Summary:
Enhancing Opportunities for Medical Doctors Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to redistribute unused residency positions for which graduate medical education costs are paid under Medicare. Specifically, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must: (1) reduce a hospital's resident limit by a specified amount if the hospital has unused residency positions and is not a rural hospital with fewer than 250 acute care inpatient beds, and (2) increase the resident limit for each qualifying hospital that applies for an increase. In aggregate, the number of increased positions shall equal the number of reduced positions. The bill establishes specified priorities, limitations, and capacity considerations with respect to redistribution.

enhancing opportunities medical doctors act bill amends title xviii medicare social security act redistribute unused residency positions graduate medical education costs paid medicare specifically centers reduce hospital resident limit specified hospital unused residency positions rural hospital fewer acute care inpatient beds increase resident limit qualifying hospital applies increase aggregate number increased positions shall equal number reduced positions bill establishes specified priorities limitations capacity considerations respect redistribution


Summary:
Peer-Support Specialist Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to report on and publish best practices and professional standards in states for: (1) establishing and operating health care programs using peer-support specialists, and (2) training and certifying peer-support specialists.

HHS must award grants to develop and sustain behavioral health paraprofessional training and education programs, including through tuition support.

bill requires department_of_health_and_human_services hhs report publish best practices professional standards states establishing operating health care programs peer support specialists training certifying peer support specialists hhs award grants develop sustain behavioral health paraprofessional training education programs including tuition support


Summary:
Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to offer a contingent physician's appointment to a person who, upon completion of a post-graduate training program, completes a residency program within two years after the VA offer.

Eligibility requirements for a VA physician's appointment, including a contingency appointment, are revised to require completion of a residency program rather than an internship.

 The VA shall ensure that a recruiter or other similar official of each Veterans Integrated Service Network visits, at least annually, each allopathic and osteopathic teaching institution with a graduate medical education program within the Network to recruit individuals for the Veterans Health Administration.

veterans doctor act bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs offer contingent physician appointment person completion post graduate training program completes residency program years offer eligibility requirements physician appointment including contingency appointment revised require completion residency program internship shall ensure recruiter similar official veterans_integrated_service_network visits annually allopathic osteopathic teaching institution graduate medical education program network recruit individuals veterans_health_administration


Summary:
This bill includes directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of the Under Secretary for Health.

The bill provides that the pay for medical directors and directors of networks shall consist of base pay and market pay. Market pay shall consist of pay intended to reflect the recruitment and retention needs for the assignment of a particular director.

The requirement that the VA consult with two or more national surveys in making a general determination of market pay for physicians and dentists, or with a panel or board in making such determination for a specific physician or dentist, is eliminated.

The annual determination of VHA staff shortages shall include shortages for five clinical and five non-clinical occupations for each network. (Such determination currently includes the five occupations for which there are the largest VA-wide shortages.)

The bill establishes in the VA an executive management fellowship program to provide eligible employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and the VHA with private sector training and experience.

Veterans federal employment preference provisions are amended to: (1) make all retired members of the armed forces preference eligible, (2) provide preference eligible individuals with a senior executive position hiring preference, and (3) make the active duty service criteria 180 cumulative days (rather than 180 consecutive days as currently provided).

The VA may non-competitively appoint a qualified former employee to any VA position within the competitive or excepted service that is one grade higher than the position most recently occupied by the employee.

The VA shall:

 conduct an annual performance plan for each political appointee that is similar to the plan conducted for VA senior executive employees; establish a single database that lists each vacant VA position that is critical, difficult to fill, or both; prescribe regulations to allow for excepted service appointments of qualifying students and recent graduates leading to career or career conditional employment; provide VHA human resources with training on employee recruitment and retention; establish a promotional track system for employees who are technical experts to advance without being required to transition to management positions; collect information on hiring effectiveness; and develop and carry out a standardized exit survey for career and noncareer VA employees and executives who voluntarily separate from the VA. The Government Accountability Office shall conduct a study of succession planning at: (1) each VA medical facility, and (2) the VBA and the VA National Cemetery Administration.

bill includes directors veterans_integrated_service_networks veterans_health_administration vha office secretary health bill provides pay medical directors directors networks shall consist base pay market pay market pay shall consist pay intended reflect recruitment retention needs assignment particular director requirement consult national surveys making general determination market pay physicians dentists panel board making determination specific physician dentist eliminated annual determination vha staff shortages shall include shortages clinical non clinical occupations network determination currently includes occupations largest wide shortages bill establishes executive management fellowship program provide eligible employees veterans_benefits_administration vba vha private sector training experience veterans federal employment preference provisions amended retired members armed forces preference eligible provide preference eligible individuals senior executive position hiring preference active duty service criteria cumulative days consecutive days currently provided non competitively appoint qualified employee position competitive excepted service grade higher position recently occupied employee shall conduct annual performance plan political appointee similar plan conducted senior executive employees establish single database lists vacant position critical difficult fill prescribe regulations allow excepted service appointments qualifying students recent graduates leading career career conditional employment provide vha human resources training employee recruitment retention establish promotional track system employees technical experts advance required transition management positions collect information hiring effectiveness develop carry standardized exit survey career employees executives voluntarily separate government_accountability_office shall conduct study succession planning medical facility vba


Summary:
Environmental Health Workforce Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)to develop model standards and guidelines for credentialing environmental health professionals.

Additionally, HHS must develop a comprehensive and coordinated plan for the environmental health workforce that: (1)includes performance measures, (2)identifies any gaps between existing programs and future environmental health workforce needs, and (3)identifies actions needed to address any identified gaps.

The Government Accountability Office must identify the best practices related to training and credentialing environmental health professionals in six states.

The bill also amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make environmental health professionals eligible for loan forgiveness programs from the Department of Education.

environmental health workforce act bill requires department_of_health_and_human_services develop model standards guidelines credentialing environmental health professionals additionally hhs develop comprehensive coordinated plan environmental health workforce performance measures gaps existing programs future environmental health workforce needs actions needed address identified gaps government_accountability_office identify best practices related training credentialing environmental health professionals states bill amends higher education act environmental health professionals eligible loan forgiveness programs department_of_education


Summary:
Graduate Opportunities in Medical Education Distribution Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to redistribute unused residency positions for which graduate medical education costs are paid under Medicare. Specifically, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must: (1) reduce a hospital's resident limit by a specified amount if the hospital has unused residency positions and is not a rural hospital with fewer than 250 acute care inpatient beds, and (2) increase the resident limit for each qualifying hospital that applies for an increase. In aggregate, the number of increased positions shall equal the number of reduced positions. The bill establishes specified priorities and capacity considerations with respect to redistribution.

medical education distribution act bill amends title xviii medicare social security act redistribute unused residency positions graduate medical education costs paid medicare specifically centers reduce hospital resident limit specified hospital unused residency positions rural hospital fewer acute care inpatient beds increase resident limit qualifying hospital applies increase aggregate number increased positions shall equal number reduced positions bill establishes specified priorities capacity considerations respect redistribution


Summary:
Improving Cancer Treatment Education Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish Medicare coverage with respect to comprehensive treatment education services for cancer patients.

In addition, the bill requires the National Institutes of Health to expand, intensify, and coordinate research on cancer symptom management improvement.

bill amends title xviii medicare social security act establish medicare coverage respect comprehensive treatment education services cancer patients addition bill requires national_institutes_of_health expand intensify coordinate research cancer symptom management improvement


Summary:
Veterans-Specific Education for Tomorrow's Medical Doctors Act or the VET MD Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a three-year pilot program at at least five VA medical centers to provide undergraduate students a clinical observation experience.

The VA shall ensure that such program:

 increases the awareness, knowledge, and empathy of future medical professionals toward the medical conditions common to veterans; increases the diversity of the recruitment pool of future VA physicians; provides a diverse clinical observation experience commensurate with the standard expectations for medical school applications; and expands clinical observation opportunities for all students by encouraging students of all backgrounds to consider a career in medicine. The VA shall select undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens enrolled in an accredited science or medical program of study to participate in the program, with priority to students who resided in a health professional shortage area and who are the first in their immediate family to attend an undergraduate institution.

tomorrow medical doctors act vet act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs carry year pilot program medical centers provide undergraduate students clinical observation experience shall ensure program increases awareness knowledge future medical professionals medical conditions common veterans increases diversity recruitment pool future physicians provides diverse clinical observation experience commensurate standard expectations medical school applications expands clinical observation opportunities students encouraging students backgrounds consider career medicine shall select undergraduate students citizens enrolled accredited science medical program study participate program priority students resided health professional shortage area immediate family attend undergraduate institution


Summary:
Physician Shortage Minimization Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify, for employment tax purposes, certain physicians who provide medical services for a temporary period (locum tenens physicians) as independent contractors rather than as employees.

bill amends internal_revenue_code classify employment tax purposes certain physicians provide medical services temporary period locum tenens physicians independent contractors employees


Summary:
Veterans' Health Care Safety Act of 2016

This bill prohibits implementation of a proposed Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rule to permit full practice authority of all VA advanced practice registered nurses when they are acting within the scope of their VA employment.

bill prohibits implementation proposed department_of_veterans_affairs rule permit practice authority advanced practice registered nurses acting scope employment


Summary:
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to modify, with respect to graduate medical education (GME) payments under the Medicare program, provisions related to "approved medical residency training programs" by: (1) specifying that such programs include osteopathic community residency training programs; and (2) replacing the requirement for such programs to include certain postgraduate training in geriatric medicine with a requirement for approval by a certified accrediting body.

Under current law, a "foreign medical graduate" is generally a resident who was not a graduate of a school that meets the standards for accreditation by one of several specified accreditors. (Foreign medical graduates are subject to certain examination requirements for purposes of being counted as residents with respect to Medicare GME payments.) The bill alters this definition such that a "foreign medical graduate" is a resident who is not a graduate of an accredited school.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must certify at least two accrediting bodies for the purpose of accrediting medical residency training programs in allopathic and osteopathic medicine.

bill amends title xviii medicare social security act modify respect graduate medical education gme payments medicare program provisions related approved medical residency training programs specifying programs include osteopathic community residency training programs replacing requirement programs include certain postgraduate training geriatric medicine requirement approval certified accrediting body current law foreign medical graduate generally resident graduate school meets standards accreditation specified accreditors foreign medical graduates subject certain examination requirements purposes counted residents respect medicare gme payments bill alters definition foreign medical graduate resident graduate accredited school centers certify accrediting bodies purpose accrediting medical residency training programs allopathic osteopathic medicine


Summary:
Fairness to Teaching Hospitals Act of 2016

This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to specify that a certain Medicare rule for counting resident time in nonprovider settings shall not be applied in a manner that requires the reopening of any settled hospital cost reports except where there was a jurisdictionally proper appeal pending as of March 23, 2010. The bill applies retroactively.

fairness teaching hospitals act bill amends patient_protection affordable care act specify certain medicare rule counting resident time settings shall applied manner requires reopening settled hospital cost reports proper appeal pending march bill applies retroactively


Summary:
Veterans to Paramedics Transition Act of 2015

Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the grant program to improve emergency medical services in rural areas to include as a permissible use of grant funds the provision of coursework and training to enable veterans to satisfy emergency medical services personnel certification requirements. Requires such coursework and training to take into account previous medical coursework and training received by such veterans when they were on active duty in the Armed Forces.

veterans paramedics transition act amends public_health_service_act revise grant program improve emergency medical services rural areas include permissible use grant funds provision coursework training enable veterans satisfy emergency medical services personnel certification requirements requires coursework training account previous medical coursework training received veterans active duty armed_forces


Summary:
Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2015

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:
Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2015

Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration program for states with a shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to streamline state requirements and procedures to assist veterans who completed military EMT training to meet state EMT certification, licensure, and other requirements.

veteran emergency medical technician support act amends public_health_service_act direct department_of_health_and_human_services establish demonstration program states shortage emergency medical technicians streamline state requirements procedures assist veterans completed military emt training meet state emt certification licensure requirements


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 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 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 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 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:
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, but permits DOD to exempt a particular command or training method from human-based training method requirements for up to one year if the human-based methods will not provide an educationally equivalent or superior substitute for live animal-based training methods. Allows exemption periods to be renewed.

Requires DOD to submit an annual report to Congress regarding the development and implementation of the human-based training methods, including the justifications for any exemptions.

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 permits dod exempt particular command training method human based training method requirements year human based methods provide educationally equivalent superior substitute live animal based training methods allows exemption periods renewed requires dod submit annual report congress development implementation human based training methods including justifications exemptions


Summary:
Improving Access to Maternity Care Act

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Health Resources and Services Administration to designate maternity care health professional shortage areas and review these designations at least annually.

The Department of Health and Human Services must collect and publish data on health professional shortage areas so availability of maternal health professionals can be compared by professional category and geographic region.

A maternity care health professional shortage area is: (1) an area determined to have a shortage of providers of full scope maternity care health services or of hospital or birth center labor and delivery units, or (2) a population group determined to have a shortage of such providers or facilities.

Full scope maternity care health services include care during labor, birthing, prenatal care, and postpartum care.

bill amends public_health_service_act require health_resources_and_services_administration designate maternity care health professional shortage areas review designations annually department_of_health_and_human_services collect publish data health professional shortage areas availability maternal health professionals compared professional category geographic region maternity care health professional shortage area area determined shortage providers scope maternity care health services hospital birth center labor delivery units population group determined shortage providers facilities scope maternity care health services include care labor prenatal care postpartum care


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:
Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act

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.

clarity act 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 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:
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:
National Health Service Corps Expansion Act of 2015

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the medical facilities or the health care of a county or municipal correctional institution to be designated as a health professional shortage area. (Health professionals working in a health professional shortage area are eligible for the National Health Service Corps and the Corp's fellowship program, Scholarship Program, and Loan Repayment Program.)

act bill amends public_health_service_act allow medical facilities health care county municipal correctional institution designated health professional shortage area health professionals working health professional shortage area eligible national_health_service_corps fellowship program


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.

Requires the aggregate number of increases in the otherwise applicable resident limit to be 3,000 in each of FY2017-FY2021, of which 1,500 in each such fiscal year shall be used for full-time equivalent residents training in a shortage specialty residency program.

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 requires aggregate number increases applicable resident limit fy2017-fy2021 fiscal year shall time equivalent residents training shortage specialty residency program 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:
Medicare Patient Access to Hospice Act of 2015

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to recognize attending physician assistants as attending physicians to serve hospice patients.

medicare_patient_access hospice act amends title xviii medicare social security act recognize attending physician assistants attending physicians serve hospice patients


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

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to modify the hours of employment for a physician or physician assistant appointed in the VA on a full-time basis to more or less than 80 hours in a biweekly pay period provided the employee's total hours of employment in a calendar year do not exceed 2,080.

bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs modify hours employment physician physician assistant appointed time basis hours biweekly pay period provided employee total hours employment calendar year exceed


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

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of 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 who 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.

At least 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 title xviii medicare 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 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:
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:
Building a Health Care Workforce for the Future Act

This bill 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.

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

HHS must 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.

HHS must seek to enter into a contract whereby the National Academy of Medicine (formerly known as the Institute of Medicine) studies the documentation requirements for cognitive services (evaluation and management services) required under Medicare and Medicaid and through private health insurers.

bill amends public_health_service_act require department_of_health_and_human_services hhs award matching grants enable states implement scholarship programs ensure adequate supply health professionals hhs award grants assist medical schools developing strengthening primary care mentorship programs cultivating leaders primary care students 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 hhs seek enter contract known institute_of_medicine studies documentation requirements cognitive services evaluation management services required medicare medicaid private health insurers


Summary:
Family Health Care Accessibility Act of 2015

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to deem a health professional volunteer providing primary health care to an individual at a community health center or through programs or events carried out by a center to be an employee of the Public Health Service for purposes of any civil action that may arise from providing services to patients. For a volunteer to be covered by this liability protection, the Department of Health and Human Services must approve the center's application to sponsor the volunteer.

family health care accessibility act bill amends public_health_service_act deem health professional volunteer providing primary health care individual community health center programs events carried center employee public_health_service purposes civil action arise providing services patients volunteer covered liability protection department_of_health_and_human_services approve center application sponsor volunteer


Summary:
Department of Veterans Affairs Provider Equity Act

This bill includes podiatrists within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) definition of physician, and increases their pay grade to match other VA physician compensation.

department_of_veterans_affairs provider equity act bill includes podiatrists department_of_veterans_affairs definition physician increases pay grade match physician compensation


Summary:
FDA Regulatory Efficiency Act

This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a third-party quality system assessment program to accredit persons to assess whether a medical device manufacturer's quality system can ensure the safety and effectiveness or substantial equivalence of an approved medical device after certain changes, including changes in manufacturing or changes to enhance device safety.

Device manufacturers with quality systems that have been certified by an accredited person are allowed to make changes to a device without submitting to the FDA the premarket notification, 30-day notice, or premarket approval supplement that would otherwise be required.

An accredited person who assesses a device manufacturer's quality system must submit a summary of their assessment and, as appropriate, a certification of the quality system to the FDA within 30 days of the assessment. An assessment summary and certification is deemed accepted by the FDA 30 days after submission unless the FDA determines that additional information is needed to support certification, the assessment or certification is unwarranted, or an action other than acceptance of the certification is otherwise justified.

Device manufacturers who make changes to devices without submitting a premarket notification must describe the changes in an annual summary submitted to the FDA. Changes made without submitting a 30-day notice or a premarket approval supplement must be described in a periodic report.

Certifications accepted by the FDA remain in effect for two years.

The FDA must report on this quality system assessment program no later than January 31, 2022. The program is terminated at the end of FY2022.

bill amends cosmetic act require food_and_drug_administration fda establish party quality system assessment program accredit persons assess medical device manufacturer quality system ensure safety effectiveness substantial equivalence approved medical device certain changes including changes manufacturing changes enhance device safety device manufacturers quality systems certified accredited person allowed changes device submitting fda premarket notification day notice premarket approval supplement required accredited person assesses device manufacturer quality system submit summary assessment appropriate certification quality system fda days assessment assessment summary certification deemed accepted fda days submission fda determines additional information needed support certification assessment certification unwarranted action acceptance certification justified device manufacturers changes devices submitting premarket notification describe changes annual summary submitted fda changes submitting day notice premarket approval supplement described periodic report certifications accepted fda remain effect years fda report quality system assessment program later january program terminated end fy2022


Summary:
Veteran Partners' Efforts to Enhance Reintegration Act or Veteran PEER Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish peer specialists in patient aligned care teams at VA medical centers to promote the use and integration of mental health services in a primary care setting.

At least 5 centers shall be polytrauma centers, and at least 10 shall be non-polytrauma centers.

The VA shall ensure that the needs of female veterans are specifically addressed and that female peer specialists are included in the program.

veteran partners efforts enhance reintegration act veteran peer act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs establish peer specialists patient aligned care teams medical centers promote use integration mental health services primary care setting centers shall polytrauma centers shall non polytrauma centers shall ensure needs female veterans specifically addressed female peer specialists included program


Summary:
Co-Prescribing Saves Lives Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide information to certain prescribers on best practices for prescribing naloxone for patients receiving chronic opioid therapy or being treated for opioid use disorders. (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.) The information must be provided to prescribers in federally qualified health centers and the health care facilities of the Indian Health Service.

The Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs must provide such information to prescribers in their medical facilities.

lives act sec bill requires department_of_health_and_human_services provide information certain prescribers best practices prescribing naloxone patients receiving chronic opioid therapy treated opioid use disorders naloxone prescription drug rapidly reverse overdose opioids drugs effects similar opium heroin certain pain medications information provided prescribers federally qualified health centers health care facilities indian_health_service department_of_defense department_of_veterans_affairs provide information prescribers medical facilities


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:
Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2015

This bill establishes circumstances under which an occupational therapist may conduct the initial assessment visit for an individual who is eligible for home health services under Medicare. Specifically, an occupational therapist may conduct the assessment if the physician's referral order does not include skilled nursing care but does include: (1) occupational therapy, and (2) physical therapy or speech language pathology.

medicare_home_health flexibility act bill establishes circumstances occupational therapist conduct initial assessment visit individual eligible home health services medicare specifically occupational therapist conduct assessment physician referral order include skilled nursing care include occupational therapy physical therapy speech language pathology


Summary:
Physician Shortage Minimization Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify, for employment tax purposes, certain physicians who provide medical services for a temporary period (locum tenens physicians) as independent contractors rather than as employees.

bill amends internal_revenue_code classify employment tax purposes certain physicians provide medical services temporary period locum tenens physicians independent contractors employees


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:
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: This bill provides that persons with a degree that is equivalent to a master's degree in mental health counseling shall be eligible for appointment to a Department of Veterans Affairs licensed professional mental health counselor position.

bill provides persons degree equivalent master degree mental health counseling shall eligible appointment department_of_veterans_affairs licensed professional mental health counselor position


Summary:
Ensuring Children’s Access to Specialty Care Act of 2016

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:
Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise physician supervision requirements under the Medicare program for radiology services performed by advanced level radiographers. Specifically, with respect to a state that has established such requirements for those services, the bill aligns Medicare's requirements with state requirements.

An "advanced level radiographer" is a radiographer who has obtained specified certification from either the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or the Certification Board for Radiology Practitioner Assistants.

bill amends title xviii medicare social security act revise physician supervision requirements medicare program services performed advanced level specifically respect state established requirements services bill medicare requirements state requirements advanced level obtained specified certification assistants


Summary:
Restoring Rural Residencies Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reimburse medical residency training programs under Medicare for certain graduate medical education costs associated with resident time spent in rural community hospitals known as "critical access hospitals."

restoring rural residencies act bill amends title xviii medicare social security act require centers reimburse medical residency training programs medicare certain graduate medical education costs associated resident time spent rural community hospitals known critical access hospitals


Summary:
Maximizing Efficiency and Improving Access to Providers at the Department of Veterans Affairs Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out an 18-month pilot program to increase the use of medical scribes to maximize the efficiency of physicians at VA medical facilities. A "medical scribe" is defined as a member of the medical team hired and trained to perform documentation in an electronic health record to maximize the productivity of a physician.

The program shall be conducted at not fewer than five medical facilities: (1) that the VA determines have a high volume of patients; or (2) which are located in rural areas, at which there is a shortage of physicians, and each physician of which has a high caseload.

To carry out such program, the VA shall enter into a contract with one or more appropriate nongovernmental entities that train and employ professional medical scribes who specialize in the collection of medical data and data entry into electronic health records.

The VA shall collect data to determine the effectiveness of the program, including information on changes in the average wait times for veterans to receive care, the average number of patients that a physician is able to see, the average amount of time such a physician spends on documentation, physician satisfaction and retention scores, and patient satisfaction scores.

improving access providers bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs carry month pilot program increase use medical maximize efficiency physicians medical facilities medical defined member medical team hired trained perform documentation electronic health record maximize productivity physician program shall conducted fewer medical facilities determines high volume patients located rural areas shortage physicians physician high caseload carry program shall enter contract appropriate nongovernmental entities train employ professional medical specialize collection medical data data entry electronic health records shall collect data determine effectiveness program including information changes average wait times veterans receive care average number patients physician able average time physician spends documentation physician satisfaction retention scores patient satisfaction scores


Summary:
Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 2016

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to shield a health care professional from liability under federal or state law for harm caused by any act or omission if: (1) the professional is serving as a volunteer in response to a disaster; and (2) the act or omission occurs during the period of the disaster, in the professional's capacity as a volunteer, and in a good faith belief that the individual being treated is in need of health care services.

This protection from liability does not apply if: (1) the harm was caused by an act or omission constituting willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed; or (2) the professional rendered the health care services under the influence of alcohol or an intoxicating drug.

good samaritan health professionals act bill amends public_health_service_act shield health care professional liability federal state law harm caused act omission professional serving volunteer response disaster act omission occurs period disaster professional capacity volunteer good faith belief individual treated need health care services protection liability apply harm caused act omission constituting willful criminal misconduct gross negligence reckless misconduct conscious flagrant indifference rights safety individual harmed professional rendered health care services influence alcohol intoxicating drug


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


Summary:
Strengthening Our Rural Health Workforce Act of 2016

This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to reauthorize the National Health Care Workforce Commission.The commission must track information on the career paths of medical school and residency program graduates and make such information publicly available.

The Department of Health and Human Services must revise the definition of medical residency training programs (rural track training programs)in rural areas so that more health care facilities are able to participate.

The Government Accountability Office must: (1) study and report on graduate medical education funding structures and their success in bringing physicians to practice in rural communities, and (2) report on improving data collection on emerging health care professions.

The bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to redistribute unused residency positions to rural hospitals.

The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to (1) reauthorize the Primary Care Residency Expansion Program and Area Health Education Centers, and (2) authorize appropriations through FY2021 for the Quentin N. Burdick Program for Rural Interdisciplinary Training to provide access to health care in rural areas.

The bill incorporates emerging health professionals, such as dental therapists and community paramedics, into existing loan forgiveness programs and other training programs for allied health professionals.

The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to establish mental health and substance use disorder training programs for schools of medicine or nursing, physician assistants, pharmacy, social work, and other allied health professions to ensure that health care providers are able to recognize, diagnose, and treat mental health and substance use disorders.

The bill also funds essential mental and behavioral health education and training grants that are used to recruit and train graduate students in mental and behavioral health fields who practice in rural and other high need areas.

strengthening rural health workforce act bill amends patient_protection affordable care act reauthorize national_health_care_workforce_commission commission track information career paths medical school residency program graduates information publicly available department_of_health_and_human_services revise definition medical residency training programs rural track training rural areas health care facilities able participate government_accountability_office study report graduate medical education funding structures success bringing physicians practice rural communities report improving data collection emerging health care professions bill amends title xviii medicare social security act redistribute unused residency positions rural hospitals bill amends public_health_service_act reauthorize authorize appropriations fy2021 provide access health care rural areas bill incorporates emerging health professionals dental therapists community paramedics existing loan forgiveness programs training programs allied health professionals bill amends public_health_service_act establish mental health substance use disorder training programs schools medicine nursing physician assistants pharmacy social work allied health professions ensure health care providers able recognize diagnose treat mental health substance use disorders bill funds essential mental behavioral health education training grants recruit train graduate students mental behavioral health fields practice rural high need areas


Summary:
Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2016

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to extend through FY2021 support for nursing workforce programs and grants.

Eligibility for advanced nursing education grants is expanded to include education programs for clinical nurse leaders and all combined registered nurse and graduate degree programs. (Clinical nurse leaders are advanced generalist clinicians who apply research and coordinate care in order to improve outcomes for patients.) To be eligible for these 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.

Programs for loan repayment and scholarships for nurses, loans for nursing faculty, and geriatric care education are extended through FY2021. Grants for increasing nursing workforce diversity are also extended through FY2021.

Nurse education, practice, and quality grants are extended through FY2021 and eligibility is expanded to include nurse-managed health clinics.

Grants for nursing career ladder programs are expanded to: (1) promote career advancement for individuals to become registered nurses or advanced education nurses; and (2) support internships and residency programs to encourage mentoring and the development of specialties.

title viii nursing workforce reauthorization act bill amends public_health_service_act extend fy2021 support nursing workforce programs grants eligibility advanced nursing education grants expanded include education programs clinical nurse leaders combined registered nurse graduate degree programs clinical nurse leaders advanced clinicians apply research coordinate care order improve outcomes patients eligible grants clinical nurse specialist programs provide registered nurses time clinical nurse specialist education qualifies nurses provide range care programs loan repayment scholarships nurses loans nursing faculty geriatric care education extended fy2021 grants increasing nursing workforce diversity extended fy2021 nurse education practice quality grants extended fy2021 eligibility expanded include nurse managed health clinics grants nursing career ladder programs expanded promote career advancement individuals registered nurses advanced education nurses support internships residency programs encourage mentoring development specialties


Summary:
Graduate Medical Education Equity Act

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow a qualified hospital to have its payment amount for direct graduation medical education costs calculated on the basis of its Medicaid inpatient utilization rate rather than on the basis of its Medicare patient load.

bill amends title xviii medicare social security act allow qualified hospital payment direct graduation medical education costs calculated basis medicaid inpatient utilization rate basis medicare patient load


Summary:
Clean Up the Department of Veterans Affairs Act of 2016

This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from employing any individual who has been convicted of any of the following state or federal criminal offenses for which the minimum term of imprisonment is more than one year:

 a sex offense, an offense involving the sale or distribution of a controlled substance, fraud, theft, assault, battery, a crime of violence, an offense involving the use of a firearm or other deadly weapon, bank robbery, or kidnapping. The VA may not employ any individual in a health care position who has had a license or credential relating to such position revoked or suspended.

The VA shall: (1) conduct background checks before hiring, and (2) terminate any individual employed by the VA in violation of this bill in a manner consistent with merit system principles.

clean department_of_veterans_affairs act bill prohibits department_of_veterans_affairs employing individual convicted following state federal criminal offenses minimum term imprisonment year sex offense offense involving sale distribution controlled substance fraud theft assault battery crime violence offense involving use firearm deadly weapon bank robbery kidnapping employ individual health care position license credential relating position revoked suspended shall conduct background checks hiring terminate individual employed violation bill manner consistent merit system principles


Summary: Mohawk River Hydroelectric Projects Licensing Act of 2007 - Prohibits the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) from issuing a new license for a hydroelectric project on the Mohawk River in New York if the project has been operating under annual licenses for 10 or more years, unless FERC: (1) issues a public notice that it will accept other valid license applications to develop or dispose of the project works or water resource (including certain nonpower license applications); and (2) approves a license application, according to the requirements of this Act, if other valid license applications are submitted, or if FERC has issued a new license that is not yet final. Sets forth processing and approval procedures. Requires any new power license issued for such project to include the same license conditions relating to the use of affected waters as provided in the license for a specified Potomac Light & Power Company Project. Declares this Act applicable to specified hydroelectric projects for which: (1) a new license has been issued at the time of this Act but which has not yet become final under law; (2) there are pending judicial appeals; (3) the time has not yet lapsed for filing such appeals; or (4) there is a pending appeal of the Clean Water Act section 401 Water Quality Certificate.

prohibits federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc issuing new license hydroelectric project new_york project operating annual licenses years ferc issues public notice accept valid license applications develop dispose project works water resource including certain license applications approves license application according requirements act valid license applications submitted ferc issued new license final sets forth processing approval procedures requires new power license issued project include license conditions relating use affected waters provided license specified declares act applicable specified hydroelectric projects new license issued time act final law pending judicial appeals time lapsed filing appeals pending appeal clean water act section water quality certificate


Summary: Home Energy Generation Act - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require each state regulatory authority and nonregulated electric utility to conduct a hearing, and on the basis of such hearing, adopt a net metering standard. Requires retail electric suppliers to offer to arrange to make net metering available to retail customers on a first-come-first-served basis. Prescribes implementation requirements regarding: (1) net energy measurement; (2) billing practices; (3) ownership of credits; (4) safety and performance standards; (5) interconnection and model standards; and (6) consumer friendly contracts.

policies act require state regulatory authority nonregulated electric utility conduct hearing basis hearing adopt net metering standard requires retail electric suppliers offer arrange net metering available retail customers come served basis prescribes implementation requirements net energy measurement billing practices ownership credits safety performance standards interconnection model standards consumer friendly contracts


Summary: Amends the Federal Power Act, as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, to repeal provisions regarding the siting of interstate electric transmission facilities, including: (1) the designation of national interest electric transmission corridors; (2) issuance of permits for the construction or modification of such facilities; (3) acqusition by a permit holder of rights-of-way for such a facility through the exercise of eminent domain in a federal district court; and (4) the consent of Congress to interstate compacts for establishment of regional transmission siting agencies.

amends federal power act amended energy policy act repeal provisions siting interstate electric transmission facilities including designation national interest electric transmission corridors issuance permits construction modification facilities permit holder rights way facility exercise eminent domain federal district court consent congress interstate compacts establishment regional transmission siting agencies


Summary: Protecting Communities from Power Line Abuse Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to repeal provisions regarding: (1) mandatory fair market value compensation for right-of-way acquisitions; (2) transmission facility modifications in accordance with state law; and (3) requirements for coordination of federal authorizations for interstate electric transmission facilities, including authorization to file an appeal with the President regarding denial of an application for such an authorization. Modifies requirements for acquisition of rights-of-way for electric transmission facilities located on property other than federal or state property. Provides that, if the permit holder cannot acquire by contract, or is unable to agree upon compensation with the owner of the property, the permit holder may acquire the right-of-way in accordance with state law for the state in which the property is located. (Thus repeals current law which allows the permit holder to acquire the-right-of-way through the exercise of eminent domain in a federal district court.) Requires the length of at least one year for the comment period on an application for a transmission facility permit.

power line abuse act amends federal power act repeal provisions mandatory fair market value compensation right way acquisitions transmission facility modifications accordance state law requirements coordination federal authorizations interstate electric transmission facilities including authorization file appeal president denial application authorization modifies requirements acquisition rights way electric transmission facilities located property federal state property provides permit holder acquire contract unable agree compensation owner property permit holder acquire right way accordance state law state property located repeals current law allows permit holder acquire right way exercise eminent domain federal district court requires length year comment period application transmission facility permit


Summary: National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor Clarification Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to revise the factors the Secretary of Energy may consider in determining whether to designate a national interest electric transmission corridor. Authorizes the Secretary to consider whether the designation would have potential impacts on natural values and special places considered to be in the national interest. Repeals authority to consider whether designation would serve U.S. energy independence. Directs the Secretary, before a corridor designation, to analyze all alternatives measures that could address energy transmission constraints or congestion. Prohibits a corridor designation from encompassing, within one mile of their respective boundaries, lands on which development is prohibited or limited to protect scenic, natural, cultural, or historic resources. Revises conditions for issuance of permits by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for construction or modification of electric transmission facilities in such a corridor. Requires that a state commission or other state entity with authority to approve facility siting has: (1) disapproved the siting in a decision that FERC considers an abuse of discretion; or (2) unreasonably withheld or delayed making a decision for at least a year. Requires each permit application to include an engineering study of the feasibility of placing the line underground. Requires treatment as a taking for which just compensation is due of a diminution of 10% or more in any property value resulting from acquisition of a right-of-way and the construction of a facility on it. Requires each agency to issue its own record of decision in order to ensure that its environmental review complies with statutory mandates and regulatory requirements. Repeals any right to appeal to the President an agency denial or failure to act regarding federal authorization for a transmission facility.

federal power act revise factors secretary energy consider determining designate national interest electric transmission corridor authorizes secretary consider designation potential impacts natural values special places considered national interest repeals authority consider designation serve energy independence directs secretary corridor designation analyze alternatives measures address energy transmission constraints congestion prohibits corridor designation encompassing mile respective boundaries lands development prohibited limited protect scenic natural cultural historic resources revises conditions issuance permits federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc construction modification electric transmission facilities corridor requires state commission state entity authority approve facility siting disapproved siting decision ferc considers abuse discretion unreasonably withheld delayed making decision year requires permit application include engineering study feasibility placing line underground requires treatment taking compensation diminution property value resulting acquisition right way construction facility requires agency issue record decision order ensure environmental review complies statutory mandates regulatory requirements repeals right appeal president agency denial failure act federal authorization transmission facility


Summary: More Water, More Energy, and Less Waste Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) obstacles to reducing the quantity of produced water (water that is brought to the surface as part of the process of exploration for or development of oil, natural gas, coal-bed methane, or any other substance to be used as an energy source) and to increasing the extent to which produced water can be used for irrigation and other purposes without adversely affecting water quality or the environment; (2) actions that could reduce or eliminate such obstacles; and (3) the costs and benefits associated with reducing or eliminating such obstacles.Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance for the development of facilities, technologies, and processes to demonstrate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of: (1) optimizing energy resource production by reducing the quantity of produced water generated; or (2) increasing the extent to which produced water may be recovered and made suitable for irrigation, municipal, or industrial uses or other purposes without adversely affecting water quality or the environment. Requires such assistance to be provided for: (1) at least one project in each of the Upper Basin States (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming); and (2) at least one project in at least one of the Lower Basin States (Arizona, California, and Nevada). Prohibits such assistance from exceeding $1 million for any project or from being used to pay more than 50% of project cost or for facility operation or maintenance. Authorizes appropriations.

water energy waste act directs secretary interior study report specified congressional committees obstacles reducing quantity produced water water brought surface process exploration development oil natural gas coal bed methane substance energy source increasing extent produced water irrigation purposes adversely affecting water quality environment actions reduce eliminate obstacles costs benefits associated reducing eliminating obstacles directs secretary provide financial assistance development facilities technologies processes demonstrate feasibility effectiveness safety optimizing energy resource production reducing quantity produced water generated increasing extent produced water recovered suitable irrigation municipal industrial uses purposes adversely affecting water quality environment requires assistance provided project colorado new_mexico utah wyoming project arizona california nevada prohibits assistance exceeding million project pay project cost facility operation maintenance authorizes appropriations


Summary: Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to prescribe requirements for a Federal Renewable Portfolio Standard for calendar years 2010 through 2039. Specifies a schedule of graduated annual percentages of a supplier's base amount that shall be generated from renewable energy resources, from 1% in 2010 up to 20 % in 2020 and thereafter. Authorizes a retail electric supplier to satisfy such requirements through submission of renewable energy credits to the Secretary of Energy. Provides for energy credit trading or borrowing among suppliers. Directs the Secretary to: (1) encourage federally-owned utilities, municipally-owned utilities, and rural electric cooperatives that sell electric energy to electric consumers for purposes other than resale to participate in the renewable portfolio standard program; and (2) establish by December 31, 2009, a state renewable energy account program.

amends public utility regulatory policies act prescribe requirements federal renewable portfolio standard calendar years specifies schedule graduated annual percentages supplier base shall generated renewable energy resources authorizes retail electric supplier satisfy requirements submission renewable energy credits secretary energy provides energy credit trading borrowing suppliers directs secretary encourage federally owned utilities municipally owned utilities rural electric cooperatives sell electric energy electric consumers purposes resale participate renewable portfolio standard program establish december state renewable energy account program


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a 15-year recovery period for the depreciation of: (1) certain property used in the transmission or distribution of electricity for sale and which is originally placed in service after enactment of this Act; and (2) initial clearing and grading land improvements with respect to any electric utility transmission and distribution plant.

amends internal revenue code allow year recovery period depreciation certain property transmission distribution electricity sale originally placed service enactment act initial clearing grading land improvements respect electric utility transmission distribution plant


Summary: Knowledge Is Power Act - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require electric utilities to disclose prominently on consumers' periodic billing statements the percentage mix of energy technologies and fuels used to generate the electricity sold within the distribution utility's distribution area. Requires such disclosure to specify the percentage of electricity generated from coal, from gas, from nuclear, from any other fuel, and from any particular type of renewable energy (including solar, wind, biomass, landfill gas, ocean tidal, ocean wave, ocean current, ocean thermal, geothermal, municipal solid waste, or hydroelectric). Declares compliance requirements inapplicable if before enactment of this Act: (1) the state has implemented for such utility the standard concerned, or a comparable one; (2) the state regulatory authority or relevant nonregulated electric utility has conducted a proceeding to consider the standard's implementation; or (3) the state legislature has voted on its implementation.

knowledge power act amends public utility regulatory policies act require electric utilities disclose prominently consumers periodic billing statements percentage mix energy technologies fuels generate electricity sold distribution utility distribution area requires disclosure specify percentage electricity generated coal gas nuclear fuel particular type renewable energy including solar wind biomass landfill gas ocean tidal ocean wave ocean current ocean thermal geothermal municipal solid waste hydroelectric declares compliance requirements inapplicable enactment act state implemented utility standard concerned comparable state regulatory authority relevant nonregulated electric utility conducted proceeding consider standard implementation state legislature voted implementation


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2009 the special rule for recognition of gain from the sale or disposition of: (1) property used to provide electric transmission services; or (2) any stock or partnership interest in a corporation or partnership whose principal trade or business consists of providing electric transmission services.

amends internal revenue code extend special rule recognition gain sale disposition property provide electric transmission services stock partnership interest corporation partnership principal trade business consists providing electric transmission services


Summary: Solar Opportunity and Local Access Rights Act - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require each state regulatory authority with ratemaking authority, and each nonregulated electric utility, to conduct a hearing, and on the basis of such hearing, adopt a net metering standard. Requires retail electric suppliers to make net metering available to retail customers on a first-come-first-served basis.Prescribes implementation requirements regarding: (1) net energy measurement; (2) billing practices; (3) ownership of credits; (4) safety and performance standards; and (5) determination of compliance. Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to publish model interconnection standards for the physical connection between local distribution systems and qualified generation units and qualified electric generation units that do not exceed 2,000 kilowatts of capacity. Requires states to adopt such model standards, subject to FERC approval. Prohibits a state or nonregulated utility from adopting or enforcing any standard or requirement concerning net metering or interconnection that restricts access to the electric power transmission or local distribution system by qualified generators beyond those established under this Act. Allows states to adopt or enforce additional incentives or requirements to encourage qualified generation and net metering, including any that afford: (1) greater access to the electric power transmission and local distribution systems by qualified generators; or (2) greater compensation or credit for electricity generated by qualified generators. Authorizes a contract for renewable energy for public buildings and properties for a maximum period of 30 years. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to condition receipt of certain community development block grant (CDBG) funds upon grantee certification that the cost of any permit or license, for construction or installation of any solar energy system for any structure, complies with certain requirements. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to issue regulations to prohibit any restriction impairing the ability of the owner or lessee of a one-family residential structure to install or use a solar energy system upon such property. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a Center for Advanced Solar Research and Development. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations also requiring that the application for approval of such a system: (1) be processed and approved in the same manner as an application for approval of an architectural modification to the property; and (2) not be willfully avoided or delayed.

require state regulatory authority ratemaking authority nonregulated electric utility conduct hearing basis hearing adopt net metering standard requires retail electric suppliers net metering available retail customers come served basis prescribes implementation requirements net energy measurement billing practices ownership credits safety performance standards determination compliance directs federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc publish model interconnection standards physical connection local distribution systems qualified generation units qualified electric generation units exceed kilowatts capacity requires states adopt model standards subject ferc approval prohibits state nonregulated utility adopting enforcing standard requirement concerning net metering interconnection restricts access electric power transmission local distribution system qualified generators established act allows states adopt enforce additional incentives requirements encourage qualified generation net metering including afford greater access electric power transmission local distribution systems qualified generators greater compensation credit electricity generated qualified generators authorizes contract renewable energy public buildings properties maximum period years amends housing_and_community_development_act condition receipt certain community development block grant cdbg funds grantee certification cost permit license construction installation solar energy system structure complies certain requirements directs secretary housing_and_urban_development issue regulations prohibit restriction impairing ability owner lessee family residential structure install use solar energy system property instructs secretary energy establish center advanced solar research development directs secretary issue regulations requiring application approval system processed approved manner application approval architectural modification property willfully avoided delayed


Summary: Solar Utilization Now Demonstration Act of 2007 or the SUN Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program of grants to states to demonstrate advanced photovoltaic technology.

solar utilization demonstration act sun act directs secretary energy establish program grants states demonstrate advanced photovoltaic technology