Summary: Nursing Education Opportunities Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include accelerated degree nursing students who pursue a second baccalaureate degree or a master's degree as an entry level nursing degree as eligible for financial assistance through nursing programs in the Act, including the Nursing Student Loan Program. Raises the yearly loan amounts available to all nursing students through that Program. Modifies the definition of "collegiate school of nursing" to include accelerated nursing degree programs.Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in the case of a nurse faculty shortage, to obligate more than 10% of traineeships for individuals in doctoral degree programs.Directs the Secretary to award grants to: (1) eligible entities to establish doctoral nursing degree programs, giving priority to such entities located in states in which there are no such programs; and (2) partnerships of eligible entities to establish doctoral nursing consortia to enhance and expand the availability of doctoral nurse faculty and education by enabling the partners to share doctoral faculty and programmatic resources.Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary to award grants to partnerships composed of an accredited nursing school at an institution of higher education and a hospital or health facility to establish up to five pilot projects to enable such hospital or facility to retain its staff of experienced nurses while providing a mechanism to have these individuals become, through an accelerated nursing education program, faculty members of an accredited nursing school.

nursing education opportunities act amends public_health_service_act include accelerated degree nursing students pursue second baccalaureate degree master degree entry level nursing degree eligible financial assistance nursing programs act including raises yearly loan amounts available nursing students program modifies definition collegiate school nursing include accelerated nursing degree programs authorizes secretary health_and_human_services case nurse faculty shortage obligate traineeships individuals doctoral degree programs directs secretary award grants eligible entities establish doctoral nursing degree programs giving priority entities located states programs partnerships eligible entities establish doctoral nursing consortia enhance expand availability doctoral nurse faculty education enabling partners share doctoral faculty programmatic resources amends higher education act authorize secretary award grants partnerships composed accredited nursing school institution higher education hospital health facility establish pilot projects enable hospital facility retain staff experienced nurses providing mechanism individuals accelerated nursing education program faculty members accredited nursing school


Summary: Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prescribe standards for appointment and practice as a physician within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Requires: (1) applicants to provide certain information, including each lawsuit, civil action, or other claim against the individual for medical malpractice or negligence, and their results; (2) each appointee to disclose any judgments against the individual for medical malpractice or negligence and any payments made; and (3) physicians already employed within the VHA to disclose such information. Prohibits a new appointment without: (1) approval of the regional director of the Veterans Integrated Services Network (Network) in which the individual will serve; (2) board certification in the specialties in which the individual will practice; and (3) a license to practice medicine in that state. Requires: (1) the VHA's Under Secretary of Health to designate a National Quality Assurance Officer for the VHA quality assurance program; (2) each Network regional director to appoint a quality assurance officer; and (3) the director of each VHA medical facility to appoint a quality assurance officer. Directs the Secretary to review VA policies for maintaining health care quality and patient safety at VA medical facilities. Requires the Secretary, in order to recruit and retain VHA physicians in hard-to-fill positions, to: (1) repay certain educational loans for individuals who agree to serve for at least three years as a VHA physician; (2) reimburse tuition for medical students who agree to serve as a VHA physician after such education; and (3) enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program an individual who agrees to serve as a VHA physician for at least five days per month. Encourages the Secretary to undertake additional incentives to encourage individuals to serve or practice as VHA physicians.

improvement act directs secretary veterans_affairs prescribe standards appointment practice physician veterans_health_administration vha department_of_veterans_affairs requires applicants provide certain information including lawsuit civil action claim individual medical malpractice negligence results appointee disclose judgments individual medical malpractice negligence payments physicians employed vha disclose information prohibits new appointment approval regional director individual serve board certification specialties individual practice license practice medicine state requires vha secretary health designate vha quality assurance program network regional director appoint quality assurance officer director vha medical facility appoint quality assurance officer directs secretary review policies maintaining health care quality patient safety medical facilities requires secretary order recruit retain vha physicians hard fill positions repay certain educational loans individuals agree serve years vha physician reimburse tuition medical students agree serve vha physician education enroll federal_employees_health_benefits_program individual agrees serve vha physician days month encourages secretary undertake additional incentives encourage individuals serve practice vha physicians


Summary: Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) include physical therapy within the definition of "primary health services"; and (2) make physical therapists eligible for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (to assure an adequate supply of physical therapists among other health professionals).

physical therapist student loan repayment eligibility act amends public_health_service_act include physical therapy definition primary health services physical therapists eligible national_health_service_corps_loan_repayment_program assure adequate supply physical therapists health professionals


Summary: Conrad State 30 Improvement Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to make the the J-1 visa waiver (Conrad state 30/medical services in underserved areas) program permanent. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) revise entry provisions for H-1B visa foreign medical graduates and provide for an increase in the annual per-state cap of 30 foreign doctors; (2) exempt from worldwide immigration numerical limitations alien physicians who have completed service requirements of a state waiver or exemption, including alien physicians who completed such service before the date of the enactment of this Act; and (3) increase Conrad program waiver authority with respect to alien physicians in facilities that treat patients from, but that may not be located in, a medically underserved area.

conrad state improvement act amends immigration nationality technical corrections act j-1 visa waiver conrad state medical services underserved areas program permanent amends immigration nationality act revise entry provisions h-1b visa foreign medical graduates provide increase annual state cap foreign doctors exempt worldwide immigration numerical limitations alien physicians completed service requirements state waiver exemption including alien physicians completed service date enactment act increase conrad program waiver authority respect alien physicians facilities treat patients located medically underserved area


Summary: Caring for an Aging America Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a Geriatric and Gerontology Loan Repayment Program to enter into contracts with physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, psychologists, and social workers trained in geriatrics or gerontology to pay educational loans in exchange for providing full-time clinical practice and service to older adults; and (2) establish the National Advisory Council on the Geriatric and Gerontology Loan Repayment Program.Requires the Secretary to ensure that individuals eligible for the nurse loan repayment program include registered nurses who complete specialty training in geriatrics or gerontology and who elect to provide nursing services to older adults in home and long-term care settings.Authorizes the Secretary to award nursing education grants and enter into contracts for programs that focus on specialty training in providing long-term care services for nursing personnel who provide services in home and long-term care settings.Requires the Secretary to establish a Health and Long-Term Care Workforce Advisory Panel to conduct a research project to identify incentives for recruitment and retention of clinicians and providers who agree to serve vulnerable older adults in geriatric and long-term care settings.

caring aging america act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services establish enter contracts physicians physician assistants nurse practitioners clinical nurse specialists psychologists social workers trained geriatrics gerontology pay educational loans exchange providing time clinical practice service older adults establish national_advisory_council requires secretary ensure individuals eligible nurse loan repayment program include registered nurses complete specialty training geriatrics gerontology elect provide nursing services older adults home long term care settings authorizes secretary award nursing education grants enter contracts programs focus specialty training providing long term care services nursing personnel provide services home long term care settings requires secretary establish health long term care workforce advisory panel conduct research project identify incentives recruitment retention clinicians providers agree serve vulnerable older adults geriatric long term care settings


Summary: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase, between FY2008 and FY2011, from 85% to 100% of the locality adjusted national average per resident amount the payment floor for direct graduate medical education (GME) payments under the Medicare program.

amends title xviii medicare social security act increase fy2008 fy2011 locality adjusted national average resident payment floor direct graduate medical education gme payments medicare program


Summary: Save Medicare Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, to: (1) increase the Medicare physician payment update for 2009; and (2) extend the physician quality reporting system, the incentive payment program for physician scarcity areas, the floor on the work geographic adjustment to the physician fee schedule, and the accommodation for physicians ordered to active duty in the armed services. Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the provisions of, and amendments made by, this Act should be deficit neutral over the five year period beginning on October 1, 2008; and (2) Congress should address the challenges facing the Medicare program in a fiscally responsible manner.Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Medicare program should provide payments to physicians and other health professionals that serve as positive incentives for participation in voluntary initiatives to improve health care quality; and (2) financing for such initiatives should be non-punitive and exempt from the Medicare physician fee schedule budget neutrality requirements.

save medicare act amends title xviii medicare social security act amended medicare medicaid schip extension act increase medicare physician payment update extend physician quality reporting system incentive payment program physician scarcity areas floor work geographic adjustment physician fee schedule accommodation physicians ordered active duty armed services expresses sense senate provisions amendments act deficit neutral year period beginning october congress address challenges facing medicare program fiscally responsible manner expresses sense senate medicare program provide payments physicians health professionals serve positive incentives participation voluntary initiatives improve health care quality financing initiatives non punitive exempt medicare physician fee schedule budget neutrality requirements


Summary: Caring for Wounded Warriors Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out up to three pilot programs to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing training and certification for family caregivers of veterans and members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Requires each pilot program to be carried out in a medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Requires the Secretary to develop curricula for the training of such caregivers as personal care attendants. Makes a family caregiver who receives certification as a personal care attendant eligible for compensation from the VA for the care provided. Directs the Secretary to carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing respite care to members and veterans who have been diagnosed with TBI through students enrolled in graduate programs in mental health or rehabilitation-related fields. Requires such students to provide: (1) relief to the family caregivers; and (2) socialization and cognitive skill development to the members and veterans. Allows such students to receive coursework credit for such participation.

caring wounded warriors act directs secretary veterans_affairs carry pilot programs assess feasibility advisability providing training certification family caregivers veterans members armed_forces traumatic brain injury tbi requires pilot program carried medical facility department_of_veterans_affairs requires secretary develop curricula training caregivers personal care attendants makes family caregiver receives certification personal care attendant eligible compensation care provided directs secretary carry pilot program assess feasibility advisability providing respite care members veterans diagnosed tbi students enrolled graduate programs mental health rehabilitation related fields requires students provide relief family caregivers cognitive skill development members veterans allows students receive coursework credit participation


Summary: Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2008 - Title I: Department Personnel Matters - (Sec. 101) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to appoint personnel for health care positions within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) not specifically listed in authorized classes for appointment, as long as the Secretary provides prior notification to the congressional veterans committees and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Requires, before submitting notification, the Secretary to solicit comments from any labor organization representing employees in any such class and include such comments in such notification. Makes the probationary period after appointment as a registered nurse the period considered appropriate by the Secretary, but not to exceed 4,180 hours. Provides that an appointment on a part-time basis of a VHA health care professional who has previously served on a full-time basis shall be without a probationary period. Limits to 4,180 hours the probationary period for the appointment of a registered nurse on a temporary, part-time basis, after which time the appointment shall be considered permanent. Authorizes the Secretary to waive, on a case-by-case basis, the application of salary offsets for VHA retirees reemployed in the VHA. Bases the rate of basic pay for appointees to the Office of the Under Secretary for Health on pay levels in the Senior Executive Service for equivalent positions. Allows for the payment of: (1) comparability pay of up to $100,000 annually for Office positions which are not physicians or dentists; and (2) special incentive pay of up to $40,000 annually for a VHA pharmacist executive. Removes, adjusts, or waives certain pay restrictions, including on the non-foreign cost-of-living adjustment, market pay, and basic and locality pay, for VHA: (1) physicians and dentists; (2) physicians or dentists occupying administrative or executive leadership positions; (3) nurses; and (4) certified registered nurse anesthetists. Requires additional training, education, and support for appropriate VHA employees in the conduct and use of locality pay scale surveys. Requires VHA facility wage-related information, currently provided by way of reports from facility directors to the Secretary, to be made available, upon request, to individuals in VHA positions covered by such report. Increases from $25,000 to $100,000 the special pay for nurse executives. Makes part-time nurses eligible for additional premium nurse pay. Adds nurse service in excess of eight consecutive hours to the services eligible for additional overtime pay. Adds licensed practical nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and certain other nurse positions to those positions exempted from limitations on increases in basic pay rates. (Sec. 102) Prohibits: (1) the Secretary from requiring nursing staff to work more than 40 hours in a week or eight hours in a day (12 hours in the case of three-day workweeks), except under non-recurring emergency circumstances; and (2) discrimination or adverse personnel actions against nurse staff who refuse to work such additional hours. Revises the calculation of leave for nurses working two 12-hour shifts on a weekend. Redefines the VHA alternative work schedule for nurses as six 12-hours shifts within an 80-hour pay period (as opposed to three 12-hour shifts within a work week). (Sec. 103) Reinstates through 2013 the VA's health professionals educational assistance scholarship program. Revises the VA's education debt reduction program to: (1) add recruitment as a program purpose; (2) allow all (under current law, only recently appointed) employees to participate; and (3) increase maximum amounts of program assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to utilize certain authorities under the Public Health Service Act to repay educational loans of qualified health professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds in order to secure VHA clinical research by such professionals. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to prescribe standards for appointment and practice as a physician within the VHA. Requires: (1) applicants to provide certain information, including each lawsuit, civil action, or other claim against the individual for medical malpractice or negligence, and the results thereof; (2) each appointee to disclose any judgments against the individual for medical malpractice or negligence and any payments made; (3) physicians already employed within the VHA to disclose such information; and (4) the Veterans Integrated Services Network (Network) director in the region in which the physician seeks employment to investigate the information disclosed by such physician. Prohibits a new appointment without the approval of the appropriate Network regional director. Requires each VHA medical facility to enroll practicing physicians in the Proactive Disclosure Service of the National Practitioners Database. Encourages the hiring of physicians who are board-certified or eligible for such certification in their field. Title II: Health Care Matters - (Sec. 201) Makes permanent the temporary authority to consider noninstitutional extended care services as covered VA medical services. (Sec. 202) Extends through: (1) 2013 VA authority to provide nursing home care to veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 70% or higher, and to veterans in need of nursing home care for their service-connected disabilities; and (2) FY2013 VA authority to conduct audits of payments made for non-VA care and services furnished to veterans through contracts and fee-based arrangements. (Sec. 203) Makes permanent (under current law, expires at the end of 2008) the authority to provide hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to certain veterans who participated in Department of Defense (DOD) chemical and biological testing. (Sec. 204) Repeals the requirement for annual reports concerning: (1) pay adjustments for registered nurses; and (2) VA long-range health planning. (Sec. 205) Changes the due date of an annual report to Congress concerning research on the health effects of military service during the Persian Gulf War, and terminates such report after July, 2013. (Sec. 206) Provides that VA payments made to providers who furnish medical care to a veteran's beneficiary under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Veterans Administration (CHAMPVA) shall constitute payment in full (thereby extinguishing the beneficiary's liability to that provider). (Sec. 207) Provides third-party payment authority, when payment by the VA is less than the amount billed, with respect to care furnished to spina bifida-affected children of Vietnam veterans and to children of women Vietnam veterans born with other birth defects. (Sec. 208) Authorizes disclosure of VA medical information to a representative of a patient who lacks decision-making capacity. (Sec. 209) Requires VA patients to disclose health-plan information and their Social Security number. Authorizes the Secretary to deny or terminate medical care and services (with an exception for medical emergencies) to individuals who do not provide such information. (Sec. 210) Requires: (1) the VHA's Under Secretary of Health to designate a National Quality Assurance Officer for the VHA quality assurance program; (2) each Network regional director to appoint a quality assurance officer; and (3) the director of each VHA medical facility to appoint a quality assurance officer. Outlines duties for each officer. Directs the: (1) Under Secretary to establish mechanisms through which VHA employees may submit confidential reports on matters relating to quality of care in VHA facilities to the designated quality assurance officers; and (2) Secretary to review, and report to Congress on, current policies and protocols for maintaining health care quality and patient safety at VA medical facilities. (Sec. 211) Requires a report from the Secretary to the veterans committees on the implementation of provisions of this Act (sections 104 and 210) concerning: (1) standards for the appointment and practice of physicians in VA medical facilities; and (2) the enhancement of VHA medical quality assurance through the appointment of quality assurance officers. (Sec. 212) Directs the Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing training and certification for family caregivers of veterans and members of the Armed Forces with traumatic brain injury (TBI) as personal care attendants. Makes a caregiver who receives certification as a personal care attendant eligible for compensation from the VA for the care provided. Requires a pilot program report from the Secretary to Congress. (Sec. 213) Directs the Secretary to conduct a three-year pilot program at up to ten locations to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing respite care to members and veterans diagnosed with TBI, through students enrolled in graduate mental health or rehabilitation programs, to provide: (1) relief to the family caregivers; and (2) socialization and cognitive skill development to such members and veterans. (Sec. 214) Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a two-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of using community-based organizations and local and state governmental entities to ensure that veterans receive the care and benefits for which they are eligible, including while transitioning from military service to civilian life; and (2) report to Congress on the pilot program. (Sec. 215) Authorizes the Secretary to contract with appropriate entities to provide specialized residential care and rehabilitation services to a veteran of Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom who suffers from a TBI, has an accumulation of deficits in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living and, because of these deficits, would otherwise require nursing home admission even though such care would generally exceed the veteran's nursing needs. (Sec. 216) Exempts hospice care from the requirement to pay copayments in connection with hospital or nursing home care or medical services. (Sec. 217) Repeals a provision that prohibits the Secretary from performing widespread human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing while allowing voluntary testing of certain individuals after receiving written consent (instead allowing such testing after the receipt of informed verbal consent). (Sec. 218) Authorizes the Secretary to disclose to third-party insurance providers the name and address of present or former members and their dependents in order to collect charges for VA care or services provided for a non-service-connected disability. (Sec. 219) Directs the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies to conduct an expanded study on the health impact of Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD). Requires the study to include, as practicable, all veterans who participated in Project SHAD. (Sec. 220) Authorizes the Secretary to utilize non-VA facilities for the care and treatment of veterans suffering from TBI when the Secretary: (1) is unable to provide such treatment or services at the frequency or for the duration necessary; or (2) determines that it is optimal to the veteran's recovery and rehabilitation. Requires the non-VA facility selected to maintain care standards established by an independent, peer-reviewed organization that accredits specialized rehabilitation programs for adults with TBI. (Sec. 221) Provides for treatment of a health facility of a tribal organization as a state home for purposes of grant payments to such homes for veterans' domiciliary care, nursing home care, and hospital care. Exempts a health facility of a tribal organization from the prohibition against the Secretary treating a new facility as a state home after September 30, 2009. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to assist tribal organizations in constructing or acquiring facilities in order to furnish domiciliary or nursing home care to veterans and in expanding, remodeling, or altering existing buildings in order to furnish domiciliary care, nursing home care, adult day health care, or hospital care to veterans in homes. (Sec. 222) Amends the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 to extend through FY2009 its pilot program on caregiver assistance services. (Sec. 223) Directs the Secretary to conduct a three-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing a dental insurance plan for any veteran enrolled in the VA annual patient enrollment system, as well as survivors and dependents eligible for VA medical care. Provides for: (1) voluntary plan enrollment and disenrollment; and (2) the payment of plan premiums. Title III: Women Veterans Health Care - (Sec. 301) Requires the Secretary to report to the veterans committees on barriers to the receipt of comprehensive health care through the VA encountered by women veterans, especially those of Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a plan to improve the provision of health care services to women veterans, and to plan appropriately for the future health care needs of women serving on active duty in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom; and (2) submit such plan to the veterans committees. (Sec. 303) Requires the: (1) Secretary to contract with a non-VA entity for an independent study on health consequences of women veterans of active-duty service in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom; (2) entity chosen to report study results to the Secretary; and (3) Secretary to submit such results to Congress. (Sec. 304) Directs the Secretary to: (1) implement a program for education, training, certification, and continuing medical education for mental health professionals specializing in the provision of counseling and care to veterans suffering from sexual trauma; and (2) report annually to Congress on the counseling and care provided. (Sec. 305) Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a two-year pilot program to evaluate the feasibility and advisability of providing reintegration and readjustment services in group retreat settings to women veterans recently separated from military service after a prolonged deployment; and (2) report to Congress on the pilot program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on employment of full-time women veteran program managers at VA medical centers to ensure that health care needs of women veterans are met. (Sec. 307) Requires the inclusion on the: (1) Advisory Committee on Women Veterans of women veterans recently separated from service; and (2) Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans of minority women veterans recently separated from service. (Sec. 308) Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out a two-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing subsidies to veterans receiving regular and intensive mental health services and other intensive health care services in order to obtain child care while receiving such services; and (2) report to Congress on the pilot program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 309) Authorizes the Secretary to furnish care to a newborn child of a woman veteran receiving VA maternity care for up to seven days after the birth of the child. Title IV: Mental Health Care - (Sec. 401) Makes any member who serves in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom eligible for readjustment counseling and related mental health services through Vet Centers (centers for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans), regardless of whether the member is on active duty at the time of receipt of such counseling and services. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary, upon receipt of a request for counseling from an individual who has been discharged or released from active service, to: (1) provide referrals to assist the individual in obtaining mental health care and services outside the VA; and (2) if pertinent, advise such individual of the right to apply for review of the discharge or release. (Sec. 403) Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study to determine the number of veterans who died by suicide between January 1, 1997, and the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) report study results to the veterans committees. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary to transfer specified VHA funds to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Graduate Psychology Education program established under the Public Health Service Act. Requires such funds to be used to award grants to support the training of psychologists in the treatment of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), TBI, and other combat-related disorders. Provides a preference for VA health care facilities in the awarding of such grants. Title V: Homeless Veterans - (Sec. 501) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a five-year pilot program to make grants to public and nonprofit organizations to coordinate the provision of supportive services to very low income, formerly homeless veterans residing in permanent housing on property that was part of a military installation that was closed and that has a redevelopment plan that includes use of the property for homeless veterans. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 502) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a five-year pilot program to make grants to public and nonprofit organizations to coordinate the provision of supportive services to very low income, formerly homeless veterans residing in permanent housing. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a five-year pilot program to make grants to public and nonprofit organizations to provide outreach to inform low-income and elderly veterans and their spouses who reside in rural areas of the veterans' pension benefits for which they may be eligible. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 504) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a three-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing financial assistance to eligible entities to establish new programs or activities, or to expand or modify existing programs or activities, to provide transportation assistance, child care assistance, and clothing assistance to veterans who: (1) are entitled to a VA rehabilitation program; or (2) were separated or release from active duty on or after October 1, 2006, because of a service-connected disability. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 505) Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress progress reports on each of the pilot programs authorized under this title. (Sec. 506) Increases from $130 million to $200 million the annual authorization of appropriations for VA comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans. Title VI: Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations - (Sec. 601) Amends federal provisions concerning the establishment at VA medical facilities of nonprofit research and education corporations (NRECs) to allow an NREC to facilitate the conduct of research or education, or both, at more than one VA medical center. States that such an NREC shall be known as a multi-medical center research corporation (MCRC). Allows an NREC to act as a MCRC if: (1) the NREC board of directors approve a resolution permitting that NREC to act as a MCRC; and (2) the Secretary approves the resolution. Requires each NREC and MCRC to be established in accordance with the nonprofit laws of the state in which the VA medical center which it supports is located. Prohibits such a corporation from being either: (1) owned or controlled by the United States; or (2) an agent or instrumentality of the United States. (Sec. 602) Allows NRECs (including MCRCs) to act as flexible funding mechanisms for the conduct of approved research and education (including training) at one or more VA medical centers, and to facilitate functions related to such research and education (thus expanding the authorized role of NRECs from simple financial support of VA research and education). Repeals a provision that allows NRECs to include, under education funding, the employment of individuals as part of a residency or similar program. Authorizes NRECs to provide education and training to veteran patients as well as the families of such patients. (Sec. 603) Provides authorized membership for boards of directors of MCRCs. Allows non-VA individuals to serve on NREC boards. Eliminates the requirement that members of NREC boards have no financial relationship with any source of funding for VA research or education. (Sec. 604) Increases authorized corporate powers of NRECs and MCRCs to include entering into contracts and setting fees for education and training facilitated through such corporation. (Sec. 606) Requires NRECs to include in that NREC's annual report to the Secretary information supplied to the Internal Revenue Service representing its tax-exempt status. Conforms laws and regulations governing conflicts of interests within NRECs to those governing similar entities and those among federal employees. Raises from $35,000 to $50,000 the threshold for reporting identifying information of NREC recipients. (Sec. 607) Repeals the December 31, 2008, sunset on the establishment of new NRECs. Title VII: Construction - (Sec. 701) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out major medical facility projects (projects) in FY2009 in: (1) Palo Alto, California; (2) Lee County, Florida; (3) San Juan, Puerto Rico; and (4) San Antonio, Texas. (Sec. 702) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a project in FY2009, as originally authorized under the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006, for the VA medical center in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Sec. 703) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out specified major medical facility leases (leases) in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. (Sec. 704) Authorizes appropriations for projects and leases authorized under this title. (Sec. 705) Increases from $600,000 to $1 million the threshold before a VA major medical facility lease must receive congressional approval. (Sec. 706) Amends the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 to authorize the city of Aurora, Colorado, to convey by donation to the United States nonfederal lands consisting of parcel I of the former United States Army Garrison Fitzsimons, Colorado, and the parcel of land described in a related quitclaim deed, for construction of a veterans' medical facility. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 801) Expands the authority of VA police officers to include: (1) carrying VA-issued weapons while off VA property in an official capacity or while on official travel; (2) conducting investigations, on and off VA property, of offenses that may have been committed on VA property; (3) carrying out any VA-authorized duties when engaged in duties authorized by other federal statutes; and (4) serving arrest warrants issued by competent judicial authority. (Sec. 802) Makes the uniform allowance for VA police officers the lesser of: (1) the amount currently permitted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); or (2) estimated or actual costs as determined by periodic VA surveys. Requires the allowance to be paid: (1) at the beginning of the officer's employment, for those appointed on or after October 1, 2008; or (2) in the case of any other officer, upon the officer's request. (Sec. 803) Prohibits considering a veteran, surviving spouse, or child who is mentally incapacitated, deemed mentally incompetent, or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness from being considered adjudicated as a mental defective for purposes of the right to receive or transport firearms without the order or finding of a judge, magistrate, or other judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that such veteran, surviving spouse, or child is a danger to him- or herself or others.

title department personnel matters sec authorizes secretary veterans_affairs appoint personnel health care positions veterans_health_administration vha department_of_veterans_affairs specifically listed authorized classes appointment long secretary provides prior notification congressional veterans committees office_of_management_and_budget omb requires submitting notification secretary solicit comments labor organization representing employees class include comments notification makes probationary period appointment registered nurse period considered appropriate secretary exceed hours provides appointment time basis vha health care professional previously served time basis shall probationary period limits hours probationary period appointment registered nurse temporary time basis time appointment shall considered permanent authorizes secretary waive case case basis application salary offsets vha retirees reemployed vha bases rate basic pay appointees office secretary health pay levels senior_executive_service equivalent positions allows payment comparability pay annually office positions physicians dentists special incentive pay annually vha pharmacist executive removes adjusts waives certain pay restrictions including non foreign cost living adjustment market pay basic locality pay vha physicians dentists physicians dentists occupying administrative executive leadership positions nurses certified registered nurse anesthetists requires additional training education support appropriate vha employees conduct use locality pay scale surveys requires vha facility wage related information currently provided way reports facility directors secretary available request individuals vha positions covered report increases special pay nurse executives makes time nurses eligible additional premium nurse pay adds nurse service excess consecutive hours services eligible additional overtime pay adds licensed practical nurses licensed vocational nurses certain nurse positions positions exempted limitations increases basic pay rates sec prohibits secretary requiring nursing staff work hours week hours day hours case day workweeks non recurring emergency circumstances discrimination adverse personnel actions nurse staff refuse work additional hours revises calculation leave nurses working hour shifts weekend redefines vha alternative work schedule nurses hours shifts hour pay period opposed hour shifts work week sec reinstates health professionals educational assistance scholarship program revises education debt reduction program add recruitment program purpose allow current law recently appointed employees participate increase maximum amounts program assistance authorizes secretary utilize certain authorities public_health_service_act repay educational loans qualified health professionals disadvantaged backgrounds order secure vha clinical research professionals sec directs secretary prescribe standards appointment practice physician vha requires applicants provide certain information including lawsuit civil action claim individual medical malpractice negligence results thereof appointee disclose judgments individual medical malpractice negligence payments physicians employed vha disclose information director region physician seeks employment investigate information disclosed physician prohibits new appointment approval appropriate network regional director requires vha medical facility enroll practicing physicians encourages hiring physicians board certified eligible certification field title health care matters sec makes permanent temporary authority consider extended care services covered medical services sec extends authority provide nursing home care veterans service connected disabilities rated higher veterans need nursing home care service connected disabilities fy2013 authority conduct audits payments non-va care services furnished veterans contracts fee based arrangements sec makes permanent current law expires end authority provide hospital care medical services nursing home care certain veterans participated department_of_defense dod chemical biological testing sec repeals requirement annual reports concerning pay adjustments registered nurses long range health planning sec changes date annual report congress concerning research health effects military service persian_gulf_war terminates report july sec provides payments providers furnish medical care veteran beneficiary champva shall constitute payment beneficiary liability provider sec provides party payment authority payment billed respect care furnished spina bifida affected children vietnam veterans children women vietnam veterans born birth defects sec authorizes disclosure medical information representative patient lacks decision making capacity sec requires_va patients disclose health plan information social_security number authorizes secretary deny terminate medical care services exception medical emergencies individuals provide information sec requires vha secretary health designate vha quality assurance program network regional director appoint quality assurance officer director vha medical facility appoint quality assurance officer outlines duties officer directs secretary establish mechanisms vha employees submit confidential reports matters relating quality care vha facilities designated quality assurance officers secretary review report congress current policies protocols maintaining health care quality patient safety medical facilities sec requires report secretary veterans committees implementation provisions act sections concerning standards appointment practice physicians medical facilities enhancement vha medical quality assurance appointment quality assurance officers sec directs secretary carry year pilot program assess feasibility advisability providing training certification family caregivers veterans members armed_forces traumatic brain injury tbi personal care attendants makes caregiver receives certification personal care attendant eligible compensation care provided requires pilot program report secretary congress sec directs secretary conduct year pilot program locations assess feasibility advisability providing respite care members veterans diagnosed tbi students enrolled graduate mental health rehabilitation programs provide relief family caregivers cognitive skill development members veterans sec directs secretary conduct year pilot program assess feasibility advisability community based organizations local state governmental entities ensure veterans receive care benefits eligible including transitioning military service civilian life report congress pilot program sec authorizes secretary contract appropriate entities provide specialized residential care rehabilitation services veteran operations enduring freedom iraqi_freedom suffers tbi accumulation deficits activities daily living instrumental activities daily living deficits require nursing home admission care generally exceed veteran nursing needs sec exempts hospice care requirement pay copayments connection hospital nursing home care medical services sec repeals provision prohibits secretary performing widespread human immunodeficiency virus hiv testing allowing voluntary testing certain individuals receiving written consent instead allowing testing receipt informed verbal consent sec authorizes secretary disclose party insurance providers address present members dependents order collect charges care services provided non service connected disability sec directs secretary contract institute_of_medicine_of_the_national_academies conduct expanded study health impact project defense shad requires study include practicable veterans participated sec authorizes secretary utilize non-va facilities care treatment veterans suffering tbi secretary unable provide treatment services frequency duration necessary determines optimal veteran recovery rehabilitation requires non facility selected maintain care standards established independent peer reviewed organization specialized rehabilitation programs adults tbi sec provides treatment health facility tribal organization state home purposes grant payments homes veterans domiciliary care nursing home care hospital care exempts health facility tribal organization prohibition secretary treating new facility state home september authorizes secretary grants assist tribal organizations constructing acquiring facilities order furnish domiciliary nursing home care veterans expanding remodeling altering existing buildings order furnish domiciliary care nursing home care adult day health care hospital care veterans homes sec amends veterans benefits health_care information technology act extend fy2009 pilot program caregiver assistance services sec directs secretary conduct year pilot program assess feasibility advisability providing dental insurance plan veteran enrolled annual patient enrollment system survivors dependents eligible medical care provides voluntary plan enrollment disenrollment payment plan premiums title iii women veterans health care sec requires secretary report veterans committees barriers receipt comprehensive health care encountered women veterans especially operations iraqi freedom enduring_freedom sec directs secretary develop plan improve provision health care services women veterans plan appropriately future health care needs women serving active duty operations iraqi freedom enduring_freedom submit plan veterans committees sec requires secretary contract non-va entity independent study health consequences women veterans active duty service operations iraqi freedom enduring_freedom entity chosen report study results secretary secretary submit results congress sec directs secretary implement program education training certification continuing medical education mental health professionals specializing provision counseling care veterans suffering sexual trauma report annually congress counseling care provided sec requires secretary conduct year pilot program evaluate feasibility advisability providing reintegration readjustment services group retreat settings women veterans recently separated military service prolonged deployment report congress pilot program authorizes appropriations sec directs secretary report congress employment time women veteran program managers medical centers ensure health care needs women veterans met sec requires inclusion advisory_committee_on_women_veterans women veterans recently separated service advisory_committee minority veterans minority women veterans recently separated service sec directs secretary carry year pilot program assess feasibility advisability providing subsidies veterans receiving regular intensive mental health services intensive health care services order obtain child care receiving services report congress pilot program authorizes appropriations sec authorizes secretary furnish care newborn child woman veteran receiving maternity care seven days birth child title mental health care sec makes member serves operations iraqi freedom enduring_freedom eligible readjustment counseling related mental health services vet_centers centers readjustment counseling related mental health services veterans regardless member active duty time receipt counseling services sec directs secretary receipt request counseling individual discharged released active service provide referrals assist individual obtaining mental health care services outside pertinent advise individual right apply review discharge release sec requires secretary conduct study determine number veterans died suicide january date enactment act report study results veterans committees authorizes appropriations sec directs secretary transfer specified vha funds secretary health_and_human_services program established public_health_service_act requires funds award grants support training psychologists treatment veterans post traumatic stress disorder ptsd tbi combat related disorders provides preference health care facilities awarding grants title homeless veterans sec authorizes secretary carry year pilot program grants public nonprofit organizations coordinate provision supportive services low income homeless veterans residing permanent housing property military installation closed redevelopment plan includes use property homeless veterans authorizes appropriations sec authorizes secretary carry year pilot program grants public nonprofit organizations coordinate provision supportive services low income homeless veterans residing permanent housing authorizes appropriations sec authorizes secretary carry year pilot program grants public nonprofit organizations provide outreach inform low income elderly veterans spouses reside rural areas veterans pension benefits eligible authorizes appropriations sec authorizes secretary carry year pilot program assess feasibility advisability providing financial assistance eligible entities establish new programs activities expand modify existing programs activities provide transportation assistance child care assistance clothing assistance veterans entitled rehabilitation program separated release active duty october service connected disability authorizes appropriations sec directs secretary submit congress progress reports pilot programs authorized title sec increases million million annual authorization appropriations comprehensive service programs homeless veterans title sec amends federal provisions concerning establishment medical facilities nonprofit research education corporations nrecs allow nrec facilitate conduct research education medical center states nrec shall known multi medical center research corporation mcrc allows nrec act mcrc nrec board directors approve resolution permitting nrec act mcrc secretary approves resolution requires nrec mcrc established accordance nonprofit laws state medical center supports located prohibits corporation owned controlled united_states agent instrumentality united_states sec including mcrcs act flexible funding mechanisms conduct approved research education including training medical centers facilitate functions related research education expanding authorized role nrecs simple financial support research education repeals provision allows nrecs include education funding employment individuals residency similar program authorizes nrecs provide education training veteran patients families patients sec provides authorized membership boards directors mcrcs allows non individuals serve nrec boards eliminates requirement members nrec boards financial relationship source funding research education sec increases authorized corporate powers nrecs mcrcs include entering contracts setting fees education training facilitated corporation sec requires nrecs include nrec annual report secretary information supplied internal_revenue_service representing tax exempt status conforms laws regulations governing conflicts interests nrecs governing similar entities federal employees raises threshold reporting identifying information nrec recipients sec repeals december sunset establishment new nrecs title vii construction sec authorizes secretary carry major medical facility projects projects fy2009 palo_alto california florida san_juan puerto_rico san_antonio texas sec authorizes secretary carry project fy2009 originally authorized veterans benefits health_care information technology act medical center new_orleans louisiana sec authorizes secretary carry specified major medical facility leases leases arizona california colorado florida georgia ohio oregon puerto_rico south_carolina wisconsin sec authorizes appropriations projects leases authorized title sec increases million threshold major medical facility lease receive congressional approval sec amends consolidated_appropriations_act authorize city aurora colorado convey donation united_states nonfederal lands consisting parcel colorado parcel land described related quitclaim deed construction veterans medical facility title viii miscellaneous provisions sec expands authority police officers include carrying issued weapons property official capacity official travel conducting investigations property offenses committed property carrying authorized duties engaged duties authorized federal statutes serving arrest warrants issued competent judicial authority sec makes uniform allowance police officers lesser currently permitted estimated actual costs determined periodic surveys requires allowance paid beginning officer employment appointed october case officer officer request sec prohibits considering veteran surviving spouse child mentally incapacitated deemed mentally incompetent experiencing extended loss consciousness considered adjudicated mental defective purposes right receive transport firearms order finding judge magistrate judicial authority competent jurisdiction veteran surviving spouse child danger


Summary: Veterans to Paramedics Transition Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) include among entities eligible for rural emergency medical service training and equipment grants entities that provide training for emergency medical services personnel, including institutions of higher education, technical colleges, community colleges, and other state-certified training entities; and (2) include among grant uses the provision of required coursework and training to enable military veterans to satisfy emergency medical services personnel certification requirements, as determined by the appropriate state regulatory entity.

veterans paramedics transition act amends public_health_service_act include entities eligible rural emergency medical service training equipment grants entities provide training emergency medical services personnel including institutions higher education technical colleges community colleges state certified training entities include grant uses provision required coursework training enable military veterans satisfy emergency medical services personnel certification requirements determined appropriate state regulatory entity


Summary: Reliable, Effective, and Sustained Procurement of New Devices for Emergency Responders Act of 2008 or the RESPONDER Act of 2008 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish the First Responders Interoperable Device Availability Trust Fund. Requires that the Fund consist of 5% of the net proceeds from competitive bidding for broadcast licenses and 100% of the net proceeds from competitive bidding for D-block broadcast licenses. (Defines "D-block" as the electromagnetic spectrum between 758 and 763 megahertz and between 788 and 793 megahertz.) Requires that amounts from the Fund be used by the Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to make grants, beginning in FY2012, to purchase interoperable devices for use by public safety personnel. Entends the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to grant a license or permit under competitive bidding provisions until September 30, 2014.

reliable effective sustained procurement new devices emergency responders act responder act amends communications act establish responders interoperable device availability trust fund requires fund consist net proceeds competitive bidding broadcast licenses net proceeds competitive bidding block broadcast licenses defines block electromagnetic spectrum megahertz megahertz requires amounts fund administrator national_telecommunications_and_information_administration grants beginning fy2012 purchase interoperable devices use public safety personnel authority federal_communications_commission fcc grant license permit competitive bidding provisions september


Summary: Nursing and Allied Health Education Preservation Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from denying provider-operated status for a nursing and allied education program that substantially meets certain requirements pertaining to the cost of approved activities for such programs, in effect as of October 1, 2006, on the basis of an organizational structure, contractual arrangements, or legal structure of the program, or a change in such a structure or arrangement, so long as a hospital, hospitals, or health system continues to substantially control the nursing or allied program. Prohibits denial of payments for the costs of approved educational activities for a nursing or allied health education program. Requires restoration to a hospital of any recoupment or denial effected for a previous cost reporting year.

nursing amends title xviii medicare social security act prohibit secretary health_and_human_services denying provider operated status nursing allied education program substantially meets certain requirements pertaining cost approved activities programs effect october basis organizational structure contractual arrangements legal structure program change structure arrangement long hospital hospitals health system continues substantially control nursing allied program prohibits denial payments costs approved educational activities nursing allied health education program requires restoration hospital recoupment denial effected previous cost reporting year


Summary: Health Professions and Primary Care Reinvestment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise provisions related to: (1) addressing workforce shortages for primary care health professions; and (2) assisting underrepresented minorities or disadvantaged students to enter health professions.Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) make grants for the training of primary care physicians teaching in community-based settings; (2) provide for programs that improve clinical teaching and research in primary care; (3) provide for community health needs assessments; (4) provide for the establishment of Primary Care Training Institutes within academic health centers; and (5) provide for approved professional training programs in the field of general or pediatric dentistry.Revises provisions governing area health education centers, including to require the Secretary to make awards to improve the effectiveness and capabilities of existing programs.Authorizes the Secretary to provide for the development and implementation of interdisciplinary training of psychology graduate students to provide behavioral and mental health services.Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis; (2) designate regional workforce analysis centers; (3) award grants or contracts to regional centers for research on high-priority workforce questions; (4) provide for monitoring of the supply, need for, and diversity and distribution of health professionals; and (5) establish the Advisory Committee on Health Workforce Information, Evaluation, and Assessment.Requires the Secretary, acting in conjunction with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award competitive grants to establish Academic Health Departments to provide for collaboration between the academic and practice aspects of public health.

primary care reinvestment act amends public_health_service_act revise provisions related addressing workforce shortages primary care health professions assisting underrepresented minorities disadvantaged students enter health professions authorizes secretary health_and_human_services grants training primary care physicians teaching community based settings provide programs improve clinical teaching research primary care provide community health needs assessments provide establishment primary care training institutes academic health centers provide approved professional training programs field general pediatric dentistry revises provisions governing area health education centers including require secretary awards improve effectiveness capabilities existing programs authorizes secretary provide development implementation interdisciplinary training psychology graduate students provide behavioral mental health services requires secretary establish designate regional workforce analysis centers award grants contracts regional centers research high priority workforce questions provide monitoring supply need diversity distribution health professionals establish assessment requires secretary acting conjunction director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc award competitive grants establish academic health departments provide collaboration academic practice aspects public health


Summary: Retooling the Health Care Workforce for an Aging America Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand training for health professionals in the fields of geriatrics, long-term care, and chronic care management. Requires an analysis of the health and long-term care workforce.Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to provide for information to adults and dislocated workers about health care and long-term care occupations. Provides for information to veterans about training, internship, and employment opportunities in geriatrics, gerontology, and long-term care.Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require the Assistant Secretary for Aging to: (1) develop family caregiver training materials; and (2) provide for the establishment and operation of a National Resource Center on Volunteers, Students, and Seniors to promote partnerships between entities in the aging network and institutions of higher education and secondary schools.Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide for the development of core training competencies for personal or home care aides and additional training content for nurse aides and home health aides; and (2) establish a panel of long-term care workforce experts.Provides for the development of information and referral protocols for family caregivers of Medicare beneficiaries.Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of assessments of family caregiver support needs.Provides for studies on: (1) the mental health workforce; (2) the aging network's capacity to meet current and future needs; (3) retention and tenure of nurse aides and home health aides; and (4) spending by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on conditions and illnesses that disproportionately impact the health of older individuals.

retooling health care workforce aging america act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services expand training health professionals fields geriatrics long term care chronic care management requires analysis health long term care workforce amends workforce investment act provide information adults dislocated workers health care long term care occupations provides information veterans training internship employment opportunities geriatrics gerontology long term care amends older americans act require assistant secretary aging develop family caregiver training materials provide establishment operation seniors promote partnerships entities aging network institutions higher education secondary schools requires secretary provide development core training competencies personal home care aides additional training content nurse aides home health aides establish panel long term care workforce experts provides development information referral protocols family caregivers medicare beneficiaries amends title xix medicaid social security act provide coverage assessments family caregiver support needs provides studies mental health workforce aging network capacity meet current future needs retention tenure nurse aides home health aides spending national_institutes_of_health nih conditions illnesses disproportionately impact health older individuals


Summary: Retooling the Health Care Workforce for an Aging America Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand training for health professionals in the fields of geriatrics, long-term care, and chronic care management. Requires an analysis of the health and long-term care workforce.Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to provide for information to adults and dislocated workers about health care and long-term care occupations. Provides for information to veterans about training, internship, and employment opportunities in geriatrics, gerontology, and long-term care. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require the Assistant Secretary for Aging to: (1) develop family caregiver training materials; and (2) provide for the establishment and operation of a National Resource Center on Volunteers, Students, and Seniors to promote partnerships between entities in the aging network and institutions of higher education and secondary schools, and to encourage projects that involve underserved communities. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide for the development of core training competencies for personal or home care aides and additional training content for nurse aides and home health aides; and (2) establish a panel of long-term care workforce experts.Provides for the development of information and referral protocols for family caregivers of Medicare beneficiaries.Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of assessments of family caregiver support needs.Provides for studies on: (1) the mental health workforce; (2) the aging network's capacity to meet current and future needs; (3) retention and tenure of nurse aides and home health aides; and (4) spending by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on conditions and illnesses that disproportionately impact the health of older individuals.

retooling health care workforce aging america act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services expand training health professionals fields geriatrics long term care chronic care management requires analysis health long term care workforce amends workforce investment act provide information adults dislocated workers health care long term care occupations provides information veterans training internship employment opportunities geriatrics gerontology long term care amends older americans act require assistant secretary aging develop family caregiver training materials provide establishment operation seniors promote partnerships entities aging network institutions higher education secondary schools encourage projects involve underserved communities requires secretary provide development core training competencies personal home care aides additional training content nurse aides home health aides establish panel long term care workforce experts provides development information referral protocols family caregivers medicare beneficiaries amends title xix medicaid social security act provide coverage assessments family caregiver support needs provides studies mental health workforce aging network capacity meet current future needs retention tenure nurse aides home health aides spending national_institutes_of_health nih conditions illnesses disproportionately impact health older individuals


Summary: America's Partnership for Nursing Education Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to states that are experiencing explosive population growth and have a substantial projected shortage of nurses to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty in college and university nursing programs in the state.

america amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services grants states experiencing explosive population growth substantial projected shortage nurses increase number qualified nursing faculty college university nursing programs state


Summary: Dental Emergency Responder Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the inclusion of dental health facilities in the National Health Security Strategy for purposes of preparedness during public health emergencies. Includes dental entities among entities that may carry out education and training activities to improve responses to public health emergencies. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to: (1) define "emergency responder providers" to include federal, state, and local governmental and nongovernmental dental personnel, agencies, and authorities; and (2) require the Chief Medical Officer to serve as the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) primary point of contact for the dental community, with respect to medical and public health matters. Amends the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 to require operational plans developed under the National Response Plan to address the preparedness and deployment of dental resources.

dental emergency responder act amends public_health_service_act authorize inclusion dental health facilities purposes preparedness public health emergencies includes dental entities entities carry education training activities improve responses public health emergencies amends homeland security act define emergency responder providers include federal state local governmental nongovernmental dental personnel agencies authorities require chief medical officer serve department_of_homeland_security dhs primary point contact dental community respect medical public health matters amends post-katrina_emergency_management_reform_act require operational plans developed national response plan address preparedness deployment dental resources


Summary: Physician Workforce Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to establish a loan program that provides loans to eligible hospitals to establish residency training programs. Requires that such program be an allopathic or osteopathic physician residency training program in family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, obstetrics or gynecology, general surgery, preventive medicine, pediatrics, and behavioral and mental health. Requires the Administrator to give preference to hospitals in a rural area or an urban area that is not a large urban area.

physician workforce enhancement act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services acting administrator health_resources_and_services_administration establish loan program provides loans eligible hospitals establish residency training programs requires program allopathic osteopathic physician residency training program family medicine internal medicine emergency medicine obstetrics gynecology general surgery preventive medicine pediatrics behavioral mental health requires administrator preference hospitals rural area urban area large urban area


Summary: Preventive Medicine and Public Health Training Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants to or enter into contracts with certain eligible entities to provide training to graduate medical residents in preventive medicine specialties. Requires grant funds to be used for: (1) residency programs for preventive medicine or public health; (2) financial assistance to resident physicians who plan to specialize in preventive medicine or public health; (3) preventive medicine or public health program costs, including curriculum development and practicum costs; and (4) the improvement of academic administrative units.

training act amends public_health_service_act authorize secretary health_and_human_services acting director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc award grants enter contracts certain eligible entities provide training graduate medical residents preventive medicine specialties requires grant funds residency programs preventive medicine public health financial assistance resident physicians plan specialize preventive medicine public health preventive medicine public health program costs including curriculum development costs improvement academic administrative units


Summary: Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include physical therapy within the definition of "primary health services" for purposes of provisions concerning 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 student loan repayment eligibility act amends public_health_service_act include physical therapy definition primary health services purposes provisions concerning national_health_service_corps makes physical therapists eligible repayment educational loans order ensure adequate supply physical therapists


Summary: Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover the services of a qualified respiratory therapist performed under the general supervision of a physician.

medicare respiratory therapy initiative act amends title xviii medicare social security act cover services qualified respiratory therapist performed general supervision physician


Summary: Assisting Doctors to Obtain Proficient and Transmissible Health Information Technology Act of 2009 or the ADOPT HIT Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow medical care providers to expense (i.e., deduct all costs in the current taxable year) up to $250,000 of the cost of health care information technology used primarily for the electronic creation, maintenance, and exchange of medical care information.Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop standards for hardware, software, and support services for the electronic exchange of health information.

assisting doctors adopt hit act amends internal revenue code allow medical care providers expense deduct costs current taxable year cost health care information technology primarily electronic creation maintenance exchange medical care information directs secretary health_and_human_services develop standards hardware software support services electronic exchange health information


Summary: Primary Care Volunteer Incentive Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a loan repayment program to repay up to $5,000 each year of an individual's graduate educational loans in exchange for such individual serving without pay as a primary care physician for at least four hours per week for five consecutive years at a community health center with a shortage of primary care physicians. Directs the Secretary to give priority to individuals who agree to serve in community health centers in designated health professional shortage areas. Sets forth factors for the Secretary to consider in determining the amount to pay for each year of service. Directs the Secretary to provide additional reimbursements for the individual's tax liability resulting from such payments.

primary care volunteer incentive act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services establish loan repayment program repay year individual graduate educational loans exchange individual serving pay primary care physician hours week consecutive years community health center shortage primary care physicians directs secretary priority individuals agree serve community health centers designated health professional shortage areas sets forth factors secretary consider determining pay year service directs secretary provide additional reimbursements individual tax liability resulting payments


Summary: United States Primary and Preventive Health Care Corps Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Primary and Public Health Scholarship Program to provide scholarships to students pursuing a health professional degree, including dentistry and behavior and mental health, in exchange for service as a health professional for not less than four years at a health care facility that serves a designated primary care or public health shortage area located in the state in which the institution of higher education is located.

amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services establish provide scholarships students pursuing health professional degree including dentistry behavior mental health exchange service health professional years health care facility serves designated primary care public health shortage area located state institution higher education located


Summary: Geriatrics Loan Forgiveness Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to deem each year an individual is enrolled in a geriatric training program as a year of obligated service under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Requires an individual affected by this Act to provide geriatric health service for the remainder of the individual's period of obligated service. Applies this Act to no more than 500 individuals in any year.

amends public_health_service_act deem year individual enrolled geriatric training program year obligated service national_health_service_corps_loan_repayment_program requires individual affected act provide geriatric health service remainder individual period obligated service applies act individuals year


Summary: Nurses' Higher Education and Loan Repayment Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to repay education loans in exchange for an individual working as a full-time member of the faculty of an accredited school of nursing.

loan repayment act amends public_health_service_act authorize secretary health_and_human_services acting administrator health_resources_and_services_administration hrsa repay education loans exchange individual working time member faculty accredited school nursing


Summary: Patient-Focused Critical Care Enhancement Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), to conduct research to assess: (1) the standardization of critical care protocols, intensive care unit layout, equipment interoperability, and medical informatics; and (2) the impact of differences in staffing, organization, size, and structure of intensive care units on access, quality, and efficiency of care. Requires the Secretary to undertake demonstration projects to: (1) optimize the provision of critical care services to Medicare beneficiaries through innovations in such areas as staffing and utilization of technology; and (2) measure and evaluate outcomes derived from a "family-centered" approach to the provision of inpatient critical care services that includes direct and sustained communication and contact with the beneficiary family members, involvement of family members in the critical care decisionmaking process, and responsiveness of critical care providers to family requests. Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for FY2010-FY2012 for augmenting the delivery of critical care services in the rural inpatient setting through the use of telecommunications systems that allow for consultation with critical care providers not located in the rural facility regarding the care of such patients. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to give preference in awarding telehealth grant funds to entities to develop plans for, or to establish, such critical care telehealth networks. Requires the Secretary to undertake an initiative to recruit providers of critical care services into the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.

patient focused critical care enhancement act requires secretary health_and_human_services acting agency healthcare_research_and_quality ahrq conduct research assess standardization critical care protocols intensive care unit equipment interoperability medical informatics impact differences staffing organization size structure intensive care units access quality efficiency care requires secretary undertake demonstration projects optimize provision critical care services medicare beneficiaries innovations areas staffing utilization technology measure evaluate outcomes derived family centered approach provision inpatient critical care services includes direct sustained communication contact beneficiary family members involvement family members critical care decisionmaking process responsiveness critical care providers family requests amends authorize appropriations fy2010 fy2012 augmenting delivery critical care services rural inpatient setting use telecommunications systems allow consultation critical care providers located rural facility care patients amends public_health_service_act require secretary preference awarding telehealth grant funds entities develop plans establish critical care telehealth networks requires secretary undertake initiative recruit providers critical care services national_health_service_corps_loan_repayment_program


Summary: Equity and Access for Podiatric Physicians Under Medicaid Act- Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include podiatrists as physicians in order to cover their services under the Medicaid program.

equity access podiatric physicians medicaid act- amends title xix medicaid social security act include podiatrists physicians order cover services medicaid program


Summary: Primary Care Dental Academic Workforce Development Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, programs of general dentistry or pediatric dentistry to plan, develop, and operate a loan repayment program to pay student loans in exchange for service as full-time faculty members. Requires the Secretary to: (1) encourage participating programs to use support to broadly recruit diverse faculty; and (2) establish appropriate financial penalties for individuals not completing their service obligations.

amends public_health_service_act authorize secretary health_and_human_services grants enter contracts programs general dentistry pediatric dentistry plan develop operate loan repayment program pay student loans exchange service time faculty members requires secretary encourage participating programs use support broadly recruit diverse faculty establish appropriate financial penalties individuals completing service obligations


Summary: Health Workforce Investment Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the National Health Workforce Advisory Council to make recommendations to relevant agencies and congressional committees on health workforce issues, including on: (1) the supply and distribution of the U.S. health workforce; (2) current and future shortages or excesses of health workforce professionals; (3) issues relating to foreign medical and nursing school graduates; (4) deficiencies in existing databases concerning the supply and distribution of, and career, technical, and postsecondary education training programs for, health workforce professionals; (5) factors impacting practitioners' selection of specialty areas, including malpractice insurance costs; and (6) incentives to encourage primary care practice in underserved areas. Requires the Council to encourage entities providing graduate medical education to conduct activities to voluntarily address health workforce issues. Establishes the National Center for Health Workforce Information and Analysis to conduct and support statistical and epidemiological activities for the purpose of assessing and improving the supply, distribution, diversity, and development of the health workforce in the United States. Provides for protection of individually identifiable personal data. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to states for: (1) ensuring access to health services for all individuals, particularly those with low incomes or limited access to health services, through an adequate health workforce; (2) improving the supply, distribution, diversity, and development of the health workforce; (3) creating state-specific health workforce goals and objectives consistent with health status goals and national health workforce objectives; and (4) establishing a state health workforce planning entity to establish statewide processes for state health workforce planning. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for research to identify best practices and innovative approaches to improving the health workforce. Requires the Secretary to develop national health workforce objectives.

health workforce investment act amends public_health_service_act establish recommendations relevant agencies congressional committees health workforce issues including supply distribution health workforce current future shortages health workforce professionals issues relating foreign medical nursing school graduates deficiencies existing databases concerning supply distribution career technical postsecondary education training programs health workforce professionals factors impacting practitioners selection specialty areas including malpractice insurance costs incentives encourage primary care practice underserved areas requires council encourage entities providing graduate medical education conduct activities voluntarily address health workforce issues establishes analysis conduct support statistical epidemiological activities purpose assessing improving supply distribution diversity development health workforce united_states provides protection individually identifiable personal data directs secretary health_and_human_services grants states ensuring access health services individuals particularly low incomes limited access health services adequate health workforce improving supply distribution diversity development health workforce creating state specific health workforce goals objectives consistent health status goals national health workforce objectives establishing state health workforce planning entity establish statewide processes state health workforce planning authorizes secretary provide research identify best practices innovative approaches improving health workforce requires secretary develop national health workforce objectives


Summary: Children's Hospitals Education Equity Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the definition of "children's hospital" for purposes of payments associated with operating approved graduate medical residency training programs to include a freestanding psychiatric hospital: (1) with 90% or more inpatients under the age of 18; (2) that has its own Medicare provider number as of December 6, 1999; and (3) that has an accredited residency program.

revise definition children hospital purposes payments associated operating approved graduate medical residency training programs include freestanding psychiatric hospital age medicare provider number december accredited residency program


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for a cost reporting period beginning on or after July 1, 2005, to provide for payments of direct graduate education costs under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act in accordance with an alternative payment methodology for eligible hospitals in or adjacent to a major disaster area which have established a program to educate residents displaced from a graduate medical education (GME) program impacted by such disaster.

directs secretary health_and_human_services cost reporting period beginning july provide payments direct graduate education costs title xviii medicare social security act accordance alternative payment methodology eligible hospitals adjacent major disaster area established program educate residents displaced graduate medical education gme program impacted disaster


Summary: Nurse Education, Expansion, and Development Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to award a grant to each eligible school of nursing to increase the number of nursing faculty and students. Requires such schools to formulate and implement a plan to accomplish at least two of specified goals, which include: (1) establishing or significantly expanding an accelerated baccalaureate degree nursing program designed to graduate new nurses in 12 to 18 months; (2) establishing cooperative interdisciplinary training between schools of nursing and other specified health related fields; (3) increasing admissions, enrollment, and retention of qualified individuals who are financially disadvantaged; (4) increasing enrollment of minority and diverse student populations; (5) increasing enrollment of new graduate baccalaureate nursing students in graduate programs that educate nurse faculty members; (6) developing post-baccalaureate residency programs to prepare nurses for practice in specialty areas where nursing shortages are more severe; and (7) increasing integration of geriatric content into the core curriculum. Requires the Comptroller General to study ways to increase participation in the nurse faculty profession and to submit a report to Congress that includes: (1) a discussion of the master's degree and doctoral degree programs that are successful in placing graduates as faculty in schools of nursing; and (2) an examination of compensation disparities throughout the nursing profession and between higher education instructional faculty generally and higher education instructional nursing faculty.

expansion development act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services acting health_resources_and_services_administration hrsa award grant eligible school nursing increase number nursing faculty students requires schools formulate implement plan accomplish specified goals include establishing significantly expanding accelerated baccalaureate degree nursing program designed graduate new nurses months establishing cooperative interdisciplinary training schools nursing specified health related fields increasing admissions enrollment retention qualified individuals financially disadvantaged increasing enrollment minority diverse student populations increasing enrollment new graduate baccalaureate nursing students graduate programs educate nurse faculty members developing post baccalaureate residency programs prepare nurses practice specialty areas nursing shortages severe increasing integration geriatric content core curriculum requires comptroller general study ways increase participation nurse faculty profession submit report congress includes discussion master degree doctoral degree programs successful placing graduates faculty schools nursing examination compensation disparities nursing profession higher education instructional faculty generally higher education instructional nursing faculty


Summary: Physician Training Promotion Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase, between FY2009 and FY2011, from 90% to 100% of the locality adjusted national average per resident amount the payment floor for direct graduate medical education (GME) payments under the Medicare program.

amends title xviii medicare social security act increase fy2009 fy2011 locality adjusted national average resident payment floor direct graduate medical education gme payments medicare program


Summary: Nursing and Allied Health Education Preservation Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from denying provider-operated status for a nursing and allied education program that substantially meets certain requirements pertaining to the cost of approved activities for such programs, in effect as of October 1, 2006, on the basis of an organizational structure, contractual arrangements, or legal structure of the program, or a change in such a structure or arrangement, so long as a hospital, hospitals, or health system continues to substantially control the nursing or allied program. Prohibits denial of payments for the costs of approved educational activities for a nursing or allied health education program. Requires restoration to a hospital of any recoupment or denial effected for a previous cost reporting year.

nursing amends title xviii medicare social security act prohibit secretary health_and_human_services denying provider operated status nursing allied education program substantially meets certain requirements pertaining cost approved activities programs effect october basis organizational structure contractual arrangements legal structure program change structure arrangement long hospital hospitals health system continues substantially control nursing allied program prohibits denial payments costs approved educational activities nursing allied health education program requires restoration hospital recoupment denial effected previous cost reporting year


Summary: Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) reduce a hospital's otherwise applicable resident limit by the number of positions unused for the five most recent cost reporting periods; and (2) require the distribution of additional resulting residency positions to certain other hospitals. Requires that all the time spent by a resident in outpatient settings be counted towards the determination of full-time equivalency for the purposes of payments for direct graduate (GME) and indirect (IME) medical education costs, without regard to the setting in which the activities are performed, if the hospital continues to incur the costs of the resident's stipends and fringe benefits during the time the resident spends in that setting. Sets forth rules for counting resident time for didactic and scholarly activities and other activities. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a process for the redistribution of residency slots after a hospital closes.

resident physician shortage reduction act amends title xviii medicare social security act require secretary health_and_human_services reduce hospital applicable resident limit number positions unused recent cost reporting periods require distribution additional resulting residency positions certain hospitals requires time spent resident outpatient settings counted determination time equivalency purposes payments direct graduate gme indirect ime medical education costs regard setting activities performed hospital continues incur costs resident stipends fringe benefits time resident spends setting sets forth rules counting resident time didactic scholarly activities activities directs secretary health_and_human_services establish process redistribution residency slots hospital closes