Summary:
National Health Service Corps Improvement Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the definition of "primary health services" for purposes of the National Health Service Corps to include optometry health services.

Includes optometrists within: (1) the fellowship program for the delivery of primary health services in health professional shortage areas, (2) the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program, and (3) the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.

national_health_service_corps improvement act amends public_health_service_act revise definition primary health services purposes national_health_service_corps include optometry health services includes optometrists fellowship program delivery primary health services health professional shortage areas national_health_service_corps_scholarship_program national_health_service_corps_loan_repayment_program


Summary:
National Nurse Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to designate the Chief Nurse Officer of the Public Health Service as the National Nurse for Public Health within the Office of the Surgeon General.

Includes among the duties of such position providing leadership and coordination of Public Health Service nursing professional affairs for the Office of the Surgeon General and other agencies of the Public Health Service, conducting outreach and education, and providing guidance and leadership for activities that will increase public safety and emergency preparedness.

Requires the National Nurse for Public Health to: (1) participate in identification of national health priorities, (2) encourage volunteerism of nurses and strengthen the relationship between government agencies and health-related national organizations, and (3) promote the dissemination of evidence-based practice in educating the public on health promotion and disease prevention activities.

national nurse act amends public_health_service_act requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs designate chief nurse officer public_health_service national_nurse_for_public_health office_of_the_surgeon_general includes duties position providing leadership coordination public_health_service nursing professional affairs office_of_the_surgeon_general agencies public_health_service conducting outreach education providing guidance leadership activities increase public safety emergency preparedness requires national nurse public health participate identification national health priorities encourage volunteerism nurses strengthen relationship government agencies health related national organizations promote dissemination evidence based practice educating public health promotion disease prevention activities


Summary:
School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act, with respect to asthma-related grants for child health services, to give an additional preference to a state that allows self-administration of asthma and anaphylaxis medication and makes a certification concerning the adequacy of the state's civil liability protection law to protect trained school personnel who may administer epinephrine to a student reasonably believed to be having an anaphylactic reaction.

Requires elementary and secondary schools in such a state to: (1) permit trained personnel to administer epinephrine to a student reasonably believed to be having such a reaction, (2) maintain a supply of epinephrine in a secure location that is easily accessible to trained personnel for such treatment, and (3) have in place a plan for having on the school premises during operating hours one or more designated personnel trained in administration of epinephrine.

school access emergency epinephrine act amends public_health_service_act respect asthma related grants child health services additional preference state allows self administration asthma anaphylaxis medication makes certification concerning adequacy state civil liability protection law protect trained school personnel administer epinephrine student reasonably believed having anaphylactic reaction requires elementary secondary schools state permit trained personnel administer epinephrine student reasonably believed having reaction maintain supply epinephrine secure location easily accessible trained personnel treatment place plan having school premises operating hours designated personnel trained administration epinephrine


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend and reauthorize appropriations through FY2018 for payments to children's hospitals associated with operating approved graduate medical residency training programs.

Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) make available up to 25 percent of the total amounts in excess of specified appropriations for payments to certain hospitals with a Medicare payment agreement that are excluded from the Medicare inpatient hospital prospective payment system and whose inpatients are predominantly under 18 years of age; and (2) establish a quality bonus system for distribution of excess payments to such hospitals, which may include a focus on quality measurement and improvement, interpersonal and communications skills, delivering patient-centered care, and practicing in integrated health systems.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated amends public_health_service_act extend reauthorize appropriations fy2018 payments children hospitals associated operating approved graduate medical residency training programs authorizes secretary health_and_human_services hhs available percent total amounts excess specified appropriations payments certain hospitals medicare payment agreement excluded medicare inpatient hospital prospective payment system predominantly years age establish quality bonus system distribution excess payments hospitals include focus quality measurement improvement interpersonal communications skills delivering patient centered care practicing integrated health systems


Summary:
Teaching Health Center Reauthorization Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to appropriate funds for FY2016-FY2020 for the program of payments to teaching health centers that operate graduate medical education programs. Allows funds that were unexpended at the end of a fiscal year to be used in subsequent fiscal years.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) annually report a compilation of the data provided to the Secretary concerning residency training, and (2) establish a minimum per resident per year payment amount for all approved teaching health center graduate medical education positions under the program that is not less than the amount as of January 1, 2013, and ensure that not less than that amount is provided to all such programs for all approved positions.

Authorizes appropriations for FY2013-FY2020 for grants to teaching centers for the establishment of new accredited or expanded primary care residency programs.

teaching health center reauthorization act amends public_health_service_act appropriate funds fy2016-fy2020 program payments teaching health centers operate graduate medical education programs allows funds unexpended end fiscal year subsequent fiscal years requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs annually report compilation data provided secretary concerning residency training establish minimum resident year payment approved teaching health center graduate medical education positions program january ensure provided programs approved positions authorizes appropriations grants teaching centers establishment new accredited expanded primary care residency programs


Summary: Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include occupational therapists within the definition of "behavioral and mental health professionals" for purposes of the National Health Service Corps.

occupational therapy mental health act amends public_health_service_act include occupational therapists definition behavioral mental health professionals purposes national_health_service_corps


Summary:
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a continuing medical education program for medical professionals with the goal of: (1) increasing knowledge and recognition of medical conditions common to veterans and family members of veterans, and (2) improving outreach to veterans and family members.

Requires the program to include education on: (1) dealing with patients who are veterans or family members; (2) identifying and treating common mental and physical conditions of veterans and family members; (3) programs and benefits available to veterans and family members through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Labor, and such other federal agencies and non-federal organizations as the Secretary considers appropriate; and (4) the VA health care system.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out such program for five years on a VA website at no cost to participating medical professionals, and (2) ensure that the program is accredited in as many states as practicable.

directs secretary veterans_affairs establish continuing medical education program medical professionals goal increasing knowledge recognition medical conditions common veterans family members veterans improving outreach veterans family members requires program include education dealing patients veterans family members identifying treating common mental physical conditions veterans family members programs benefits available veterans family members department_of_veterans_affairs department_of_labor federal agencies non federal organizations secretary considers appropriate health care system directs secretary carry program years website cost participating medical professionals ensure program accredited states practicable


Summary: Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2014 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the 96-hour physician certification requirement for inpatient critical access hospital services under which a physician must certify that a patient may reasonably be expected to be discharged or transferred to a hospital within 96 hours after admission to the critical access hospital.

critical access hospital relief act amends title xviii medicare social security act repeal hour physician certification requirement inpatient critical access hospital services physician certify patient reasonably expected discharged transferred hospital hours admission critical access hospital


Summary: Provides that for purposes of medical professional liability insurance or civil and criminal malpractice liability determinations, a physician or athletic trainer (covered sports medicine professional) who is authorized to practice medicine in a state (primary state) and who provides medical services to an athlete or athletic team in a state where such professional is not authorized to practice (secondary state) shall be deemed to have provided such medical services in the primary state, provided that prior to providing the covered medical services such professional has disclosed the nature and extent of such services to the entity that provides such professional with medical professional liability insurance in the primary state.

provides purposes medical professional liability insurance civil criminal malpractice liability determinations physician athletic trainer covered sports medicine professional authorized practice medicine state primary state provides medical services athlete athletic team state professional authorized practice secondary state shall deemed provided medical services primary state provided prior providing covered medical services professional disclosed nature extent services entity provides professional medical professional liability insurance primary state


Summary:
Veterans Affairs Health Workforce Enhancement Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish medical residency programs, or ensure a sufficient number of residency positions in medical residency programs, at any VA medical facility that the Secretary determines is experiencing a shortage of physicians.

Requires the Secretary to determine the specialty of health care professionals that each such facility is experiencing a shortage of and allocate residency programs and positions based on such determination.

Directs the Secretary, during the five-year period beginning on the enactment of this Act, to increase the number of graduate medical education residency positions at VA medical facilities by not less than 2,000 positions, giving priority to medical facilities that: (1) do not have a medical residency program, and (2) are located in a community in which there is a high need for health care for veterans.

directs secretary veterans_affairs establish medical residency programs ensure sufficient number residency positions medical residency programs medical facility secretary determines experiencing shortage physicians requires secretary determine specialty health care professionals facility experiencing shortage allocate residency programs positions based determination directs secretary year period beginning enactment act increase number graduate medical education residency positions medical facilities positions giving priority medical facilities medical residency program located community high need health care veterans


Summary:
Community-Based Medical Education Act of 2014 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend through FY2019 at increased levels the program of payments to teaching health centers that operate graduate medical education (GME) programs.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) conduct a comprehensive evaluation of such program; and (2) establish a process by which qualified teaching health centers that have received payments under such Act prior to the date on which the primary care teaching centers program is established by this Act under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act may become eligible to participate in such primary care teaching program.

 Conditions the award of teaching health centers grants on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Reduces from $500,000 to $250,000 the maximum amount of such a grant. Authorizes appropriations for the grant program through FY2018.

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary to establish a program of payments to primary care teaching centers for up to 50 new full-time equivalent resident training positions per center at up to 300 centers per year. Sets the minimum per resident payment for 2014 at $150,000, increased each subsequent year by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (United States city average).

Directs the Secretary to establish and implement procedures under which, beginning in FY2018, the amount of payments that a hospital would otherwise receive for indirect medical education (IME) costs for discharges during a fiscal year is adjusted based on the reporting of measures and the hospital's performance on measures of population health priorities specified by the Secretary.

Requires the Secretary to specify measures of population health priorities, including measures relating to: (1) the extent of training provided in shortage specialities, a variety of settings and systems, the coordination of patient care across settings, interprofessional and multidisciplinary care teams, methods for identifying system errors and implementing system solutions, and the use of health information technology; and (2) the number of graduates practicing in shortage specialties five years after graduation, including in shortage specialties in health professional shortage areas

Requires measures of patient care specified by the Secretary to be: (1) adopted or endorsed by an accrediting organization, and (2) consensus-based. Allows them to include any submitted by teaching hospitals and medical schools.

Directs the Secretary to report to Congress and the National Health Care Workforce Commission on the GME payments hospitals and primary health training programs receive under Medicare.

Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to reauthorize the National Health Care Workforce Commission through FY2019.

Amends SSA title XVIII to revise the formula for the indirect teaching adjustment factor to reduce Medicare IME payments on or after October 1, 2016.

amends public_health_service_act extend fy2019 increased levels program payments teaching health centers operate graduate medical education gme programs directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs conduct comprehensive evaluation program establish process qualified teaching health centers received payments act prior date primary care teaching centers program established act title xviii medicare social security act eligible participate primary care teaching program conditions award teaching health centers grants basis demonstrated financial need reduces maximum grant authorizes appropriations grant program fy2018 amends title xviii medicare social security act ssa direct secretary establish program payments primary care teaching centers new time equivalent resident training positions center centers year sets minimum resident payment increased subsequent year percentage increase consumer price index urban consumers united_states city average directs secretary establish implement procedures beginning fy2018 payments hospital receive indirect medical education ime costs discharges fiscal year adjusted based reporting measures hospital performance measures population health priorities specified secretary requires secretary specify measures population health priorities including measures relating extent training provided shortage variety settings systems coordination patient care settings multidisciplinary care teams methods identifying system errors implementing system solutions use health information technology number graduates practicing shortage specialties years graduation including shortage specialties health professional shortage areas requires measures patient care specified secretary adopted endorsed accrediting organization consensus based allows include submitted teaching hospitals medical schools directs secretary report congress national_health_care_workforce_commission gme payments hospitals primary health training programs receive medicare amends patient protection affordable care act reauthorize national_health_care_workforce_commission fy2019 amends ssa title xviii revise formula indirect teaching adjustment factor reduce medicare ime payments october


Summary:
Physician Ambassadors Helping Veterans Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use the Secretary's authority to employ certain personnel without regard to civil service or classification laws, rules, or regulations to employ physicians on a without compensation basis in any practice area or specialty for which: (1) the average waiting time for veterans seeking an appointment with a physician exceeds the VA's waiting time goals, or (2) the VA facility where the physician will be employed has demonstrated staffing shortages.

Requires each VA medical facility to have a volunteer coordinator who: (1) seeks to establish relationships with medical associations serving the area, (2) recruits physicians for uncompensated employment at the facility, and (3) serves as the initial point of contact for physicians seeking uncompensated employment at the facility.

Conditions an uncompensated physician's receipt of a credential or privilege to practice medicine in a VA facility on the physician's commitment to serve at least 40 hours in the facility during the ensuing 12-month period.

Requires the Secretary to decide whether to grant an uncompensated physician's request for a credential or privilege to practice medicine in the VA facility within 60 days.

Requires the director of a VA medical facility to approve, and accept the uncompensated services of, any physician who has made the requisite service commitment and receives a credential or privilege to practice medicine in such facility.

veterans act requires secretary veterans_affairs use secretary authority employ certain personnel regard civil service classification laws rules regulations employ physicians compensation basis practice area specialty average waiting time veterans seeking appointment physician exceeds waiting time goals facility physician employed demonstrated staffing shortages requires medical facility volunteer coordinator seeks establish relationships medical associations serving area recruits physicians uncompensated employment facility serves initial point contact physicians seeking uncompensated employment facility conditions uncompensated physician receipt credential privilege practice medicine facility physician commitment serve hours facility ensuing month period requires secretary decide grant uncompensated physician request credential privilege practice medicine facility days requires director medical facility approve accept uncompensated services physician requisite service commitment receives credential privilege practice medicine facility


Summary:
National Health Service Corps Improvement Act of 2015

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to include chiropractic services in primary health services for purposes of the National Health Service Corps.

Doctors of chiropractic are eligible for the fellowship program for the delivery of primary health services in health professional shortage areas, the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program, and the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.

national_health_service_corps improvement act bill amends public_health_service_act include chiropractic services primary health services purposes national_health_service_corps doctors chiropractic eligible fellowship program delivery primary health services health professional shortage areas national_health_service_corps_scholarship_program national_health_service_corps_loan_repayment_program


Summary:
Making the Education of Nurses Dependable for Schools Act or the MEND Act

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services, for any reimbursements to providers under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for the costs of nursing and allied health education activities, to apply the regulation establishing the payment methodology for such reimbursements by treating a provider as meeting the requirements:

 for consideration as operating an approved nursing or allied health education program if the provider or a wholly owned subsidiary educational institution singly or collectively meets all such requirements; for payment for certain nonprovider-operated programs at wholly owned subsidiary educational institutions if the provider meets all such requirements except that the transfer of a nursing or allied health education program to that wholly owned subsidiary educational institution to meet accreditation standards occurred after October 1, 2003, and if the provider or its wholly owned subsidiary educational institution has been in continuous operation since October 1, 2003. Defines "wholly owned subsidiary educational institution" as one that: (1) is organized as a legal entity distinct from the provider, (2) has the provider as its sole owner or sole member, and (3) is organized in the same state in which the provider is organized or registered to do business.

making schools act act requires department health human services reimbursements providers title xviii medicare social security act costs nursing allied health education activities apply regulation establishing payment methodology reimbursements treating provider meeting requirements consideration operating approved nursing allied health education program provider wholly owned subsidiary educational institution collectively meets requirements payment certain operated programs wholly owned subsidiary educational institutions provider meets requirements transfer nursing allied health education program wholly owned subsidiary educational institution meet accreditation standards occurred october provider wholly owned subsidiary educational institution continuous operation october defines wholly owned subsidiary educational institution organized legal entity distinct provider provider sole owner sole member organized state provider organized registered business


Summary:
Building a Health Care Workforce for the Future Act

Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award matching grants to enable states to implement scholarship programs to ensure an adequate supply of health professionals.

Authorizes HHS to award grants to assist medical schools in developing and strengthening primary care mentorship programs and cultivating leaders in primary care among its students.

Requires HHS to award grants to medical and other health professions schools to promote priority competencies that are selected annually by the Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry, in order to foster curricular innovations to improve the education and training of health care providers.

Directs the Institute of Medicine to study the documentation requirements for cognitive services (evaluation and management services) required under Medicare and Medicaid and through private health insurers.

require department_of_health_and_human_services hhs award matching grants enable states implement scholarship programs ensure adequate supply health professionals authorizes hhs award grants assist medical schools developing strengthening primary care mentorship programs cultivating leaders primary care students requires hhs award grants medical health professions schools promote priority competencies selected annually advisory_committee training order foster curricular innovations improve education training health care providers study documentation requirements cognitive services evaluation management services required medicare medicaid private health insurers


Summary:
Battlefield Excellence through Superior Training Practices Act or the BEST Practices Act

Requires the Department of Defense (DOD), no later than: (1) October 1, 2018, to develop, test, and validate human-based training methods for training members of the Armed Forces in the treatment of combat trauma injuries, with the goal of replacing live animal-based training methods; and (2) October 1, 2020, to use only use human-based training methods for such purposes. Prohibits the use of animals in such training after the latter date.

Requires DOD to submit an annual report to Congress regarding the development and implementation of the human-based training methods.

battlefield excellence superior training practices act best practices act requires department_of_defense dod later october develop test validate human based training methods training members armed_forces treatment combat trauma injuries goal replacing live animal based training methods october use use human based training methods purposes prohibits use animals training date requires dod submit annual report congress development implementation human based training methods


Summary:
Creating Access to Residency Education Act of 2015

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to award grants or enter into contracts to create or expand medical residency training programs in states where there are fewer than 25 medical residents per 100,000 people.

An awardee of a grant or contract provides a lower ratio of matching funds if its residency training program is in the field of primary care.

creating access residency education act bill amends public_health_service_act require centers medicare medicaid_services award grants enter contracts create expand medical residency training programs states fewer medical residents people awardee grant contract provides lower ratio matching funds residency training program field primary care


Summary:
Improving Veterans Access to Quality Care Act of 2015

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to revive, for a three-year period, VA's Intermediate Care Technician Pilot Program that was carried out between January 2013 and February 2014. Requires VA to: (1) expand the pilot program to include at least 250 intermediate care technicians, and (2) give priority in assigning those technicians to VA facilities at which veterans have the longest wait times.

Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to transfer credentialing data regarding DOD health care providers that are hired by VA to VA.

Authorizes VA to allow a covered nurse to practice to the full scope of the nurse's practice, as defined by the applicable national professional association, under a set of VA-approved privileges, regardless of the state in which VA employs the covered nurse. Defines a "covered nurse" as an advanced practice registered nurse who is employed by VA as: (1) a nurse midwife, (2) a clinical nurse specialist, (3) a nurse practitioner, or (4) a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

quality care act directs secretary veterans_affairs revive year period carried january february requires_va expand pilot program include intermediate care technicians priority assigning technicians facilities veterans wait times requires secretary defense dod transfer credentialing data dod health care providers hired authorizes allow covered nurse practice scope nurse practice defined applicable national professional association set approved privileges regardless state employs covered nurse defines covered nurse advanced practice registered nurse employed nurse midwife clinical nurse specialist nurse practitioner certified registered nurse anesthetist


Summary:
National Health Service Corps Improvement Act of 2015

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to include optometry services in primary health services for purposes of the National Health Service Corps.

Optometrists are eligible for the fellowship program for the delivery of primary health services in health professional shortage areas, the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program, and the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.

national_health_service_corps improvement act bill amends public_health_service_act include optometry services primary health services purposes national_health_service_corps optometrists eligible fellowship program delivery primary health services health professional shortage areas national_health_service_corps_scholarship_program national_health_service_corps_loan_repayment_program


Summary:
Expanding Nutrition's Role in Curricula and Healthcare Act or the ENRICH Act

This bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration to establish a program of three-year competitive grants to accredited medical schools for the development or expansion of an integrated nutrition and physical activity curriculum.

The curriculum must: (1) be designed to improve communication and provider preparedness in the prevention, management, and reversal of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer; and (2) address additional topics regarding individuals in at-risk populations, as practicable, including physical activity and training programs, food insecurity, and malnutrition.

expanding nutrition role curricula enrich act bill requires health_resources_and_services_administration establish program year competitive grants accredited medical schools development expansion integrated nutrition physical activity curriculum curriculum designed improve communication provider preparedness prevention management reversal obesity cardiovascular disease diabetes cancer address additional topics individuals risk populations practicable including physical activity training programs food insecurity malnutrition


Summary: This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to designate up to 20 graduate medical education residency positions for the study of optometry.

bill amends accountability act designate graduate medical education residency positions study optometry


Summary:
Access to Frontline Health Care Act of 2015

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and carry out a Frontline Providers Loan Repayment Program under which HHS makes student loan repayments in exchange for a health professional providing frontline care services for two years in a frontline care scarcity area.

Frontline care services include surgery, optometry, physical therapy, pharmacies, public health, dietetics, occupational therapy, pediatrics, and medical technology.

Frontline care scarcity areas are federal health professional shortage areas and areas, populations, or facilities designated by a state as having a shortage of frontline care services.

bill amends public_health_service_act direct department_of_health_and_human_services hhs establish carry frontline providers loan repayment program hhs makes student loan repayments exchange health professional providing frontline care services years frontline care scarcity area frontline care services include surgery optometry physical therapy pharmacies public health occupational therapy pediatrics medical technology frontline care scarcity areas federal health professional shortage areas areas populations facilities designated state having shortage frontline care services


Summary:
Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Act of 2015

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to include occupational therapists as behavioral and mental health professionals for purposes of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), thereby making occupational therapists eligible for the NHSC fellowship program for the delivery of primary health services in health professional shortage areas, the NHSC Scholarship Program, and the NHSC Loan Repayment Program.

This amendment applies only in fiscal years when funding for NHSC programs is greater than FY2015 funding.

occupational therapy mental health act bill amends public_health_service_act include occupational therapists behavioral mental health professionals purposes national_health_service_corps making occupational therapists eligible fellowship program delivery primary health services health professional shortage areas amendment applies fiscal years funding programs greater fy2015 funding


Summary:
Ensuring Children’s Access to Specialty Care Act of 2015

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to include pediatric subspecialties in primary health services for purposes of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Psychiatrists who are pediatric subspecialists are included in behavioral and mental health professionals. (These amendments make pediatric subspecialists, including psychiatrists, eligible for the NHSC fellowship program for the delivery of primary health services in health professional shortage areas, the NHSC Scholarship Program, and the NHSC Loan Repayment Program.)

“Health professional shortage area” can mean an underserved population of children and adolescents.

ensuring children access specialty care act bill amends public_health_service_act include pediatric primary health services purposes national_health_service_corps psychiatrists pediatric subspecialists included behavioral mental health professionals amendments pediatric subspecialists including psychiatrists eligible fellowship program delivery primary health services health professional shortage areas health professional shortage area mean underserved population children adolescents


Summary:
Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants to eligible institutions to: (1) establish a master's or doctoral degree program in orthotics and prosthetics, or (2) expand upon an existing master's degree program in such area. Requires a grant priority for institutions in partnership with a medical center administered by the VA or a facility administered by the Department of Defense. Provides grant amounts of at least $1 million and up to $1.5 million. Defines as eligible institutions those either accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education or demonstrating an ability to meet such accreditation requirements if receiving a grant.

Requires the Secretary to award a grant to an institution with orthotic and prosthetic research and education experience to: (1) establish the Center of Excellence in Orthotic and Prosthetic Education; and (2) improve orthotic and prosthetic outcomes for veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and civilians by conducting orthotic and prosthetic-based research.

wounded warrior workforce enhancement act directs secretary veterans_affairs award grants eligible institutions establish master doctoral degree program orthotics prosthetics expand existing master degree program area requires grant priority institutions partnership medical center administered facility administered department_of_defense provides grant amounts million million defines eligible institutions accredited demonstrating ability meet accreditation requirements receiving grant requires secretary award grant institution orthotic prosthetic research education experience establish center_of_excellence orthotic prosthetic education improve orthotic prosthetic outcomes veterans members armed_forces civilians conducting orthotic prosthetic based research


Summary:
Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2015

 Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to distribution of additional resident positions as they affect calculation of payments for direct graduate medical education costs.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for each of FY2017-FY2021 (and each succeeding fiscal year if additional residency positions are available to distribute), to increase the otherwise applicable resident limit for each qualifying hospital.

Directs the Secretary to determine the total number of additional residency positions available for distribution, in accordance with guidelines for allocating 33% to hospitals already operating over the resident limit, and generally setting the aggregate number of increases in the resident limit to 3,000 in each year.

Specifies the process for distributing positions.

Declares that, for discharges occurring on or after July 1, 2017, the indirect teaching adjustment factor, with respect to additional payments for subsection (d) hospitals with indirect costs of medical education, insofar as those additional payments are attributable to resident positions distributed to a hospital according to such process, shall be computed in a specified manner with respect to those resident positions.

(Generally, a subsection [d] hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.) Directs the National Health Care Workforce Commission established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to study the physician workforce.

Directs the Comptroller General to study strategies for increasing the diversity of the health profession workforce.

resident physician shortage reduction act amends title xviii medicare social security act respect distribution additional resident positions affect calculation payments direct graduate medical education costs directs secretary health_and_human_services fy2017-fy2021 succeeding fiscal year additional residency positions available distribute increase applicable resident limit qualifying hospital directs secretary determine total number additional residency positions available distribution accordance guidelines allocating hospitals operating resident limit generally setting aggregate number increases resident limit year specifies process distributing positions declares discharges occurring july indirect teaching adjustment factor respect additional payments subsection hospitals indirect costs medical education insofar additional payments attributable resident positions distributed hospital according process shall computed specified manner respect resident positions generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries directs national_health_care_workforce_commission established patient_protection affordable care act study physician workforce directs comptroller general study strategies increasing diversity health profession workforce


Summary:
Physician Ambassadors Helping Veterans Act

Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use its authority to employ certain personnel without regard to civil service or classification laws, rules, or regulations to employ physicians on a without compensation basis in any practice area or specialty for which: (1) the average waiting time for veterans seeking an appointment with a physician exceeds the VA's waiting time goals, or (2) the VA medical facility where the physician will be employed has demonstrated staffing shortages.

Requires each VA medical facility to have a volunteer coordinator who: (1) seeks to establish relationships with medical associations serving the area, (2) recruits physicians for uncompensated employment at the facility, and (3) serves as the initial point of contact for physicians seeking uncompensated employment at the facility.

Conditions an uncompensated physician's receipt of a credential or privilege to practice medicine in a VA facility on the physician's commitment to serve at least 40 hours in the facility during the ensuing one-year period.

Requires the VA to decide whether to grant an uncompensated physician's request for a credential or privilege to practice medicine in the VA facility within 60 days.

Requires the director of a VA medical facility to approve, and accept the uncompensated services of, any physician who has made the requisite service commitment and receives a credential or privilege to practice medicine in such facility.

Requires the VA to submit annual reports on physicians employed on a without compensation basis. Prohibits any physician employed on such basis from being considered in determining whether there is a staffing shortage throughout the VA with respect to a particular occupation.

veterans act requires department veterans affairs use authority employ certain personnel regard civil service classification laws rules regulations employ physicians compensation basis practice area specialty average waiting time veterans seeking appointment physician exceeds waiting time goals medical facility physician employed demonstrated staffing shortages requires medical facility volunteer coordinator seeks establish relationships medical associations serving area recruits physicians uncompensated employment facility serves initial point contact physicians seeking uncompensated employment facility conditions uncompensated physician receipt credential privilege practice medicine facility physician commitment serve hours facility ensuing year period requires decide grant uncompensated physician request credential privilege practice medicine facility days requires director medical facility approve accept uncompensated services physician requisite service commitment receives credential privilege practice medicine facility requires submit annual reports physicians employed compensation basis prohibits physician employed basis considered determining staffing shortage respect particular occupation


Summary:
Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2015

Amends the Public Health Service Act to include physical therapy within the definition of "primary health services" for purposes of the National Health Service Corps. Makes physical therapists eligible for repayment of their educational loans in order to ensure an adequate supply of physical therapists.

physical therapist workforce patient access act amends public_health_service_act include physical therapy definition primary health services purposes national_health_service_corps makes physical therapists eligible repayment educational loans order ensure adequate supply physical therapists


Summary:
This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require Food and Drug Administration (FDA) employees involved in reviewing premarket submissions of medical devices to receive training regarding the "least burdensome appropriate means" concept. (Currently, the FDA must consider evaluating medical devices by the least burdensome appropriate means that would have a reasonable likelihood of resulting in approval.) The ombudsman for the FDA unit responsible for the premarket review of devices must audit this training and include in the audit interviews with persons from industry regarding their experience in the device premarket review process.

When the FDA requests additional information about a medical device that is required to have premarket approval, it must consider the least burdensome appropriate means necessary for an applicant to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the device.

bill amends cosmetic act require food_and_drug_administration fda employees involved reviewing premarket submissions medical devices receive training burdensome appropriate means concept currently fda consider evaluating medical devices burdensome appropriate means reasonable likelihood resulting approval ombudsman fda unit responsible premarket review devices audit training include audit interviews persons industry experience device premarket review process fda requests additional information medical device required premarket approval consider burdensome appropriate means necessary applicant demonstrate safety effectiveness device


Summary:
Audiology Patient Choice Act of 2015

 Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the coverage of audiology services to treat as physicians qualified audiologists authorized by the state and acting within the scope of their licenses to furnish such services.

Enables Medicare beneficiaries to choose a qualified audiologist without regard to any requirement to be under the care of (or referred by) a physician or other health care practitioner, or that services be provided under the supervision of a physician or other health care practitioner.

audiology patient choice act amends title xviii medicare social security act revise coverage audiology services treat physicians qualified audiologists authorized state acting scope licenses furnish services enables medicare beneficiaries choose qualified audiologist regard requirement care referred physician health care practitioner services provided supervision physician health care practitioner


Summary:
Marriage and Family Therapists for Veterans Act

Revises the eligibility criteria for appointment to a marriage and family therapist position with the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to require a person: (1) to hold a master's degree in marriage and family therapy, or a comparable degree in mental health, from an institution that is regionally accredited or approved by the VA Secretary (currently, approved by the Secretary); and (2) to have passed the Association of Marital and Family Therapy regulatory board examination in marital and family therapy or an examination for a marriage and family therapy license given by a state board of behavioral sciences (or its equivalent).

marriage family therapists veterans act revises eligibility criteria appointment marriage family therapist position require person hold master degree marriage family therapy comparable degree mental health institution regionally accredited approved secretary currently approved secretary passed family therapy regulatory board examination marital family therapy examination marriage family therapy license given state board behavioral sciences equivalent


Summary:
Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2016

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to extend nursing programs and revise the advanced education nursing grant program.

(Sec. 2) The advanced education nursing grant program is revised to include clinical nurse leaders as advanced education nurses, thereby making clinical nurse leader education programs eligible for grants. (Clinical nurse leaders are advanced generalist clinicians who apply research and coordinate care in order to improve outcomes for patients.)

To be eligible for advanced education nursing grants, clinical nurse specialist programs must provide registered nurses with full-time clinical nurse specialist education that qualifies the nurses to provide a full range of care.

(Sec. 3) The bill extends through FY2021 nursing programs, including programs for advanced education nursing, loan repayment and scholarships for nurses, loans for nursing faculty, geriatric care education, and nurse retention.

title viii nursing workforce reauthorization act bill amends public_health_service_act extend nursing programs revise advanced education nursing grant program sec advanced education nursing grant program revised include clinical nurse leaders advanced education nurses making clinical nurse leader education programs eligible grants clinical nurse leaders advanced clinicians apply research coordinate care order improve outcomes patients eligible advanced education nursing grants clinical nurse specialist programs provide registered nurses time clinical nurse specialist education qualifies nurses provide range care sec bill extends fy2021 nursing programs including programs advanced education nursing loan repayment scholarships nurses loans nursing faculty geriatric care education nurse retention


Summary:
Education and Training for Health Act of 2015 or the EAT for Health Act of 2015

 Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidelines to federal agencies for developing procedures and requirements to ensure that every primary care health professional employed full-time for such agencies have continuing education courses relating to nutrition. Requires each agency to report to Congress annually on the extent to which it has adopted and encouraged such guidelines for such primary care professionals it employed during any portion of the previous year.

Requires such courses to: (1) include content on the role of nutrition in the prevention, management, and reversal of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or cancer; and (2) meet requirements for Continuing Medical Education or Continuing Education by medical or nurse practitioner professional organizations or certified accrediting bodies.

education training health act eat health act directs_the_department_of_health_and_human_services issue guidelines federal agencies developing procedures requirements ensure primary care health professional employed time agencies continuing education courses relating nutrition requires agency report congress annually extent adopted encouraged guidelines primary care professionals employed portion previous year requires courses include content role nutrition prevention management reversal obesity cardiovascular disease diabetes cancer meet requirements continuing education medical nurse practitioner professional organizations certified accrediting bodies


Summary:
Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants or contracts for Palliative Care and Hospice Education Centers. These Centers must improve the training of health professionals in palliative care and establish traineeships for individuals preparing for advanced education nursing degrees, social work degrees, or advanced degrees in physician assistant studies in palliative care.

HHS may make grants to, and enter into contracts with, schools of medicine, schools of osteopathic medicine, teaching hospitals, and graduate medical education programs to support the training of physicians who plan to teach palliative medicine.

HHS must: (1) provide Palliative Medicine and Hospice Academic Career Awards to individuals to promote their career development; (2) award grants or contracts to entities that operate a Palliative Care and Hospice Education Center; (3) award incentive grants or contracts to advanced practice nurses, social workers, physician assistants, pharmacists, chaplains, or students of psychology pursuing an advanced degree in palliative care or related fields; and (4) award grants to schools of nursing, health care facilities, or programs leading to certification as a nurse assistant to train individuals in providing palliative care.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality must provide for a national education and awareness campaign to inform patients, families, and health professionals about the benefits of palliative care.

The National Institutes of Health must expand national research programs in palliative care.

training_act bill amends public_health_service_act require department_of_health_and_human_services hhs award grants contracts centers improve training health professionals palliative care establish traineeships individuals preparing advanced education nursing degrees social work degrees advanced degrees physician assistant studies palliative care hhs grants enter contracts schools medicine schools osteopathic medicine teaching hospitals graduate medical education programs support training physicians plan teach palliative medicine hhs provide academic career awards individuals promote career development award grants contracts entities operate award incentive grants contracts advanced practice nurses social workers physician assistants pharmacists chaplains students psychology pursuing advanced degree palliative care related fields award grants schools nursing health care facilities programs leading certification nurse assistant train individuals providing palliative care agency healthcare_research quality provide national education awareness campaign inform patients families health professionals benefits palliative care national_institutes_of_health expand national research programs palliative care


Summary:
Medicare IME Pool Act of 2015

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise Medicare payment for indirect medical education (IME) costs in teaching hospitals. (Teaching hospitals receive IME payments to account for various factors that increase costs in such hospitals.)

Under current law, the IME adjustment is calculated based on the ratio of the hospital's full-time equivalent (FTE) interns and residents to beds. The bill alters the calculation of IME payments such that they are equal to the product of a base amount (adjusted, after FY2019, by the market basket percentage increase applicable to discharges and to account for new teaching programs) and an allotment factor based on FTE resident count.

The bill also makes a technical amendment.

medicare ime pool act bill amends title xviii medicare social security act revise medicare payment indirect medical education ime costs teaching hospitals teaching hospitals receive ime payments account factors increase costs hospitals current law ime adjustment calculated based ratio hospital time equivalent fte interns residents beds bill alters calculation ime payments equal product base adjusted fy2019 market basket percentage increase applicable discharges account new teaching programs allotment factor based fte resident count bill makes technical amendment


Summary: This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to supervise cardiac, intensive cardiac, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

bill amends title xviii medicare social security act allow physician assistants nurse practitioners clinical nurse specialists supervise cardiac intensive cardiac pulmonary rehabilitation programs


Summary:
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a continuing medical education program for non-VA medical professionals, with the goal of: (1) increasing knowledge and recognition of medical conditions common to veterans and family members, and (2) improving outreach to veterans and family members.

The program must include education on: (1) dealing with patients who are veterans or family members; (2) identifying and treating common mental and physical conditions of veterans and family members; (3) programs and benefits available to veterans and family members through the VA, the Department of Labor, and other federal agencies and non-federal organizations; and (4) the VA health care system.

The VA shall: (1) carry out such program for five years on a VA website at no cost to participating non-VA medical professionals, and (2) ensure that the program is accredited in as many states as practicable.

bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs establish continuing medical education program non medical professionals goal increasing knowledge recognition medical conditions common veterans family members improving outreach veterans family members program include education dealing patients veterans family members identifying treating common mental physical conditions veterans family members programs benefits available veterans family members department_of_labor federal agencies non federal organizations health care system shall carry program years website cost participating non medical professionals ensure program accredited states practicable


Summary:
Veterans Access to Care Act

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to automatically designate medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as health professional shortage areas.

 Individuals may not participate in both the VA's Health Professionals Education Assistance Program and the National Health Service Corps scholarship or loan repayment programs.

The Department of Health and Human Services, in carrying out the National Health Service Corps Program, must consult with the VA regarding health professional shortage areas that are VA medical facilities.

bill amends public_health_service_act automatically designate medical facilities department_of_veterans_affairs health professional shortage areas individuals participate national_health_service_corps scholarship loan repayment programs department_of_health_and_human_services carrying consult health professional shortage areas medical facilities


Summary:
Keep Your Chiropractor Act

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to specify that, with respect to the use of private contracts between Medicare beneficiaries and physicians, a "physician" includes a licensed chiropractor.

chiropractor act bill amends title xviii medicare social security act specify respect use private contracts medicare beneficiaries physicians physician includes licensed chiropractor


Summary:
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise provisions related to graduate medical education (GME) residency positions and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Under current law, for purposes of calculating Medicare payments for hospitals, certain limitations apply regarding the total number of GME residency positions in a hospital's training program. The bill specifies that these limitations shall not apply to any residency position that counts towards meeting the VA's obligation under the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to increase by 1,500 the number of GME residency positions at VA medical facilities.

The bill also extends by five years the period over which the VA must increase the number of GME residency positions at its medical facilities.

bill amends title xviii medicare social security act revise provisions related graduate medical education gme residency positions department_of_veterans_affairs current law purposes calculating medicare payments hospitals certain limitations apply total number gme residency positions hospital training program bill specifies limitations shall apply residency position counts meeting obligation veterans access choice accountability act increase number gme residency positions medical facilities bill extends years period increase number gme residency positions medical facilities


Summary:
Acupuncture for Heroes and Seniors Act of 2015

This bill provides access to qualified acupuncturist services for: (1) military members and their dependents under the TRICARE program, and (2) veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system.

The VA shall carry out such program at in at least one VA facility in each Veterans Integrated Service Network in both urban and rural areas.

Qualifying acupuncturists may be appointed as commissioned officers in the: (1) Acupuncture Section of the Medical Service Corps of the Army, (2) Medical Service Corps of the Navy, and (3) Air Force (designated as biomedical science officers).

The VA shall establish the Advisory Committee on Acupuncturist Services.

Title XVIII of the Social Security Act is amended to provide Medicare coverage for acupuncturist services.

The Public Health Service Act is amended to make acupuncturists eligible for appointment as officers in the commissioned Regular Corps and the Ready Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service.

acupuncture heroes seniors act bill provides access qualified acupuncturist services military members dependents tricare program veterans enrolled department_of_veterans_affairs health care system shall carry program facility veterans_integrated_service_network urban rural areas qualifying appointed commissioned officers acupuncture section medical service corps navy air force designated biomedical science officers shall establish title xviii social security act amended provide medicare coverage acupuncturist services public_health_service_act amended eligible appointment officers commissioned regular_corps public_health_service


Summary:
Chiropractic Membership in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Act of 2015

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to make chiropractic personnel eligible for appointment to the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Surgeon General must ensure that doctors of chiropractic (chiropractors) are trained, equipped, and otherwise prepared to fulfill public health and emergency response service responsibilities in the Commissioned Corps.

The President must appoint at least six chiropractors into the commissioned Regular Corps and the Ready Reserve Corps.

The Surgeon General must submit a quarterly report to the relevant congressional committees on measures taken by the President, Surgeon General, and HHS to carry out this Act.

bill amends public_health_service_act chiropractic personnel eligible appointment department_of_health_and_human_services hhs surgeon general ensure doctors chiropractic chiropractors trained equipped prepared fulfill public health emergency response service responsibilities president appoint chiropractors commissioned regular_corps surgeon general submit quarterly report relevant congressional committees measures taken president surgeon general hhs carry act


Summary:
Physician Assistant Education Public Health Initiatives Act of 2015

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enter into contracts to repay the student loans of physician assistants who agree to serve as: (1) faculty members for physician assistant education programs; or (2) physician assistants in health professional shortage areas, in medically underserved areas, or at health centers serving medically underserved populations.

The bill extends through FY2021 programs that: (1) award grants to health professional schools to provide need-based scholarships, (2) repay the student loans of health professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds who agree to serve as faculty members at health professional schools, (3) support fellowships to increase the number of underrepresented minority faculty members at health professional schools, and (4) award grants to health professional schools to assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Support provided by HHS for the development, operation, expansion, and improvement of primary care training programs is revised and extended through FY2021.

HHS must award grants to nonprofit organizations to increase research on physician assistant education.

bill amends public_health_service_act require department_of_health_and_human_services hhs enter contracts repay student loans physician assistants agree serve faculty members physician assistant education programs physician assistants health professional shortage areas medically underserved areas health centers serving medically underserved populations bill extends fy2021 programs award grants health professional schools provide need based scholarships repay student loans health professionals disadvantaged backgrounds agree serve faculty members health professional schools support fellowships increase number underrepresented minority faculty members health professional schools award grants health professional schools assist individuals disadvantaged backgrounds support provided hhs development operation expansion improvement primary care training programs revised extended fy2021 hhs award grants nonprofit organizations increase research physician assistant education


Summary:
Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act of 2015

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to assist qualified individuals in receiving the education and training needed to become a physician assistant.

Students enrolled in physician assistant education programs are eligible for increased scholarship opportunities, increased unsubsidized loan limits, and loan forgiveness programs for those who serve in areas of national need upon graduation.

The bill provides educational institutions with the resources to keep up with the demand for new physician assistants. The Department of Education (ED) must:

 provide Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions with grants to fund physician assistant studies, prioritize the awarding of grants for physician assistant education programs that will benefit Hispanics and low-income students, and provide grants to prepare certified physician assistants to become faculty members in physician assistant education programs. In addition, ED is authorized to award grants for the improvement of technology in physician assistant education programs. ED may also create and expand physician assistant education programs at institutions in rural areas.

bill amends title student assistance higher education act assist qualified individuals receiving education training needed physician assistant students enrolled physician assistant education programs eligible increased scholarship opportunities increased unsubsidized loan limits loan forgiveness programs serve areas national need graduation bill provides educational institutions resources demand new physician assistants provide universities predominantly black institutions grants fund physician assistant studies prioritize awarding grants physician assistant education programs benefit low income students provide grants prepare certified physician assistants faculty members physician assistant education programs addition authorized award grants improvement technology physician assistant education programs create expand physician assistant education programs institutions rural areas


Summary:
Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a five-year Grow Our Own Directive or G.O.O.D. pilot program to provide educational assistance to certain former members of the Armed Forces for education and training as VA physician assistants.

 The VA shall provide eligible individuals with program information about application requirements and partner entities.

An individual is eligible to participate in the pilot program who:

 has medical or military health experience; has received a certificate, associate degree, baccalaureate degree, master's degree, or postbaccalaureate training in a science relating to health care; has participated in the delivery of health care services or related medical services, including military training regarding identification, treatment, and prevention of diseases and disorders; and does not have a degree of doctor of medicine, osteopathy, or dentistry. The VA shall select at least 250 pilot program participants and give priority to persons who:

 participated in the Intermediate Care Technician Pilot Program between January 2011 and February 2015, and agree to be employed as a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) physician assistant in a community designated as a medically underserved population located in a state with a per capita veterans population of more than 9%. The VA shall:

 provide educational assistance to pilot program participants for the costs of obtaining a master's degree in physician assistant studies or a similar master's degree, use VA educational assistance programs to provide such assistance, and provide at least 35 scholarships to pilot program participants each year. The VA shall enter into an agreement with each pilot program participant to serve a period of obligated service as a VHA physician assistant. An individual who breaches such agreement shall be liable to the United States for a prorated portion of the amount paid to such individual under the program.

 The VA shall ensure that a physician assistant mentor is available at each VHA facility that employs a pilot program participant.

 The VA shall seek to partner with:

 at least 15 institutions of higher education that offer an accredited master's degree program in physician assistant studies or a similar area of study and agree to guarantee places for qualifying pilot program participants, other accredited institutions of higher education that offer similar programs, the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense, the Veterans' Employment and Training Service of the Department of Labor, and pilot program marketing and advertising programs. For purposes of carrying out the pilot program, the VA shall appoint or select within the VHA's Office of Physician Assistant Services: (1) a Deputy Director for Education and Career Development of Physician Assistants, (2) a Deputy Director of Recruitment and Retention, (3) a recruiter, and (4) an administrative assistant.

grow directive physician assistant employment education act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs carry year grow directive pilot program provide educational assistance certain members armed_forces education training physician assistants shall provide eligible individuals program information application requirements partner entities individual eligible participate pilot program medical military health experience received certificate associate degree baccalaureate degree master degree postbaccalaureate training science relating health care participated delivery health care services related medical services including military training identification treatment prevention diseases disorders degree doctor medicine osteopathy dentistry shall select pilot program participants priority persons participated january february agree employed veterans_health_administration vha physician assistant community designated medically underserved population located state capita veterans population shall provide educational assistance pilot program participants costs obtaining master degree physician assistant studies similar master degree use educational assistance programs provide assistance provide scholarships pilot program participants year shall enter agreement pilot program participant serve period obligated service vha physician assistant individual breaches agreement shall liable united_states prorated portion paid individual program shall ensure physician assistant mentor available vha facility employs pilot program participant shall seek partner institutions higher education offer accredited master degree program physician assistant studies similar area study agree guarantee places qualifying pilot program participants accredited institutions higher education offer similar programs transition_assistance_program_of_the_department_of_defense veterans employment training service department_of_labor pilot program marketing advertising programs purposes carrying pilot program shall appoint select vha deputy director education physician assistants deputy director recruitment retention recruiter administrative assistant


Summary:
Support Our Military Caregivers Act

(Sec. 2) This bill permits an individual to elect to have an independent contractor perform an external clinical review of any of the following:

 a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) denial of an individual's application to be a caregiver or family caregiver eligible for VA benefits; with respect to an approved application, a VA determination of the level or amount of personal care services that a veteran requires; a request by a caregiver or family caregiver for a reconsideration of the level or amount of personal care services that a veteran requires based on post-application changes; and a revocation of benefits by the VA. The VA shall ensure that each external clinical review is completed and the individual is notified in writing of the results within 120 days of the election.

(Sec. 3) The VA shall issue policy, procedural, and operational directives for the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers and the program of general caregiver support services, including with respect to eligibility. The Government Accountability Office must report on VA processes for making and adjudicating eligibility determinations.

(Sec. 4) The bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to revise the limits on the aggregate amount of awards and bonuses payable to VA employees in each of FY2017-FY2021.

support military caregivers act sec bill permits individual elect independent contractor perform external clinical review following department_of_veterans_affairs denial individual application caregiver family caregiver eligible benefits respect approved application determination level personal care services veteran requires request caregiver family caregiver reconsideration level personal care services veteran requires based post application changes revocation benefits shall ensure external clinical review completed individual notified writing results days election sec shall issue policy procedural operational directives program comprehensive assistance family caregivers program general caregiver support services including respect eligibility government_accountability_office report processes making adjudicating eligibility determinations sec bill amends accountability act revise limits aggregate awards bonuses payable employees fy2017-fy2021


Summary:
Delivering Opportunities for Care and Services for Veterans Act of 2015 or the DOCs for Veterans Act of 2015

This bill amends the Social Security Act with respect to determining the number of full-time-equivalent (FTE) residents for payments to hospitals for direct graduate medical education (GME) costs, in particular the limitation on the total number of FTE residents in the field of allopathic or osteopathic medicine in a hospital's approved medical residency training program. In applying this limitation, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall not take into account any such resident that is filling a GME residency position that counts towards meeting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) obligation under the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to increase the number of GME residency positions at VA medical facilities by up to 1,500 positions.

The period for increasing GME residency positions at VA medical facilities is extended to 10 years.

 The VA and HHS shall jointly conduct a six-year pilot program to establish at least three graduate behavioral medicine residency programs in underserved areas in the United States.

Education and training of marriage and family therapists and licensed professional mental health counselors shall be included in VA health personnel education and training programs.

Persons with a doctoral degree in mental health counseling are eligible for appointment to a VA mental health counselor position.

Physician assistants in VA facilities must receive pay competitive with pay for similar positions in non-VA facilities in the same labor market.

Not less than 30% of debt reduction payments paid under the education debt reduction program each year shall be paid to individuals who practice medicine in a rural or highly rural area.

The positions (and pay) of Directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks are established.

 The VA shall conduct a two-year pilot program to assess the feasibility of implementing in rural and highly rural areas with a large percentage of veterans a nurse advice line to provide veterans with medical advice, appointment and cancellation services, and information on the availability of VA benefits.

delivering opportunities care services veterans act veterans act bill amends social security act respect determining number time equivalent fte residents payments hospitals direct graduate medical education gme costs particular limitation total number fte residents field allopathic osteopathic medicine hospital approved medical residency training program applying limitation department_of_health_and_human_services hhs shall account resident filling gme residency position counts meeting department_of_veterans_affairs obligation veterans access choice accountability act increase number gme residency positions medical facilities positions period increasing gme residency positions medical facilities extended years hhs shall jointly conduct year pilot program establish graduate behavioral medicine residency programs underserved areas united_states education training marriage family therapists licensed professional mental health counselors shall included health personnel education training programs persons doctoral degree mental health counseling eligible appointment mental health counselor position physician assistants facilities receive pay competitive pay similar positions non-va facilities labor market debt reduction payments paid education debt reduction program year shall paid individuals practice medicine rural highly rural area positions pay directors veterans_integrated_service_networks established shall conduct year pilot program assess feasibility implementing rural highly rural areas large percentage veterans nurse advice line provide veterans medical advice appointment cancellation services information availability benefits


Summary:
Veterans Health Care Staffing Improvement Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a Docs-to-Doctors Program to recruit individuals separating from the Armed Forces who served in a health care capacity in the Armed Forces.

The VA shall: (1) implement a uniform credentialing process for certain health care employees of the Veterans Health Administration; and (2) provide full practice authority to advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and such other licensed VA health care professionals as consistent with their education, training, and certification.

bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs carry doctors program recruit individuals separating armed_forces served health care capacity armed_forces shall implement uniform credentialing process certain health care employees veterans_health_administration provide practice authority advanced practice registered nurses physician assistants licensed health care professionals consistent education training certification


Summary:
Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), upon the advanced written request of a covered physician, to modify the hours of employment for a full-time VA physician to be more than or less than 80 hours in a biweekly pay period.

For purpose of determining pay, such a physician shall be deemed to have a biweekly employment schedule of 80 hours.

A physician with an irregular work schedule must account for at least 2,080 employment hours (through work or use of leave or paid time off) in a calendar year.

sec bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs advanced written request covered physician modify hours employment time physician hours biweekly pay period purpose determining pay physician shall deemed biweekly employment schedule hours physician irregular work schedule account employment hours work use leave paid time calendar year


Summary:
Primary Care Physician Reentry Act of 2015

 This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration program to facilitate physician reentry into primary care clinical practice. To be eligible to participate, a physician must agree to provide primary care at a health center for at least two years.

Grantees must assist reentering physicians by providing training, paying credentialing and other necessary fees, paying salaries, and providing loan repayment and other financial assistance.

HHS must: (1) assess the need for additional primary care physicians, (2) develop a directory of programs that help physicians reenter clinical practice, (3) disseminate evaluation tools to measure the core competencies of physicians reentering clinical practice, and (4) assist regulatory and credentialing authorities to structure requirements for reentering physicians that ensure patient safety while addressing the burdens on those physicians.

 This bill limits civil liability for physicians participating in a reentry project.

primary care physician reentry act bill directs department_of_health_and_human_services hhs establish demonstration program facilitate physician reentry primary care clinical practice eligible participate physician agree provide primary care health center years grantees assist reentering physicians providing training paying credentialing necessary fees paying salaries providing loan repayment financial assistance hhs assess need additional primary care physicians develop directory programs help physicians reenter clinical practice disseminate evaluation tools measure core competencies physicians reentering clinical practice assist regulatory credentialing authorities structure requirements reentering physicians ensure patient safety addressing burdens physicians bill limits civil liability physicians participating reentry project


Summary:
Medicare Mental Health Access Act

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to expand the definition of "physician," for purposes of the Medicare program, to include a clinical psychologist with respect to the furnishing of qualified psychologist services.

The bill excludes a clinical psychologist, in 2017 and 2018, from certain negative payment adjustments for failing to be a meaningful electronic health records user.

bill amends title xviii medicare social security act expand definition physician purposes medicare program include clinical psychologist respect furnishing qualified psychologist services bill excludes clinical psychologist certain negative payment adjustments failing meaningful electronic health records user


Summary:
Veterans Administration Bonus Elimination Act of 2016

This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to deny certain awards or bonuses to senior executive employees of the Veterans Health Administration who fail to satisfy requests for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital or medical services within the VA's wait-time goals or within the time line specified by the requesting individual, whichever is later.

bill amends accountability act deny certain awards bonuses senior executive employees veterans_health_administration fail satisfy requests department_of_veterans_affairs hospital medical services wait time goals time line specified requesting individual whichever later


Summary:
Expedited Hiring for VA Trained Psychiatrists Act of 2016

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to appoint a psychiatrist who completes a residency at a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facility to a VHA health care position immediately after such residency, without regard to civil service or classification laws, if: (1) the psychiatrist meets the qualifications established in regulations prescribed for the position, and (2) the position has been unfilled for at least 35 days.

expedited hiring trained psychiatrists act bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs appoint psychiatrist completes residency veterans_health_administration vha facility vha health care position immediately residency regard civil service classification laws psychiatrist meets qualifications established regulations prescribed position position days


Summary:
Advancing Medical Resident Training in Community Hospitals Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise payment rules for graduate medical education (GME) costs with respect to a hospital that establishes a new medical residency training program.

With respect to a hospital that has not entered into a GME affiliation agreement, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall establish the hospital's full-time equivalent (FTE) resident amount only after determining that the hospital's medical residency training program trains more than 1.0 FTE resident in a cost reporting period. In the case of a hospital with an approved FTE resident amount based on the training of no more than 1.0 FTE resident in a cost reporting period before October 1, 1997, or 3.0 FTE residents in a cost reporting period after that date, CMS shall provide the hospital an opportunity to have its FTE resident amount reestablished when the hospital begins training FTE residents in excess of the applicable threshold.

Current law limits the number, subject to the application of certain adjustments, of FTE residents a hospital may have in allopathic and osteopathic medicine for purposes of Medicare payment. The bill specifies that CMS shall determine a hospital's limitation adjustment only after determining that the hospital's medical residency training program trains more than 1.0 FTE residents in a cost reporting period. In the case of a hospital with a limitation adjustment based on the training of no more than 1.0 FTE resident in a cost reporting period before October 1, 1997, or 3.0 FTE residents in a cost reporting period after that date, CMS shall provide the hospital an opportunity to have its adjustment re-determined when the hospital begins training FTE residents in excess of the applicable threshold.

advancing medical resident training community hospitals act bill amends title xviii medicare social security act revise payment rules graduate medical education gme costs respect hospital establishes new medical residency training program respect hospital entered gme affiliation agreement cms shall establish hospital time equivalent fte resident determining hospital medical residency training program trains fte resident cost reporting period case hospital approved fte resident based training fte resident cost reporting period october fte residents cost reporting period date cms shall provide hospital opportunity fte resident hospital begins training fte residents excess applicable threshold current law limits number subject application certain adjustments fte residents hospital allopathic osteopathic medicine purposes medicare payment bill specifies cms shall determine hospital limitation adjustment determining hospital medical residency training program trains fte residents cost reporting period case hospital limitation adjustment based training fte resident cost reporting period october fte residents cost reporting period date cms shall provide hospital opportunity adjustment determined hospital begins training fte residents excess applicable threshold


Summary: This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow a nurse practitioner to fulfill documentation requirements for coverage, under Medicare, of special shoes for diabetic individuals. Under current law, such requirements may be satisfied only by a physician.

bill amends title xviii medicare social security act allow nurse practitioner fulfill documentation requirements coverage medicare special shoes diabetic individuals current law requirements satisfied physician


Summary:
Training Tomorrow's Doctors Today Act

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to increase, for purposes of Medicare payment, the otherwise applicable resident limit for qualifying hospitals. The bill establishes a process for distributing the new residency positions.

The bill eliminates the use of three-year rolling averages with respect to calculating, for purposes of Medicare payment, specified limits on certain new or redistributed residency positions.

With respect to specified hospitals, all of the time spent by an intern or resident in an approved medical residency training program, regardless of setting, shall be counted for purposes of determining a hospital's number of residents.

The bill revises payment rules for graduate medical education (GME) costs with respect to a hospital that establishes a new medical residency training program. With respect to a hospital that has not entered into a GME affiliation agreement, CMS shall establish the hospital's resident amount only after determining that the hospital trains more a specified number of residents. Similarly, CMS shall adjust a hospital's limitation on allopathic and osteopathic residents only after determining that the hospital trains more than a specified number of residents. In specified cases, CMS shall provide a hospital an opportunity to have its resident amount reestablished and its limitation adjustment re-determined.

The bill also revises provisions regarding: (1) aggregation rules relating to resident limits, and (2) the period of board eligibility for residents who change specialties.

CMS shall establish and implement procedures for adjusting a hospital's indirect medical education payments based on specified performance measures.

training tomorrow doctors today act bill amends title xviii medicare social security act require centers cms increase purposes medicare payment applicable resident limit qualifying hospitals bill establishes process distributing new residency positions bill eliminates use year rolling averages respect calculating purposes medicare payment specified limits certain new residency positions respect specified hospitals time spent intern resident approved medical residency training program regardless setting shall counted purposes determining hospital number residents bill revises payment rules graduate medical education gme costs respect hospital establishes new medical residency training program respect hospital entered gme affiliation agreement cms shall establish hospital resident determining hospital trains specified number residents similarly cms shall adjust hospital limitation allopathic osteopathic residents determining hospital trains specified number residents specified cases cms shall provide hospital opportunity resident limitation adjustment determined bill revises provisions aggregation rules relating resident limits period board eligibility residents change specialties cms shall establish implement procedures adjusting hospital indirect medical education payments based specified performance measures


Summary:
Health for Each American Less fortunate Through Help from medical professionals In Every Rural and impoverished area Act of 2016 or the HEALTHIER Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to states with a volunteer health care provider law that permits a volunteer to provide health care services without being licensed in the state if the volunteer is licensed in another state.

The law must: (1) require the services to be provided in a rural or impoverished area and to be within the scope of practice of the provider in the state, and (2) prohibit the services from being provided for more than seven consecutive days.

health american help medical professionals rural impoverished area act healthier act bill requires department_of_health_and_human_services award grants states volunteer health care provider law permits volunteer provide health care services licensed state volunteer licensed state law require services provided rural impoverished area scope practice provider state prohibit services provided seven consecutive days


Summary:
Co-Prescribing Saves Lives Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Department of Defense (DOD) to: (1) establish training guidelines for federal health care facilities and federally qualified health centers; and (2) train certain health care providers at federal health care facilities on best practices for prescribing pain medications, principles of pain management, the misuse potential of controlled substances, identification of potential substance use disorders and referral to further evaluation and treatment, and disposal of controlled substances.

HHS, the VA, and DOD must establish, for certain health care facilities, guidelines for the prescription of naloxone to individuals at an elevated risk of overdose. (Naloxone is a prescription drug used to rapidly reverse an overdose of opioids, which are drugs with effects similar to opium, such as heroin and certain pain medications.)

HHS must award grants to state departments of health for the development and application of guidelines for the prescription of opioid overdose reversal drugs and to increase access to naloxone. Grants may be used to:

 establish a program for purchasing, prescribing, and distributing opioid overdose reversal drugs; expand innovative models of naloxone distribution; train and provide resources to health care providers and pharmacists on prescribing opioid overdose reversal drugs; offset individuals' cost-sharing for opioid overdose reversal drugs; conduct community outreach to raise awareness of the availability of opioid overdose reversal drugs; and establish protocols to connect patients who have experienced a drug overdose with treatment.

lives act bill requires department_of_health_and_human_services hhs department_of_veterans_affairs department_of_defense dod establish training guidelines federal health care facilities federally qualified health centers train certain health care providers federal health care facilities best practices prescribing pain medications principles pain management misuse potential controlled substances identification potential substance use disorders referral evaluation treatment disposal controlled substances hhs dod establish certain health care facilities guidelines prescription naloxone individuals elevated risk overdose naloxone prescription drug rapidly reverse overdose opioids drugs effects similar opium heroin certain pain medications hhs award grants state departments health development application guidelines prescription opioid overdose reversal drugs increase access naloxone grants establish program purchasing prescribing distributing opioid overdose reversal drugs expand innovative models naloxone distribution train provide resources health care providers pharmacists prescribing opioid overdose reversal drugs offset individuals cost sharing opioid overdose reversal drugs conduct community outreach raise awareness availability opioid overdose reversal drugs establish protocols connect patients experienced drug overdose treatment


Summary:
Strengthening Accreditation For Everyone Act of 2016 or the SAFE Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the factors that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must consider with respect to determining whether certain national accreditation demonstrates a provider's compliance with applicable requirements of the Medicare program.

strengthening accreditation act safe act bill amends title xviii medicare social security act revise factors centers consider respect determining certain national accreditation demonstrates provider compliance applicable requirements medicare program


Summary:
Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study access by underserved populations to general surgeons, including whether the health professional shortage area designation under the National Health Service Corps program accurately assesses adequacy of access or whether another measure or designation would be more appropriate.

HHS must consider potential methodologies for designating surgical health professional shortage areas.

ensuring access general bill requires department_of_health_and_human_services hhs study access underserved populations general surgeons including health professional shortage area designation national_health_service_corps program accurately assesses adequacy access measure designation appropriate hhs consider potential methodologies designating surgical health professional shortage areas