional funding for the Department
of Justice for the litigation in tobacco lawsuits.
May 17, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
President George W. Bush requesting additional funding for the Department
of Justice for the litigation in tobacco lawsuits.
May 16, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to the
Appropriations Labor-HHS Subcommittee supporting funding for mental health
programs for the homeless.
April 27, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
Ralph Regula and David Obey of the Subcommittee on Labor, Housing and
Human Services, and Education to support an increase in funding for the
Consolidated Health Centers program.
April 27, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
Ralph Regula, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human
Services, and Education, urging him to support funding to provide
equitable graduate medical education funding for independent children’s
hospitals.
April 25, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to the
Appropriations Labor-HHS Subcommittee requesting a significant increase in
funding for community health centers.
April 24, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee requesting funding for the peer
reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program.
April 24, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to the
Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry to re-open a public
comment period on a health report on The Valleycrest Landfill.
April 24, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
the Defense subcommittee on appropriations requesting funding for a
Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer research program.
April 6, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
Ralph Regula, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Heath and Human
Services, and Education, urging his support for a $3.4 billion increase
for the National Institutes of Health.
April 4, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
Ralph Regula, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human
Services, and Education, urging him to support $23.7 billion for the
National Institutes of Health in 2002.
April 2, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to Mitchell
Daniels of the Office of Management and Budget requesting that the OMB
approve funding for the Susan Harwood Training Grant that had been awarded
to the American Nurses Association and the American Nurses foundation.
April 2, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to President
Bush requesting that Office of Management and Budget approve funding for
the Susan Harwood Training Grant that had been awarded to the American
Nurses Association and the American Nurses Foundation.
March 29, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
President Bush urging him to present a budget request that included a
comprehensive plan to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in our nation and
throughout the world.
March 28, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Tommy
Thompson concerning the Kettering Medical Center Network and its quality
of service. The medical Center has made conscience efforts to ensure
proper care for its patients. However, the sudden closing of another
hospital serving the same area has made it difficult for KMCN to fill the
void.
March 27, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to the
Acting Principal Director of the Food and Drug Administrator, Bernard A.
Schwetz, Tommy Thompson the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and
Christine Todd Whitman the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency expressing his strong objections the any proposal that would
declare StarLink corn safe or legalize StarLink corn contamination.
March 27, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Tommy
Thompson expressing concern that independent drug stores are not included
in Medicare HMO coverage for seniors. As it stands seniors do not have the
option to decide who provides their prescription drugs.
March 26, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Tommy
Thompson requesting that HHS grants certain exemptions to the Hopeland
clinic. After the largest hospital in the area shut down, the Hopeland
clinic experienced tremendous patient growth and strain.
March 20, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to President
George W. Bush requesting funding for a comprehensive AIDS program
including global AIDS programs and prevention programs.
March 20, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
Tommy Thompson, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, urging him to
put the medical information privacy standards mandated by the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act into effect immediately.
March 19, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
the Department of Health and Human Services appropriations committee
requesting funding up to $285 million for the Children’s Hospital Graduate
Medical Education program. The congressman signed a similar letter with
the Ohio delegation in February 2001.
March 15, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter sent
to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Tommy
Thompson urging implementation of medical privacy regulations without
further delays.
March 3, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
Ralph Regula the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor
requesting doubling the funding for the National Institutes of Health
during the Fiscal Year 2002.
February 21, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter
to President Bush regarding the need for increased funding for drug
treatment programs.
February 21, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter
to President Bush requesting that he include substantial funding for
Graduate Medical Education for children’s hospitals.
February 6, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich signed on to a letter to
Robert Ney, the Chairman of the Committee on House Administration, to
register the Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Natural Foods
Caucus with the Congressional Staff Organization.
November 16, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to General
Accounting Office Comptroller General David Walker urging an investigation
into possible profiteering by vaccine companies.
June 26, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Minority
Leader, Gephardt, urging him to consider their Medicare prescription drug
proposal that includes an 80/20 cost share instead of the Democratic
proposal’s current 50/50.
June 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President
Clinton urging him to make a pledge to provide $100 million for
Tuberculosis (TB) control programs in the highest burdened country.
May 24, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Secretary
of Defense, William Cohen, requesting information on Medical Research
Materiel Command.
May 19, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Foreign
Operations Ranking Democrat, Nancy Pelosi, requesting increased funding
for international TB control in the Foreign Operations Bill.
May 9, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Representative
Porter supporting increased funding for National Institutes of Health
heart/stroke research.
April 1, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman
Lewis and Ranking Member Murtha of the Appropriations Subcommittee on
Defense, asking for further funding of the Department of Defense
Peer-reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program. The letter asks for the same
amount appropriated last year of $175 million.
April 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Chairman of
the Committee of Commerce, Thomas Bailey, requesting support for HR 3065,
a bill which would exempt Ohio from the hospital-specific Medicaid
disproportionate share (DSH) payment cap. It would give Ohio the
flexibility needed to administer its DSH program.
April 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the Managed
Care Reform Conferees requesting a final managed care package that must
include provisions banning genetic discrimination.
March 31, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the
Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor,
Health and Human Services, and Education supporting increased funding for
HIV/AIDS prevention care and research.
March 31, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman
Porter requesting an increase of appropriations for consolidated health
care center programs that provide services to nearly 11 million low-income
uninsured patients.
March 23, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman
Young urging that prostate cancer research be funded at an accelerated
pace. The letter asks that the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer
Research Program be appropriated no less than $150 million, the increase
of the National Institutes of Health appropriations by 15%, and that they
fund the National Cancer Institute’s “bypass budget.”
March 22, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Congressman
Obey, ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health
and Human Services, and Education, asking for his support of initial
funding of $40 million to help support graduate medical education (GME) in
our nation’s independent children’s hospitals.
March 16, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich sent a letter to Speaker of the
House Dennis J. Hastert informing him of the attempted closing of St.
Michael’s Hospital in Cleveland, and apprising the Speaker of the steps
that Representative Kucinich intended to take to draw national attention
to this issue in order to stop the closing of the hospital.
March 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to HCFA on the
concern about the HCFA proposal to eliminate the requirement that nurse
anesthetics be medically supervised and the need to ensure quality
healthcare for seniors.
March 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to President
Clinton requesting increased funding for Diabetes Research and supporting
recommendations of the Diabetes Research Working Group.
February 28, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich cosponsored a letter to
Chairman John Porter of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health
and Human Services, and Education supporting increased funding for
graduate medical education programs at children’s teaching hospitals.
February 18, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to
President Clinton commending his efforts to provide prescription drug
coverage to all seniors.
February 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, Donna Shalala, commenting on the
proposed rule on standards for privacy of individually identifiable health
information that was published in the Federal Register on November 3,
1999.
February 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a petition to bring
H.R. 1495, the Access to Prescription Medication in Medicare Act of 1999,
and H.R. 664, the Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act of 1999, to
the floor of the House of Representatives for consideration under an open
rule.
February 14, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the
Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means urging the Conferees to the
Norwood-Dingell managed care legislation to maintain whistle-blower
provisions that are critical for health care professionals and nurses.
February 2, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Secretary
of Housing and Urban Development Andrew Cuomo in support of Mental Health
Services for Homeless Persons (MHS) and its Outreach and Payee Program.
February 1, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services urging the
Secretary to review the list of excluded prosthetic codes to ensure it is
inclusive of all prothestic devices and services that meet the Balanced
Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (BBRA) guidelines. Congressman Kucinich also
encouraged the Secretary to expand the list to include custom orthotic
devices and services that are currently being denied to Skilled Nursing
Facilities (SNF) patients because of their high cost.
January 21, 2000 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the
President of the United States urging him to provide a minimum of $125
million for graduate medical educational (GME) programs at the nations
independent children’s hospitals.
November 3, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the
Speaker of the House to urge an elimination of the school-based health
provisions included in the Work Incentives Improvement Act because the
offset provisions may reduce the number of low- income children who
receive health services in public schools.
October 19, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich and several Members of Congress
co-signed a letter to the Assistant Secretary of Defense urging support of
the Uniform Family Health Plan, a managed care program that provides
health care for 100,000 members nation- wide.
October 13, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman
William Thomas encouraging the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health
to: 1) Stop the automatic across-the-board cuts to hospitals and home
health agencies; 2) Increase reimbursements for hospital outpatient
service rates; 3) Support legislation to improve home health care; 4)
Restore cuts in Indirect and Graduate Medical Education; 5) Repeal the
transfer provision to again allow Medicare to pay for patients to be
transferred from a hospital to skilled nursing facility; 6) Provide relief
for rural hospitals; and, 7) Increase the $1,500 cap on outpatient
rehabilitation services.
September 14, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the
Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration to express
concern with a 5.7 percent across- the-board reduction in payments to
hospital reimbursement rates. Planned reductions have already exceeded
expectations, so this additional reduction further threatens the integrity
of total payments to hospitals.
July 30, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the
Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration to express
concern with a proposed rule to implement a prospective payment system for
hospital outpatient department services. This proposed rule could
potentially undermine the ability of patients to have complete access to
the full range of treatments and services they need.
July 19, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Director
Scanlon of the U.S. General Accounting Office asking for background and
explanation for restriction and charge of home health billing procedures.
July 2, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich and several Members of Congress
co-signed a letter to Chairman Floyd Spence of the House Armed Services
Committee to support a modified version of a Senate provision that
provides fairness and health care choice to military beneficiaries.
June 17, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the
President to inform him of concerns about the impact of current Medicare
cuts and urge him not to make any new cuts.
May 27, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the President
to express concerns regarding Medicare reform. The letter expressly stated
opposition to a vouchers system; an age increase; and, co-payments for
home health care. The letter supported a 15% surplus dedication;
prescription drug benefits; and, automatic enrollment for Qualified
Medicare Beneficiary Program and Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary
Program.
April 28, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to Chairman
John Porter encouraging the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor,
Health and Human Services, and Education to support increased funding for
HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and research programs for Fiscal Year 2000.
April 1999 - Several Members of Congress co-signed a letter to Chairman
John Porter encouraging the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor,
Health and Human Services, and Education to provide a significant increase
for the consolidated health centers program to help maintain health care
access to the 10 million patients depending on them for their health care
needs.
March 2, 1999 - Congressman Kucinich co-signed a letter to the
co-chairmen of the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of
Medicare expressing concerns about a co-payment proposal for home health
services under Medicare which would severely hurt home health agencies and
negatively effect Medicare beneficiaries.
December 31, 1998 - Congressman Kucinich and several Members of
Congress from Ohio co-signed a letter to the Competitive Pricing Advisory
Committee, Health Care Financing Administration asking that Northeast Ohio
hospitals be taken off of the competitive pricing demonstration project
candidate list.
Bills Cosponsored in the 107th Congress, 1st
Session H.R. 1733 - MediKids Health Insurance Act. A bill to have
MediKids enroll every child born after 2002 and phase in older children
during the next five years. Children would be eligible until age 23.
Families up to 150% of poverty pay no premiums or copays, between 150% and
300% of poverty pay a graduated premium, and above 300% of poverty pay a
small premium.
H.R. 1202 - Annual Pap Test Screening Act. A bill to provide
Medicare coverage for annual Pap Smear Tests.
H.R. 1522 - Medicare Mental Health Modernization Act. A bill to
reduce the co-payment for outpatient mental health services, eliminate the
190-day cap for inpatient care, offer coverage for intensive residential
services, and allow therapists and counselors to provide care.
Human Research Subjects Protections Act. A bill creating a
comprehensive set of reforms to current human research protection laws and
regulations to improve informed consent, expand authority for the National
Bioethics Commission, and establish higher standards and requirements for
Institutional Review Boards.
H.R. 1771 - Antibiotic Resistance Act. A bill to authorize
funding to address antibiotic resistance by improving surveillance of
antibiotic use, especially in animals, monitoring use patterns, and
conducting public health education.
Prescription Drug Importation Amendment to Agriculture
Appropriations. Amendment would give the FDA explicit authority to
regulate imported prescription drugs (which were missing in last years
bill), while removing funding for enforcing the ban.
H.R. 2125 - A bill to allow Federal civilian and military retirees to
pay health insurance premiums on pretax basis and allow a deduction for
TRICARE supplemental premiums.
H.R. 1896 - Treatment on Demand Assistance Act. A bill to
authorize funding for drug treatment to $6 billion over five years. Half
of the funds are given to states and half are given to direct grants for
programs through the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services
Administration.
H.R 1648 - Emergency Ambulance Services Access Act. A bill to
ensure that HMOs pay for emergency hospital and ambulance services by
establishing a “prudent layperson” standard. That is, if a “prudent
layperson” believes there is a medical emergency, the HMO should cover the
necessary services. (People should not have to call their HMO before
calling an ambulance.)
H.R. 1401 - National Health Service Corps Act. A bill to
eliminate the income tax on scholarships given to medical professionals in
the National Health Service Corps.
H.R. 504 - Community Access for Health Care Act. A bill to
establish grants for Community Access programs, which coordinate local
resources to provide health care to the uninsured.
H.R. 526 - Patients Bill of Rights. A bill to establish
protections for patients by enforcing the protection through state and
federal courts, require HMOs to offer more choices to consumers, and
expand the Medical Savings Account program.
H.R. 1862 - Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act. A
bill to streamline process for brand name drugs to the generic market,
where costs are much lower.
H.R. 1968 - National Health Service Corps Reinvestment Act. This
program, which funds tuition for doctors and other medical professionals
who work in under served areas, benefits from increased funding and
administrative simplifications under the bill.
H.R. 1089 - Access to Innovation for Medicare Rights. A bill to
expand Medicare coverage to FDA approved, self-injected biologies that are
a replacement for drugs/biologies that cannot be self-injected.
H.R. 953 - Organ Coordination Improvement Act. A bill to
authorize funding for qualified “organ coordinator” staff in eligible
hospitals. “Organ Coordinators” help hospitals match available donated
organs to patients.
H.R. 1723 - Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act. A bill
to authorize grants through the National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences to establish eight research centers to study environmental
factors potentially linked to breast cancer.
H.R. 1436 - Nurse Reinvestment Act. A bill to seek addressing
the nurse shortage by providing grants for recruitment, providing grants
for faculty development, providing grants to establish health career
academics, establishing a National Nurse Service Corps, and providing
hospital reimbursement for nurse training.
H.R. 1307 - Increase the Government Contribution for Federal
Employee Health Insurance Act. A bill to increase from 727 to 801- the
Federal Contribution to the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.
H.R. 910 - Influenza Vaccine Emergency Act. A bill to provide
for emergency distribution of the flu vaccine so high risk individuals
(over 65 years, in fragile health) can gain access to the flu vaccine.
H.R. 1383 - Native American Breast and Cervical Cancer
Treatment. A bill which makes a technical correction so that Native
American women can access treatment for breast and cervical cancer under
Medicaid.
H.R. 2005 - COBRA Coverage Extension and Affordability Act. A
bill to extend COBRA health insurance for five years, provide refundable
tax credit for COBRA participants, and allow people 55 and over to
continue COBRA until they are eligible for Medicare.
H.R. 1167 - Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Act. This
global initiative bill would cost $200 million to use the DOST (Direct
Observed Short Treatment) strategy to improve tuberculosis treatment.
H.R. 1168 - Stop Tuberculosis Now Act. A domestic initiative
bill to increase research funding for tuberculosis and establish the
Committee on Interagency Collaboration for tuberculosis elimination.
H.R. 1400 - Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act. A bill
to allow pharmacies to purchase drugs for Medicare beneficiaries at the
average international price which will reduce prices by 40%.
H.R. 162 - Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Act. A bill
to prohibit HMOs from creating limitations for treatment of mental health
illnesses and substance abuses if similar limitations are not imposed for
medical and surgical benefits.
H.R. 2945 - Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act. A bill
to amend the Social Security Act to provide for the coverage of marriage
and family therapist services under part B of the Medicare Program.
H.R. 602 - Genetic Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance Act. A
bill to prohibit discrimination of individuals in health insurance and
employment based on genetic information. Specifically, the bill prohibits
discrimination in enrollment, premium rates, requesting test performance,
and requesting, collecting, or disclosing information.
H.R. 536 - Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act. A bill that
requires HMOs to provide minimum hospital stays for patients undergoing a
mastectomy (48 hours) and a lymph node removal (24 hours).
H.R. 1033 - The State’s Right to Innovate in Health Care Act. A
bill to provide a competitive grant process which would select eligible
states. The states would receive technical assistance, grants and waivers
to create a universal health plan for all state citizens. The plan would
be required to provide, at a minimum, all protections and benefits under
the federal programs available at the state.
H.R. 1097 - FDA Tobacco Authorities Amendments Act. A bill to
give the FDA authority to regulate tobacco products.
H.R 326 - Ovarian Cancer and Research Amendments Act. A bill to
authorize $150 million for research, establish education programs for
patients, and require the National Cancer Advisory Board to include at
least one person at high risk of developing ovarian cancer.
H.R. 1200 - American Health Security Act. A universal care bill
that would provide comprehensive benefits through state-designed programs.
H.R. 792 - Treatment of Children’s Deformities Act. A bill to
prohibit insurers from denying coverage of reconstructive surgery to help
children born with congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, or
affected by trauma, infection, tumors or disease.
H.R. 887 - Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Conforming
Amendment. A bill to make technical corrections by providing an
enforcement mechanism against HMOs who fail to provide coverage for breast
reconstruction after mastectomies.
H.R. 1322 - Emergency Retiree Health Benefits Protection Act. A
bill to provide emergency protections for retiree health benefits, forbid
HMOs from making post-retirement decreases of health benefits, require
HMOs to restore benefits reduced after retirement, and establish the
Emergency Retiree Health Loan Guarantee program to guarantee loans to plan
sponsors in meeting the requirements of this Act.
H.R. 1255 - Medicare Early Access Act. A bill to allow
individuals 55 and older to buy into Medicare and allow retirees whose
coverage is terminated to buy into employer’s plan for active workers.
H.R. 1890 - Medical Choice for Seniors. A bill to allow
acupuncture to be covered under Medicare and FEHB.
H.R. 698 - Prescription, Reimportation, Improvement, Correction and
Enhancement Act (PRICE). A bill to fix loopholes in last years
prescription drug reimportation bill by clarifying FDA labeling,
eliminating the sunset provision, removing county restrictions, and
preventing contract restraints on foreign wholesalers and fast track
approved drugs.
H.R. 1490 - A bill to modify the definition of “homebound” so that
individuals receiving home health care can make some trips away from home
(going to church, giving a speech) without losing health benefits.
Currently, “homebound” status means that if someone ever leaves their
home, except for medical care, benefits are eliminated.
H.R. 1289 - Registered Nurses and Patient Protection Act. A bill
to constrain hospitals from requiring nurses to work mandatory overtime
under normal hospital conditions (non emergency).
H.Res. 87 - Resolution to Expand Access to Community Health
Centers. A request to double funding to Community Health Centers under
the consolidated Health Centers program.
H.R. 902 - Chiropractic Patients’ Freedom of Choice Act of 2001.
A bill to provide for Medicare reimbursement for all physicians’ services
furnished by doctors of chiropractic within the scope of their license.
H.R. 4825 - Family Opportunity Act (The “Dylan Lee James Act”).
A bill that helps families with disabled children to stay together and
stay employed without loosing access to appropriate health care for
special needs.
H. Con. Res. 99 - An Act directing Congress to enact legislation by
October 2004 that provides access to comprehensive health care for all
Americans.
H.R. 822 - The Medicare Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant
Direct Reimbursement Act. A bill to provide for coverage under the
Medicare Program for surgical first assisting services of certified
registered nurse first assistants.
H.R. 1194 - The Substance Abuse Treatment Parity Act of 2001. A
bill to provide for parity in the application of treatment limitations and
financial requirements to substance abuse treatment benefits under group
health plans and individual health insurance coverage.
H.R. 1356 - The Food Ingredient Right to Know Act. A bill to
amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that foods
containing spices, flavoring, or coloring derived from meat, poultry,
other animal products, or known allergens bear labeling stating that fact
and their names.
H.R. 902 - The Chiropractic Patients’ Freedom of Choice Act of
2001. A bill to provide for Medicare reimbursement for chiropractors.
H.R. 5101 - The Affordable HIV/AIDS Medicines for Poor Countries
Act. A bill to promote availability of HIV/AIDS treatment by urging
the WTO to exempt poor countries from provisions of intellectual property
law and preventing U.S. agencies from seeking to overturn laws of those
countries that promote access to prescription drugs.
H.R. 2087 - Federal Employees’ Access to Chiropractic Health Care
Act of 2001. A bill to provide coverage under the Federal Employees
Health Benefits program any services provided by a licensed or certified
chiropractor.
H.R. 2352 - Fair Balance Prescription Drug Advertisement Act. A
bill to establish tougher regulations for Direct-To-Customer prescription
drug advertising. Ads would be required to explain potential benefits and
risks, and print ads would have to explain both positive and negative
aspects in the same font size.
H.R. 2677 - Nursing Homes Quality Protection Act. A
comprehensive bill to improve nursing homes by, mandating nursing staff
levels, making background checks mandatory, and enacting tougher sanctions
for nursing homes that are cited for violations.
H.R. 3188 - Medicare Chronic Care Improvement Act. A bill to
improve care for seniors with chronic health care needs under Medicare.
H.R. 2663 - Contact Lens Prescription Release Act. A bill to
allow patients to get his/her contact lens prescription from the eye
doctor allowing them to compare prices for their specific lenses
elsewhere. Patients are allowed to do this for eye glasses, but not for
contacts.
H.R. 2725 - Breast Cancer Research Stamp Act of 2001. A bill to
reauthorize a stamp which raises money for breast cancer research for
another years.
H.R. 2484 - Visions Rehabilitation Act. A bill to make Medicare
cover vision rehabilitation services. These services provide training for
visually impaired people to complete daily tasks. Congressman Kucinich
sponsored this bill in the 106th Congress.
H. R. 2232 - Minority Population Diabetes Prevention and Control
Act. A bill that directs the Department of Health and Human Services
to increase diabetes programs in minority communities.
Health and Environment Assessment, Rapid Response and Tracking
Act. (HEARRT Act) A bill to create a National Health tracking system
to collect, analyze and report on the rate of chronic disease and the
presence of environmental factors and exposure.
H.R. 2332 - A bill to help provide health insurance coverage to members
of the Selected R Reserve and their dependents by permitting them to buy
into the TRICARE program. The government would pay 60% of the premium and
the beneficiary pays 40%.
H.R. 2173 - Pharmacy Education Aid Act of 2001. A bill to amend
the Public Health Act to include pharmacist services within National
Health Service program of scholarships, including first-year pharmacy
studies, loans, and funding.
H.R. 75 - Give a Kid a Chance Omnibus Mental Health Services Act of
2001. A bill to provide grants to local education agencies to promote
mental health in children.
H.R. 1897 - Nurse of Tomorrow Act of 2001. A bill to provide
financial incentives for nurse education to end the nursing shortage.
H.R. 2220 - Medicare Dialysis Benefit Improvement Act of 2001. A
bill that increases the Medicare reimbursement by 2.6 percent for dialysis
treatments (for patients with kidney failure.)
H.R. 292 - Mammogram Availability Act. A bill which requires
insurance plans to cover an annual mammogram for all women ages 40 and
above.
H.R. 2063 - Early Treatment for HIV Act. A bill to amend title
XIX of the Social Security Act to permit States the option to provide
Medicaid coverage for low-income individuals infected with HIV.
H.R. 2635 - Immigration Health Care Bill. A bill to provide more
flexibility to state and local governments that wish to provide primary
and preventive health care services to the nine million undocumented
residents currently living in America.
HR 4207 - FDA Tobacco Authority Amendments Act: A bill to
provide FDA authority to regulate tobacco products.
HR 5137 - National Media Campaign to Prevent Underage Drinking Act
of 2000: A bill to provide for a national media campaign to reduce and
prevent underage drinking in the U.S.
HR 5261 - School and Day Care Lead-Based Paint Reduction Act of
2000: A bill to provide grants to be used for lead inspections,
interim control of lead-based paint hazards and hazard abatement projects
at schools and child care centers.
HR 4571 - Providing Annual Pap Tests to Save Women’s Lives Act of
2000: A bill to provide female Medicare beneficiaries to receive
annual pap tests.
HR 2620 - Medicare Glaucoma Deduction Act: A bill to provide
glaucoma detection exam at least once every 2 years for Medicare-eligible
patients age 60 and above with a family history of glaucoma, or at
high-risk for the disease.
HR 5163 - Home Health Refinement Amendments of 2000: A bill to
provide relief for home care agencies where Medicare funding has been
reduced via: eliminating the 15% cut in the funding of home health
services; provides additional funds for care of patients in rural areas
and reimbursements provides for security in high-risk areas; recognizes
tele- homecare as legitimate home health expenditure.
HR 4825 - Family Opportunity Act of 2000: A bill to provide
states the option of allowing families with children with disabilities
whose incomes or resources are above poverty level to buy in to the
Medicaid program for their children.
HR 4356 - The Senior Health Care Pull Out Prevention Act: A bill
to provide additional protections for Medicare beneficiaries under the
Medicare and Choice Program.
HR 5116 - National Health Service Corps Reauthorization Act: A
bill to provide the reauthorization of the National Health Service Corps,
in which, there is over fifty health professionals in this program who are
placed in Ohio.
H.R. 4807 - Ryan White CARE Act Amendments of 2000: A bill to
revise and extend programs established under the Ryan White Comprehensive
AIDS Resources Emergency Act of 1990.
H.R. 4614 - Nursing Staff Accountability and Training Improvement
Act of 2000: A bill to require skilled nursing facilities furnishing
services to Medicare beneficiaries to submit data to the Secretary of
Health and Human Services with respect to nursing staff levels of the
facility, to require posting of staffing information by facilities and the
Secretary, to assess the adequacy of training requirements for certified
nurse aides, and provide for grants to improve the quality of care
furnished in nursing facilities.
H. Con. Res. 115 - A resolution expressing the support of the Congress
for activities to increase public awareness of the dangers of pediatric
cancer.
H.R. 3003 - A bill to designate certified diabetes educators recognized
by the National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators as certified
providers for purposes of outpatient diabetes education services under
part B of the Medicare Program.
H.R. 4938 - A bill to improve access to health insurance and Medicare
benefits for individual ages 55 to 65 to be fully funded through premiums
and anti-fraud provisions, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
allow a credit against income tax for payment of such premiums and of
premiums for certain COBRA continuation coverage, and for other purposes.
HR 3682 - Medicare HMO Administrative Payment Integrity Act: A
bill to prohibit Medicare HMOs to use money for administrative costs that
are not permitted under the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
HR 4390 - MediKids Health Insurance Act of 2000: A bill to
guarantee federal health care for kids born after 2002. It will be
available for children of low income families.
HR 3224 - Women's Health and Cancer Rights Conforming Amendments of
1999: A bill to provide civil monetary penalty against those health
plans who fail to provide coverage for breast reconstruction following
mastectomy or other breast cancer surgery.
HR 837 - Mental Health Juvenile Justice Act: A bill to meet the
mental health and substance abuse treatment needs of incarcerated children
and youth.
HR 243 - Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance of
mental health awareness, mental disorders, and early detection of mental
illnesses to facilitate entry into treatment.
HR 61 - Medicare Clinical Trial Coverage Act of 1999: A bill to
provide Medicare coverage for routine costs incurred in all phases of all
federally-approved clinical trials.
HR 1304 - Quality Health Care Coalition Act of 1999: A bill to
allow health care providers to come together as a coalition to present a
united front when negotiating the terms and conditions of a contract with
health insurers.
HR 1109 - Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Coverage Act of
1999 - A bill to add a cost-sharing Medicare prescription drug benefit
for seniors.
HR 3710 - Medicaid Safety Net Hospital Preservation Act of 1999:
A bill to freeze Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) cuts at
fiscal year 2000 levels in order to mitigate forthcoming fiscal year 2001
and 2002 reductions.
HR 2228 - Medicare Early Access Act of 1999 - A bill to help
retirees facing employer provided cut backs by helping uninsured 55 and
over to buy into Medicare.
HR 3569 - Human Research Projection and Promotion Act of 2000 -
A bill to establish the Office of Protection of Human Research Subjects.
HR 3266 - Preserve Essential Antibiotics For Human Use - A bill
to require drug companies to present evidence that the antibiotics used
for growth promotion subtherapeutically in livestock cause no harm to
human health.
HR 3224 - Women’s Health And Cancer Rights Conforming Amendments of
1999 - A bill to provide a civil monetary penalty against those health
plans who fail to provide coverage for breast reconstruction following
mastectomy or other breast cancer surgery.
HR 837 - ental Health Juvenile Justice Act - A bill designed to
meet the mental health and substance abuse treatment needs of incarcerated
youth.
HR 1941- Health Information Privacy Act: A bill to protect the
privacy of personally identifiable health information.
HR 845 - Beneficiary Health Coverage Notification Rights Act of
1999: A bill to require health Insurance issuers to notify the
beneficiaries of the plan if the employer fails to pay premiums necessary
to maintain coverage. This notice must indicate the date of termination.
HR 137 - Whistle Blower Protection Act for Health Care Workers:
A bill to prohibit discrimination or retaliation against health care
workers who report unsafe conditions and practices which impact on patient
care.
HR 353 - ALS Research, Treatment, and Assistance Act : A bill to
waive the 24 month waiting period for Medicare eligibility on the basis of
disability for ALS patients; provides Medicare coverage for outpatient
drugs and therapies for ALS.
HR 116 - Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act: A bill to give
women the option of a 48- hour stay in the hospital following a
mastectomy.
HR 216 - Access to Quality Care Act: A bill to protect consumers
in managed care plans and preserve against preemption certain State causes
of action.
HR 2723 - Patients Bill of Rights/Bipartisan Consensus Managed Care
Improvement Act of 1999: A bill to protect consumers in managed care
plans and other health coverage.
HR 1396 - A bill to repeal the financial limitation on rehabilitation
services under part B of the Medicare Program.
HR 2229 -Medicare Fraud and Reimbursement Reform Act of 1999: A
bill to lower reimbursements to providers to the level they actually pay
and tries fines on providees who commit Medicare fraud.
HR 664 - Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act: A bill to
allow Medicare recipients to buy drugs at the discounted rate that drug
companies charge the federal government.
HR 1070 - Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act of 1999: A
bill to help low income women find resources to fight breast and cervical
cancer- states will be able to provide Medicaid coverage for these women.
HR 875 - Urban Asthma Reduction Act of 1999: A bill to provide
funding to cities to establish cost-effective, comprehensive cockroach
extermination programs as an important component of asthma prevention to
intervention.
HR 1187- Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 1999: A bill
to provide for coverage under the outpatient portion (part B) of the
Medicare Program of medical nutrition therapy services furnished by
registered dietitians and nutrition professionals.
H RES. 201- First Family Pledge resolution recognizing the importance
for families to pledge to each other to be organ and tissue donors.
HR 1657 - A bill to disclose environmental risks to children’s health
and expand the public’s right to know about toxic chemical use and
release.
HR 626- Health Care Research and Development and Taxpayer Protection
Act: A bill to require persons who undertake federally funded research
and development of drugs to enter into reasonable pricing agreements with
the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
HR 832 - Veterans Tobacco-Related Illness Benefits Restoration Act
of 1999: A bill to restore veterans tobacco-related illness benefits
before the enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st
Century.
HR 914 - A bill to amend the Social Security Act to limit the penalty
for late enrollment under the Medicare Program to 10 percent.
HR 3063 - Genetic Information Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance
Act: A bill to prohibit health insurers from denying, canceling,
refusing to renew or changing coverage based on genetic information and
protects the privacy of genetic information.
HR 655- Medicare Social Work Equity Act of 1999: A bill to
ensure clinical social workers can continue providing mental health
services to nursing home residents.
HR 827- Improved Maternal and Children’s Health Coverage Act: A
bill to improve enrollment and outreach efforts to children eligible for
Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by removing
unnecessary barriers to coverage. It also would give states new options to
cover legal immigrant women through Medicaid and SCHIP.
H. Amdt. 500- Financing Graduate Medical Education in Children’s
Hospitals: An amendment to HR 2506 that provides immediate financial
assistance to children’s teaching hospitals for graduate medical education
through a capped, time-limit appropriation.
HR 1107- Terminal Disability Fairness and Equity Act: A bill to
waive the five-month waiting period required for disability beneficiaries
in the case of terminal illness with not more than six months to live.
HR 1216- Department of Veterans Affairs Nurses Appreciation Act of
1999: A bill to require that VA nurses receive the annual GS increases
as well as locality pay so they will be equal with other federal
employees.
H Con Res 135- A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress
with regard to preserving and expanding Medicare.
HR 1941- Health Information Privacy Act: A bill to disallow
information to be disclosed without permission and to give individuals the
right to copy and access medical records.
HR 1515 - Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Amendments of
1999: A bill to prohibit insurance companies from imposing treatment
limitations or financial requirements on the coverage of mental health
benefits and substance abuse benefits.
HR 762 - The Lupus Research and Care Amendments Act of 1999: A
bill to increase funding for research at the National Institutes of Health
for the diagnosis, treatment and cure of lupus.
HR 557 - Community Safety Act of 1999: A bill to clarify an
ambiguity in the law and allows ambulance and fire department to restock
on pharmaceutical supplies at hospitals.
HR 358 - A bill to protect consumers in managed care plans and other
health coverage.
HR 1180 - Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999: A bill to
enable people with disabilities to work without losing their federally
supported medical care.
HR 1837 - Medicare Rehabilitation Benefit Improvement Act: A
bill to allow patients to receive rehabilitative outpatient services at
federal expense.
HR 1511 - Medicare Truth in Billing Act: A bill that would help
clarify billing statements received by Medicare beneficiaries for services
Medicare reimburses.
H CON RES 139 - A concurrent resolution recognizing the success of lay
person CPR training and supporting efforts to enhance public awareness of
the need for such training.
HR 2593 - National Mental Health Parity Act of 1999: A bill that
prohibits health insurance plans from limiting treatment or coverage for
mental illnesses if similar limitations are not imposed on coverage of
services for other conditions.
HR 1579 - A bill to provide for payments to children’s hospitals that
operate graduate medical education programs.
HR 1819 - Working Uninsured Tax Equity Act of 1999: A bill to
provide a tax credit toward the purchase of health insurance for workers
whose employers don’t offer health insurance.
HR 2333 - A bill for fairness to Puerto Rican Medicaid recipients and
veterans, whose benefits face special limitations.
HR 1777 - Emergency Ambulance Services Access Assurance Act of
1999: A bill to ensure that health care plans reimburse for emergency
ambulance services when individuals have every reason to believe that they
are experiencing a condition that requires immediate emergency care.
HR 557 - Community Safety Act of 1999: A bill to provide a safe
harbor under the anti- kickback statute for hospital restocking of certain
ambulance drugs and supplies.
HR 797 - Managed Care Exemption: A bill to exempt disabled
individuals from being required to enroll with a managed care entity under
the Medicaid Program.
HR 2341 - Safety Net Preservation Act of 1999: A bill to ensure
that health centers and clinics receive sufficient funding from Medicaid
to continue operating.
HR 1899 - Health Care Worker Needlestick Prevention Act: A bill
to give health care workers protections from needlesticks, including a
requirement that employers utilize needleless systems and sharps as much
as possible.
HR 961 - Ovarian Cancer Research and Information Amendments of
1999: A bill to increase funding for ovarian cancer research and early
detection and for greater public information on the causes leading to the
cancer.
HR 2927 - Affordable Prescription Drugs Act: A bill to make
prescription drugs more affordable by establishing a compulsory licensing
system in the U.S., whereby generic drug companies are granted a license
to manufacture certain prescription drugs before the patents on these
drugs expire.
H RES 163 - A resolution to raise awareness of postpartum depression.
HR 1816 - Eliminate Colorectal Cancer Act of 1999: A bill to
require health plans to cover colorectal cancer screenings.
HR 1579 - Children’s Hospitals Education and Research Act of
1999: A bill to provide federal funding for medical residency training
programs at children’s hospitals.
HR 2817 - Certified Nurse Midwifery Medicare Services Act of
1999: A bill to expand availability of certified nurse midwife
services by making more equitable Medicare reimbursement rates.
HR 1163 - Breast-feeding Promotion and Employers’ Tax Incentive
Act: A bill allowing a tax credit to employers for the costs they
incur in enabling a nursing mother to breastfeed.
HR 1478 - Pregnancy Discrimination Act Amendments of 1999: A
bill to protect pregnant or lactating women from discrimination under the
Civil Rights Act of 1964.
HR 1795 - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Engineering
Establishment Act: A bill to promote biomedical imaging by
establishing a division for it at the Department of Health and Human
Services.
HR 731 - A bill to provide for a five-year schedule to double relative
to fiscal year 1999, the amount appropriations for the National Eye
Institute.
HR 3455 - A bill to amend the Public Service Act with respect to mental
health services for children, adolescents and their families.
|
|
