Summary: High-Need Physician Workforce Incentives Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to make grants to critical shortage health facilities for scholarships to individuals agreeing to serve as a physician at such facility after completing residency in the fields of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, general surgery, or obstetrics-gynecology. Excludes such scholarship funds from an individual's gross income.Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, to: (1) establish a loan repayment program for individuals agreeing to serve as physicians in specified fields in areas that are not health professional shortage areas, but that have a critical shortage of physicians in such field; (2) make grants to states to provide care management fees to physicians in medically underserved communities to support the provision of targeted, accessible, continuous, coordinated, and patient-centered care through a qualified medical home; and (3) make grants to board-certified entities to establish or expand geriatric fellowship programs to train physicians practicing in rural areas or in specified fields in geriatric medicine. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from an individual's gross income compensation received by a physician from a local government for medical care performed: (1) in a medically underserved community; and (2) under a contract with the local government for a period of not less than four years.

high need physician workforce incentives act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services acting administrator health_resources_and_services_administration grants critical shortage health facilities scholarships individuals agreeing serve physician facility completing residency fields family practice internal medicine pediatrics emergency medicine general surgery obstetrics gynecology excludes scholarship funds individual gross income requires secretary acting administrator establish loan repayment program individuals agreeing serve physicians specified fields areas health professional shortage areas critical shortage physicians field grants states provide care management fees physicians medically underserved communities support provision targeted accessible continuous coordinated patient centered care qualified medical home grants board certified entities establish expand geriatric fellowship programs train physicians practicing rural areas specified fields geriatric medicine amends internal revenue code exclude individual gross income compensation received physician local government medical care performed medically underserved community contract local government period years


Summary: America's Partnership for Nursing Education Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to states that are experiencing explosive population growth and have a substantial projected shortage of nurses to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty in college and university nursing programs in the state.

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


Summary: National Health Service Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize appropriations for FY2007-FY2011 for National Health Service Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment programs. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reserve a portion of such funds for scholarships to individuals who are enrolled in a course of study or program that leads to a degree in medicine or osteopathic medicine.

amends public_health_service_act reauthorize appropriations fy2007-fy2011 loan repayment programs requires secretary health_and_human_services reserve portion funds scholarships individuals enrolled course study program leads degree medicine osteopathic medicine


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

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


Summary: Safe Schools and Health Care Professional Pipeline Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a grant to a qualified youth serving organization to establish and expand emergency preparedness pipelines consisting of: (1) health science curricula in secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and continuing education programs that prepare students for careers as health care professionals; and (2) school-based emergency preparedness chapters. Requires such a chapter to recruit and prepare students for federal, state, community, and school public health emergencies under the administration of such an organization and to provide training that is implemented uniformly, coordinated with and integrated into the school's health science curriculum, and provided through certified health science instructors serving as chapter advisors.Defines a "qualified youth serving organization" as a nonprofit organization that prepares youth exclusively for career entry and advancement opportunities in the health professions, offers a national recognition and competitive events program, and operates at least 2,500 chapters in at least 40 states.Requires the Secretary to make a grant each year to such an organization to conduct a national leadership conference that includes representatives of health science programs, emergency preparedness chapters, and the Medical Reserve Corps.

safe schools health care professional pipeline act amends public_health_service_act direct secretary health_and_human_services grant qualified youth serving organization establish expand emergency preparedness pipelines consisting health science curricula secondary schools institutions higher education continuing education programs prepare students careers health care professionals school based emergency preparedness chapters requires chapter recruit prepare students federal state community school public health emergencies administration organization provide training implemented uniformly coordinated integrated school health science curriculum provided certified health science instructors serving chapter advisors defines qualified youth serving organization nonprofit organization prepares youth exclusively career entry advancement opportunities health professions offers national recognition competitive events program operates chapters states requires secretary grant year organization conduct national leadership conference includes representatives health science programs emergency preparedness chapters medical_reserve_corps


Summary: Health Care Access Improvement Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a primary health service provider (i.e., a physician, clinical psychologist, or clinical social worker) a tax credit for the value of professional services provided to individuals in a health professional shortage area.

internal revenue code allow primary health service provider physician clinical psychologist clinical social worker tax credit value professional services provided individuals health professional shortage area


Summary: Patient-Focused Critical Care Enhancement Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), to conduct research to assess: (1) the standardization of critical care protocols, intensive care unit layout, equipment interoperability, and medical informatics; and (2) the impact of differences in staffing, organization, size, and structure of intensive care units on access, quality, and efficiency of care. Requires the Secretary to undertake demonstration projects to: (1) optimize the provision of critical care services to Medicare beneficiaries through innovations in such areas as staffing and utilization of technology; and (2) measure and evaluate outcomes derived from a "family-centered" approach to the provision of inpatient critical care services that includes direct and sustained communication and contact with the beneficiary family members, involvement of family members in the critical care decisionmaking process, and responsiveness of critical care providers to family requests. Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for FY2008-FY2013 for augmenting the delivery of critical care services in the rural inpatient setting through the use of telecommunications systems that allow for consultation with critical care providers not located in the rural facility regarding the care of such patients. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to give preference in awarding telehealth grant funds to entities to develop plans for, or to establish, such critical care telehealth networks. Requires the Secretary to undertake an initiative to recruit providers of critical care services into the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.

patient focused critical care enhancement act requires secretary health_and_human_services acting agency healthcare_research_and_quality ahrq conduct research assess standardization critical care protocols intensive care unit equipment interoperability medical informatics impact differences staffing organization size structure intensive care units access quality efficiency care requires secretary undertake demonstration projects optimize provision critical care services medicare beneficiaries innovations areas staffing utilization technology measure evaluate outcomes derived family centered approach provision inpatient critical care services includes direct sustained communication contact beneficiary family members involvement family members critical care decisionmaking process responsiveness critical care providers family requests amends authorize appropriations fy2008 fy2013 augmenting delivery critical care services rural inpatient setting use telecommunications systems allow consultation critical care providers located rural facility care patients amends public_health_service_act require secretary preference awarding telehealth grant funds entities develop plans establish critical care telehealth networks requires secretary undertake initiative recruit providers critical care services national_health_service_corps_loan_repayment_program


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

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


Summary: Enhancing Safety in Medicine Utilizing Leading Advanced Simulation Technologies to Improve Outcomes Now Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to conduct and support research, evaluations, initiatives, and demonstration projects, and provide grants or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements, to enhance the deployment of medical simulation technologies and the incorporation of such technologies and equipment into medical, nursing, allied health, podiatric, osteopathic, and dental education and training protocols.Requires the Director to: (1) establish medical simulation centers of excellence; (2) promote innovation by conducting and supporting research on complex or challenging medical simulation and interdisciplinary simulation technologies and developing an electronic clearinghouse of such technologies; and (3) award grants for purchasing, incorporating, and deploying such technologies for training of physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and qualified students. Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Federal Medical Simulation Coordinating Council. Requires the Director to establish an advisory panel to make recommendations on how to structure programs established by this Act.

leading advanced simulation technologies improve outcomes act amends public_health_service_act require director agency healthcare_research quality conduct support research evaluations initiatives demonstration projects provide grants enter contracts cooperative agreements enhance deployment medical simulation technologies incorporation technologies equipment medical nursing allied health podiatric osteopathic dental education training protocols requires director establish medical simulation centers excellence promote innovation conducting supporting research complex challenging medical simulation interdisciplinary simulation technologies developing electronic clearinghouse technologies award grants purchasing incorporating deploying technologies training physicians nurses allied health professionals qualified students establishes department_of_health_and_human_services hhs requires director establish advisory panel recommendations structure programs established act


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

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


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

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


Summary: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase, between FY2008 and FY2010, from 90% to 100% of the locality adjusted national average per resident amount the payment floor for direct graduate medical education (GME) payments under the Medicare program.

amends title xviii medicare social security act increase fy2008 fy2010 locality adjusted national average resident payment floor direct graduate medical education gme payments medicare program


Summary: Pharmacy Technician Training and Registration Act of 2008 or Emily's Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to states to establish and implement a pharmaceutical technician registration program that requires a state to: (1) prohibit an individual from performing the duties of a pharmaceutical technician unless the individual is registered by the State Board of Pharmacy; (2) require for registration that the individual meet certain requirements related to education and training; and (3) submit an annual report to the Secretary on pharmaceutical technician errors in the state.Allows a state receiving a grant to provide a transitional period for individuals who began practicing as pharmaceutical technicians before the date of the enactment of this Act to comply with the requirements of the registration program.Expresses the sense of Congress that State Boards of Pharmacy should strive to ensure: (1) a ratio of two pharmaceutical technicians to each pharmacist in hospital settings; and (2) a ratio of three pharmaceutical technicians to each pharmacist in other settings, including drug stores.

pharmacy technician training act amends public_health_service_act authorize secretary health_and_human_services grants states establish implement pharmaceutical technician registration program requires state prohibit individual performing duties pharmaceutical technician individual registered require registration individual meet certain requirements related education training submit annual report secretary pharmaceutical technician errors state allows state receiving grant provide transitional period individuals began practicing pharmaceutical technicians date enactment act comply requirements registration program expresses sense strive ensure ratio pharmaceutical technicians pharmacist hospital settings ratio pharmaceutical technicians pharmacist settings including drug stores


Summary: Public Health Preparedness Workforce Development Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Public Health Workforce Scholarship Program to assure an adequate supply of public health professionals to eliminate critical public health preparedness workforce shortages in federal, state, local, and tribal public health agencies by offering four-year scholarships in return for employment at such agencies. Requires the Secretary to establish the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide for the repayment of loans incurred by individuals in the pursuit of the relevant public health preparedness workforce educational degree or certificate in exchange for working at such agencies for at least three years. Requires the Secretary to award grants to public health agencies that receive public health preparedness cooperative agreements from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to operate state, local, and tribal public health workforce loan repayment programs. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for scholarships to enable mid-career professionals in the public health workforce to receive additional training in the field of public health preparedness or biodefense. Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to ensure that included in the OPM website there is an online catalogue of public health workforce employment opportunities in the federal government. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants to establish Academic Health Departments to provide for collaboration between the academic and practice aspects of public health.

public health preparedness workforce development act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services establish assure adequate supply public health professionals eliminate critical public health preparedness workforce shortages federal state local tribal public health agencies offering year scholarships return employment agencies requires secretary establish provide repayment loans incurred individuals pursuit relevant public health preparedness workforce educational degree certificate exchange working agencies years requires secretary award grants public health agencies receive public health preparedness cooperative agreements department_of_health_and_human_services hhs operate state local tribal public health workforce loan repayment programs authorizes secretary provide scholarships enable mid career professionals public health workforce receive additional training field public health preparedness biodefense requires director ensure included opm website online catalogue public health workforce employment opportunities federal government requires secretary acting director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc award grants establish academic health departments provide collaboration academic practice aspects public health


Summary: Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to extend the J-1 visa waiver (Conrad state 30/medical services in underserved areas) program through March 6, 2009. Increases from five to 10 the number of alien physicians under such program who may serve in state facilities that treat patients from, but that may not be located in, a medically underserved area. (Subject to the overall limit of 30 participants per state.) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) federal programs waiving the two-year foreign residence requirement for physicians are generally designed to promote the delivery of critically needed medical services to people in the United States lacking adequate access to physician care; and (2) when determining the qualification of a location for designation as a health professional shortage area, the Secretary of Health and Human Services should consider the needs of vulnerable populations in low-income and impoverished communities, communities with high infant mortality rates, and communities exhibiting other signs of a lack of necessary physician services.

amends immigration nationality technical corrections act extend j-1 visa waiver conrad state medical services underserved areas program march increases number alien physicians program serve state facilities treat patients located medically underserved area subject overall limit participants state expresses sense congress federal programs waiving year foreign residence requirement physicians generally designed promote delivery critically needed medical services people united_states lacking adequate access physician care determining qualification location designation health professional shortage area secretary health_and_human_services consider needs vulnerable populations low income impoverished communities communities high infant mortality rates communities exhibiting signs lack necessary physician services


Summary: Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act - Amends the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 to lift the numerical limitations for employment based immigrants (and accompanying family members) for nurses and physical therapists until September 30, 2011, subject to a cap. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to impose a fee upon each petitioning employer who uses such a visa to provide employment for an alien as a professional nurse. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Service (HHS), acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to award a grant each fiscal year to each eligible nursing school that applies and meets specified requirements to increase the number of nursing faculty and students at the school. Establishes in the Treasury's general fund a Domestic Nursing Enhancement Account. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) direct the Secretary to allow an eligible alien (and spouse or child) to reside in a candidate country (defined to include a lower middle income country or one experiencing a natural disaster) during the period the alien is working there as a health care worker; and (2) make inadmissible an alien seeking entry into the United States to perform labor as a health care worker unless the alien attests that he or she does not have an outstanding obligation to the alien's government or country of residence, subject to a waiver. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a partnership program to award grants to eligible entities to carry out comprehensive programs to provide education to nurses and create a pipeline to nursing for incumbent ancillary health care workers who wish to advance their careers.

emergency nursing supply relief act amends century act lift numerical limitations employment based immigrants accompanying family members nurses physical therapists september subject cap directs secretary homeland_security impose fee petitioning employer uses visa provide employment alien professional nurse requires secretary health_and_human_service hhs acting health_resources_and_services_administration hrsa award grant fiscal year eligible nursing school applies meets specified requirements increase number nursing faculty students school establishes treasury general fund amends immigration nationality act direct secretary allow eligible alien spouse child reside candidate country defined include lower middle income country experiencing natural disaster period alien working health care worker inadmissible alien seeking entry united_states perform labor health care worker alien attests outstanding obligation alien government country residence subject waiver directs secretary labor establish partnership program award grants eligible entities carry comprehensive programs provide education nurses create pipeline nursing incumbent ancillary health care workers wish advance careers


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

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


Summary: Home-Based Health Services Job Training and Caregiving Act of 2008 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a pilot program to make grants to eligible entities to promote the training and employment of public housing residents as home health aides and providers of home-based health services, in order for such residents to provide Medicaid-covered home-based health services to either elderly or disabled public housing residents, or both. Qualifies as an eligible entity any public housing agency, state or local government (or agency), community health center, home care provider organization, faith-based organization, labor organization, or other organization meeting specified criteria. Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to require the Secretary to: (1) ensure low- and very low-income persons, residing within a home-based health services public housing project, opportunities for training and employment arising in connection with such project; and (2) award contracts to businesses that provide such training and employment opportunities.

caregiving act amends united_states housing act require secretary housing_and_urban_development establish pilot program grants eligible entities promote training employment public housing residents home health aides providers home based health services order residents provide medicaid covered home based health services elderly disabled public housing residents qualifies eligible entity public housing agency state local government agency community health center home care provider organization faith based organization labor organization organization meeting specified criteria amends housing_and_urban_development_act require secretary ensure low- low income persons residing home based health services public housing project opportunities training employment arising connection project award contracts businesses provide training employment opportunities


Summary: Amends part B (Supplemental Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to ensure that all physicians, as defined for Medicare purposes (including doctors of dental surgery or of dental medicine, of podiatric medicine, or of optometry, and chiropractors), are permitted to perform required face-to-face examinations and prescribe Medicare-covered durable medical equipment (DME), prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (including motorized or power wheelchairs).

amends title xviii medicare social security act ensure physicians defined medicare purposes including doctors dental surgery dental medicine podiatric medicine optometry chiropractors permitted perform required face face examinations prescribe medicare covered durable medical equipment dme prosthetics orthotics supplies including motorized power wheelchairs


Summary: Veterans' Medical Personnel Recruitment and Retention Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to appoint personnel for health care positions within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) not specifically listed as authorized categories for appointment, as long as the Secretary provides prior notification to the congressional veterans' committees and the Office of Management and Budget. Requires newly-appointed nurses to serve a probationary period. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) appoint nurse assistants; and (2) waive required pay offsets for federal annuitants reemployed in VA health care positions. Sets the minimum rate of basic pay for appointees to certain positions in the Office of the Under Secretary for Health at the lowest rate of basic pay for a Senior Executive Service position. Allows for the payment of: (1) comparability pay of up to $100,000 annually for Office positions which are not physicians or dentists; and (2) special incentive pay of up to $40,000 annually to a VHA pharmacist executive. Removes or waives certain pay restrictions for: (1) physicians or dentists occupying administrative or executive leadership positions; (2) nurses; and (3) certified registered nurse anesthetists. Revises locality pay scale computations. Increases from $25,000 to $100,000 the special pay for nurse executives. Makes part-time nurses eligible for additional nurse pay. Provides limitations on overtime duty, weekend duty, and alternative work schedules for nurses, with exceptions for emergency situations. Reinstates the VA's health professionals educational assistance scholarship program, and increases maximum assistance amounts. Authorizes the Secretary to provide an educational loan repayment program for clinical researchers from disadvantaged backgrounds.

retention act authorizes secretary veterans_affairs appoint personnel health care positions veterans_health_administration vha department_of_veterans_affairs specifically listed authorized categories appointment long secretary provides prior notification congressional veterans committees office_of_management_and_budget requires newly appointed nurses serve probationary period authorizes secretary appoint nurse assistants waive required pay offsets federal annuitants reemployed health care positions sets minimum rate basic pay appointees certain positions office secretary health lowest rate basic pay senior_executive_service position allows payment comparability pay annually office positions physicians dentists special incentive pay annually vha pharmacist executive removes waives certain pay restrictions physicians dentists occupying administrative executive leadership positions nurses certified registered nurse anesthetists revises locality pay scale increases special pay nurse executives makes time nurses eligible additional nurse pay provides limitations overtime duty weekend duty alternative work schedules nurses exceptions emergency situations reinstates health professionals educational assistance scholarship program increases maximum assistance amounts authorizes secretary provide educational loan repayment program clinical researchers disadvantaged backgrounds


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

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


Summary: 21st Century Rural Health Care Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize appropriations for the National Health Service Corps for FY2009-FY2013.Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to define "accredited training program with an integrated rural track" to mean an accredited medical residency training program that is located in an urban area which offers a curriculum for family practice for all residents in the program and that meets certain requirements, including: (1) four month-long rotations in rural public health and community health settings; and (2) specified minimum training in obstetrics, pediatrics, and emergency medicine.

21st century rural health care act amends public_health_service_act reauthorize appropriations national_health_service_corps fy2009 title xviii medicare social security act define accredited training program integrated rural track mean accredited medical residency training program located urban area offers curriculum family practice residents program meets certain requirements including month long rural public health community health settings specified minimum training obstetrics pediatrics emergency medicine


Summary: Veterans Health Scholarship Act of 2008 - Amends federal provisions concerning the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Professional Scholarship Program to: (1) continue the Program through 2012; and (2) establish a priority for applicants who are veterans.

veterans health scholarship act amends federal provisions concerning department_of_veterans_affairs continue program establish priority applicants veterans


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

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


Summary: Primary Care Dental Academic Workforce Development Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, programs of general dentistry or pediatric dentistry to plan, develop, and operate a loan repayment program to pay student loans in exchange for service as full-time faculty members. Requires the Secretary to: (1) encourage participating programs to use support to broadly recruit diverse faculty; and (2) establish appropriate financial penalties for individuals not completing their service obligations.

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


Summary: Improving Dental Access in Underserved Communities Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize appropriations for FY2009-FY2013 for National Health Service Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment programs. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reserve a portion of such funds for scholarships to individuals who are accepted for enrollment or enrolled in a course of study or program that leads to a degree in dentistry.Reauthorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013 for grants and contracts to: (1) assist schools in supporting programs of excellence in health professionals education for underrepresented minority individuals; and (2) assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to undertake education to enter a health profession.

underserved communities act amends public_health_service_act reauthorize appropriations fy2009 fy2013 loan repayment programs requires secretary health_and_human_services reserve portion funds scholarships individuals accepted enrollment enrolled course study program leads degree dentistry reauthorizes appropriations fy2009 fy2013 grants contracts assist schools supporting programs excellence health professionals education underrepresented minority individuals assist individuals disadvantaged backgrounds undertake education enter health profession


Summary: Nurses' Higher Education and Loan Repayment Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to enter into an agreement with eligible individuals for the repayment of education loans in exchange for working as a full-time member of the faculty of an accredited school of nursing.

loan repayment act amends public_health_service_act authorize secretary health_and_human_services acting administrator health_resources_and_services_administration hrsa enter agreement eligible individuals repayment education loans exchange working time member faculty accredited school nursing


Summary: Directs the Secretary to report quarterly to Congress describing any vacancy in a mental health professional position at any medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

directs secretary report quarterly congress describing vacancy mental health professional position medical facility department_of_veterans_affairs


Summary: Health Workforce Investment Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the National Health Workforce Advisory Council to make recommendations to relevant agencies and congressional committees on health workforce issues, including on: (1) the supply and distribution of the U.S. health workforce; (2) current and future shortages or excesses of health workforce professionals; (3) issues relating to foreign medical and nursing school graduates; and (4) deficiencies in existing databases concerning the supply and distribution of, and postgraduate training programs for, health workforce professionals. Requires the Council to encourage entities providing graduate medical education to conduct activities to voluntarily address health workforce issues.Establishes the National Center for Health Workforce Information and Analysis to conduct and support statistical and epidemiological activities for the purpose of assessing and improving the supply, distribution, diversity, and development of the health workforce in the United States. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to states for: (1) ensuring access to health services for all individuals, particularly those with low incomes or limited access to health services; (2) improving the supply, distribution, diversity, and development of the health workforce; and (3) creating state-specific health workforce goals and objectives consistent with health status goals and national health workforce objectives. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for research to identify best practices and innovative approaches to improving the health workforce.Requires the Secretary to develop national health workforce objectives.

health workforce investment act amends public_health_service_act establish recommendations relevant agencies congressional committees health workforce issues including supply distribution health workforce current future shortages health workforce professionals issues relating foreign medical nursing school graduates deficiencies existing databases concerning supply distribution postgraduate training programs health workforce professionals requires council encourage entities providing graduate medical education conduct activities voluntarily address health workforce issues establishes analysis conduct support statistical epidemiological activities purpose assessing improving supply distribution diversity development health workforce united_states directs secretary health_and_human_services grants states ensuring access health services individuals particularly low incomes limited access health services improving supply distribution diversity development health workforce creating state specific health workforce goals objectives consistent health status goals national health workforce objectives authorizes secretary provide research identify best practices innovative approaches improving health workforce requires secretary develop national health workforce objectives


Summary: Preserving Patient Access to Primary Care Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award recruitment incentive grants or contracts to graduate medical schools to enable them to improve primary care education and training for medical students. Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to: (1) award grants to critical shortage health facilities to enable them to provide scholarships to individuals who agree to serve as physicians at such facilities after completing a residency in the field of family practice, pediatrics, or internal medicine; and (2) establish an educational loan repayment program for individuals who agree to serve as primary care physicians in an area that is not a health professional shortage area. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for deferment of education loans during medical residency and internships in family medicine, internal medicine, or pediatric medicine. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to make permanent the Conrad State J-1 Visa Waiver Program. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from the H-1 B Visa Limitation individuals awarded a medical speciality certification in internal medicine, pediatrics, or family medicine by the appropriate medical board based on post-doctoral training and experience in the United States. Amends the PHSA to direct the Secretary to award grants to eligible state and local government entities for the development of informational materials that promote careers in primary care. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to allow the use of Medicaid transformation payments for methods for improving medical assistance under Medicaid and SSA title XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) by encouraging certain medical practices to qualify as patient centered medical homes. Establishes the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC). Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to: (1) increase budget neutrality limits under the physician fee schedule to account for anticipated savings resulting from payments for certain services and the coordination of beneficiary care; and (2) require a separate Medicare payment for designated primary care services and comprehensive care coordination services. Amends SSA title XVIII, as amended by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, to cover patient-centered medical home services. Directs the Secretary to develop a methodology to increase payments for designated evaluation and management services provided by primary and principal care physicians. Requires: (1) additional incentive payments for primary care services furnished in health professional shortage areas; (2) permanent extension of the floor on the Medicare work geographic adjustment under the physician fee schedule; and (3) permanent extension of the Medicare incentive payment program for physician scarcity areas. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the process for determining relative value under the Medicare physician fee schedule. Eliminates cost sharing for preventive benefits and the time restriction for initial preventive physical examination. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on: (1) facilitating the receipt of Medicare preventive services by Medicare beneficiaries; and (2) increasing the ability of the physician to assist Medicare beneficiaries in obtaining needed prescriptions under Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program). Requires additional payments to physicians for services to individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). Requires various specified studies.

preserving patient access primary care act amends higher education act authorize secretary education award recruitment incentive grants contracts graduate medical schools enable improve primary care education training medical students amends public_health_service_act phsa direct secretary health_and_human_services acting administrator health_resources_and_services_administration award grants critical shortage health facilities enable provide scholarships individuals agree serve physicians facilities completing residency field family practice pediatrics internal medicine establish educational loan repayment program individuals agree serve primary care physicians area health professional shortage area amends higher education act provide deferment education loans medical residency internships family medicine internal medicine pediatric medicine amends permanent conrad state j-1 visa waiver program amends immigration nationality act exempt individuals awarded medical speciality certification internal medicine pediatrics family medicine appropriate medical board based post doctoral training experience united_states amends phsa direct secretary award grants eligible state local government entities development informational materials promote careers primary care amends title xix medicaid social security act ssa allow use medicaid transformation payments methods improving medical assistance medicaid ssa title chip known schip encouraging certain medical practices qualify patient centered medical homes establishes medicaid chip payment access commission amends ssa title xviii medicare increase budget neutrality limits physician fee schedule account anticipated savings resulting payments certain services coordination beneficiary care require separate medicare payment designated primary care services comprehensive care coordination services amends ssa title xviii amended medicare_improvements_for_patients_and_providers_act cover patient centered medical home services directs secretary develop methodology increase payments designated evaluation management services provided primary principal care physicians requires additional incentive payments primary care services furnished health professional shortage areas permanent extension floor medicare work geographic adjustment physician fee schedule permanent extension medicare incentive payment program physician scarcity areas directs secretary study report congress process determining relative value medicare physician fee schedule eliminates cost sharing preventive benefits time restriction initial preventive physical examination directs secretary study report congress facilitating receipt medicare preventive services medicare beneficiaries increasing ability physician assist medicare beneficiaries obtaining needed prescriptions medicare voluntary prescription drug benefit program requires additional payments physicians services individuals limited english proficiency lep requires specified studies


Summary: Veterans Combat Stress Healthcare Improvement Act - Revises the veterans' health professionals educational assistance program to provide a selection priority under various program components for those seeking to obtain the specialized training necessary to treat combat stress. Provides a similar priority for individuals who have completed the degree requirements necessary for qualification as a licensed mental health professional, are employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in positions related to the treatment of combat stress, and owe any principal or interest on loans used to pay costs related to earning the degree. Reauthorizes the program's scholarship program for FY2009-FY2011.

veterans combat stress healthcare improvement act revises veterans health professionals educational assistance program provide selection priority program components seeking obtain specialized training necessary treat combat stress provides similar priority individuals completed degree requirements necessary qualification licensed mental health professional employees department_of_veterans_affairs positions related treatment combat stress owe principal interest loans pay costs related earning degree reauthorizes program scholarship program fy2009 fy2011


Summary: Concussion Treatment and Care Tools Act of 2008 or the ConTACT Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to make grants to states for: (1) establishing, disseminating, and ensuring the implementation by schools of concussion management guidelines with respect to the prevention, identification, treatment, and management of sports-related concussions in student athletes, including standards for student athletes to return to play after a concussion; and (2) funding implementation by schools of computerized preseason baseline and post-injury neuropsychological testing for student athletes. Directs states to utilize, to the extent practicable, applicable expertise and services offered by local chapters of national brain injury organizations.Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to convene a conference of medical, athletic, and educational stakeholders to establish model concussion management guidelines with respect to student athletes.

concussion treatment care tools act contact act amends public health service act authorize secretary health_and_human_services acting director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc grants states establishing disseminating ensuring implementation schools concussion management guidelines respect prevention identification treatment management sports related concussions student athletes including standards student athletes return play concussion funding implementation schools computerized baseline post injury testing student athletes directs states utilize extent practicable applicable expertise services offered local chapters national brain injury organizations requires secretary acting director convene conference medical athletic educational stakeholders establish model concussion management guidelines respect student athletes


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

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


Summary: Rural Preventive Health Care Training Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants and enter into contracts for preventive health care training of rural health care practitioners.

amends public_health_service_act authorize secretary health_and_human_services award grants enter contracts preventive health care training rural health care practitioners


Summary: Strengthen Social Work Training Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include clinical psychology and social work programs among eligible health education programs for purposes of receiving grants to: (1) support programs for underrepresented minorities; (2) provide scholarships to disadvantaged students; and (3) offer faculty positions to disadvantaged students. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to, and enter into contracts with: (1) schools offering degrees in social work to provide support for geriatric training projects; (2) hospitals, schools, or other entities to plan or operate an approved social work training program and to provide financial assistance to program participants that are planning to specialize, work, or teach in the field of social work; and (3) schools offering social work programs to establish, maintain, or improve academic administrative units to provide clinical instruction in social work. Authorizes health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to offer health services through a clinical social worker as provided for under state law.

strengthen social work training act amends public_health_service_act include clinical psychology social work programs eligible health education programs purposes receiving grants support programs underrepresented minorities provide scholarships disadvantaged students offer faculty positions disadvantaged students allows secretary health_and_human_services grants enter contracts schools offering degrees social work provide support geriatric training projects hospitals schools entities plan operate approved social work training program provide financial assistance program participants planning specialize work teach field social work schools offering social work programs establish maintain improve academic administrative units provide clinical instruction social work authorizes health maintenance organizations offer health services clinical social worker provided state law


Summary: Strengthen the Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement for the establishment and operation of a student loan fund with any public or other nonprofit school that offers a graduate program in professional psychology. Revises provisions concerning the collection of health professions data, sex discrimination in medical education programs, and definitions to make these applicable to "professional" (rather than "clinical") psychologists.

strengthen allow secretary health_and_human_services enter agreement establishment operation student loan fund public nonprofit school offers graduate program professional psychology revises provisions concerning collection health professions data sex discrimination medical education programs definitions applicable professional clinical psychologists


Summary: Psychologists in the Service of the Public Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a psychology postdoctoral program to make grants to and enter into contracts with eligible individuals and institutions to encourage the provision of psychological training and services in underserved treatment areas. Requires individuals to possess a doctoral degree in psychology and to agree to provide services to a medically underserved population during the grant and at least one year thereafter. Requires institutions to use provided amounts for fellowships to such individuals.

psychologists amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services establish psychology postdoctoral program grants enter contracts eligible individuals institutions encourage provision psychological training services underserved treatment areas requires individuals possess doctoral degree psychology agree provide services medically underserved population grant year requires institutions use provided amounts fellowships individuals


Summary: Nurse Education, Expansion, and Development Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to award a grant to each eligible school of nursing to increase the number of nursing faculty and students. Requires such schools to formulate and implement a plan to accomplish at least two of specified goals, which include: (1) establishing or significantly expanding an accelerated baccalaureate degree nursing program designed to graduate new nurses in 12 to 18 months; (2) establishing cooperative interdisciplinary training between schools of nursing and other specified health related fields; (3) increasing admissions, enrollment, and retention of qualified individuals who are financially disadvantaged; (4) increasing enrollment of minority and diverse student populations; (5) increasing enrollment of new graduate baccalaureate nursing students in graduate programs that educate nurse faculty members; (6) developing post-baccalaureate residency programs to prepare nurses for practice in specialty areas where nursing shortages are more severe; and (7) increasing integration of geriatric content into the core curriculum. Requires the Comptroller General to study ways to increase participation in the nurse faculty profession and to submit a report to Congress that includes: (1) a discussion of the master's degree and doctoral degree programs that are successful in placing graduates as faculty in schools of nursing; and (2) an examination of compensation disparities throughout the nursing profession and between higher education instructional faculty generally and higher education instructional nursing faculty.

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


Summary: Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to increase, over five cost reporting periods, the Medicare caps on the total number of full-time equivalent residents in the field of allopathic or osteopathic medicine (graduate medical education (GME) positions) for states with a shortage of residents. Requires the aggregate number of such increases for a state to be at least 15, but no more than the state resident cap increase.

resident physician shortage reduction act amends title xviii medicare social security act direct secretary health_and_human_services increase cost reporting periods medicare caps total number time equivalent residents field allopathic osteopathic medicine graduate medical education gme positions states shortage residents requires aggregate number increases state state resident cap increase


Summary: Allied Health Reinvestment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop public service announcements to promote the allied health professions. Requires the Secretary to award grants to promote such professions by: (1) supporting relevant state and local campaigns; (2) increasing education opportunities; (3) carrying out programs to facilitate the entry of students into relevant careers; (4) expanding enrollment into such programs; (5) providing education through new technologies and methods; (6) enhancing the workforce through retention programs; (7) developing retention strategies; (8) expanding area health education centers to develop models of excellence for such professionals; and (9) developing clinical education, internship, and resident programs that encourage mentoring and the development of specialties. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to enter into agreements to establish faculty loan funds to increase the number of qualified allied health faculty. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide scholarships to individuals seeking allied health education who agree to provide service in rural and other medically underserved areas with personnel shortages; (2) develop a system for collecting and analyzing workforce data to determine education pipeline and practitioner shortages and to project future needs for such a workforce; and (3) include allied health schools among the schools eligible to receive grants to support Centers of Excellence in health professions education for underrepresented minority individuals. Requires the Comptroller General to conduct an evaluation of whether this Act has demonstrably increased the number of allied health education program applicants.

require secretary health_and_human_services develop public service announcements promote allied health professions requires secretary award grants promote professions supporting relevant state local campaigns increasing education opportunities carrying programs facilitate entry students relevant careers expanding enrollment programs providing education new technologies methods enhancing workforce retention programs developing retention strategies expanding area health education centers develop models excellence professionals developing clinical education internship resident programs encourage mentoring development specialties requires secretary acting administrator health_resources_and_services_administration hrsa enter agreements establish faculty loan funds increase number qualified allied health faculty requires secretary provide scholarships individuals seeking allied health education agree provide service rural medically underserved areas personnel shortages develop system collecting analyzing workforce data determine education pipeline practitioner shortages project future needs workforce include allied health schools schools eligible receive grants support centers_of_excellence health professions education underrepresented minority individuals requires comptroller general conduct evaluation act increased number allied health education program applicants


Summary: Rural Nursing Promotion Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Nurse Distance Education Pilot Program through which grants may be awarded for activities to increase accessibility to nursing education in order to: (1) provide assistance to individuals in rural areas who want to study nursing to enable such individuals to receive appropriate nursing education; (2) promote the study of nursing at all educational levels; (3) establish additional slots for nursing students at existing nursing education programs; and (4) establish new nursing education programs at institutions of higher education.Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) report to Congress on the source of newly licensed nurses and physical therapists in each state; (2) contract with the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine to determine the necessary level of federal investment under the Public Health Service Act to eliminate the domestic nursing and physical therapist shortage; and (3) collaborate with other agencies in working with the five countries from which the most nurses and physical therapists arrived to address health worker shortages caused by emigration.Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt aliens seeking U.S. entry to perform labor in shortage occupations from worldwide and per-country numerical limitations through September 30, 2017. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide for a process to review and make a determination upon a petition filed for immigrant status for such an alien within 30 days.

rural nursing promotion act requires secretary health_and_human_services establish grants awarded activities increase accessibility nursing education order provide assistance individuals rural areas want study nursing enable individuals receive appropriate nursing education promote study nursing educational levels establish additional slots nursing students existing nursing education programs establish new nursing education programs institutions higher education directs secretary health_and_human_services report congress source newly licensed nurses physical therapists state contract determine necessary level federal investment public_health_service_act eliminate domestic nursing physical therapist shortage collaborate agencies working countries nurses physical therapists address health worker shortages caused amends immigration nationality act exempt aliens seeking entry perform labor shortage occupations worldwide country numerical limitations september requires secretary homeland_security provide process review determination petition filed immigrant status alien days


Summary: Patient-Focused Critical Care Enhancement Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), to conduct research to assess: (1) the standardization of critical care protocols, intensive care unit layout, equipment interoperability, and medical informatics; and (2) the impact of differences in staffing, organization, size, and structure of intensive care units on access, quality, and efficiency of care. Requires the Secretary to undertake demonstration projects to: (1) optimize the provision of critical care services to Medicare beneficiaries through innovations in such areas as staffing and utilization of technology; and (2) measure and evaluate outcomes derived from a "family-centered" approach to the provision of inpatient critical care services that includes direct and sustained communication and contact with the beneficiary family members, involvement of family members in the critical care decisionmaking process, and responsiveness of critical care providers to family requests. Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for FY2008-FY2013 for augmenting the delivery of critical care services in the rural inpatient setting through the use of telecommunications systems that allow for consultation with critical care providers not located in the rural facility regarding the care of such patients. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to give preference in awarding telehealth grant funds to entities to develop plans for, or to establish, such critical care telehealth networks. Requires the Secretary to undertake an initiative to recruit providers of critical care services into the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.

patient focused critical care enhancement act requires secretary health_and_human_services acting agency healthcare_research_and_quality ahrq conduct research assess standardization critical care protocols intensive care unit equipment interoperability medical informatics impact differences staffing organization size structure intensive care units access quality efficiency care requires secretary undertake demonstration projects optimize provision critical care services medicare beneficiaries innovations areas staffing utilization technology measure evaluate outcomes derived family centered approach provision inpatient critical care services includes direct sustained communication contact beneficiary family members involvement family members critical care decisionmaking process responsiveness critical care providers family requests amends authorize appropriations fy2008 fy2013 augmenting delivery critical care services rural inpatient setting use telecommunications systems allow consultation critical care providers located rural facility care patients amends public_health_service_act require secretary preference awarding telehealth grant funds entities develop plans establish critical care telehealth networks requires secretary undertake initiative recruit providers critical care services national_health_service_corps_loan_repayment_program


Summary: Veterinary Public Health Workforce Expansion Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to veterinary schools or institutions offering training for veterinarians to improve public health preparedness through increasing the number of veterinarians in the workforce. Requires the Secretary to give preference to applicants that demonstrate a comprehensive approach by involving more than one such school or institution.

amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services award grants veterinary schools institutions offering training veterinarians improve public health preparedness increasing number veterinarians workforce requires secretary preference applicants demonstrate comprehensive approach involving school institution


Summary: Physician Shortage Elimination Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 to: (1) carry out the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program and Loan Repayment Program to assure an adequate supply of physicians and other health professionals to provide primary health services; (2) assist schools in supporting programs of excellence in health professionals education for underrepresented minority individuals; and (3) assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to undertake education to enter a health profession. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to community health centers to: (1) establish new or alternative-campus accredited medical residency training programs affiliated with a hospital or other health care facility; or (2) fund new residency positions within existing accredited medical residency training programs at the centers and their affiliated partners. Requires the Secretary to give preference to funding medical residency training programs focusing on primary health care. Allows the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to make grants to community health centers to: (1) increase the number of medical service providers associated with such centers; and (2) increase primary health care capabilities through the construction, expansion, or renovation of facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to recipients of financial assistance for area health education center programs to improve the effectiveness of such programs. Amends title XVIII (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to make changes to the direct and indirect graduate medical education provisions regarding costs for the training program for purposes of counting the number of residents in a non-hospital setting. Sets forth requirements for a medical residency training program to be considered an accredited training program with an integrated rural track.

amends public_health_service_act authorize appropriations fy2008 fy2012 carry national_health_service_corps_scholarship_program loan repayment program assure adequate supply physicians health professionals provide primary health services assist schools supporting programs excellence health professionals education underrepresented minority individuals assist individuals disadvantaged backgrounds undertake education enter health profession allows secretary health_and_human_services grants community health centers establish new alternative campus accredited medical residency training programs affiliated hospital health care facility fund new residency positions existing accredited medical residency training programs centers affiliated partners requires secretary preference funding medical residency training programs focusing primary health care allows secretary acting administrator health_resources_and_services_administration hrsa grants community health centers increase number medical service providers associated centers increase primary health care capabilities construction expansion renovation facilities authorizes secretary award grants recipients financial assistance area health education center programs improve effectiveness programs amends title xviii medicaid social security act changes direct indirect graduate medical education provisions costs training program purposes counting number residents non hospital setting sets forth requirements medical residency training program considered accredited training program integrated rural track


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

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


Summary: Nursing Education and Quality of Health Care Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to, or enter into contracts with, schools of nursing, health care facilities, or partnerships of such schools and facilities to educate nurses to serve in rural areas and areas of nurse specialty shortage, including by developing distance learning education. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to award grants to such schools, facilities, or partnerships for the establishment of demonstration projects that will expand the number of nurse faculty within schools of nursing, including by developing recruitment programs and offering scholarships. Allows the Secretary, in the case of a nurse faculty shortage, to obligate more than 10% of traineeships for advanced nursing education programs to individuals in doctoral degree programs. Requires the Secretary to: (1) award grants to, and enter into contracts with, eligible entities to increase the nursing opportunities for individuals who reside in rural communities, including by increasing and expanding pipeline programs and supporting a web-based health care workforce development system; (2) award grants to entities for demonstration projects that advance the education, delivery, or measurement of quality and patient safety in nursing practice; and (3) award grants to collect data and study the potential benefits of basic and advanced nursing education levels or certification status in the efforts to promote quality improvement strategies and enhance patient outcomes and cost saving measures.

amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services award grants enter contracts schools nursing health care facilities partnerships schools facilities educate nurses serve rural areas areas nurse specialty shortage including developing distance learning education requires secretary acting administrator health_resources_and_services_administration hrsa award grants schools facilities partnerships establishment demonstration projects expand number nurse faculty schools nursing including developing recruitment programs offering scholarships allows secretary case nurse faculty shortage obligate traineeships advanced nursing education programs individuals doctoral degree programs requires secretary award grants enter contracts eligible entities increase nursing opportunities individuals reside rural communities including increasing expanding pipeline programs supporting web based health care workforce development system award grants entities demonstration projects advance education delivery measurement quality patient safety nursing practice award grants collect data study potential benefits basic advanced nursing education levels certification status efforts promote quality improvement strategies enhance patient outcomes cost saving measures


Summary: Nurse Faculty and Physical Therapist Education Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration, to establish a Nurse Faculty Education Program to ensure an adequate supply of nurse faculty through awarding grants to eligible entities to: (1) hire new faculty, retain existing faculty, and purchase educational resources; (2) increase enrollment and graduation rates for students from doctoral programs; and (3) assist graduates in serving as nurse faculty in schools of nursing. Requires the Comptroller General to report on activities to increase participation in the nurse educator program. Requires the Secretary to establish a program to provide Geriatric Academic Career Awards to promote the career development of eligible individuals as geriatric nurse faculty. Requires the Secretary to establish a Nurse and Physical Therapist Distance Education Pilot Program to award grants for activities to increase accessibility to nursing and physical therapy education, including to: (1) assist individuals in rural areas who want to study nursing or physical therapy; (2) promote the study of nursing and physical therapy at all educational levels; (3) establish additional slots for nursing and physical therapy students at existing schools and programs; and (4) establish new nursing and physical therapy education programs at institutions of higher education Requires the Secretary to: (1) report on the country of origin or professional school of origin of newly licensed nurses and physical therapists in each state; and (2) contract with the Institute of Medicine to study the nursing and physical therapy workforce.

physical therapist education act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services acting health_resources_and_services_administration establish ensure adequate supply nurse faculty awarding grants eligible entities hire new faculty retain existing faculty purchase educational resources increase enrollment graduation rates students doctoral programs assist graduates serving nurse faculty schools nursing requires comptroller general report activities increase participation nurse educator program requires secretary establish program provide career awards promote career development eligible individuals geriatric nurse faculty requires secretary establish nurse physical therapist distance education pilot program award grants activities increase accessibility nursing physical therapy education including assist individuals rural areas want study nursing physical therapy promote study nursing physical therapy educational levels establish additional slots nursing physical therapy students existing schools programs establish new nursing physical therapy education programs institutions higher education requires secretary report country origin professional school origin newly licensed nurses physical therapists state contract institute_of_medicine study nursing physical therapy workforce


Summary: Surgeon General Integrity Restoration Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a nomination procedure for selection of the Surgeon General. Requires the Institute of Medicine to submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the President a list of ten qualified nominees. Requires the Secretary to recommend one nominee from such list, or provide an explanation as to why each nominee is unsatisfactory. Requires the Surgeon General to submit an annual budget estimate. Authorizes the Surgeon General to: (1) submit a draft of a speech or report to the Secretary or any employee of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for comment and to issue, deliver, or release such speech or report notwithstanding any comment or objection of the Secretary or any such employee; and (2) directly hire staff without otherwise obtaining clearance or undergoing review as generally required within HHS.Prohibits the censoring of any work product of the Surgeon General in any manner (except to comply with federal national security or privacy laws) by any federal entity or official for political reasons. Requires the Secretary to identify and separately label any supposed modifications to such a work product that the Surgeon General does not consent to accept.

surgeon general integrity restoration act amends public_health_service_act establish nomination procedure selection surgeon general requires institute_of_medicine submit secretary health_and_human_services president list qualified nominees requires secretary recommend nominee list provide explanation nominee unsatisfactory requires surgeon general submit annual budget estimate authorizes surgeon general submit draft speech report secretary employee department_of_health_and_human_services hhs comment issue deliver release speech report notwithstanding comment objection secretary employee directly hire staff obtaining clearance undergoing review generally required work product manner comply federal national security privacy laws federal entity official political reasons requires secretary identify separately label modifications work product consent accept


Summary: Public Health Preparedness Workforce Development Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Public Health Workforce Scholarship Program to assure an adequate supply of public health professionals to eliminate critical public health preparedness workforce shortages in federal, state, local, and tribal public health agencies by offering four-year scholarships in return for employment at such agencies. Requires the Secretary to establish the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide for the repayment of loans incurred by individuals in the pursuit of the relevant public health preparedness workforce educational degree or certificate in exchange for working at such agencies for at least three years.Requires the Secretary to award grants to public health agencies that receive public health preparedness cooperative agreements from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to operate state, local, and tribal public health workforce loan repayment programs.Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, any eligible entity to award scholarships to eligible individuals to enroll in degree or professional training programs for the purpose of enabling mid-career professionals in the public health workforce to receive additional training in the field of public health preparedness or biodefense.Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in cooperation with the Secretary, to ensure that included in the OPM website there is an online catalogue, or a link to an online catalogue, of public health workforce employment opportunities in the federal government.

public health preparedness workforce development act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services establish assure adequate supply public health professionals eliminate critical public health preparedness workforce shortages federal state local tribal public health agencies offering year scholarships return employment agencies requires secretary establish provide repayment loans incurred individuals pursuit relevant public health preparedness workforce educational degree certificate exchange working agencies years requires secretary award grants public health agencies receive public health preparedness cooperative agreements department_of_health_and_human_services hhs operate state local tribal public health workforce loan repayment programs authorizes secretary grants enter contracts eligible entity award scholarships eligible individuals enroll degree professional training programs purpose enabling mid career professionals public health workforce receive additional training field public health preparedness biodefense requires director cooperation secretary ensure included opm website online catalogue link online catalogue public health workforce employment opportunities federal government


Summary: Medicare Anesthesiology Teaching Funding Restoration Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) to set forth a special payment rule of 100% of the fee schedule amount for teaching anesthesiologists involved in the training of physician residents, if certain presence and availability requirements are met.

amends title xviii medicare social security act respect set forth special payment rule fee schedule teaching involved training physician residents certain presence availability requirements met