Summary: Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include podiatrists as physicians in order to cover their services under the Medicaid program.

amends title xix medicaid social security act include podiatrists physicians order cover services medicaid program


Summary: Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to define outpatient speech-language pathology services.

amends miscellaneous title xviii medicare social security act define outpatient speech language pathology services


Summary: Alzheimer's Family Assistance Act of 2007- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a phased-in tax credit ($1,000 in 2007 increasing by $500 each year until allowing $3,000 in 2011) for family caregivers of spouses and dependents who have long-term care needs; (2) allow a tax deduction for long-term care insurance premiums; and (3) apply certain consumer protection standards to long-term care insurance contracts.

alzheimer family assistance act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow phased tax credit increasing year allowing family caregivers spouses dependents long term care needs allow tax deduction long term care insurance premiums apply certain consumer protection standards long term care insurance contracts


Summary: Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) on a reasonable cost basis for anesthesia services furnished by a physician who is an anesthesiologist in certain rural hospitals in the same manner as payment is made for anesthesia services furnished by a certified registered nurse anesthetists in such hospitals.

medicare access rural act amends title xviii medicare social security act provide payment medicare reasonable cost basis anesthesia services furnished physician anesthesiologist certain rural hospitals manner payment anesthesia services furnished certified registered nurse anesthetists hospitals


Summary: Post-Prostate Cancer Treatment Equity Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Public Health Service Act to require a group health plan that provides medical and surgical benefits with respect to prostate cancer treatment to provide coverage for: (1) all stages of reconstructive prosthetic urology surgery; and (2) prostheses and physical complications of prostatectomy. Requires plans to provide notice of the coverage.Prohibits a group health plan from: (1) denying to a patient eligibility or continued eligibility solely to avoid the requirements of this Act; or (2) penalizing or otherwise reducing or limiting the reimbursement of a provider or providing incentives to induce such provider to provide care to a participant or beneficiary in a manner inconsistent with this Act.Applies such requirements to coverage offered in the individual market.

amends employee retirement income security act erisa public_health_service_act require group health plan provides medical surgical benefits respect prostate cancer treatment provide coverage stages reconstructive prosthetic surgery prostheses physical complications requires plans provide notice coverage prohibits group health plan denying patient eligibility continued eligibility solely avoid requirements act penalizing reducing limiting reimbursement provider providing incentives induce provider provide care participant beneficiary manner inconsistent act applies requirements coverage offered individual market


Summary: Medicare Hearing Enhancement and Auditory Rehabilitation (HEAR) Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover hearing aids and auditory rehabilitation services under the Medicare program.

hear act amends title xviii medicare social security act cover hearing aids auditory rehabilitation services medicare program


Summary: Optometric Equity in Medicaid Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require Medicaid coverage of medical and surgical services of optometrists that are otherwise covered when furnished by a physician.

optometric equity amends title xix medicaid social security act require medicaid coverage medical surgical services optometrists covered furnished physician


Summary: Contact Lens Consumer Health Protection Act - Amends the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act to require the seller to provide the prescriber with a toll-free telephone number and email address for questions relating to a contact lens prescription verification request. Revises the verification event in which a prescription is verified if the prescriber fails to communicate with the seller within eight business hours, or a similar time as defined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), after receiving required patient and prescription information from the seller to provide that, if a prescriber communicates a question or concern to a seller through such toll-free telephone service or dedicated email address before such eight-hour period has ended, the seller must obtain affirmative confirmation of the accuracy of the prescription from the prescriber before the prescription is considered verified. Authorizes a prescriber to make a written request to a seller that all contact lens prescription verification requests be communicated by a preferred method of communication, including telephone, facsimile, or email. Prohibits any seller of contact lenses from overfilling a prescription. Authorizes fines for violations of this Act in amount up to $100,000 per violation.

contact lens consumer health protection act amends fairness contact lens consumers act require seller provide prescriber toll free telephone number email address questions relating contact lens prescription verification request revises verification event prescription verified prescriber fails communicate seller business hours similar time defined federal_trade_commission ftc receiving required patient prescription information seller provide prescriber communicates question concern seller toll free telephone service dedicated email address hour period ended seller obtain affirmative confirmation accuracy prescription prescriber prescription considered verified authorizes prescriber written request seller contact lens prescription verification requests communicated preferred method communication including telephone facsimile email prohibits seller contact lenses prescription authorizes fines violations act violation


Summary: Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to place limitations on mandatory overtime for nurses, prohibit retaliation against them in any manner with respect to any aspect of employment, and establish civil money penalties for violations of this Act.Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to Congress on standards to establish for the maximum number of hours that a nurse may work without compromising the safety of patients.Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to study and report to Congress on the extent to which federally operated medical facilities have in effect practices and policies for overtime requirements for nurses that are inconsistent with the requirements added by this Act.

safe nursing patient care act amends title xviii medicare social security act place limitations mandatory overtime nurses prohibit retaliation manner respect aspect employment establish civil money penalties violations act directs secretary health_and_human_services study report congress standards establish maximum number hours nurse work compromising safety patients requires director office_of_management_and_budget study report congress extent federally operated medical facilities effect practices policies overtime requirements nurses inconsistent requirements added act


Summary: Rural Health Services Preservation Act of 2007 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require Medicare Advantage organizations to provide for a payment rate for critical access hospital services and rural health clinic services that is: (1) at least the applicable payment rate established under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for such services; or (2) 103% of the otherwise applicable payment rate, if the critical access hospital or the rural health clinic determines appropriate.

preservation act amends title xviii medicare social security act require medicare_advantage organizations provide payment rate critical access hospital services rural health clinic services applicable payment rate established medicare services applicable payment rate critical access hospital rural health clinic determines appropriate


Summary: Medicare Ambulance Payment Extension Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide an additional 5% increase in Medicare payments for ground ambulance services furnished on or after January 1, 2008, and before January 1, 2010.

title xviii medicare social security act provide additional increase medicare payments ground ambulance services furnished january january


Summary: Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit of up to $500 for the purchase of a qualified hearing aid for an individual who is either: (1) age 55 or older; or (2) is claimed as a dependent of the taxpayer.

hearing aid assistance tax credit act amends internal revenue code allow nonrefundable income tax credit purchase qualified hearing aid individual age older claimed dependent taxpayer


Summary: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to create an exception to the 60-day limit on Medicare reciprocal billing arrangements in the case of arrangements between two physicians over a longer continuous period during all of which one of them is ordered to active duty as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces.Applies this exception to medical services provided before January 1, 2008.

amends title xviii medicare social security act create exception day limit medicare reciprocal billing arrangements case arrangements physicians longer continuous period ordered active duty member reserve component armed forces applies exception medical services provided january


Summary: Essential Oral Health Care Act of 2007 - Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to up to six entities to participate as pilot sites for the Community Dental Health Coordinator model developed as a new mid-level allied dental professional who will work in underserved communities where residents have no or limited access to oral health care. Requires the Secretary also to award grants to eligible entities to: (1) purchase portable or mobile dental equipment; and (2) pay for appropriate operational costs for the provision of free dental services to underserved populations. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) and title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)) to provide for an increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for states implementing requirements that ensure that children enrolled in the state Medicaid plan and/or SCHIP have access to oral health care services to the same extent as such services are available to the pediatric population of the state. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the donation of qualified dental services to qualified low income individuals.

essential oral health care act amends title maternal child health services social security act ssa direct secretary health_and_human_services award grants entities participate pilot sites model developed new mid level allied dental professional work underserved communities residents limited access oral health care requires secretary award grants eligible entities purchase portable mobile dental equipment pay appropriate operational costs provision free dental services underserved populations amends ssa title xix medicaid title provide increase federal medical assistance percentage fmap states implementing requirements ensure children enrolled state medicaid plan schip access oral health care services extent services available pediatric population state amends internal revenue code allow tax credit donation qualified dental services qualified low income individuals


Summary: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish new separate fee schedule areas for physicians' services in states with multiple fee schedule areas to improve Medicare physician geographic payment accuracy.

amends title xviii medicare social security act establish new separate fee schedule areas physicians services states multiple fee schedule areas improve medicare physician geographic payment accuracy


Summary: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of certain medical mobility devices approved as a class III medical device pursuant to a premarket approval application under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

amends title xviii medicare social security act provide medicare coverage certain medical mobility devices approved class iii medical device pursuant premarket approval application cosmetic act


Summary: Medicare Secondary Payer and Workers' Compensation Settlement Agreements Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) create an exception to Medicare secondary payer requirements for certain workers' compensation settlement agreements; and (2) provide for the satisfaction of such requirements through use of qualified Medicare set-asides under workers' compensation settlement agreements.

medicare_secondary_payer amends title xviii medicare social security act create exception medicare secondary payer requirements certain workers compensation settlement agreements provide satisfaction requirements use qualified medicare set asides workers compensation settlement agreements


Summary: Ensuring the Future Physician Workforce Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to the formula for calculating payments for physicians' services. Resets to 2007 the base year for application of the sustainable growth rate formula, which shall be eliminated in 2010. Extends the current quality reporting system. Amends the Medicare Improvement and Extension Act of 2006 to extend and increase transitional bonus incentive payments. Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a new physician quality incentive system; and (2) create standards for health information technology (HIT) payment incentives. Amends SSA title XI to create safe harbors to antikickback and civil and criminal penalties for provision of HIT and training services. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the impact of such safe harbors. Amends SSA title XVIII to create an exception to the limitation on certain physician referrals for the provision of HIT and training services to health care professionals. Directs the Secretary to report annually to: (1) each physician information on the physician's total Medicare billings; and (2) each individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) on the amount of Medicare payments made to or on behalf of the individual during the year involved. Directs the Secretary to collect data on annual savings in expenditures in the Medicare program due to physicians' services that resulted in hospital or in-patient diversion. Requires the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund to monitor and examine the extent to which the different funding mechanisms under Medicare parts A, B, and D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) provide an appropriate alignment with the program goals of the respective parts. Directs the Secretary to arrange for a study of price inputs and relative values for physicians' services recommended by the AMA/Speciality Society Relative Value Unit Scale Update Committee process. Requires the Secretary to provide for a study of, and report to Congress on, health care disparities in high-risk health condition areas and minority communities with respect to the impact reporting requirements may have on physician penetration in such communities. Amends SSA title XVIII to accelerate the deadline for nationwide implementation of the recovery audit contractor element of the Medicare Integrity Program.

ensuring future physician workforce act amends title xviii medicare social security act ssa respect formula calculating payments physicians services resets base year application sustainable growth rate formula shall eliminated extends current quality reporting system amends extend increase transitional bonus incentive payments amends ssa title xviii direct secretary health_and_human_services establish new physician quality incentive system create standards health information technology hit payment incentives amends ssa title create safe harbors antikickback civil criminal penalties provision hit training services directs secretary study report congress impact safe harbors amends ssa title xviii create exception limitation certain physician referrals provision hit training services health care professionals directs secretary report annually physician information physician total medicare billings individual entitled benefits medicare medicare payments behalf individual year involved directs secretary collect data annual savings expenditures medicare program physicians services resulted hospital patient diversion requires board_of_trustees federal_hospital_insurance_trust_fund federal_supplementary_medical_insurance_trust_fund monitor examine extent different funding mechanisms medicare parts voluntary prescription drug benefit program provide appropriate alignment program goals respective parts directs secretary arrange study price inputs relative values physicians services recommended speciality society relative value unit scale update committee process requires secretary provide study report congress health care disparities high risk health condition areas minority communities respect impact reporting requirements physician penetration communities amends ssa title xviii accelerate deadline nationwide implementation recovery audit contractor element medicare_integrity_program


Summary: Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting a copayment from a veteran being furnished inpatient or outpatient hospice care by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

prohibits secretary veterans_affairs collecting copayment veteran furnished inpatient outpatient hospice care department_of_veterans_affairs


Summary: District of Columbia Loan Repayment Equity Technical Amendment of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include the District of Columbia as an eligible jurisdiction under a grant program for states to provide educational loan repayment to health professionals in exchange for the provision of primary health services in health professional shortage areas.

district columbia loan repayment equity technical amendment amends public_health_service_act include district_of_columbia eligible jurisdiction grant program states provide educational loan repayment health professionals exchange provision primary health services health professional shortage areas


Summary: Dietary Supplement Tax Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat amounts paid for foods for special dietary use, dietary supplements, and medical foods as medical expenses for purposes of the medical expense tax deduction.

dietary supplement tax fairness act amends internal revenue code treat amounts paid foods special dietary use dietary supplements medical foods medical expenses purposes medical expense tax deduction


Summary: HIV Emergency Local Partnership Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities located in communities in which racial or ethnic minorities comprise a majority of the population to provide comprehensive HIV/AIDS service to racial and ethnic minorities in such communities. Directs the Secretary to continue funding grants awarded through the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiatives of the Health Resources and Services Administration until the Secretary begins to provide funds for such initiative through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006. Excludes amounts expended for medical assistance for individuals with HIV/AIDS when calculating the caps for Medicaid payments to territories.

hiv emergency local partnership act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services award grants eligible entities located communities racial ethnic minorities comprise majority population provide comprehensive hiv aids service racial ethnic minorities communities directs secretary continue funding grants awarded minority hiv aids initiatives health_resources_and_services_administration secretary begins provide funds initiative white hiv aids treatment modernization act excludes amounts expended medical assistance individuals hiv aids calculating caps medicaid payments territories


Summary: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the area wage index for hospitals located in certain rural areas with respect to discharges on or after October 1, 2007, to be not less than the index applicable during FY2007. Requires the area wage index for a home health agency located in an urban area in New Hampshire to be not less than the area wage index for a rural area in such state.

amends title xviii medicare social security act require area wage index hospitals located certain rural areas respect discharges october index applicable fy2007 requires area wage index home health agency located urban area new_hampshire area wage index rural area state


Summary: Voluntary Medicare Quality Reporting Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to evaluate the quality reporting system under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act as applied for 2007 before transition to a new voluntary Medicare quality reporting system. Allows eligible professionals to continue to report to the Secretary specified quality measures for covered professional services in order for the Secretary to refine systems for reporting them. Prohibits use of the Physician Assistance and Quality Initiative Fund for quality reporting bonus payments in 2008. Specifies quality measures for covered professional services for the voluntary Medicare quality reporting program. Revises requirements for medical registry-based reporting of quality measures. Directs the Secretary to treat quality measures data as confidential, unavailable to any other party or person. Shields such data from discovery or admission into evidence in any federal or state civil judicial or administrative proceeding.

voluntary medicare quality reporting act directs secretary health_and_human_services evaluate quality reporting system title xviii medicare social security act applied transition new voluntary medicare quality reporting system allows eligible professionals continue report secretary specified quality measures covered professional services order secretary refine systems reporting prohibits use physician assistance quality initiative fund quality reporting bonus payments specifies quality measures covered professional services voluntary medicare quality reporting program revises requirements medical registry based reporting quality measures directs secretary treat quality measures data confidential unavailable party person shields data discovery admission evidence federal state civil judicial administrative proceeding


Summary: Reconstructive Surgery Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require a group health plan that provide coverage for surgery to also cover reconstructive surgery, including medically-necessary treatment for preoperative and postoperative care. Defines "reconstructive surgery" as any medically necessary and appropriate surgery performed to correct or repair abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease to: (1) improve functions; or (2) give the patient a normal appearance. Excludes cosmetic surgery that is performed to alter or reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve appearance. Applies such requirements to health insurance coverage offered in the individual market.

reconstructive surgery act amends public_health_service_act employee retirement income security act erisa require group health plan provide coverage surgery cover reconstructive surgery including medically necessary treatment care defines reconstructive surgery medically necessary appropriate surgery performed correct repair abnormal structures body caused congenital defects developmental abnormalities trauma infection tumors disease improve functions patient normal appearance excludes cosmetic surgery performed alter normal structures body order improve appearance applies requirements health insurance coverage offered individual market


Summary: Medicare Diabetic Footwear Quality Restoration Act of 2005 - Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to terminate the reduction in Medicare payment for orthopedic shoes and inserts furnished to individuals with diabetes.

amends medicare_prescription_drug improvement modernization act terminate reduction medicare payment shoes furnished individuals diabetes


Summary: Family Building Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to require a group health plan that provides coverage for obstetrical services to include coverage for non-experimental treatment of infertility that is deemed appropriate by a participant or beneficiary and the treating physician. Requires coverage for assisted reproductive technology only if certain conditions are met. Prohibits a group health plan from taking specified actions to avoid the requirements of this Act.Applies such requirements to health insurance coverage offered in the individual market and coverage offered through Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) plans and Department of Defense health care plans.

family building act amends public_health_service_act employee retirement income security act erisa require group health plan provides coverage obstetrical services include coverage non experimental treatment infertility deemed appropriate participant beneficiary treating physician requires coverage assisted reproductive technology certain conditions met prohibits group health plan taking specified actions avoid requirements act applies requirements health insurance coverage offered individual market coverage offered fehb plans department_of_defense health care plans


Summary: Medicare Access to Community Health Centers (MATCH) Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the definition of "federally qualified health center services" to include ambulatory services furnished by a federally qualified health center (FQHC) for which payment may otherwise be made under Medicare if such services were furnished by a non-FQHC health care provider or health care professional employed by or under contract with an FQHC. Permits payment for hospital-based services. Provides for a Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for Medicare-covered services provided by FQHCs.

medicare access community health centers match act amends title xviii medicare social security act revise definition federally qualified health center services include ambulatory services furnished federally qualified health center fqhc payment medicare services furnished health care provider health care professional employed contract fqhc permits payment hospital based services provides medicare prospective payment system pps medicare covered services provided fqhcs


Summary: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to create an exception to the 60-day limit on Medicare reciprocal billing arrangements in the case of arrangements between two physicians over a longer continuous period during all of which one of them is ordered to active duty as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces.

amends title xviii medicare social security act create exception day limit medicare reciprocal billing arrangements case arrangements physicians longer continuous period ordered active duty member reserve component armed forces


Summary: Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise physician service fee schedule requirements, particularly the conversion factors in the formula for determining fees. Provides for separate conversion factors for service categories. Establishes specified update service categories and expenditure measurement categories. Prescribes a formula for establishing updates for conversion factors for update service categories. Replaces sustainable growth rates with service category growth rates Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the appropriate congressional committees after the end of any year in which actual expenditures exceeded allowed expenditures for such year and the preceding year for either of the expenditure measurement categories: (1) clinical diagnostic laboratory tests; or (2) drugs, biologicals, and radiopharmaceuticals. Requires an analysis of the reasons for such excess expenditures and recommendations for addressing them in the future.

amends title xviii medicare social security act revise physician service fee schedule requirements particularly conversion factors formula determining fees provides separate conversion factors service categories establishes specified update service categories expenditure measurement categories prescribes formula establishing updates conversion factors update service categories replaces sustainable growth rates service category growth rates directs secretary health_and_human_services report appropriate congressional committees end year actual expenditures exceeded allowed expenditures year preceding year expenditure measurement categories clinical diagnostic laboratory tests drugs biologicals requires analysis reasons excess expenditures recommendations addressing future


Summary: Dental Health Promotion Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow reimbursement from flexible spending accounts for products used to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent the onset of tooth decay (caries), periodontal diseases, and conditions ailing the teeth, gums, and mouth, or affecting their functioning.

dental health promotion act amends internal revenue code allow reimbursement flexible spending accounts products diagnose cure mitigate treat prevent onset decay caries diseases conditions teeth mouth affecting functioning


Summary: Prenatally Diagnosed Condition Awareness Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through either the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to authorize and oversee certain activities relating to Down syndrome or other prenatally diagnosed conditions, including the awarding of grants, contracts or cooperative agreements to: (1) collect, synthesize, and disseminate current scientific information; and (2) coordinate the provision of, and access to, supportive services for patients affected, which shall include a telephone hotline, an information clearinghouse, peer-support programs, and registries of families willing to adopt children affected by such conditions.Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of CDC, to provide assistance to state and local heath departments to integrate the results of prenatal testing into state-based vital statistics and birth defects surveillance programs.Directs the Secretary to ensure that a provider is only able to participate in activities under this Act if it provides assurances that it will provide a patient receiving a positive result from a prenatal test with certain information, including: (1) up-to-date scientific information concerning the life expectancy, clinical course, and intellectual and functional development and treatment options for a fetus diagnosed with, or a child born with, such conditions; and (2) referrals to supportive service providers. Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit a report to Congress concerning the effectiveness of current health care and family support programs serving as resources for the families of children with disabilities.

prenatally diagnosed condition awareness act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services acting director national_institutes_of_health nih director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc administrator health_resources_and_services_administration hrsa authorize oversee certain activities relating syndrome prenatally diagnosed conditions including awarding grants contracts cooperative agreements collect synthesize disseminate current scientific information coordinate provision access supportive services patients affected shall include telephone hotline information clearinghouse peer support programs registries families willing adopt children affected conditions requires secretary acting director cdc provide assistance state local heath departments integrate results prenatal testing state based vital statistics birth defects surveillance programs directs secretary ensure provider able participate activities act provides assurances provide patient receiving positive result prenatal test certain information including date scientific information concerning life expectancy clinical course intellectual functional development treatment options fetus diagnosed child born conditions referrals supportive service providers requires government_accountability_office gao submit report congress concerning effectiveness current health care family support programs serving resources families children disabilities


Summary: Enhanced Methamphetamine Treatment Grants Assistance Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants for wraparound services, including medical services, job training service, housing assistance, and training in parenting, for methamphetamine infected individuals who: (1) resided in a residential treatment facility for the treatment of methamphetamine abuse or addiction; or (2) received treatment for methamphetamine abuse or addiction from an intensive outpatient treatment facility. Changes the program for substance abuse for pregnant and postpartum women to a program for treatment of substance abuse for caregiver parents, including pregnant women. Requires grantees to give priority to programs that provide services to caregiver parents who are pregnant and postpartum women.Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, to award grants to assist local jails and detention facilities in providing comprehensive, family-based substance abuse treatment services to pregnant and parenting adults who are considered nonviolent offenders. Sets forth requirements if such a grant is used for a family drug treatment program that is an alternative to incarceration. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, to award grants for services in connection with the treatment of methamphetamine use or addiction to underserved populations.Requires the Secretary, through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, to conduct a study to identify and evaluate methamphetamine use and addiction treatment methodologies.

amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services acting administrator substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration award grants services including medical services job training service housing assistance training parenting methamphetamine infected individuals resided residential treatment facility treatment methamphetamine abuse addiction received treatment methamphetamine abuse addiction intensive outpatient treatment facility changes program substance abuse pregnant postpartum women program treatment substance abuse caregiver parents including pregnant women requires grantees priority programs provide services caregiver parents pregnant postpartum women requires secretary acting administrator award grants assist local jails detention facilities providing comprehensive family based substance abuse treatment services pregnant parenting adults considered nonviolent offenders sets forth requirements grant family drug treatment program alternative incarceration directs secretary acting administrator award grants services connection treatment methamphetamine use addiction underserved populations requires secretary conduct study identify evaluate methamphetamine use addiction treatment methodologies


Summary: Medicare Safe Needle Disposal Coverage Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover as a part D drug any devices approved for home use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the safe and effective removal, decontamination, and disposal of needles and the disposal of needles and syringes through a sharps-by-mail or similar program as medically appropriate based on volume of usage.

medicare_safe_needle_disposal_coverage_act amends voluntary prescription drug benefit program title xviii medicare social security act cover drug devices approved home use food_and_drug_administration fda safe effective removal decontamination disposal needles disposal needles syringes sharps mail similar program medically appropriate based volume usage


Summary: Quality Health Care Coalition Act of 2007 - Exempts health care professionals that are negotiating with a health plan regarding contract terms under which the professionals provide health care items or services for which plan benefits are provided from federal antitrust laws in connection with such negotiations. Declares that this Act: (1) applies only to health care professionals excluded from the National Labor Relations Act; and (2) does not apply to such negotiations relating to Medicare or Medicaid programs, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), medical and dental care for members of the uniformed services, veterans' medical care, the federal employees health benefits program, or the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

quality health care coalition act exempts health care professionals negotiating health plan contract terms professionals provide health care items services plan benefits provided federal antitrust laws connection negotiations declares act applies health care professionals excluded national_labor_relations_act apply negotiations relating medicare medicaid programs medical dental care members uniformed services veterans medical care federal employees health benefits program indian_health_care_improvement_act


Summary: Treat Physicians Fairly Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow medical care providers a tax credit and hospitals a tax deduction for all uncompensated emergency medical care which is not paid within six months after such care is provided.

treat physicians fairly act amends internal revenue code allow medical care providers tax credit hospitals tax deduction uncompensated emergency medical care paid months care provided


Summary: Catalyst to Better Diabetes Care Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to establish an outreach program to: (1) identify existing efforts to increase awareness of the diabetes and screening benefit among Medicare beneficiaries and providers; and (2) maximize economies of scale, cost-effectiveness, and resource allocation in increasing utilization of the Medicare diabetes screening program. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish an advisory group to examine and recommend best practices of chronic illness employee wellness incentivization and disease management programs. Directs the Secretary to prepare, biennially, a diabetes report card for the nation and for each state that: (1) is adaptable by state and local agencies in order to rate or report local diabetes care, costs, and prevalence; and (2) includes trend analysis in order to track progress in meeting established national goals and objectives and to inform policy and program development. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct, support, and promote the collection, analysis, and publication of data on the prevalence and incidence of type 1 and 2 diabetes and of pre-diabetes. Requires such activities to include an assessment of diabetes as a primary or underlying cause of death. Allows the Secretary to promote the addition to death certificates of language to improve the collection of diabetes mortality data. Requires the Secretary to conduct a study of the impact of diabetes on the practice of medicine in the United Sates and the level of diabetes medical education that should be required prior to licensure, board certification, and board recertification.

catalyst better diabetes care act requires secretary health_and_human_services secretary establish outreach program identify existing efforts increase awareness diabetes screening benefit medicare beneficiaries providers maximize economies scale cost effectiveness resource allocation increasing utilization medicare diabetes screening program requires secretary commerce establish advisory group examine recommend best practices chronic illness employee wellness disease management programs directs secretary prepare biennially diabetes report card nation state state local agencies order rate report local diabetes care costs prevalence includes trend analysis order track progress meeting established national goals objectives inform policy program development requires secretary acting director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc conduct support promote collection analysis publication data prevalence incidence type diabetes pre diabetes requires activities include assessment diabetes primary underlying cause death allows secretary promote addition death certificates language improve collection diabetes mortality data requires secretary conduct study impact diabetes practice medicine level diabetes medical education required prior licensure board certification board recertification


Summary: Catalyst to Better Diabetes Care Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to: (1) review uptake and utilization of the Medicare diabetes screening benefit; (2) establish an outreach program to identify existing efforts to increase awareness of the diabetes screening benefit among Medicare beneficiaries and providers; and (3) maximize economies of scale, cost-effectiveness, and resource allocation in increasing utilization of the diabetes screening benefit. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish an advisory group to examine and recommend best practices of chronic illness employee wellness incentivization and disease management programs. Directs the Secretary to prepare, biennially, a diabetes report card for the nation and for each state. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) promote the education and training of physicians on how to properly complete birth and death certificates and the importance of such data; (2) encourage state adoption of the latest standard revisions of birth and death certificates; and (3) work with states to reengineer their vital statistics systems to provide cost-effective, timely, and vital systems data. Allows the Secretary to promote the addition to death certificates of language to improve the collection of diabetes mortality data. Requires the Secretary to conduct a study of the impact of diabetes on the practice of medicine in the United Sates and the level of diabetes medical education that should be required prior to licensure, board certification, and board recertification.

catalyst better diabetes care act requires secretary health_and_human_services secretary review uptake utilization medicare diabetes screening benefit establish outreach program identify existing efforts increase awareness diabetes screening benefit medicare beneficiaries providers maximize economies scale cost effectiveness resource allocation increasing utilization diabetes screening benefit requires secretary commerce establish advisory group examine recommend best practices chronic illness employee wellness disease management programs directs secretary prepare biennially diabetes report card nation state requires secretary acting director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc promote education training physicians properly complete birth death certificates importance data encourage state adoption latest standard revisions birth death certificates work states vital statistics systems provide cost effective timely vital systems data allows secretary promote addition death certificates language improve collection diabetes mortality data requires secretary conduct study impact diabetes practice medicine level diabetes medical education required prior licensure board certification board recertification


Summary: Vision Preservation Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to expand and intensify programs to increase awareness of vision problems. Directs the Secretary to expand and intensify: (1) activities to establish a solid scientific base of knowledge on the prevention, control, and rehabilitation of vision problems and related disabilities; (2) research within CDC on the prevention and management of vision loss; and (3) programs targeted to prevent vision loss, treat eye and vision conditions, and rehabilitate people of all ages who are blind or partially sighted in underserved and minority communities.Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Social Security Act to authorize appropriations to enable the Secretary to introduce core performance measures on eye health by incorporating vision screening and examination standards into state programs.Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations for vision rehabilitation professional development.

vision preservation act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services acting centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc health_resources_and_services_administration hrsa national_institutes_of_health nih expand intensify programs increase awareness vision problems directs secretary expand intensify activities establish solid scientific base knowledge prevention control rehabilitation vision problems related disabilities research cdc prevention management vision loss programs targeted prevent vision loss treat eye vision conditions rehabilitate people ages blind partially underserved minority communities amends title maternal child health services social security act authorize appropriations enable secretary introduce core performance measures eye health incorporating vision screening examination standards state programs authorizes secretary grants eligible institutions higher education nonprofit organizations vision rehabilitation professional development


Summary: Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover the services of a qualified respiratory therapist performed under the general supervision of a physician.

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


Summary: Medicare Provider Accountability Act - Directs the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to: (1) take all necessary steps to participate in the Federal Payment Levy Program as soon as possible; and (2) ensure that at least 50% of all payments under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act are processed through such program within one year of enactment of this Act, and all remaining payments within two years.Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to offset Medicare provider payments by the amount of the provider's delinquent federal debt.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make notice and opportunity for hearing before levy requirements inapplicable if the Secretary of the Treasury has approved a levy on specified (Medicare provider) payments.

centers medicare medicaid_services necessary steps participate soon possible ensure payments parts title xviii medicare social security act processed program year enactment act remaining payments years requires department_of_health_and_human_services offset medicare provider payments provider delinquent federal debt amends internal revenue code notice opportunity hearing levy requirements inapplicable secretary treasury approved levy specified medicare provider payments


Summary: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the limitiation on actual charges to a beneficiary under Medicare for services by a nonparticipating physician or nonparticipating supplier or other person who does not accept payment on an assignment-related basis for a physician's service. Prohibits a state from imposing a limit on the amount of charges, in relation to recognized payment amounts under any health plan or otherwise, a physician may impose for services furnished. Preempts any such limit.

amends title xviii medicare social security act repeal actual charges beneficiary medicare services nonparticipating physician nonparticipating supplier person accept payment assignment related basis physician service prohibits state imposing limit charges relation recognized payment amounts health plan physician impose services furnished preempts limit


Summary: Medicare Wound Therapy Patient Protection Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exempt from the Medicare competitive acquisition program negative pressure wound therapy pumps and related supplies and accessories, until the Secretary can validate, using a panel of wound care clinical experts, the clinical comparability of all such products.

protection act amends title xviii medicare social security act exempt medicare competitive acquisition program negative pressure wound therapy pumps related supplies accessories secretary validate panel wound care clinical experts clinical comparability products


Summary: Accountability and Transparency in Medicare Marketing Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to develop standardized marketing requirements for Medicare Advantage organizations with respect to Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug plan (PDP) sponsors with respect to Medicare PDPs. Requires such requirements to prohibit certain activities including the cross-selling of non-Medicare products or services with products or services offered by a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare PDP. Provides for state certification prior to waiver of licensing requirements under the Medicare PDP. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to request NAIC to establish a committee to study and make recommendations to the Secretary and Congress on the establishment of standardized benefit packages for Medicare Advantage plans and for Medicare PDPs and their regulation.

accountability transparency medicare marketing act amends title xviii medicare social security act direct secretary health_and_human_services request national_association_of_insurance_commissioners naic develop standardized marketing requirements medicare_advantage organizations respect medicare_advantage plans prescription drug plan pdp sponsors respect medicare pdps requires requirements prohibit certain activities including cross selling non medicare products services products services offered medicare_advantage plan medicare pdp provides state certification prior waiver licensing requirements medicare pdp directs secretary health_and_human_services request naic establish committee study recommendations secretary congress establishment standardized benefit packages medicare_advantage plans medicare pdps regulation


Summary: Delays until April 1, 2009, implementation of proposed changes to payment rules under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act for case management and targeted case management services.Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, before such date, from taking any action to restrict coverage or payment under Medicaid if such action is more restrictive than the administrative action, policy, or practice that applies to coverage of, or payment for, such services under Medicaid on December 3, 2007. Makes null and void any such action taken by the Secretary between December 4, 2007, and March 31, 2009, that is based in whole or in part on such interim final rule.

delays april implementation proposed changes payment rules title xix medicaid social security act case management targeted case management services prohibits secretary health_and_human_services date taking action restrict coverage payment medicaid action restrictive administrative action policy practice applies coverage payment services medicaid december makes null void action taken secretary december march based interim final rule


Summary: Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, with respect to Medicare payments for physicians' services through 2009. Revises the update to the single conversion factor in the formula for determination of such payments to make it: (1) 1% for the period between July 1, 2008, and December 31, 2008; and (2) 1.8% for all of 2009.

amends supplementary_medical_insurance title xviii medicare social security act amended medicare medicaid schip extension act respect medicare payments physicians services revises update single conversion factor formula determination payments period july december


Summary: Ensuring the Future Physician Workforce Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (the Act), with respect to the formula for calculating payments for physicians' services. Resets to 2007 the base year for application of the sustainable growth rate formula, which shall be eliminated in 2010. Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, as amended by the Act, to extend the current transitional bonus payments. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a reporting system for quality measures relating to physicians' services that focus on disease-specific high cost conditions. Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the Secretary to create standards for health information technology (HIT) payment incentives. Amends SSA title XI to create safe harbors to antikickback and civil and criminal penalties for provision of HIT and training services. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the impact of such safe harbors. Amends SSA title XVIII to create an exception to the limitation on certain physician referrals for the provision of HIT and training services to health care professionals. Directs the Secretary to report annually to: (1) each physician information on the physician's total Medicare billings; and (2) each individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) on the amount of Medicare payments made to or on behalf of the individual during the year involved.Directs the Secretary to collect data on annual savings in expenditures in the Medicare program due to physicians' services that resulted in hospital or in-patient diversion.Requires the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund to monitor and examine the extent to which the different funding mechanisms under Medicare parts A, B, and D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) provide an appropriate alignment with the program goals of the respective parts.Directs the Secretary to arrange for a study of price inputs and relative values for physicians' services recommended by the AMA/Speciality Society Relative Value Unit Scale Update Committee process. Requires the Secretary to provide for a study of, and report to Congress on, health care disparities in high-risk health condition areas and minority communities with respect to the impact reporting requirements may have on physician penetration in such communities.

ensuring future physician workforce act amends title xviii medicare social security act ssa amended medicare medicaid schip extension act act respect formula calculating payments physicians services resets base year application sustainable growth rate formula shall eliminated amends tax relief health care act amended act extend current transitional bonus payments directs secretary health_and_human_services establish reporting system quality measures relating physicians services focus disease specific high cost conditions amends ssa title xviii direct secretary create standards health information technology hit payment incentives amends ssa title create safe harbors antikickback civil criminal penalties provision hit training services directs secretary study report congress impact safe harbors amends ssa title xviii create exception limitation certain physician referrals provision hit training services health care professionals directs secretary report annually physician information physician total medicare billings individual entitled benefits medicare medicare payments behalf individual year involved directs secretary collect data annual savings expenditures medicare program physicians services resulted hospital patient diversion requires board_of_trustees federal_hospital_insurance_trust_fund federal_supplementary_medical_insurance_trust_fund monitor examine extent different funding mechanisms medicare parts voluntary prescription drug benefit program provide appropriate alignment program goals respective parts directs secretary arrange study price inputs relative values physicians services recommended speciality society relative value unit scale update committee process requires secretary provide study report congress health care disparities high risk health condition areas minority communities respect impact reporting requirements physician penetration communities


Summary: Make Our Veterans Smile Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, beginning on January 1, 2009, to provide non-service-connected dental services and treatment and related dental appliances to all veterans with a service-connected disability. (Current law requires the Secretary to provide such services and treatment only to veterans with service-connected disabilities rated as total.)

veterans act directs secretary veterans_affairs beginning january provide non service connected dental services treatment related dental appliances veterans service connected disability current law requires secretary provide services treatment veterans service connected disabilities rated total


Summary: Physician Payments Sunshine Act of 2008 - Amends part A of title XI of the Social Security Act to require quarterly transparency reports to the Secretary of Health and Human Services of payments to physicians or their employers, or to a covered organization in which a physician has a significant professional membership interest, by manufacturers of covered drugs, devices, or medical supplies under titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), or XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)) of the Social Security Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit tax deductions for the advertising, promotion, or marketing by manufacturers of drugs, devices, and medical supplies on whom a penalty is imposed for failing to meet the requirements of this Act.

physician payments sunshine act amends title social security act require quarterly transparency reports secretary health_and_human_services payments physicians employers covered organization physician significant professional membership interest manufacturers covered drugs devices medical supplies titles xviii medicare xix medicaid social security act amends internal revenue code prohibit tax deductions advertising promotion marketing manufacturers drugs devices medical supplies penalty imposed failing meet requirements act


Summary: Assure Access to Mammography Act of 2008 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish a floor for payment of screening and diagnostic mammography under the Medicare Program. Sets the payment floor for 2009 at 115% of the fee scheduled amount for mammography for 2008, increased by the percentage increase in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI). Requires the payment floor for subsequent years to be the previous year's amount, again increased by the percentage increase in the MEI.

assure access mammography act amends supplementary_medical_insurance title xviii medicare social security act establish floor payment screening diagnostic mammography sets payment floor fee scheduled mammography increased percentage increase medicare economic index requires payment floor subsequent years previous year increased percentage increase


Summary: Medicare Remote Monitoring Access Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover remote patient management services for certain chronic health conditions. Directs the Secretary to establish a demonstration project for evaluating the impact and benefits of covering under the Medicare program remote patient management services for certain chronic health conditions.

amends title xviii medicare social security act cover remote patient management services certain chronic health conditions directs secretary establish demonstration project evaluating impact benefits covering medicare program remote patient management services certain chronic health conditions


Summary: Medicare Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner Services Coverage Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of clinical pharmacist practitioner services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).

practitioner services coverage act amends title xviii medicare social security act provide coverage clinical pharmacist practitioner services medicare supplementary_medical_insurance


Summary: Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act - Transfers marijuana from schedule I to schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act.Provides that no provision of the Controlled Substances Act or the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act shall prohibit or otherwise restrict, in a state in which marijuana may, under state law, be prescribed or recommended by a physician for medical use: (1) a physician from prescribing or recommending marijuana for medical use; (2) an individual from obtaining, possessing, transporting, manufacturing, or using marijuana in accordance with such a prescription or recommendation; (3) an individual authorized under state law to do so from obtaining, possessing, transporting, or manufacturing marijuana on an authorized patient's behalf; (4) a pharmacy or other entity authorized to do so from obtaining, possessing, or distributing marijuana to such patients; or (5) an entity established by such a state or local government thereof to do so from producing, possessing, or distributing marijuana for such a prescription or recommendation.

medical marijuana patient protection act transfers marijuana schedule schedule controlled substances act provides provision controlled substances act cosmetic act shall prohibit restrict state marijuana state law prescribed recommended physician medical use physician prescribing recommending marijuana medical use individual obtaining possessing transporting manufacturing marijuana accordance prescription recommendation individual authorized state law obtaining possessing transporting manufacturing marijuana authorized patient behalf pharmacy entity authorized obtaining possessing distributing marijuana patients entity established state local government thereof producing possessing distributing marijuana prescription recommendation


Summary: Alopecia Areata Medicaid Improvement and Parity Act of 2008 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act with respect to inpatient hospital services to require states to provide hair prostheses under the Medicaid program for: (1) individuals diagnosed with alopecia areata universalis or alopecia areata totalis; or (2) individuals whose attending physician certifies in writing the medical necessity of that proposed course of rehabilitative treatment.

medicaid improvement parity act amends title xix medicaid social security act respect inpatient hospital services require states provide hair prostheses medicaid program individuals diagnosed individuals attending physician certifies writing medical necessity proposed course rehabilitative treatment


Summary: Medicare Paramedic Intercept Services Coverage Act of 2008 - Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to revise requirements for payment for paramedic intercept service providers in rural communities.Changes from discretionary to mandatory the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in promulgating regulations for coverage of ambulance services, to cover advanced life support intercept services (ALS intercept services), regardless of the area involved. (Currently they must be provided in a rural area).Includes new conditions of coverage that define ALS intercept services as consisting of a qualified paramedic providing ALS level services in connection with the transport of a patient by an ambulance qualified to provide only a basic life support level of services. Requires that: (1) the entity providing the ambulance transportation be a public, non-profit, or volunteer organization; and (2) the paramedic providing such services is not employed or compensated by the entity providing the ambulance transportation. (Currently the ALS intercept services must be provided under a contract with one or more volunteer ambulance services which are required to be prohibited by state law from billing for any such services.) Requires, in addition, that: (1) such services be medically necessary based on the medical condition for which they are dispatched (currently they must be medically necessary based on the health condition of the individual being transported); and (2) the paramedic providing the intercept services accompanies and provides an ALS assessment or ALS intervention to the patient during the transport.Prohibits the Secretary from taking into account any payments made pursuant to this Act in determining payment amounts under the Medicare ambulance fee schedule, or the aggregate amount of payments under such fee schedule, for any year.

amends balanced budget act revise requirements payment paramedic intercept service providers rural communities changes discretionary mandatory authority secretary health_and_human_services promulgating regulations coverage ambulance services cover advanced life support intercept services intercept services regardless area involved currently provided rural new conditions coverage define intercept services consisting qualified paramedic providing level services connection transport patient ambulance qualified provide basic life support level services requires entity providing ambulance transportation public non profit volunteer organization paramedic providing services employed compensated entity providing ambulance transportation currently intercept services provided contract volunteer ambulance services required prohibited state law billing services requires addition services medically necessary based medical condition currently medically necessary based health condition individual transported paramedic providing intercept services accompanies provides assessment intervention patient transport prohibits secretary taking account payments pursuant act determining payment amounts medicare ambulance fee schedule aggregate payments fee schedule year


Summary: Patient Fairness and Indigent Care Promotion Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain medical care providers a tax deduction for uncompensated medical care provided to individuals with income below 135% of the poverty line.

patient fairness amends internal revenue code allow certain medical care providers tax deduction uncompensated medical care provided individuals income poverty line


Summary: Assuring Access to Medicare Doctors Act of 2008 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend Medicare physician payment rates. Makes adjustments to funding available to the Physician Assistance and Quality Initiative (PAQI) Fund. Reduces amounts available to the Fund for expenditure during 2013, but adds funds for 2014 expenditures (under the same limitations provided for those made with money available during 2013). Provides for the transfer and deposit into the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund of amounts appropriated under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, which have not otherwise been obligated as of January 1, 2009, for allotments to states for payments to eligible providers for unreimbursable costs incurred by providing emergency health care services to undocumented aliens

assuring access medicare doctors act amends supplementary_medical_insurance title xviii medicare social security act extend medicare physician payment rates makes adjustments funding available quality initiative fund reduces amounts available fund expenditure adds funds expenditures limitations provided money available provides transfer deposit federal_supplementary_medical_insurance_trust_fund amounts appropriated medicare prescription drug improvement modernization act obligated january allotments states payments eligible providers costs incurred providing emergency health care services undocumented aliens


Summary: Cure and Understanding through Research for Alzheimer's Act of 2008 or La Cura Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to ensure sufficient resources for activities relating to Alzheimer's disease and Hispanic communities, including by: (1) increasing efforts in epidemiological work in Hispanic subgroups; (2) allocating resources to the National Institute on Aging Alzheimer's disease research centers and other academic centers involved in such research to increase participation of Hispanics and other underrepresented ethnic groups in research and clinical trials in sufficient numbers to draw valid conclusions; and (3) conducting social, behavioral, and health services research to understand the underlying reasons why Hispanic individuals delay diagnosis and underutilize services, to identify culturally and linguistically appropriate approaches to address such delays and underutilization, and to identify approaches for providing, and improving the quality of, culturally competent care.Requires the Director to expand and intensify NIH efforts to educate communities about the importance of research relating to Alzheimer's disease and to respond effectively to cultural concerns about participation in such research.Authorizes appropriations for a program of grants to states to carry out demonstration programs related to Alzheimer's disease.Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct an aggressive, evidence-based education and outreach program to promote public awareness and risk reduction with respect to Alzheimer's disease, particularly to Hispanic populations.

cure understanding research alzheimer act act amends public_health_service_act require director national_institutes_of_health nih ensure sufficient resources activities relating alzheimer disease hispanic communities including increasing efforts epidemiological work hispanic subgroups allocating resources disease research centers academic centers involved research increase participation underrepresented ethnic groups research clinical trials sufficient numbers draw valid conclusions conducting social behavioral health services research understand underlying reasons hispanic individuals delay diagnosis services identify culturally linguistically appropriate approaches address delays identify approaches providing improving quality culturally competent care requires director expand intensify nih efforts educate communities importance research relating alzheimer disease respond effectively cultural concerns participation research authorizes appropriations program grants states carry demonstration programs related alzheimer disease requires secretary health_and_human_services acting centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc conduct aggressive evidence based education outreach program promote public awareness risk reduction respect alzheimer disease particularly hispanic populations


Summary: Restorative and Enhanced Vision Access for Medicare Patients (REVAMP) Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover vision restoration therapy devices and associated software used in the patient's home to treat impaired visual function as durable medical equipment (DME).

restorative enhanced vision access medicare patients revamp act amends title xviii medicare social security act cover vision restoration therapy devices associated software patient home treat impaired visual function durable medical equipment dme


Summary: Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Acquisition Reform Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to delay generally until after 2011 full implementation of the Medicare competitive acquisition program for the purchase of durable medical equipment (DME), prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS). Revises such program, dividing its implementation into two rounds, and specifying covered item updates for 2009-2014. Prescribes requirements for application of accreditation in implementing quality standards. Requires suppliers to disclose subcontractors. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for a competitive acquisition ombudsman within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to respond to complaints and inquiries by suppliers and individuals. Specifies topics for the Comptroller General's required study and report to Congress on the impact of competitive acquisition of DME on suppliers, manufacturers, and patients. Sets forth a special rule for the competitive acquisition program for diabetic testing strips.

medicare dmepos competitive acquisition reform act amends title xviii medicare social security act delay generally implementation medicare competitive acquisition program purchase durable medical equipment dme prosthetics orthotics supplies dmepos revises program dividing implementation rounds specifying covered item updates prescribes requirements application accreditation implementing quality standards requires suppliers disclose subcontractors directs secretary health_and_human_services provide competitive acquisition ombudsman respond complaints inquiries suppliers individuals specifies topics comptroller_general required study report congress impact competitive acquisition dme suppliers manufacturers patients sets forth special rule competitive acquisition program diabetic testing strips


Summary: Medicare Physician Telephone Consultation Services Coverage Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover unscheduled physician telephone consultation services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration program to test the effectiveness of providing Medicare coverage for such services.

amends title xviii medicare social security act cover unscheduled physician telephone consultation services medicare supplementary_medical_insurance directs secretary health_and_human_services establish demonstration program test effectiveness providing medicare coverage services


Summary: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) extend through July 1, 2012, Medicare incentive payments for physician scarcity areas; and (2) establish new rules for scarcity areas in the case of physicians' services furnished on or after July 1, 2008. Direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study whether the primary and specialist care ratios applied under such new rules are appropriate to provide the proper incentive payments for physician scarcity areas.

amends title xviii medicare social security act extend july medicare incentive payments physician scarcity areas establish new rules scarcity areas case physicians services furnished july direct secretary health_and_human_services study primary specialist care ratios applied new rules appropriate provide proper incentive payments physician scarcity areas


Summary: Medicare Imaging Disclosure Sunshine Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) to require physicians referring an individual for imaging and other specified radiology services to inform the individual at the time of referral that such services may be obtained from persons other than the referring physician, a member of the referring physician's group practice, or an individual directly supervised by the referring physician or another physician in the group practice. Requires the referring physician to provide the referred individual a written list of suppliers who furnish such services in the area in which the individual resides.

medicare imaging disclosure sunshine act amends title xviii medicare require physicians referring individual imaging specified services inform individual time referral services obtained persons referring physician member referring physician group practice individual directly supervised referring physician physician group practice requires referring physician provide referred individual written list suppliers furnish services area individual resides


Summary: Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to define outpatient speech-language pathology services.

amends miscellaneous title xviii medicare social security act define outpatient speech language pathology services


Summary: Autonomy for Psychologists and Social Workers Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove the restriction that a clinical psychologist or clinical social worker provide services in a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility to a patient only under the care of a physician.

autonomy psychologists social workers act amends title xviii medicare social security act remove restriction clinical psychologist clinical social worker provide services comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility patient care physician


Summary: Equity for Clinical Social Workers Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for reimbursement of covered clinical social worker services according to a new reimbursement methodology similar to the one currently used for other health care professionals. Provides coverage and reimbursement under the new methodology for supplies furnished incident to such services. Excludes the services of clinical social workers from the definition of "inpatient hospital services" for purposes of Medicare.

equity clinical social workers act amends title xviii medicare social security act provide reimbursement covered clinical social worker services according new reimbursement methodology similar currently health care professionals provides coverage reimbursement new methodology supplies furnished incident services excludes services clinical social workers definition inpatient hospital services purposes medicare


Summary: Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) require each participating hospital to adopt and implement a staffing system that ensures a number of registered nurses on each shift and in each unit of the hospital to ensure appropriate staffing levels for patient care; (2) provide for the public reporting of certain staffing information, including a daily posting for each shift in the hospital of the current number of licensed and unlicensed nursing staff directly responsible for patient care; (3) prescribe recordkeeping, data collection, and evaluation requirements for participating hospitals; (4) specify civil monetary penalties for violations of such requirements; and (5) provide whistleblower protections.

registered nurse safe staffing act amends miscellaneous title xviii medicare social security act ssa require participating hospital adopt implement staffing system ensures number registered nurses shift unit hospital ensure appropriate staffing levels patient care provide public reporting certain staffing information including daily posting shift hospital current number licensed unlicensed nursing staff directly responsible patient care prescribe recordkeeping data collection evaluation requirements participating hospitals specify civil monetary penalties violations requirements provide whistleblower protections


Summary: Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include podiatrists as physicians in order to cover their services under the Medicaid program.

amends title xix medicaid social security act include podiatrists physicians order cover services medicaid program


Summary: Physician Pathology Services Continuity Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with regard to a laboratory-furnished technical component of certain physician pathology services, to treat such component as a service for which payment shall be made to the laboratory, and not as an inpatient hospital or hospital outpatient service for which payment is made to the hospital.

physician_pathology_services continuity act amends title xviii medicare social security act require secretary health_and_human_services regard laboratory furnished technical component certain physician pathology services treat component service payment shall laboratory inpatient hospital hospital outpatient service payment hospital


Summary: Midwifery Care Access and Reimbursement Equity Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for the coverage of and payment for certified midwife services. (Currently only certified nurse-midwife services are covered.)

reimbursement equity act amends title xviii medicare social security act provide coverage payment certified midwife services currently certified nurse midwife services covered


Summary: Rural Health Services Preservation Act of 2007 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require Medicare Advantage organizations to provide for a payment rate for critical access hospital services and rural health clinic services that is: (1) at least the applicable payment rate established under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for such services; or (2) 103% of the otherwise applicable payment rate, if the critical access hospital or the rural health clinic determines appropriate.

preservation act amends title xviii medicare social security act require medicare_advantage organizations provide payment rate critical access hospital services rural health clinic services applicable payment rate established medicare services applicable payment rate critical access hospital rural health clinic determines appropriate


Summary: Remote Monitoring Access Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of remote patient management services for chronic health care conditions.

remote monitoring access act amends title xviii medicare social security act provide coverage remote patient management services chronic health care conditions


Summary: Kidney Care Quality and Education Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish demonstration projects to: (1) increase public awareness about the factors that lead to chronic kidney disease, how to prevent it, how to treat it, and how to avoid kidney failure, as well as enhance surveillance systems and expand research to better assess the prevalence and incidence of kidney disease; and (2) enable individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) to develop self-management skills. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for Medicare coverage of kidney disease patient education services. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish blood flow monitoring demonstration projects; and (2) arrange with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate the barriers to increasing the number of individuals with ESRD who elect to receive home dialysis services or other treatment modalities under Medicare. Sets forth required training for patient care dialysis technicians. Directs the Secretary to establish an independent, multidisciplinary, nonpartisan End-Stage Renal Disease Advisory Committee. Establishes the annual update framework for the Medicare ESRD composite rate. Directs the Secretary to establish a three-year continuous quality improvement initiative under which quality payments are provided to renal dialysis facilities, providers of services, and physicians that: (1) provide items and services to individuals with ESRD enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); and (2) meet quality benchmarks and demonstrate quality improvements. Requires the Secretary to make quality incentive payments to facilities and providers whose services to individuals with ESRD have substantially improved or exceeded a certain threshold. Extends Medicare as secondary payer with respect to individuals with ESRD.

education act directs secretary health_and_human_services establish demonstration projects increase public awareness factors lead chronic kidney disease prevent treat avoid kidney failure enhance surveillance systems expand research better assess prevalence incidence kidney disease enable individuals end stage renal disease esrd develop self management skills amends title xviii medicare social security act ssa provide medicare coverage kidney disease patient education services directs secretary establish blood flow monitoring demonstration projects arrange institute_of_medicine_of_the_national_academy_of_sciences evaluate barriers increasing number individuals esrd elect receive home dialysis services treatment modalities medicare sets forth required training patient care dialysis technicians directs secretary establish independent multidisciplinary nonpartisan end stage renal disease advisory committee establishes annual update framework composite rate directs secretary establish year continuous quality improvement initiative quality payments provided renal dialysis facilities providers services physicians provide items services individuals esrd enrolled medicare supplementary_medical_insurance meet quality benchmarks demonstrate quality improvements requires secretary quality incentive payments facilities providers services individuals esrd substantially improved exceeded certain threshold extends medicare secondary payer respect individuals esrd


Summary: Diabetes Screening and Medicaid Savings Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require states to provide diabetes screening tests under the Medicaid program for adult enrollees with diabetes risk factors. Provides a comprehensive package for individuals with diabetes.

diabetes screening amends title xix medicaid social security act require states provide diabetes screening tests medicaid program adult enrollees diabetes risk factors provides comprehensive package individuals diabetes


Summary: Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the national program for traumatic brain injury registries to make grants for state traumatic brain injury surveillance systems or registries (currently, only for registries) to: (1) determine the incidence and prevalence of traumatic brain injury and related disability; (2) ensure the uniformity of reporting under each such system or registry; (3) link individuals with traumatic brain injury to services and supports; and (4) link such individuals with academic institutions to conduct applied research. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to report to the relevant congressional committees on activities and procedures that can be implemented by the CDC to improve the collection and dissemination of compatible epidemiological studies on the incidence and prevalence of traumatic brain injury in individuals who were formerly in the military. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Director of CDC, to conduct a study to: (1) determine the incidence of traumatic brain injury and prevalence of traumatic brain injury related disability; (2) report national trends in traumatic brain injury; (3) identify common therapeutic interventions which are used for the rehabilitation of individuals with such injuries; (4) identify interventions and therapies that can prevent or remediate the development of secondary neurologic conditions related to traumatic brain injury; and (5) develop practice guidelines for such rehabilitation. (Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2012 for NIH's trauma research program. (Sec. 6) Allows the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), to make grants to states and American Indian consortia (currently, only to states) to improve access to rehabilitation and other services (currently, to health and other services) regarding traumatic brain injury. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY2009-FY2012. Requires the Administrator and the Commissioner of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities to coordinate the collection of data regarding protection and advocacy services. Directs the Administrator to make a grant for training and technical assistance to protection and advocacy systems, if funds permit. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2012.

traumatic brain injury act sec amends public_health_service_act revise national program traumatic brain injury registries grants state traumatic brain injury surveillance systems registries currently registries determine incidence prevalence traumatic brain injury related disability ensure uniformity reporting system registry link individuals traumatic brain injury services supports link individuals academic institutions conduct applied research requires secretary health_and_human_services acting director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc director national_institutes_of_health nih report relevant congressional committees activities procedures implemented cdc improve collection dissemination compatible epidemiological studies incidence prevalence traumatic brain injury individuals military sec authorizes secretary acting director cdc conduct study determine incidence traumatic brain injury prevalence traumatic brain injury related disability report national trends traumatic brain injury identify common therapeutic interventions rehabilitation individuals injuries identify interventions therapies prevent remediate development secondary conditions related traumatic brain injury develop practice guidelines rehabilitation sec authorizes appropriations fy2009 fy2012 nih trauma research program sec allows secretary acting administrator hrsa grants states american indian consortia currently states improve access rehabilitation services currently health services traumatic brain injury authorizes appropriations grants fy2009 fy2012 requires administrator commissioner coordinate collection data protection advocacy services directs administrator grant training technical assistance protection advocacy systems funds permit authorizes appropriations fy2009 fy2012


Summary: Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to authorize qualified physical therapists to provide services for Medicare beneficiaries without the requirement of a physician referral. Provides for treatment of outpatient speech-language pathology services separately from outpatient physical therapy services.

medicare_patient_access physical therapists act amends title xviii medicare social security act ssa authorize qualified physical therapists provide services medicare beneficiaries requirement physician referral provides treatment outpatient speech language pathology services separately outpatient physical therapy services