Summary:
Medicaid and CHIP Continuous Quality Act of 2014 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require a state Medicaid plan to provide 12-month continuous enrollment for an eligible individual, regardless of age.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) identify methods that promote the retention of individuals who are enrolled under the state plan and remain eligible for medical assistance beyond the 12-month period, (2) actively promote the adoption of such enrollment retention methods by states, (3) publish the procedures that states are expected to use to provide annual enrollment and retention reports, and (4) publish annually enrollment and retention performance results for all states.

Amends SSA title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP) to: (1) require a state CHIP plan also to provide 12-month continuous enrollment for an eligible individual, (2) prohibit eligibility standards from applying a waiting period for a targeted low-income child (including a child provided dental-only supplemental coverage), and (3) extend the authorization of CHIP performance bonuses through FY2015.

Amends SSA title XIX to allow a state to qualify for performance bonuses for the enrollment and retention in Medicaid of certain low-income individuals.

Requires a state to develop and implement a quality assessment and improvement strategy if it provides contracts with comparable primary care case management services providers as well as health care services furnished in fee-for-service settings.

Directs the Secretary to require states to use certain adult health quality measures and approaches to report on the initial core set of quality measures for Medicaid eligible adults and for the quality of pediatric health care.

Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a Medicaid Quality Performance Bonus fund for awarding performance bonuses to select states for high attainment and improvement on a core set of quality measures related to the goals and purposes of the Medicaid program, as well as (2) a methodology for awarding Medicaid Quality Performance bonuses to states

Requires a state, as a condition of receiving a bonus fund award, to designate at least 75% of the performance bonus funds for the development and operation of quality-related initiatives that will directly benefit providers.

medicaid chip continuous quality act amends title xix medicaid social security act ssa require state medicaid plan provide month continuous enrollment eligible individual regardless age directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs identify methods promote retention individuals enrolled state plan remain eligible medical assistance month period actively promote adoption enrollment retention methods states publish procedures states expected use provide annual enrollment retention reports publish annually enrollment retention performance results states amends ssa title chip require state chip plan provide month continuous enrollment eligible individual prohibit eligibility standards applying waiting period targeted low income child including child provided dental supplemental coverage extend authorization chip performance bonuses fy2015 amends ssa title xix allow state qualify performance bonuses enrollment retention medicaid certain low income individuals requires state develop implement quality assessment improvement strategy provides contracts comparable primary care case management services providers health care services furnished fee service settings directs secretary require states use certain adult health quality measures approaches report initial core set quality measures medicaid eligible adults quality pediatric health care directs secretary establish medicaid quality performance bonus fund awarding performance bonuses select states high attainment improvement core set quality measures related goals purposes medicaid program methodology awarding medicaid quality performance bonuses states requires state condition receiving bonus fund award designate performance bonus funds development operation quality related initiatives directly benefit providers


Summary:
Veterans Health Care Access Received Closer to Home Act of 2014 - Expresses the sense of Congress in support of veteran-centric health care coordination between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and community providers, as well as cost-effective VA purchase of veterans' care from the private sector.

Amends the Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 to reauthorize a VA pilot program of contract care authority within specified Veterans Integrated Service Networks for the health care needs of veterans in highly rural areas. Requires: (1) that medical appointments for veterans, under the pilot program, occur during the 30-day period beginning on the date that is 15 days after the appointment is requested, and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that eligible veterans are informed of the program.

received home act expresses sense congress support veteran health care coordination department_of_veterans_affairs community providers cost effective purchase veterans care private sector amends care improvements act reauthorize pilot program contract care authority specified veterans_integrated_service_networks health care needs veterans highly rural areas requires medical appointments veterans pilot program occur day period beginning date days appointment requested secretary veterans_affairs ensure eligible veterans informed program


Summary:
Small Business Tax Credit Accessibility Act - Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Obama Administration should work to make the small employer health care insurance tax credit more accessible for small employers.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the small employer health care insurance tax credit, to: (1) revise the definition of "eligible small employer" to mean an employer with not more than 50 (currently, 25) full-time employees; (2) modify the phaseout formula for such credit to base such phaseout on number of employees and average annual wages; (3) allow a 35% credit in 2014 to small employers who purchase health care coverage outside of the Small Business Health Option Program (SHOP exchange); (4) extend from two to three consecutive taxable years the period during which an employer may claim such credit; (5) eliminate the requirement that employers contribute the same percentage of cost of each employee's health insurance and the cap limiting eligible employer contributions to average premiums paid to a state health insurance exchange; and (6) make such credit available to dependents of a small employer.

accessibility act expresses sense senate work small employer health care insurance tax credit accessible small employers amends internal revenue code respect small employer health care insurance tax credit revise definition eligible small employer mean employer currently time employees modify phaseout formula credit base phaseout number employees average annual wages allow credit small employers purchase health care coverage outside shop exchange extend consecutive taxable years period employer claim credit eliminate requirement employers contribute percentage cost employee health insurance cap limiting eligible employer contributions average premiums paid state health insurance exchange credit available dependents small employer


Summary:
Consumers Having Options in Choosing Enrollment Act or CHOICE Act - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue guidelines and necessary operational specifications to provide for the establishment of a permanent pathway to enable individuals to enroll in qualified health plans through: (1) a state-based Exchange, if there is one, or if appropriate, a health insurance issuer, a certified agent or broker, or a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)-certified Internet web-based broker or entity; or (2) the Federal Exchange (in a state with no state exchange), a health insurance issuer, an agent or broker certified by the Federal Exchange, or a CMS-certified Internet web-based broker or entity.

Makes guidelines and operational capabilities issued under this Act available to consumers and applicable health insurance issuers and entities for any enrollment period required by PPACA.

enrollment act affordable care act ppaca direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs issue guidelines necessary operational specifications provide establishment permanent pathway enable individuals enroll qualified health plans state based exchange appropriate health insurance issuer certified agent broker internet web based broker entity state state exchange health insurance issuer agent broker certified cms certified internet web based broker entity makes guidelines operational capabilities issued act available consumers applicable health insurance issuers entities enrollment period required ppaca


Summary:
Commonsense Competition and Access to Health Insurance Act - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to permit two or more states to enter into an agreement under which one or more qualified health plans could be offered in small group markets, as well as in the individual markets (as under current law), in all such states.

Directs the Secretary, by December 31, 2014, to request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to report on health plans provided for under PPACA.

Allows the Secretary also to request NAIC to gather concepts for inclusion in the report from organizations and entities that have experience in offering qualified health plans in states in which those plans were not originally issued.

Requires the Secretary, by December 31, 2014, to report to Congress about: (1) how the Secretary may utilize the flexibility provided under PPACA (relating to allowing a regional or interstate exchange) to allow health insurance issuers offering qualified health plans in an Exchange operated by the federal government to offer plans in a state other than the state in which that plan was originally written or issued; and (2) how such an Exchange can be a conduit to forming interstate insurance state compacts.

commonsense competition access health insurance act amends patient protection affordable care act ppaca permit states enter agreement qualified health plans offered small group markets individual markets current law states directs secretary december request national_association_of_insurance_commissioners naic report health plans provided ppaca allows secretary request naic gather concepts inclusion report organizations entities experience offering qualified health plans states plans originally issued requires secretary december report congress secretary utilize flexibility provided ppaca relating allowing regional interstate exchange allow health insurance issuers offering qualified health plans exchange operated federal government offer plans state state plan originally written issued exchange conduit forming interstate insurance state compacts


Summary:
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the excise tax on employer-sponsored health care coverage for which there is an excess benefit (high-cost plans).

Amends the Public Health Service Act to replace the annual review of unreasonable increases in health insurance premiums with a five-year program of grants to states for establishing centers to collect and make available medical reimbursement information from health insurance issuers.

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to deny plan bids under the Medicare Advantage Program and the Prescription Drug Benefit Program.

Abolishes the Independent Payment Advisory Board established by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to develop proposals to reduce the rate of growth in Medicare spending.

amends internal revenue code repeal excise tax employer sponsored health care coverage excess benefit high cost plans amends public_health_service_act replace annual review unreasonable increases health insurance premiums year program grants states establishing centers collect available medical reimbursement information health insurance issuers amends title xviii medicare social security act repeal authority secretary health_and_human_services hhs deny plan bids abolishes independent payment advisory board established patient_protection affordable care act develop proposals reduce rate growth medicare spending


Summary: Obamacare Taxpayer Bailout Protection Act - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, with respect to the program of risk corridors (under which a qualified health plan offered in the individual or small group market is required to participate in a payment adjustment system based on the ratio of the allowable costs of the plan to the plan's aggregate premiums), to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that payments to and from a plan are provided for in amounts necessary to reduce to zero the cost to the government of carrying out the program.

obamacare taxpayer bailout protection act amends patient protection affordable care act respect program risk corridors qualified health plan offered individual small group market required participate payment adjustment system based ratio allowable costs plan plan aggregate premiums require secretary health_and_human_services hhs ensure payments plan provided amounts necessary reduce zero cost government carrying program


Summary:
Expanding Primary Care Access and Workforce Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to appropriate funds for scholarship and student loan repayment programs for primary care providers.

Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 to provide appropriations for the National Health Care Workforce Commission and extend provisions related to community health centers and the Family Nurse Practitioner Residency Training Program. Extends payments and development grants for Teaching Health Centers, the Nurse Faculty Loan Program, the Primary Care Residency Expansion Program, and Area Health Education Centers.

Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from determining physician fees for payments under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act by consulting with physician organizations or entities unless at least 50% of the members are primary care physicians.

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend the Medicare incentive payment program for primary care services. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) to permanently apply the Medicare payment rate floor to primary care services furnished under Medicaid.

Requires medical schools receiving federal funds to maintain a family medicine or primary care department.

Amends Medicare provisions related to payments for graduate medical education costs to permit HHS to increase the resident limit for additional positions in family medicine.

Prohibits health care providers accepting payments under Medicare or Medicaid from charging uninsured individuals a higher rate for a medical service than the provider would receive under Medicare for the same service.

public_health_service_act appropriate funds scholarship student loan repayment programs primary care providers amends patient protection affordable care act provide appropriations national_health_care_workforce_commission extend provisions related community health centers family nurse practitioner residency training program extends payments development grants prohibits secretary health_and_human_services hhs determining physician fees payments title xviii medicare social security act consulting physician organizations entities members primary care physicians amends title xviii medicare social security act extend medicare incentive payment program primary care services amends title xix medicaid permanently apply medicare payment rate floor primary care services furnished medicaid requires medical schools receiving federal funds maintain family medicine primary care department amends medicare provisions related payments graduate medical education costs permit hhs increase resident limit additional positions family medicine prohibits health care providers accepting payments medicare medicaid charging uninsured individuals higher rate medical service provider receive medicare service


Summary:
Health Care Fairness and Stability Act - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to provide a temporary shift in the scheduled collection of payments for the transitional reinsurance program intended to help stabilize premiums for coverage in the individual health insurance markets from 2014 through 2016.

Amends PPACA to delay the collection of reinsurance payments from health insurance issuers and third party administrators of certain self-insured group health plans until January 1, 2018.

Amends PPACA to change the formula for determining the amount of contributions collected for payments to health insurance issuers that cover high risk individuals in the individual market.

stability act amends patient protection affordable care act ppaca provide temporary shift scheduled collection payments transitional reinsurance program intended help stabilize premiums coverage individual health insurance markets amends ppaca delay collection reinsurance payments health insurance issuers party administrators certain self insured group health plans january amends ppaca change formula determining contributions collected payments health insurance issuers cover high risk individuals individual market


Summary:
Ensuring Veterans Access to Care Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) implement an upgraded and centralized electronic system for scheduling individuals' appointments for VA health care, and (2) contract for an independent assessment of the process at each VA medical facility for scheduling such appointments.

Sets forth measures concerning the training and hiring of VA health personnel that:

 protect primary care physicians from liability for failing to perform their period of obligated service under the Health Professionals Educational Assistance Program due to VA staffing changes or an oversupply of primary care physicians; allow individuals, as part of that Program, to enroll in the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences to pursue a medical education with a primary care specialization; require the Secretary to annually identify the five VA health care occupations for which there are the largest staffing shortages, to recruit and appoint health care providers to those positions, and to give scholarship priority under the Health Professionals Educational Assistance Program to applicants pursuing careers in those occupations; direct the Secretary to implement a clinic management training program to provide in-person, standardized education on health care management to all managers of, and health care providers at, VA medical facilities; and include service at VA medical facilities as obligated service under the National Health Service Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs. Establishes measures to improve veterans' access to health care from non-VA providers by:

 requiring the Secretary to make enhanced use of the Secretary's existing authorities to give veterans access to health care at non-VA facilities if they cannot get timely access to care at VA health facilities; extending a joint Department of Defense (DOD)-VA program to identify, implement, and evaluate creative health care coordination and sharing initiatives at facility, intraregional, and nationwide levels; requiring the Secretary to transfer the authority to pay for health care through non-VA facilities from the VA's Veterans Integrated Service Networks and medical centers to the Veterans Health Administration's Chief Business Office; requiring the Secretary to provide outreach to Indian medical facilities regarding their ability to enter into agreements with the VA for reimbursement for providing veterans with health care; requiring the Secretary to enter into agreements to reimburse Native Hawaiian health care systems for the provision of health care to veterans. Sets forth VA health care administrative matters, which include:

 requiring the Secretary to improve veterans' access to telemedicine and other health care through the use of VA mobile vet centers by establishing standardized requirements for the operation of such centers, establishing the Commission on Access to Care, establishing the Commission on Capital Planning for Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facilities, and authorizing the Secretary to remove any individual from the Senior Executive Service if the Secretary determines that the individual's performance warrants such removal. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain major medical facility leases at specified locations for up to specified amounts. Sets forth requirements for the budgetary treatment of such leases.

ensuring veterans access care act directs secretary veterans_affairs implement upgraded centralized electronic system scheduling individuals appointments health care contract independent assessment process medical facility scheduling appointments sets forth measures concerning training hiring health personnel protect primary care physicians liability failing perform period obligated service staffing changes primary care physicians allow individuals program enroll pursue medical education primary care require secretary annually identify health care occupations largest staffing shortages recruit appoint health care providers positions scholarship priority applicants pursuing careers occupations direct secretary implement clinic management training program provide person standardized education health care management managers health care providers medical facilities include service medical facilities obligated service establishes measures improve veterans access health care non providers requiring secretary enhanced use secretary existing authorities veterans access health care non-va facilities timely access care health facilities extending joint program identify implement evaluate creative health care coordination sharing initiatives facility nationwide levels requiring secretary transfer authority pay health care non-va facilities veterans_integrated_service_networks medical centers veterans_health_administration requiring secretary provide outreach indian medical facilities ability enter agreements reimbursement providing veterans health care requiring secretary enter agreements reimburse native hawaiian health care systems provision health care veterans sets forth health care administrative matters include requiring secretary improve veterans access telemedicine health care use mobile vet centers establishing standardized requirements operation centers establishing establishing authorizing secretary remove individual senior_executive_service secretary determines individual performance warrants removal authorizes secretary carry certain major medical facility leases specified locations specified amounts sets forth requirements budgetary treatment leases


Summary:
Family Coverage Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretaries of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury have the administrative authority, within their respective jurisdictions, to apply the affordability provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act so as to expand access to affordable health insurance coverage for working families without further legislation.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the affordability requirement for the tax credit for health care premium assistance to provide that an employee is eligible for premium assistance if his or her required contribution to an employer-sponsored health care plan does not exceed 9.5% of family household income.

family coverage act expresses sense congress hhs treasury administrative authority respective jurisdictions apply affordability provision patient_protection affordable care act expand access affordable health insurance coverage working families legislation amends internal revenue code modify affordability requirement tax credit health care premium assistance provide employee eligible premium assistance required contribution employer sponsored health care plan exceed family household income


Summary:
Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 - Title I: Improvement of Scheduling System for Health Care Appointments - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to contract for an independent assessment of:

 the process at each VA medical facility for scheduling appointments for veterans; the staffing level and productivity of each VA medical facility; the organization, processes, and tools used by the VA to support clinical documentation and the subsequent coding of inpatient services; the VA's purchasing, distribution, and use of pharmaceuticals, medical and surgical supplies, and medical devices; and the VA's performance in paying amounts owed to third parties and collecting amounts it is owed. Directs the Secretary: (1) through a technology task force, to review the VA's needs regarding its system and software for scheduling veterans' medical appointments; and (2) to implement task force recommendations the Secretary considers feasible, advisable, and cost-effective.

Title II: Training and Hiring of Health Care Staff - Requires the Inspector General of the VA to annually determine the five health care occupations for which there is the largest staffing shortage throughout the VA.

Authorizes the Secretary, upon a determination by the Inspector General that there is such a staffing shortage regarding a particular health care occupation, to recruit and directly appoint highly qualified health care providers to serve in that particular occupation for the VA.

Directs the Secretary, under the VA's Health Professionals Educational Assistance program, to give scholarship priority to applicants pursuing education or training towards a career in a health care occupation that represents one of the five largest staffing shortages in the VA.

Requires the Secretary to submit a biennial report to Congress, until 2024, assessing the staffing of each VA medical facility.

Directs the Secretary to establish a clinic management training program to provide in-person, standardized education on health care management to all managers of, and health care providers at, VA medical facilities. Terminates the program after two years. Requires the Secretary, thereafter, to provide health care management training materials to specified VA employees upon the commencement of their employment.

Makes specified appropriations to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) that remain unobligated at the end of FY2014 and FY2015 available to the Secretary to hire additional health care providers for the VHA, particularly in VA medical facilities and areas experiencing the greatest shortages.

Title III: Improvement of Access to Care from Non-Department of Veterans Affairs Providers - Requires hospital care and medical services to be furnished to veterans through contracts with specified non-VA facilities if the veterans:

 have been unable to schedule an appointment at a VA medical facility within the VHA's wait-time goals for hospital care or medical services and such veterans opt for non-VA care or services; reside more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility; or reside in a state without a VA medical facility that provides hospital care, emergency medical services, and surgical care and such veterans reside more than 20 miles from such a facility. Provides for such care through contracts with any health care provider participating in the Medicare program, any federally-qualified health center, the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Directs the Secretary to provide veterans with information about the availability of care and services at non-VA facilities: (1) when they enroll in the VA patient enrollment system, and (2) when they attempt to schedule an appointment for VA hospital care or medical services but are unable to do so within the VHA's wait time goals.

Terminates this Act's requirement that the Secretary furnish care and services through contracts with non-VA facilities two years after the Secretary publishes interim final regulations implementing the program.

Requires the Secretary to transfer the authority to pay for health care through non-VA facilities from the VA's Veterans Integrated Service Networks and medical centers to the VHA's Chief Business Office.

Directs the Secretary to conduct outreach to each Indian medical facility operated by an Indian tribe or tribal organization through a contract or compact with the IHS to raise awareness of the ability of such facilities, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to enter into agreements with the VA for reimbursement for providing veterans with health care at such facilities.

Requires the Secretary to establish performance metrics for assessing the performance of the VA and IHS under a memorandum of understanding to increase access to, and the quality and coordination of, health care services.

Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements for the reimbursement of direct care services provided to veterans with Native Hawaiian health care systems that are in receipt of funds from grants awarded, or contracts entered into, under the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary must comply with the prompt payment rule or any similar regulation or ruling in paying for health care under contracts with non-VA providers.

Title IV: Health Care Administrative Matters - Directs the Secretary to improve veterans' access to telemedicine and other health care through the use of VA mobile vet centers by establishing standardized requirements for the operation of such centers. Includes among those requirements: (1) the number of days each center is expected to travel each year, (2) the number of locations each center is expected to visit each year, (3) the number of appointments each center is expected to conduct each year, and (4) the method and timing of notification given by each center to individuals in the area to which such center is traveling.

Requires each mobile vet center to have the capability to provide telemedicine services.

Establishes an Independent Commission on Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Projects to review the VA's current construction and maintenance projects and medical facility leasing program to identify any problems the VA experienced in carrying out such projects and program.

Establishes the Commission on Access to Care to examine veterans' access to VA health care and strategically examine how best to organize the VHA, locate health care resources, and deliver health care to veterans over the next 10 to 20 years. Directs the President to require the Secretary and the heads of other relevant federal agencies to implement each recommendation that the President considers feasible and advisable and determines can be implemented without further legislative action.

Requires the Secretary to ensure that scheduling and wait-time metrics or goals are not used as factors in determining the performance of: (1) directors, associate directors, assistant directors, deputy directors, chiefs of staff, and clinical leads of VA medical centers; and (2) directors, assistant directors, and quality management officers of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs).

Directs the Secretary to modify the performance plans of the directors of the VA medical centers and VISNs to ensure that such plans are based on the quality of care received by veterans at the health care facilities under their jurisdictions.

Prohibits the Secretary from including in the performance goals of any VISN or VA medical center employee any goal that might disincentivize the payment of VA amounts to provide health care through a non-VA provider.

Requires the Secretary to publish: (1) within 90 days after this Act's enactment, the VA's wait time goals for the scheduling of a veterans' appointment for health care; and (2) within one year after this Act's enactment, the current wait times for an appointment for primary care and specialty care at each VA medical center.

Directs the Secretary to develop, update, and make publicly available a comprehensive database containing all applicable patient safety, quality of care, and outcome measures for VA health care that are tracked by the Secretary.

Requires the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide the HHS Secretary with the information needed to make VA medical center patient quality and outcome information publicly available through the HHS's Hospital Compare website.

Requires: (1) the VA website to include a link to the VA's health care providers database that provides veterans with the location of each VA physician's residency training, and (2) each veteran who is to undergo a surgical procedure by or through the VA to be provided information on the credentials of the surgeon who is to perform the procedure.

Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to submit an assessment to Congress of: (1) the manner in which contractors under the VA's Patient-Centered Community Care initiative oversee the credentials of physicians within their networks, (2) the VA's oversight of the contracts under the Patient-Centered Community Care initiative, and (3) the VA's verification of the credentials and licenses of health care providers furnishing hospital care and medical services to veterans in non-VA facilities. Requires the Secretary to implement a plan to address the Comptroller General's findings and recommendations.

Requires the annual budget that the President submits to Congress to include specified information regarding: (1) the cost of providing, and the number of veterans receiving, medical care through contracts with non-VA facilities; and (2) the number of VA employees on paid administrative leave during the preceding fiscal year.

Directs the Secretary to establish policies penalizing VA employees who knowingly submit, or knowingly require another VA employee to submit, false data concerning health care wait times or quality measures to another VA employee.

Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) remove any individual from the VA Senior Executive Service if the Secretary determines that the individual's performance warrants such removal, and (2) remove such individual from the civil service or transfer the individual to a General Schedule position at any appropriate grade for which the individual is qualified. Gives an individual seven days to appeal such a removal or transfer to the Merit Systems Protection Board (Board). Requires the Board to conduct an expedited review process that results in a final decision on such an appeal within 21 days after it was submitted.

Title V: Health Care Related to Sexual Trauma - Expands eligibility for counseling and treatment for sexual trauma to veterans who were on inactive duty training when they experienced sexual assault or harassment.

Authorizes the Secretary to provide such counseling and treatment to active-duty members of the Armed Forces who experienced sexual assault or harassment while serving on active duty or active or inactive duty training. (Under current law, such services are provided only to veterans.) Prohibits such a member from being required to obtain a referral before receiving such services.

Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the treatment and services available from the VA for male veterans who experience military sexual trauma compared to such treatment and services available to female veterans who experience such trauma.

Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee to submit reports to Congress on the transition of military sexual abuse treatment from the DOD to the VA.

Title VI: Major Medical Facility Leases - Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain major medical facility leases at specified locations for up to specified amounts.

Directs the Secretary, in exercising the authority to enter into such leases, to record as the full cost of the contractual obligation at the time a contract is executed either: (1) the amount of total payments under the full lease term, or (2) the first-year payments plus the specified cancellation costs if the lease is terminated before its full term.

Requires the funding prospectus of a proposed lease to include a detailed analysis of how the lease is expected to comply with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-11 and the Anti-Deficiency Act, including an analysis of: (1) the classification of the lease as a lease-purchase, capital lease, or operating lease; (2) the obligation of budgetary resources associated with the lease; and (3) the methodology used in determining the asset cost, fair market value, and cancellation costs of the lease.

Directs the Secretary, at least 30 days before entering into a lease, to submit to Congress: (1) notice of the intention to enter into, and a detailed summary of, such lease; (2) a description and analysis of any differences between the lease prospectus submitted and the proposed lease; and (3) a scoring analysis demonstrating that the proposed lease fully complies with OMB Circular A-11. Requires the Secretary, no more than 30 days after entering into a lease, to report any material differences between the proposed lease and the lease entered.

Title VII: Veterans Benefits Matters - Expands the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship to include surviving spouses (currently, children) of service members who die in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001. Requires a surviving spouse entitled to such assistance and also to veterans' educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill to elect a single coverage.

Directs the Secretary to disapprove, for purposes of the All-Volunteer Force and the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance programs, courses of education provided by a public educational institution of higher education (IHE) that charges veterans living in the state higher tuition and fees than it charges in-state residents, regardless of the veteran's state of residence. Makes this provision applicable to: (1) veterans who were discharged or released from at least 90 days of active service less than three years before their date of enrollment in the applicable course, (2) family members eligible for such assistance due to their relationship to such veterans, and (3) courses that commence on or after July 1, 2015.

Prohibits the Secretary from disapproving a public IHE's course on the grounds that the IHE conditions a veteran's receipt of in-state tuition rates on such veteran: (1) demonstrating an intent, by means other than physical presence, to establish residency in the state; or (2) satisfying other requirements not related to the establishment of residency.

Title VIII: Appropriation and Emergency Designations - Authorizes and appropriates such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act for FY2014-FY2016. Treats such funding as emergency funding that is not subject to pay-as-you-go spending constraints.

accountability transparency_act title improvement scheduling system health care appointments directs secretary veterans_affairs contract independent assessment process medical facility scheduling appointments veterans staffing level productivity medical facility organization processes tools support clinical documentation subsequent coding inpatient services purchasing distribution use pharmaceuticals medical surgical supplies medical devices performance paying amounts owed parties collecting amounts owed directs secretary technology task force review needs system software scheduling veterans medical appointments implement task force recommendations secretary considers feasible advisable cost effective title training annually determine health care occupations largest staffing shortage authorizes secretary determination inspector_general staffing shortage particular health care occupation recruit directly appoint highly qualified health care providers serve particular occupation directs secretary program scholarship priority applicants pursuing education training career health care occupation represents largest staffing shortages requires secretary submit biennial report congress assessing staffing medical facility directs secretary establish clinic management training program provide person standardized education health care management managers health care providers medical facilities terminates program years requires secretary provide health care management training materials specified employees commencement employment makes specified appropriations veterans_health_administration vha remain unobligated end fy2014 fy2015 available secretary hire additional health care providers vha particularly medical facilities areas experiencing greatest shortages title iii improvement access care affairs providers requires hospital care medical services furnished veterans contracts specified non-va facilities veterans unable schedule appointment medical facility vha wait time goals hospital care medical services veterans opt non care services reside miles medical facility reside state medical facility provides hospital care emergency medical services surgical care veterans reside miles facility provides care contracts health care provider participating medicare program federally qualified health center department_of_defense dod indian_health_service ihs directs secretary provide veterans information availability care services non-va facilities enroll patient enrollment system attempt schedule appointment hospital care medical services unable vha wait time goals terminates act requirement secretary furnish care services contracts non-va facilities years secretary publishes interim final regulations implementing program requires secretary transfer authority pay health care non-va facilities veterans_integrated_service_networks medical centers vha directs secretary conduct outreach indian medical facility operated indian tribe tribal organization contract compact ihs raise awareness ability facilities indian tribes tribal organizations enter agreements reimbursement providing veterans health care facilities requires secretary establish performance metrics assessing performance ihs memorandum understanding increase access quality coordination health care services directs secretary enter agreements reimbursement direct care services provided veterans native hawaiian health care systems receipt funds grants awarded contracts entered native_hawaiian_health_care_improvement_act expresses sense congress secretary comply prompt payment rule similar regulation ruling paying health care contracts non providers title health care administrative matters directs secretary improve veterans access telemedicine health care use mobile vet centers establishing standardized requirements operation centers includes requirements number days center expected travel year number locations center expected visit year number appointments center expected conduct year method timing notification given center individuals area center traveling requires mobile vet center capability provide telemedicine services review current construction maintenance projects medical facility leasing program identify problems experienced carrying projects program examine veterans access health care strategically examine best organize vha locate health care resources deliver health care veterans years directs president require secretary heads relevant federal agencies implement recommendation president considers feasible advisable determines implemented legislative action requires secretary ensure scheduling wait time metrics goals factors determining performance directors associate directors assistant directors deputy directors chiefs staff clinical leads medical centers directors assistant directors quality management officers veterans_integrated_service_networks visns directs secretary modify performance plans directors medical centers visns ensure plans based quality care received veterans health care facilities jurisdictions prohibits secretary including performance goals visn medical center employee goal payment amounts provide health care non-va provider requires secretary publish days act enactment wait time goals scheduling veterans appointment health care year act enactment current wait times appointment primary care specialty care medical center directs secretary develop update publicly available comprehensive database containing applicable patient safety quality care outcome measures health care tracked secretary requires secretary enter agreement secretary health_and_human_services hhs provide hhs secretary information needed medical center patient quality outcome information publicly available hhs website requires website include link health care providers database provides veterans location physician residency training veteran undergo surgical procedure provided information credentials surgeon perform procedure directs comptroller general gao submit assessment congress manner contractors initiative oversee credentials physicians networks oversight contracts initiative verification credentials licenses health care providers furnishing hospital care medical services veterans non-va facilities requires secretary implement plan address comptroller_general findings recommendations requires annual budget president submits congress include specified information cost providing number veterans receiving medical care contracts non-va facilities number employees paid administrative leave preceding fiscal year directs secretary establish policies penalizing employees knowingly submit knowingly require employee submit false data concerning health care wait times quality measures employee authorizes secretary remove individual va_senior_executive_service secretary determines individual performance warrants removal remove individual civil service transfer individual general schedule position appropriate grade individual qualified gives individual seven days appeal removal transfer requires board conduct expedited review process results final decision appeal days submitted title health care related sexual trauma expands eligibility counseling treatment sexual trauma veterans inactive duty training experienced sexual assault harassment authorizes secretary provide counseling treatment active duty members armed_forces experienced sexual assault harassment serving active duty active inactive duty training current law services provided veterans prohibits member required obtain referral receiving services requires secretary report congress treatment services available male veterans experience military sexual trauma compared treatment services available female veterans experience trauma directs submit reports congress transition military sexual abuse treatment dod title secretary carry certain major medical facility leases specified locations specified amounts directs secretary exercising authority enter leases record cost contractual obligation time contract executed total payments lease term year payments plus specified cancellation costs lease terminated term requires funding prospectus proposed lease include detailed analysis lease expected comply office_of_management_and_budget omb circular a-11 including analysis classification lease lease purchase capital lease operating lease obligation budgetary resources associated lease methodology determining asset cost fair market value cancellation costs lease directs secretary days entering lease submit congress notice intention enter detailed summary lease description analysis differences lease prospectus submitted proposed lease scoring analysis demonstrating proposed lease fully complies omb circular a-11 requires secretary days entering lease report material differences proposed lease lease entered title vii veterans benefits matters expands marine gunnery sergeant include surviving spouses currently children service members die line duty september requires surviving spouse entitled assistance veterans educational assistance montgomery bill elect single coverage directs secretary disapprove purposes volunteer force educational assistance programs courses education provided public educational institution higher education ihe charges veterans living state higher tuition fees charges state residents regardless veteran state residence makes provision applicable veterans discharged released days active service years date enrollment applicable course family members eligible assistance relationship veterans courses commence july prohibits secretary disapproving public ihe course grounds ihe conditions veteran receipt state tuition rates veteran demonstrating intent means physical presence establish residency state satisfying requirements related establishment residency title viii appropriation emergency designations authorizes appropriates sums necessary carry act fy2014 fy2016 treats funding emergency funding subject pay spending constraints


Summary:
CHIP Extension Act of 2014 - Revises and extends through FY2019 at generally increased levels the program under title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA), and adjusts CHIP allotment requirements accordingly, including the rebasing and growth factor update rules for computing state allotments.

Sets forth new requirements for the enrollment and retention of children for fiscal years after FY2014. Establishes in the Treasury the CHIP Shortfall Fund, which shall be available without further appropriations for payments to shortfall states whose projected CHIP expenditures for the fiscal year will exceed a specified amount.

Gives states the option to increase up to 26 the upper age limit for CHIP-eligible children with special health care needs.

Requires a state to establish procedures to eliminate gaps in coverage and to assist a child's and pregnant woman's transition: (1)  from coverage under the state plan under SSA title XIX (Medicaid) or the state CHIP plan to coverage under a qualified health plan offered through an Exchange, and (2) from coverage under a qualified health plan to coverage under a state Medicaid or CHIP plan.

Directs the Secretary to develop comparability standards with respect to affordability, benefits, and network adequacy which qualified health plans offered by a state-established Exchange must meet to be certified for such transitions.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to minimum essential coverage for a targeted pregnant low-income woman under CHIP, to exclude from such coverage, at a woman's option, pregnancy-related assistance.

Provides automaticenrollment under CHIP for newborns.

Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to give states the option to extend express lane eligibility to pregnant women.

Makes permanent the express lane option and the CHIP outreach and enrollment grant program.

Requires a national campaign to increase enrollment in CHIP or Medicaid of children from families that speak a language other than English.

Limits to 5% of family income the total annual aggregate amount of any premium, enrollment fee, deduction or other cost sharing imposed under a Medicaid plan with respect to individuals and their families..

Amends SSA title XXI to prohibit cost-sharing for pregnancy-related assistance. Imposes under CHIP a certain limit on cost-sharing for dental-only supplemental coverage.

Amends SSA titles XIX and XXI to cover preventive services for children or pregnant women without cost-sharing.

Amends SSA title XIX to cover newly approved vaccines within 30 days after the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices approves them.

Treats CHIP-eligible children as federally vaccine-eligible children.

Makes permanent the program for the distribution of pediatric vaccines.

Amends SSA title XI to extend the pediatric quality measures program. Requires the Secretary to establish a program to continue and enhance pediatric quality measures program centers of excellence.

Revises requirements for initial core measures.

Directs the Secretary to convene a panel of health experts to establish priorities and goals for child health as recommended in a specified report by the Institute of Medicine.

Modifies and extends the Demonstration Projects for Improving the Quality of Children's Health Care and the Use of Health Information Technology.

Extends funding for Childhood Obesity Demonstration Projects and maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting programs.

Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to study each state in which individuals eligible for Medicaid or CHIP are provided such assistance through enrollment in a qualified health plan or employer-sponsored insurance.

chip extension act revises extends fy2019 generally increased levels program title chip social security act ssa adjusts chip allotment requirements accordingly including rebasing growth factor update rules computing state allotments sets forth new requirements enrollment retention children fiscal years fy2014 establishes treasury shall available appropriations payments shortfall states projected chip expenditures fiscal year exceed specified gives states option increase upper age limit chip eligible children special health care needs requires state establish procedures eliminate gaps coverage assist child pregnant woman transition coverage state plan ssa title xix medicaid state chip plan coverage qualified health plan offered exchange coverage qualified health plan coverage state medicaid chip plan directs secretary develop comparability standards respect affordability benefits network adequacy qualified health plans offered state established exchange meet certified transitions amends internal revenue code respect minimum essential coverage targeted pregnant low income woman chip exclude coverage woman option pregnancy related assistance provides chip newborns amends ssa title xix medicaid states option extend express lane eligibility pregnant women makes permanent express lane option chip outreach enrollment grant program requires national campaign increase enrollment chip medicaid children families speak language english limits family income total annual aggregate premium enrollment fee deduction cost sharing imposed medicaid plan respect individuals families amends ssa title xxi prohibit cost sharing pregnancy related assistance imposes chip certain limit cost sharing dental supplemental coverage amends ssa titles xix xxi cover preventive services children pregnant women cost sharing amends ssa title xix cover newly approved vaccines days advisory_committee_on_immunization_practices approves treats chip eligible children federally vaccine eligible children makes permanent program distribution pediatric vaccines amends ssa title extend pediatric quality measures program requires secretary establish program continue enhance pediatric quality measures program centers excellence revises requirements initial core measures directs secretary convene panel health experts establish priorities goals child health recommended specified report institute_of_medicine modifies extends use health information technology extends funding maternal infant early childhood home visiting programs directs comptroller general gao study state individuals eligible medicaid chip provided assistance enrollment qualified health plan employer sponsored insurance


Summary:
Charity Care Expansion Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a physician a tax deduction equal to the amount such physician would have otherwise charged for charity medical care provided on a volunteer or pro bono basis through a pre-existing agreement between the physician and a health care clinic or other organization providing health care to underserved or low-income individuals. Imposes an overal limitation on such deduction equal to 10% of the physician's gross income derived from physicians' services (as defined by the Social Security Act) or $10,000 for physicians who do not have income derived from physicians' services.

Repeals the block grant program for preventive health and health services under the Public Health Service Act.

charity care expansion act amends internal revenue code allow physician tax deduction equal physician charged charity medical care provided volunteer pro bono basis pre existing agreement physician health care clinic organization providing health care underserved low income individuals imposes limitation deduction equal physician gross income derived physicians services defined social_security_act physicians income derived physicians services repeals block grant program preventive health health services public_health_service_act


Summary: Auto Enroll Repeal Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to repeal the requirement that employers with more than 200 full-time employees that offer enrollment in one or more health benefits plans enroll automatically all new full-time employees in one of those plans.

auto enroll repeal act amends fair labor standards act repeal requirement employers time employees offer enrollment health benefits plans enroll automatically new time employees plans


Summary:
Medicare Advantage Participant Bill of Rights Act of 2014 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require a Medicare Advantage (MA) organization to remove a service provider or a supplier from a plan network only for cause, subject to completion of a fair notice and appeals process.

Lists as cause for removal: (1) medical negligence, (2) violation of any legal or contractual requirement for the provider or supplier acting within the lawful scope of practice, or (3) unfitness to furnish items and services in accordance with Medicare requirements.

Requires an MA organization offering an MA plan to include information on the measures used to establish or modify the plan's provider network: (1) in the annual bid information submitted about the MA plan, and (2) on the plan's Internet Web.

Subjects to certain sanctions MA organizations with contracts which fail to meet these information requirements.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) seek input from patient advocacy groups and others in applying network access adequacy standards, and (2) take necessary measures to ensure that the Medicare Advantage Compare Tool takes into account the preferences and utilization needs of such individuals.

medicare advantage participant bill rights act amends title xviii medicare social security act require medicare_advantage organization remove service provider supplier plan network cause subject completion fair notice appeals process lists cause removal medical negligence violation legal contractual requirement provider supplier acting lawful scope practice unfitness furnish items services accordance medicare requirements requires organization offering plan include information measures establish modify plan provider network annual bid information submitted plan plan internet web subjects certain sanctions organizations contracts fail meet information requirements directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs seek input patient advocacy groups applying network access adequacy standards necessary measures ensure takes account preferences utilization needs individuals


Summary: Preventive Care Coverage Notification Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of the Treasury to jointly develop requirements for employers exempted from covering mandated health services to notify current and prospective employees of the employer's exemption and provide employees with a description of the specific items and services that are not covered.

secretary health_and_human_services hhs secretary labor secretary treasury jointly develop requirements employers exempted covering mandated health services notify current prospective employees employer exemption provide employees description specific items services covered


Summary:
Medicare CGM Access Act of 2014 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices furnished to a CGM qualified individual.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a fee schedule and ensure that CGM qualified individuals are furnished with appropriate device components.

medicare access act amends title xviii medicare social security act provide medicare coverage continuous glucose monitoring devices furnished qualified individual directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish fee schedule ensure qualified individuals furnished appropriate device components


Summary: Veterans TRICARE Choice Act - Allows an individual who is eligible to participate in the TRICARE program (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care program) to: (1) elect to be ineligible to enroll in such program, (2) make tax deductible contributions to a health savings account during the period such individual elects to be ineligible for TRICARE coverage, and (3) enroll in the TRICARE program at a later date during a special enrollment period.

individual eligible participate tricare program department_of_defense dod managed health care program elect ineligible enroll program tax deductible contributions health savings account period individual elects ineligible tricare coverage enroll tricare program later date special enrollment period


Summary: Obamacare Opt-Out Act of 2014 - Exempts from the minimum essential coverage requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act individuals who request an exemption through a health care marketplace or on their federal income tax return.

obamacare opt act exempts minimum essential coverage requirements patient_protection affordable care act individuals request exemption health care marketplace federal income tax return


Summary: Heath Care Consumer Choices Preservation Act - Prohibits automatic renewal for 2015 of an individual's health plan purchased through a health exchange for coverage in 2014 unless the 2015 premiums are the same as the 2014 premiums (before and after federal subsidies) or the individual requests automatic renewal.

heath care consumer choices preservation act prohibits automatic renewal individual health plan purchased health exchange coverage premiums premiums federal subsidies individual requests automatic renewal


Summary: Employee Health Care Protection Act of 2014 - Permits a health insurance issuer that has in effect health insurance coverage in the group market on any date during 2013 to continue offering such coverage for sale during 2014 outside of a health care exchange established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Treats such coverage as a grandfathered health plan for purposes of an individual meeting the requirement to maintain minimum essential health coverage.

employee health care protection act permits health insurance issuer effect health insurance coverage group market date continue offering coverage sale outside health care exchange established patient_protection affordable care act treats coverage grandfathered health plan purposes individual meeting requirement maintain minimum essential health coverage


Summary: Affordable Health Insurance for the Middle Class Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) expand eligibility for the health care premium assistance refundable tax credit by defining an "applicable taxpayer" as a taxpayer whose household income does not exceed 600% of the federal poverty line (currently, 400%), and (2) increase the excise tax rate for small cigars and small cigarettes.

internal revenue code expand eligibility health care premium assistance refundable tax credit defining applicable taxpayer taxpayer household income exceed federal poverty line currently increase excise tax rate small cigars small cigarettes


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use the Secretary's existing authority to furnish health care to veterans at non-VA facilities to provide health care at non-VA facilities to veterans who reside more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA medical facility providing the care they seek.

directs secretary veterans_affairs use secretary existing authority furnish health care veterans non-va facilities provide health care non-va facilities veterans reside miles driving distance closest medical facility providing care seek


Summary:
CHAMPVA Children's Protection Act of 2015

Increases from 23 to 26 the maximum age of eligibility for certain dependent children of veterans for medical care under CHAMPVA (the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]).

protection act increases maximum age eligibility certain dependent children veterans medical care champva


Summary:
American Job Protection Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal provisions added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requiring certain employers who have a workforce of 50 or more full-time employees to provide health insurance coverage for their employees.

amends internal revenue code repeal provisions added patient_protection affordable care act requiring certain employers workforce time employees provide health insurance coverage employees


Summary:
Medal of Honor Priority Care Act

Increases, from third to first, the priority for enrollment in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system given to medal of honor recipients, regardless of the date on which the medal is awarded.

Makes medal of honor recipients eligible for VA: (1) hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary care; (2) extended care services for non-service-connected disabilities, without having to make a copayment for such services; and (3) medications, without having to make a copayment for such medications.

medal honor priority care act increases priority enrollment department_of_veterans_affairs health care system given medal honor recipients regardless date medal awarded makes medal honor recipients eligible hospital nursing home domiciliary care extended care services non service connected disabilities having copayment services medications having copayment medications


Summary:
Care for All Act of 2015

This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to allow catastrophic plans to be offered as qualified health plans to any individual in the individual or group market. (Qualified health plans are sold on health insurance exchanges, are eligible for premium subsidies, and fulfill an individual's requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage.) Currently, to be a qualified health plan, a catastrophic plan must enroll only individuals who are below age 30 and exempt from minimum essential coverage requirements.

care act bill amends patient_protection affordable care act allow catastrophic plans offered qualified health plans individual individual group market qualified health plans sold health insurance exchanges eligible premium subsidies fulfill individual requirement maintain minimum essential coverage currently qualified health plan catastrophic plan enroll individuals age exempt minimum essential coverage requirements


Summary:
Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to revise requirements permitting multiemployer plans to adopt alternative rules for computing the payment of an employer's withdrawal liability to include a plan in critical status whose plan sponsor determines it cannot be expected to emerge from that status by the end of the rehabilitation period.

Requires any such rule to become effective 90 days after adoption unless the corporation disapproves it before the end of the 90-day period (subject to tolling while a request by the corporation for additional information is pending).

Authorizes a corporation to disapprove a rule only if it creates an unreasonable risk of loss to plan participants and beneficiaries or to the corporation.

amends employee retirement income security act erisa revise requirements permitting multiemployer plans adopt alternative rules computing payment employer withdrawal liability include plan critical status plan sponsor determines expected emerge status end rehabilitation period requires rule effective days adoption corporation disapproves end day period subject tolling request corporation additional information pending authorizes corporation disapprove rule creates unreasonable risk loss plan participants beneficiaries corporation


Summary:
Action for Dental Health Act 2015

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize oral health promotion and disease prevention programs through FY2020.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may award grants or enter into contracts to obtain portable or mobile dental equipment and pay operational costs for the provision of free dental services to underserved populations.

The CDC may also award grants or enter into contracts to collaborate with state, county, or local public officials and other stakeholders to develop and implement initiatives to: (1) improve oral health education and dental disease prevention; (2) make the health care delivery system providing dental services more accessible and efficient through the development and expansion of outreach programs that facilitate the establishment of dental homes; (3) reduce geographic, language, cultural, and similar barriers in the provision of dental services; (4) reduce the use of emergency departments by those who seek dental services more appropriately delivered in a dental primary care setting; or (5) facilitate the provision of dental care to nursing home residents who are disproportionately affected by lack of care.

action dental health act bill amends public_health_service_act reauthorize oral health promotion disease prevention programs fy2020 centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc award grants enter contracts obtain portable mobile dental equipment pay operational costs provision free dental services underserved populations cdc award grants enter contracts collaborate state county local public officials stakeholders develop implement initiatives improve oral health education dental disease prevention health care delivery system providing dental services accessible efficient development expansion outreach programs facilitate establishment dental homes reduce geographic language cultural similar barriers provision dental services reduce use emergency departments seek dental services appropriately delivered dental primary care setting facilitate provision dental care nursing home residents disproportionately affected lack care


Summary:
Health Care Choice Act of 2015

Repeals the health insurance and health coverage expansion requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and related requirements of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Restores provisions of law amended or repealed by those provisions.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide that the laws of the state designated by a health insurance issuer (primary state) apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer in the primary state and in any other state (secondary state), but only if the coverage and issuer comply with the conditions of this Act.

Exempts issuers from any secondary state's laws that would prohibit or regulate the operation of the issuer in that state, subject to certain restrictions imposed by that state.

 Gives sole jurisdiction to the primary state to enforce the primary state's covered laws in the primary state and any secondary state.

Requires the Government Accountability Office to study the effect of this Act on specified health insurance issues.

health care choice act repeals health insurance health coverage expansion requirements patient_protection affordable care act related requirements health_care_and_education reconciliation act restores provisions law amended repealed provisions amends public_health_service_act provide laws state designated health insurance issuer primary state apply individual health insurance coverage offered issuer primary state state secondary state coverage issuer comply conditions act exempts issuers secondary state laws prohibit regulate operation issuer state subject certain restrictions imposed state gives sole jurisdiction primary state enforce primary state covered laws primary state secondary state requires government accountability office study effect act specified health insurance issues


Summary:
Medicare Beneficiary Preservation of Choice Act of 2015

 Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to repeal the allowance for disenrollment, between January 1 and March 15 of each year, only from an MedicareAdvantage plan to elect enrollment in the original Medicare fee-for-service program.

Restores the option under previous law to elect to change from a MedicareAdvantage to the original Medicare fee-for-service plan, or from the original Medicare fee-for-service to a MedicareAdvantage plan, once a year during the first three months.

medicare_beneficiary_preservation_of_choice_act amends title xviii medicare social security act amended patient_protection affordable care act repeal allowance disenrollment january march year medicareadvantage plan elect enrollment original medicare fee service program restores option previous law elect change medicareadvantage original medicare fee service plan original medicare fee service medicareadvantage plan year months


Summary:
Seniors' Rights to Know Act

 Amends title XVIII (Medicare) part C (Medicare+Choice) of the Social Security Act to require the information the Secretary of Health and Human Services provides to promote informed choice on available part C coverage options to describe the changes for the plan year made by a Medicare Advantage (MA) organization, with respect to the MA plan it offers, pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Allows such information to assess the effect of such provisions and amendments on MA-eligible individuals who enroll under the plan.

Prohibits the Secretary from disapproving the inclusion of any such information in marketing materials or application forms unless it is factually inaccurate for the plan year for which the information is provided or any preceding plan year beginning after March 23, 2010.

seniors rights know act amends title xviii medicare social security act require information secretary health_and_human_services provides promote informed choice available coverage options describe changes plan year organization respect plan offers pursuant patient_protection affordable care act health_care_and_education reconciliation act allows information assess effect provisions amendments eligible individuals enroll plan prohibits secretary disapproving inclusion information marketing materials application forms factually inaccurate plan year information provided preceding plan year beginning march


Summary:
Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act

 Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to require a state Medicaid plan to provide 12-month continuous enrollment for an eligible individual, regardless of age.

Amends SSAct title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP) to require a state CHIP plan also to provide 12-month continuous enrollment for an eligible individual.

amends title xix medicaid social security act ssact require state medicaid plan provide month continuous enrollment eligible individual regardless age amends ssact title chip require state chip plan provide month continuous enrollment eligible individual


Summary:
Medicare Ambulance Access, Fraud Prevention, and Reform Act of 2015

 Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the ambulance fee schedule to: (1) increase the conversion factor for ground ambulance services in the formula for determining the appropriate fee, and (2) increase the mileage rate for such services.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study how the conversion factor should be modified, if at all, to take into account the cost of providing ambulance services in urban, rural, and super-rural areas.

Directs the Secretary to establish a process to determine, in advance of furnishing end stage renal disease ambulance services, whether payment for them may not be made because they are not covered or because they are excluded from coverage. Prohibits any payment unless the Secretary determines, pursuant to this process, that the service meets coverage requirements.

Directs the Secretary to develop a data collection system for ambulance providers to collect cost, revenue, utilization, and other appropriate information.

medicare fraud prevention reform_act amends supplementary medical insurance benefits title xviii medicare social security act respect ambulance fee schedule increase conversion factor ground ambulance services formula determining appropriate fee increase mileage rate services directs secretary health_and_human_services study conversion factor modified account cost providing ambulance services urban rural super rural areas directs secretary establish process determine advance furnishing end stage renal disease ambulance services payment covered excluded coverage prohibits payment secretary determines pursuant process service meets coverage requirements directs secretary develop data collection system ambulance providers collect cost revenue utilization appropriate information


Summary:
Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act

Directs the Department of Defense (DOD), no later than August 31, 2015, to complete development of a plan to provide chiropractic health care services and benefits for certain covered beneficiaries as a permanent part of DOD's TRICARE program. Requires plan implementation by January 31, 2016.

beneficiaries act directs department_of_defense dod later august complete development plan provide chiropractic health care services benefits certain covered beneficiaries permanent dod tricare program requires plan implementation january


Summary:
Access to Professional Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2015

Amends the Public Health Service Act to exclude remuneration paid for licensed independent insurance producers from administrative costs for purposes of calculating the medical-loss ratio of a health insurance plan.

Defines "independent insurance producer" to mean an insurance agent or broker, insurance consultant, benefit specialist, limited insurance representative, and any other person required to be licensed under state law to sell, solicit, negotiate, service, effect, procure, renew, or bind policies of insurance coverage or offer advice, counsel, opinions, or services related to insurance.

amends public_health_service_act exclude remuneration paid licensed independent insurance producers administrative costs purposes calculating medical loss ratio health insurance plan defines independent insurance producer mean insurance agent broker insurance consultant benefit specialist limited insurance representative person required licensed state law sell solicit negotiate service effect procure renew bind policies insurance coverage offer advice counsel opinions services related insurance


Summary:
Veterans TRICARE Choice Act

 Allows an individual who is eligible to participate in the TRICARE program (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care program) to: (1) elect to be ineligible to enroll in such program, (2) make tax deductible contributions to a health savings account during the period such individual elects to be ineligible for TRICARE coverage, and (3) enroll in the TRICARE program at a later date during a special enrollment period.

Requires DOD to: (1) submit to the Internal Revenue Service information on each TRICARE-eligible individual who makes such election for purposes of determining such individual's eligibility for a health savings account; and (2) report to Congress, annually, on elections by TRICARE-eligible individuals under this Act.

veterans tricare choice act allows individual eligible participate tricare program department_of_defense dod managed health care program elect ineligible enroll program tax deductible contributions health savings account period individual elects ineligible tricare coverage enroll tricare program later date special enrollment period requires dod submit internal_revenue_service information tricare eligible individual makes election purposes determining individual eligibility health savings account report congress annually elections tricare eligible individuals act


Summary:
CHIP Extension and Improvement Act of 2015

 Revises and extends through FY2019 at generally increased levels the program under title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSAct), and adjusts CHIP allotment requirements accordingly, including the rebasing and growth factor update rules for computing state allotments. Makes appropriations for certain allotments.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make payments to shortfall states from the Child Enrollment Contingency Fund in each of FY2016-FY2019.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to minimum essential coverage for a targeted pregnant low-income woman under CHIP, to exclude from such coverage, at a woman's option, pregnancy-related assistance.

Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to ensure continuity of care for children who: (1) are undergoing an active course of treatment; and (2) involuntarily change coverage under health insurance, the state plan under Medicaid (SSAct title XIX), or the state child health plan under CHIP during such course of treatment for any reason.

Amends SSAct title XIX to allow a state Medicaid plan to provide that an adult determined eligible for Medicaid benefits shall remain eligible for those benefits until the end of a period (not to exceed 12 months) following the determination.

Makes permanent the express lane option and the CHIP outreach and enrollment grant program. Gives states the option to extend express lane Medicaid eligibility to adults.

Makes permanent the program of grants to conduct outreach and enrollment efforts designed to increase the enrollment and participation of eligible children under CHIP.

Requires each contract with a managed care entity under Medicaid to require the provision of and payment for language services for enrolled individuals who are limited English proficient.

Prescribes additional cost-sharing requirements under CHIP.

Amends SSAct titles XIX and XXI to cover preventive services for children or pregnant women without cost-sharing.

Amends SSAct title XIX to cover newly approved vaccines within 30 days after the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices approves them. Treats CHIP-eligible children as federally vaccine-eligible children.

Extends Medicaid coverage of primary care services through calendar 2019, and expands the types of physicians and health care practitioners eligible for reimbursement for providing such services.

Extends increased federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP, or federal matching rate) for additional expenditures for primary care services through calendar year 2019.

Amends SSAct title XI to extend the pediatric quality measures program through FY2019.

Revises the FMAP for activities related to pediatric quality measures.

Extends the technical assistance provided to states in adopting and utilizing certain core sets of child health measures to assistance in building their data collection infrastructures as well.

Revises requirements for initial core measures.

Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the core set of child health quality measures.

Modifies and extends through FY2019: (1) the demonstration projects for improving the quality of children's health care and the use of health information technology, and (2) funding for childhood obesity demonstration projects.

Amends SSAct title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) to extend funding through FY2019 for maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting programs.

Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to extend through calendar 2019 the Pediatric Accountable Care Organization Demonstration Project.

Amends SSAct title XIX to cover therapeutic foster care services.

chip extension improvement act revises extends fy2019 generally increased levels program title chip social security act ssact adjusts chip allotment requirements accordingly including rebasing growth factor update rules computing state allotments makes appropriations certain allotments directs secretary health_and_human_services payments shortfall states fy2016 fy2019 amends internal revenue code respect minimum essential coverage targeted pregnant low income woman chip exclude coverage woman option pregnancy related assistance directs secretary issue regulations ensure continuity care children undergoing active course treatment involuntarily change coverage health insurance state plan medicaid ssact title xix state child health plan chip course treatment reason amends ssact title xix allow state medicaid plan provide adult determined eligible medicaid benefits shall remain eligible benefits end period exceed months following determination makes permanent express lane option chip outreach enrollment grant program gives states option extend express lane medicaid eligibility adults makes permanent program grants conduct outreach enrollment efforts designed increase enrollment participation eligible children chip requires contract managed care entity medicaid require provision payment language services enrolled individuals limited english proficient prescribes additional cost sharing requirements chip amends ssact titles xix xxi cover preventive services children pregnant women cost sharing amends ssact title xix cover newly approved vaccines days advisory_committee_on_immunization_practices approves treats chip eligible children federally vaccine eligible children extends medicaid coverage primary care services calendar expands types physicians health care practitioners eligible reimbursement providing services extends increased federal medical assistance percentage fmap federal matching rate additional expenditures primary care services calendar year amends ssact title extend pediatric quality measures program fy2019 revises fmap activities related pediatric quality measures extends technical assistance provided states adopting utilizing certain core sets child health measures assistance building data collection infrastructures revises requirements initial core measures directs secretary report congress core set child health quality measures modifies extends fy2019 demonstration projects improving quality children health care use health information technology funding childhood obesity demonstration projects amends ssact title maternal child health services extend funding fy2019 maternal infant early childhood home visiting programs amends patient protection affordable care act extend calendar amends ssact title xix cover therapeutic foster care services


Summary: This bill repeals a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that imposes an annual fee on a health insurance provider based on its net premium income.

bill repeals provision patient_protection affordable care act imposes annual fee health insurance provider based net premium income


Summary:
Health Freedom for Seniors Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax-free transfers of required distributions after age 70 1/2 from an individual retirement account (IRA) and other tax-exempt retirement accounts to a health savings account. Exempts such transfers from the excise tax on excess contributions to tax-favored accounts and annuities.

health freedom seniors act amends internal revenue code allow tax free transfers required distributions age individual retirement account ira tax exempt retirement accounts health savings account exempts transfers excise tax excess contributions tax favored accounts annuities


Summary:
Patient Access to Disposable Medical Technology Act of 2015

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover substitute disposable medical technology, subject it to a special payment rule, and exempt it from competitive acquisition.

patient access disposable medical technology act bill amends title xviii medicare social security act cover substitute disposable medical technology subject special payment rule exempt competitive acquisition


Summary:
Medicaid Physician Self-Referral Act of 2015

 Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) with respect to physician self-referral limitations to repeal the prohibition against payment of federal funds to a state for medical assistance expenditures for a designated health service furnished to an individual on the basis of a referral (self-referral) that would result in denial of payment under SSAct title XVIII (Medicare).

Requires a state plan for medical assistance to prohibit payment for a Medicaid designated health service furnished to an individual on the basis of a physician's referral if the physician (or an immediate family member) has an ownership or investment interest or a compensation arrangement with the entity furnishing the service that would not comply with Medicare requirements.

Requires application of certain reporting requirements and sanctions to a provider of a Medicaid designated health service the same way they apply under Medicare.

Amends SSAct title XVIII to: (1) apply the False Claims Act to violations of the self-referral prohibition, and (2) declare the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue regulations under Medicaid limited to the application of self-referral limitations to state plan requirements.

Directs the Secretary to establish a protocol consistent with the Medicare self-referral disclosure protocol required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that enables health care providers to disclose an actual or potential violation of Medicare self-referral limitations as applied to Medicaid.

amends title xix medicaid social security act ssact respect physician self referral limitations repeal prohibition payment federal funds state medical assistance expenditures designated health service furnished individual basis referral self referral result denial payment ssact title xviii medicare requires state plan medical assistance prohibit payment medicaid designated health service furnished individual basis physician referral physician immediate family member ownership investment interest compensation arrangement entity furnishing service comply medicare requirements requires application certain reporting requirements sanctions provider medicaid designated health service way apply medicare amends ssact title xviii apply false claims act violations self referral prohibition declare authority secretary health_and_human_services issue regulations medicaid limited application self referral limitations state plan requirements directs secretary establish protocol consistent medicare self referral disclosure protocol required patient_protection affordable care act enables health care providers disclose actual potential violation medicare self referral limitations applied medicaid


Summary:
Health Savings Account Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the maximum amount that an individual participating in a health savings account may contribute to such an account to match the amount of the deductible and out-of-pocket expenses that such individual pays under a high deductible health plan.

account act bill amends internal_revenue_code increase maximum individual participating health savings account contribute account match deductible pocket expenses individual pays high deductible health plan


Summary:
Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 to require a program under which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides chiropractic care and services to veterans through Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and clinics to be carried out at: (1) no fewer than 75 medical centers by December 31, 2014, and (2) all medical centers by December 31, 2016.

Includes chiropractic examinations and services within required VA medical, rehabilitative, and preventive health care services.

chiropractic_care_available veterans act amends department_of_veterans_affairs_health_care_programs_enhancement_act require program secretary veterans_affairs provides chiropractic care services veterans department_of_veterans_affairs medical centers clinics carried fewer medical centers december medical centers december includes chiropractic examinations services required medical rehabilitative preventive health care services


Summary:
Health Savings Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to health savings accounts (HSAs), to: (1) allow an additional tax deduction for amounts paid to the HSA of a taxpayer's child or grandchild; (2) allow a rollover of HSA funds to the child, parent, or grandparent of an account holder; (3) increase the maximum HSA contribution limit to match the amount of the deductible and out-of-pocket expenses under a high deductible health plan; and (4) expand the definition of an HSA compatible plan to include bronze, silver, and catastrophic plans on an insurance exchange.

Amends the federal bankruptcy code to treat HSAs in the same manner as individual retirement accounts for purposes of determining exemptions from the bankruptcy estate.

health savings act amends internal revenue code respect health savings accounts hsas allow additional tax deduction amounts paid hsa taxpayer child grandchild allow rollover hsa funds child parent grandparent account holder increase maximum hsa contribution limit match deductible pocket expenses high deductible health plan expand definition hsa compatible plan include bronze silver catastrophic plans insurance exchange amends federal bankruptcy code treat hsas manner individual retirement accounts purposes determining exemptions bankruptcy estate


Summary:
Medical Freedom Act of 2015

This bill repeals provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 relating to health insurance, health savings accounts, and health flexible spending accounts, including provisions prohibiting annual or lifetime limits on benefits, requiring preventive care without cost sharing, requiring dependent coverage until age 26, prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions, guaranteeing availability and renewability of coverage, and prohibiting payments for over-the-counter medications from health savings accounts and health flexible spending arrangements. Provisions of law amended by those provisions are restored as if PPACA and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 had not been enacted.

“Qualified health plan” is expanded to include any health plan. Currently, a health plan must provide essential health benefits and meet other requirements to be a qualified health plan. (Under PPACA, qualified health plans are sold on health insurance exchanges, are eligible for premium subsidies, and fulfill an individual's requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage.)

A qualified health plan is allowed to provide coverage through any qualified direct primary care medical home plan. Currently, in such an arrangement, the qualified direct primary care medical home plan must coordinate its services with the qualified health plan and meet other requirements.

Dental plans no longer need to provide pediatric dental benefits to be offered on a health insurance exchange.

medical freedom act bill repeals provisions patient_protection affordable care act ppaca health_care_and_education reconciliation act relating health insurance health savings accounts health flexible spending accounts including provisions prohibiting annual lifetime limits benefits requiring preventive care cost sharing requiring dependent coverage age prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions guaranteeing availability coverage prohibiting payments counter medications health savings accounts health flexible spending arrangements provisions law amended provisions restored ppaca health_care_and_education reconciliation act enacted qualified health plan expanded include health plan currently health plan provide essential health benefits meet requirements qualified health plan ppaca qualified health plans sold health insurance exchanges eligible premium subsidies fulfill individual requirement maintain minimum essential coverage qualified health plan allowed provide coverage qualified direct primary care medical home plan currently arrangement qualified direct primary care medical home plan coordinate services qualified health plan meet requirements dental plans longer need provide pediatric dental benefits offered health insurance exchange