Summary:
Fairness in Ambulance Reimbursement Act of 2015

This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to suspend through December 31, 2015, implementation of the reclassification of rural to urban zip codes for payments under the fee schedule for ambulance services, as contained in the final rule published in the Federal Register by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on November 13, 2014.

The Secretary is required to ensure that claims for ambulance services furnished on or after July 1, 2015, are paid according to the classification of zip codes applied the day before the effective date of that final rule.

The Secretary must reclassify rural to urban zip codes for payment for ambulance services furnished on or after January 1, 2016, taking into account specified revised geographic delineations of the Office of Management and Budget.

Payments for ambulance services (other than air ambulance services) furnished during 2016 must be adjusted according to a certain formula to achieve budget-neutral results.

fairness ambulance reimbursement act bill directs secretary health_and_human_services suspend december implementation reclassification rural urban zip codes payments fee schedule ambulance services contained final rule published federal_register november secretary required ensure claims ambulance services furnished july paid according classification zip codes applied day effective date final rule secretary reclassify rural urban zip codes payment ambulance services furnished january taking account specified revised geographic office_of_management_and_budget payments ambulance services air ambulance services furnished adjusted according certain formula achieve budget neutral results


Summary:
Moratorium on United States Postal Facilities Act

Prohibits the U.S. Postal Service from closing, consolidating, selling, or otherwise disposing of any historic postal facility without prior written approval from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.

Defines "historic postal facility" as any postal facility listed, or eligible to be listed, in the National Register of Historic Places.

moratorium prohibits closing consolidating selling disposing historic postal facility prior written approval house_of_representatives governmental_affairs senate defines historic postal facility postal facility listed eligible listed


Summary:
Secure Delivery for America Act of 2015

Declares that it is the policy of the United States Postal Service (USPS) to: (1) provide access to secure, convenient package delivery receptacles to the greatest number of postal patrons feasible; and (2) use the most cost-effective primary mode of mail delivery feasible.

Directs USPS to: (1) provide a primary mode of mail delivery other than door delivery, with a preference for secure, centralized delivery, for new addresses established after September 30, 2016; and (2) implement a program to convert existing business addresses with door delivery to centralized delivery.

Requires: (1) each USPS district office to identify residential addresses within its service area that are appropriate candidates for conversion to centralized, curbside, or sidewalk delivery; and (2) USPS to seek to voluntarily make such conversion.

Requires the USPS, in making conversion determinations, to consider: (1) the impact of weather conditions, physical barriers, or any other factor on the feasibility of providing a primary mode of mail delivery other than door delivery; (2) whether the address is of historic value; and (3) population density and the concentration of poverty.

Directs USPS to establish and maintain a waiver program for cases in which door delivery is necessary to avoid causing significant physical hardship or physical safety risks to a postal patron.

Requires USPS to: (1) convert at least 1.5 million of the door delivery points extant on December 31, 2015, to centralized, curbside, or sidewalk delivery during each of FY2017-FY2026, with priority to voluntary conversions; (2) convert delivery points to centralized delivery to the greatest extent feasible and include secure package lockers co-located with mail receptacles at the centralized delivery point; (3) establish procedures to place centralized delivery points in locations that maximize delivery efficiency, ease of use for postal patrons, and respect for private property rights; and (4) provide for a voucher program under which USPS may defray costs associated with conversion that would otherwise be borne by postal patrons.

Authorizes USPS to continue to provide door delivery for a fee to an address that received such delivery as of January 1, 2016, but was converted or scheduled to be converted to a different primary mode of mail delivery as a result of this Act's requirements.

secure delivery america act declares policy united_states_postal_service usps provide access secure convenient package delivery receptacles greatest number postal patrons feasible use cost effective primary mode mail delivery feasible directs usps provide primary mode mail delivery door delivery preference secure centralized delivery new addresses established september implement program convert existing business addresses door delivery centralized delivery requires usps district office identify residential addresses service area appropriate candidates conversion centralized curbside sidewalk delivery usps seek voluntarily conversion requires usps making conversion determinations consider impact weather conditions physical barriers factor feasibility providing primary mode mail delivery door delivery address historic value population density concentration poverty directs usps establish maintain waiver program cases door delivery necessary avoid causing significant physical hardship physical safety risks postal requires usps convert million door delivery points december centralized curbside sidewalk delivery priority voluntary conversions convert delivery points centralized delivery greatest extent feasible include secure package located mail receptacles centralized delivery point establish procedures place centralized delivery points locations maximize delivery efficiency ease use postal patrons respect private property rights provide voucher program usps defray costs associated conversion borne postal patrons authorizes usps continue provide door delivery fee address received delivery january converted scheduled converted different primary mode mail delivery result act requirements


Summary:
Securing Access to Rural Postal Services Act of 2015

Prohibits the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), in any calendar year, from closing, consolidating, or suspending the operations of more than 5% of the postal facilities operating as of the first day of such calendar year and that were within specified cost ascertainment groupings as of June 23, 2011, except as specifically authorized by law.

Defines "postal facility" as a post office, post office branch, post office classified station, or other facility operated by the USPS, the primary function of which is to provide retail postal services.

Requires the USPS to conduct nonbinding surveys on proposed post office closings or consolidations to allow customers an opportunity to indicate their preference between or among such a closing or consolidation and one or more alternative options. Directs the USPS, if such a closure or consolidation is necessary, to provide access to postal services through the alternative preferred by survey participants and, if the preferred alternative is unable to be provided or is cost prohibitive, permits the USPS to provide alternative access through different means and requires the USPS to notify customers with a written explanation.

securing access act prohibits usps calendar year closing consolidating suspending operations postal facilities operating day calendar year specified cost groupings june specifically authorized law defines postal facility post office post office branch post office classified station facility operated usps primary function provide retail postal services requires usps conduct nonbinding surveys proposed post office closings consolidations allow customers opportunity indicate preference closing consolidation alternative options directs usps closure consolidation necessary provide access postal services alternative preferred survey participants preferred alternative unable provided cost prohibitive permits usps provide alternative access different means requires usps notify customers written explanation


Summary:
Federal Leadership in Energy Efficient Transportation Act of 2015 or the FLEET Act of 2015

Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to expand the definition of "energy or water conservation measure" under such Act to include, in the case of a contract in which the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is a party: (1) the purchase or lease of low emission and fuel efficient vehicles; (2) the upgrade of USPS vehicles to increase average fuel economy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions; or (3) the construction or maintenance of infrastructure to support such vehicles, including electric vehicle charging stations. Expands the program of agency incentives for conserving energy to include in utility incentive programs measures to support the use of low emission and fuel efficient USPS vehicles.

Prohibits USPS from awarding a contract for a vehicle, or purchasing or leasing a vehicle for use by USPS, including a passenger car, light truck, or medium or heavy-duty vehicle, unless the vehicle meets certain minimum carbon dioxide emissions standards and average fuel economy standards.

Prohibits USPS from meeting the requirements of this Act by: (1) reducing the frequency of mail delivery, (2) closing post offices or postal distribution facilities, (3) taking any action to restrict or diminish a collective bargaining agreement or eliminate or reduce employee benefits, or (4) entering into a contact with a private company to perform duties that are currently performed by postal employees who are bargaining unit employees.

federal leadership energy efficient transportation act fleet act amends national_energy_conservation_policy_act expand definition energy water conservation measure act include case contract usps party purchase lease low emission fuel efficient vehicles upgrade usps vehicles increase average fuel economy reduce carbon dioxide emissions construction maintenance infrastructure support vehicles including electric vehicle charging stations expands program agency incentives conserving energy include utility incentive programs measures support use low emission fuel efficient usps vehicles prohibits usps awarding contract vehicle purchasing leasing vehicle use usps including passenger car light truck medium heavy duty vehicle vehicle meets certain minimum carbon dioxide emissions standards average fuel economy standards prohibits usps meeting requirements act reducing frequency mail delivery closing post offices postal distribution facilities taking action restrict diminish collective bargaining agreement eliminate reduce employee benefits entering contact private company perform duties currently performed postal employees bargaining unit employees


Summary: Directs the U.S. Postal Service, not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, to designate a single, unique ZIP code applicable to the area encompassing only North Plainfield, New Jersey.

directs later days enactment act designate single unique zip code applicable area encompassing new_jersey


Summary:
This bill directs the United States Postal Service to issue and sell an Alzheimer's Disease Research Semipostal Stamp.

Proceeds from the sale of the stamp must be transferred to the National Institutes of Health.

The stamp must be made available to the public for six years.

bill directs united_states_postal_service issue sell alzheimer proceeds sale stamp transferred national_institutes_of_health stamp available public years


Summary:
United States Postal Service Shipping Equity Act

 Authorizes the mailing of alcoholic beverages by a covered entity in accordance with the delivery requirements otherwise applicable to a privately carried shipment. Defines a "covered entity" as an entity (including a winery, brewery, or beverage distilled spirits plant, or other wholesale, distributer, or retailer of alcoholic beverages) that has registered with, obtained a permit from, or obtained approval of an application from the Department of the Treasury pursuant to the Federal Alcohol Administration Act or the Internal Revenue Code provisions regarding alcohol, tobacco, and certain other excise taxes.

Directs the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to prescribe regulations: (1) requiring such mailing to be through a means that ensures direct delivery to a duly authorized agent at a postal facility or to the addressee, who must be at least 21 years of age and present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of delivery; (2) prohibiting such alcoholic beverages from being for resale or any other commercial purpose; and (3) requiring such covered entity to certify that the mailing is not in violation of applicable laws or regulations and to provide other information as directed by the USPS, including with respect to the prepayment of state alcohol beverage taxes.

act authorizes mailing alcoholic beverages covered entity accordance delivery requirements applicable privately carried shipment defines covered entity entity including winery brewery beverage distilled spirits plant wholesale retailer alcoholic beverages registered obtained permit obtained approval application department_of_the_treasury pursuant internal revenue code provisions alcohol tobacco certain excise taxes directs usps prescribe regulations requiring mailing means ensures direct delivery duly authorized agent postal facility addressee years age present valid government issued photo identification time delivery prohibiting alcoholic beverages resale commercial purpose requiring covered entity certify mailing violation applicable laws regulations provide information directed usps including respect prepayment state alcohol beverage taxes


Summary:
Defending Quality Postal Delivery for the Future Act

Prohibits the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from closing or consolidating any post office or other postal facility that is located in a ZIP code that has a high rate of population growth.

Directs the USPS to determine annually whether a ZIP code has a high rate of population growth using population data available from the Bureau of the Census.

defending quality postal delivery future act prohibits usps closing consolidating post office postal facility located zip code high rate population growth directs usps determine annually zip code high rate population growth population data available bureau_of_the_census


Summary:
Perpetual POW/MIA Stamp Act

Directs the Postmaster General to provide for the issuance of a forever stamp that honors the sacrifices of the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been prisoners, missing, or unaccounted for and that depicts the National League of Families POW/MIA flag.

perpetual pow mia stamp act directs postmaster general provide issuance forever stamp honors sacrifices members prisoners missing unaccounted depicts flag


Summary:
Mental Health Awareness Semipostal Stamp Act

This bill directs the United States Postal Service to issue and sell, at a premium, a Mental Health Awareness Semipostal Stamp. Use of this stamp must be voluntary for postal patrons.

Proceeds from the sale of this stamp must be transferred to the National Institute of Mental Health to help fund mental illness research and suicide prevention programs.

The stamp must be available to the public for at least six years.

stamp act bill directs united_states_postal_service issue sell premium use stamp voluntary postal patrons proceeds sale stamp transferred national_institute_of_mental_health help fund mental illness research suicide prevention programs stamp available public years


Summary:
Veterans Health Care Stamp Act

This bill requires the U.S. Postal Service to issue and sell a Veterans Health Care Stamp to help fund the medical care and treatment of veterans.

act bill requires issue sell veterans health care stamp help fund medical care treatment veterans


Summary:
Providing Opportunities for Savings, Transactions, and Lending Act of 2015 [sic] or the POSTAL Act of 2015 [sic]

This bill expands the specific powers of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to include the provision of basic financial services, including: (1) small-dollar loans; (2) checking accounts, interest-bearing savings accounts, and services relating to international money transfers, each of which may be provided by the USPS alone or in partnership with depository institutions and credit unions; (3) other basic financial services as appropriate in the public interest; and (4) the creation of a Postal Card that allows users to engage in such financial services.

lending act sic postal act sic bill expands specific powers usps include provision basic financial services including small dollar loans checking accounts interest bearing savings accounts services relating international money transfers provided usps partnership depository institutions credit unions basic financial services appropriate public interest creation allows users engage financial services


Summary:
Ensuring the Safety of Our Mail Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to increase from 5 to 10 years the maximum prison term for a defendant who commits mail theft.

ensuring safety mail act bill amends federal criminal code increase years maximum prison term defendant commits mail theft


Summary: This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to designate a single, unique ZIP Code applicable to the area encompassing only Eastvale, California.

bill directs designate single unique zip code applicable area encompassing california


Summary:
Stop Postal Closures Act of 2016

This bill prohibits the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from: (1) closing or consolidating any postal facility without the approval of the Postal Regulatory Commission, or (2) closing or consolidating any postal facility or carrying out any network rationalization activity until the Commission has certified that the USPS has met the national service standards that were in effect on July 1, 2012, and that are reinstated by this Act.

For purposes of such prohibitions, "postal facility" means a USPS facility that is primarily involved in the preparation, dispatch, or other physical processing of mail but does not include: (1) any post office, station, or branch; or (2) any facility used only for administrative functions.

 Before making a determination to close or consolidate a postal facility, the USPS must conduct an area mail processing study, which includes: (1) a plan to reduce the capacity of the facility without closing it; and (2) an analysis of the effects of the closure or consolidation on the community, on small businesses, and on specified postal services to individuals.

 If the USPS makes a determination to close or consolidate a postal facility after completing such study, it shall: (1) provide specified notice to Congress, the Commission, the public, and each person in the zip code served by such facility; (2) conduct at least three meetings to receive public comments; and (3) publish a justification of such determination. The Commission shall have 90 days to approve or disapprove the closure or consolidation.

 The Commission shall determine annually if the USPS is meeting the national service standards for market-dominant products. If the Commission finds that the USPS is not meeting such standards, it may recommend corrective actions and reasonable performance targets. The Postmaster General shall respond within 60 days after receiving such recommendations on how the USPS will change operations to achieve them.

stop postal closures act bill prohibits usps closing consolidating postal facility approval postal_regulatory_commission closing consolidating postal facility carrying network activity commission certified usps met national service standards effect july reinstated act purposes prohibitions postal facility means usps facility primarily involved preparation dispatch physical processing mail include post office station branch facility administrative functions making determination close consolidate postal facility usps conduct area mail processing study includes plan reduce capacity facility closing analysis effects closure consolidation community small businesses specified postal services individuals usps makes determination close consolidate postal facility completing study shall provide specified notice congress commission public person zip code served facility conduct meetings receive public comments publish justification determination commission shall days approve disapprove closure consolidation commission shall determine annually usps meeting national service standards market dominant products commission finds usps meeting standards recommend corrective actions reasonable performance targets postmaster general shall respond days receiving recommendations usps change operations achieve


Summary:
Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to provide an option under the Secure Mail Initiative under which, for payment of a fee recouping costs, a person to whom a document is sent under such initiative may require the U.S. Postal Service to obtain a signature from that person in order to deliver the document.

strengthening initiative act sec bill requires department_of_homeland_security provide option payment fee costs person document sent initiative require obtain signature person order deliver document


Summary:
Stamp Out Invasive Species Act

This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue and sell a Combating Invasive Species Semipostal Stamp.

Proceeds from the sale of the stamp must be transferred in equal proportion to the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture for combating invasive species. (Invasive species are nonnative species whose introduction poses a serious threat to natural ecosystems and causes detrimental economic damage to local communities.)

The stamp must be made available to the public for two years.

stamp invasive species act bill directs issue sell proceeds sale stamp transferred equal proportion department_of_the_interior_and_the_department_of_agriculture combating invasive species invasive species nonnative species introduction poses threat natural ecosystems causes detrimental economic damage local communities stamp available public years


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Postal Service Financial Improvement Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to: (1) invest a specified percentage of the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund, using one or more qualified professional asset managers, in index funds modeled after those established for Thrift Savings Fund investments; and (2) ensure that the investment replicates the performance of the longest-term target date asset allocation investment fund established by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board.

The bill establishes the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund Investment Committee, which Treasury shall consult regarding such investments.

The "specified percentage" to be invested is defined as 25% of the currently available portions of the fund as are not immediately required for payments from the fund, except that the committee may specify a higher percentage, not to exceed 30%, not earlier than five years after this bill's enactment and as appropriate thereafter.

Treasury shall annually engage an independent qualified public accountant to audit the financial statements of such investments and shall submit an annual management report that includes:

 statements of financial position, operations, and cash flows; a statement on internal accounting and administrative control systems; the report resulting from the audit; and any other comments and information necessary to inform Congress about the operations and financial condition of the investments.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill requires department_of_the_treasury invest specified percentage postal_service_retiree_health_benefits_fund qualified professional asset managers index funds modeled established thrift_savings_fund investments ensure investment performance term target date asset allocation investment fund established federal_retirement_thrift_investment_board bill establishes treasury shall consult investments specified percentage invested defined currently available portions fund immediately required payments fund committee specify higher percentage exceed earlier years bill enactment appropriate treasury shall annually engage independent qualified public accountant audit financial statements investments shall submit annual management report includes statements financial position operations cash flows statement internal accounting administrative control systems report resulting audit comments information necessary inform congress operations financial condition investments


Summary:
Common Sense Postal Delivery Restoration Act of 2016

This bill prohibits the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from requiring centralized delivery (whereby mail receptacles of a number of delivery points are grouped or clustered at a single location) for certain residential housing units that: (1) were approved, before April 5, 2012, for construction; (2) would have been eligible for curbside delivery had they been constructed before such date; and (3) were not approved to receive such curbside delivery as of such date.

The USPS must establish curbside delivery (whereby a mail receptacle is situated at the edge of a sidewalk abutting a road or curb, or at a road or curb, and can be served by a letter carrier from a motorized vehicle) for such units.

common sense postal delivery restoration act bill prohibits usps requiring centralized delivery mail receptacles number delivery points single location certain residential housing units approved april construction eligible curbside delivery constructed date approved receive curbside delivery date usps establish curbside delivery mail situated edge sidewalk abutting road curb road curb served letter carrier motorized vehicle units


Summary:
Agriculture Conservation Stamp Act

This bill requires the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to issue for a four-year period a semipostal to benefit certain Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs. (A semipostal is a postage stamp that is issued and sold by the USPS at a premium, in order to help provide funding for a cause that the USPS considers to be in the national public interest and appropriate.)

USDA is the sole agency to which the USPS may transfer funds received from the sale of the semipostal. USDA must use the transferred funds exclusively for programs authorized under title XII (Conservation) of the Food Security Act of 1985.

agriculture conservation stamp act bill requires usps issue year period semipostal benefit certain department_of_agriculture usda conservation programs semipostal postage stamp issued sold usps premium order help provide funding cause usps considers national public interest appropriate usda sole agency usps transfer funds received sale semipostal usda use transferred funds exclusively programs authorized title food security act


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

Federal Agency Mail Management Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Presidential and Federal Records Act Amendments of 2014 to require the General Services Administration (GSA) to provide guidance and assistance to federal agencies for effective mail processing.

The GSA: (1) must promote economy and efficiency in the selection and utilization of space, staff, equipment, and supplies for federal mail processing facilities; and (2) may inspect the mail processing practices and programs of federal agencies for purposes of recommending improvements.

The bill also provides authority for the GSA to set goals for the establishment and maintenance of federal records management systems or techniques.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house reported version repeated management act sec bill amends presidential federal records act amendments require general_services_administration gsa provide guidance assistance federal agencies effective mail processing gsa promote economy efficiency selection utilization space staff equipment supplies federal mail processing facilities inspect mail processing practices programs federal agencies purposes recommending improvements bill provides authority gsa set goals establishment maintenance federal records management systems techniques


Summary:
Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention Act of 2016 or the STOP Act of 2016

This bill amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to make the Postmaster General or Postmaster General designee, including a person holding a valid customs broker's license, the importer of record for non-letter class mail imported into the United States.

The term "non-letter class mail" means any product of the U.S. Postal Service or a Universal Postal Union designated operator that is provided pursuant to:

 the Universal Postal Union's Parcel Post Regulations and Final Protocol; or the Universal Postal Union's Letter Post Regulations and Final Protocol, except small letters, as in effect upon enactment of this bill. The bill amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to impose a duty of $1 on each item of non-letter class mail imported into the United States.

The bill amends the Trade Act of 2002 to direct the Department of the Treasury to require the Postmaster General to provide for the advanced electronic transmission to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection of certain information on non-letter class mail imported into the United States.

stop act bill amends tariff act postmaster general postmaster_general designee including person holding valid customs broker license importer record non letter class mail imported united_states term non letter class mail means product designated operator provided pursuant small letters effect enactment bill bill amends consolidated_omnibus_budget_reconciliation_act impose duty item non letter class mail imported united_states bill amends trade act direct department_of_the_treasury require postmaster general provide advanced electronic transmission certain information non letter class mail imported united_states


Summary:
Semipostal Stamp Clarification Act of 2016

This bill removes the authority of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to issue semipostal stamps (stamps sold at a premium to raise funds for causes of national public interest) except as provided by an Act of Congress. (Currently, the USPS issues semipostals using its own discretion to determine the causes it considers to be in the national public interest.)

The bill also makes entities (currently, only agencies) eligible to receive amounts that become available from the sale of semipostals. Congress must determine the appropriate agencies or entities that receive such amounts.

semipostal stamp clarification act bill removes authority usps issue semipostal stamps stamps sold premium raise funds causes national public interest provided act congress currently usps issues discretion determine causes considers national public interest bill makes entities currently agencies eligible receive amounts available sale congress determine appropriate agencies entities receive amounts


Summary:
Ongoing Recovery and Conservation Awareness Act of 2016

This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue and sell a Puget Sound Restoration Semipostal Stamp.

Proceeds from the sale of the stamp must be transferred to the Environmental Protections Agency for operations supported by the Puget Sound Action Agenda.

The stamp must be made available to the public for five years.

ongoing recovery conservation awareness act bill directs issue sell proceeds sale stamp transferred operations supported stamp available public years


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill reauthorizes through December 31, 2019, provisions requiring the U.S. Postal Service to issue a special postage stamp for first-class mail that costs more than the regular first-class stamp to raise funds for breast cancer research.

(Sec. 3) Agencies receiving these funds from the Postal Service must use them on breast cancer research.

measure amended introduced expanded summary senate reported version repeated breast cancer research stamp reauthorization act sec bill reauthorizes december provisions requiring issue special postage stamp class mail costs regular class stamp raise funds breast cancer research sec agencies receiving funds postal_service use breast cancer research


Summary:
Families for Foster Youth Stamp Act of 2015

 Requires the United States Postal Service, for a period of at least four years, to provide for the issuance and sale of a semipostal in order to increase funding for effective programs targeted at improving permanency outcomes for youth in foster care.

Requires any amounts becoming available from the sale of the semipostal to be transferred to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for programs and activities under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 that specifically target improvement in permanency outcomes for youth in foster care through adoption, guardianship, or kinship care.

families foster youth stamp act requires united_states_postal_service period years provide issuance sale semipostal order increase funding effective programs targeted improving permanency outcomes youth foster care requires amounts available sale semipostal transferred secretary health_and_human_services programs activities child abuse prevention treatment adoption reform act specifically target improvement permanency outcomes youth foster care adoption guardianship kinship care


Summary:
Rural Postal Act of 2015

Imposes a two-year moratorium on the closing or consolidation of any postal facility (i.e, a processing and distribution center, processing and distribution facility, network distribution center, or other facility that is operated by the U.S. Postal Service [USPS], the primary function of which is to sort and process mail). Sets forth matters which the USPS must consider in making a determination to close or consolidate a postal facility, including the effect of the closing or consolidation on the affected community, and for using an alternate means of transportation contract. Allows any person served by a postal facility to appeal a closing or consolidation to the Postal Regulatory Commission.

Preserves the current six-day mail delivery schedule.

Sets forth criteria for the closing or consolidation of rural post offices. Imposes a one-year moratorium on the discontinuation of a rural post office.

Grants a right of appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board to any USPS officer or employer who: (1) is not represented by a recognized bargaining representative; and (2) is in a supervisory, professional, technical, clerical, administrative, or managerial position covered by the Executive and Administrative Schedule.

Establishes in the USPS the position of Chief Morale Officer who shall oversee USPS employees, including managers, and develop national initiatives that address working conditions, staffing, communication, and training.

Establishes the Rural Postal Service Advisory Commission to provide strategic guidance on enhancing and protecting postal services in rural areas and to foster innovative thinking to address challenges facing the USPS in enhancing and protecting such services.

Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to the USPS considering options for delivery vehicles in rural areas, providing wireless broadband Internet access service in rural post offices, and maintaining door or curbside delivery in lieu of centralized delivery.

imposes year moratorium closing consolidation postal facility processing distribution center processing distribution facility network distribution center facility operated usps primary function process mail sets forth matters usps consider making determination close consolidate postal facility including effect closing consolidation affected community alternate means transportation contract allows person served postal facility appeal closing consolidation postal_regulatory_commission preserves current day mail delivery schedule sets forth criteria closing consolidation rural post offices imposes year moratorium rural post office right appeal usps officer employer represented recognized bargaining representative supervisory professional technical clerical administrative managerial position covered establishes usps position chief shall oversee usps employees including managers develop national initiatives address working conditions staffing communication training establishes provide strategic guidance enhancing protecting postal services rural areas foster innovative thinking address challenges facing usps enhancing protecting services expresses sense congress respect usps considering options delivery vehicles rural areas providing wireless broadband internet access service rural post offices maintaining door curbside delivery lieu centralized delivery


Summary:
Postal Innovation Act

This bill expands the powers of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) by allowing it to offer nonpostal services, including financial services, warehousing, public Internet access, experimental postal products market testing, shipment of beer, wine, and spirits, and community support services. The bill also authorizes USPS to: (1) furnish property and services to states, local governments, and tribal governments; and (2) conduct a pilot program to assess the most cost-effective implementation of providing nonpostal services to communities through public-private partnerships at post offices in five cities, including at least one post office in a rural area and one in an urban area.

The bill authorizes USPS to enter into contracts to upgrade its fleet of vehicles to increase long-term savings by reducing collision, maintenance, fuel, or other costs. USPS is required to develop fuel economy guidelines for its vehicles and to reduce the petroleum consumption of its vehicles by not less than 2% annually through the end of FY2025.

USPS may use cost savings from offering nonpostal services to reinvest in innovation, research and development, and operations. USPS must use commercially available crash avoidance technologies to improve the safety of its vehicle fleet.

The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on USPS providing access to public broadband Internet service and Internet voting.

postal innovation act bill expands powers usps allowing offer nonpostal services including financial services warehousing public internet access experimental postal products market testing shipment beer wine spirits community support services bill authorizes usps furnish property services states local governments tribal governments conduct pilot program assess cost effective implementation providing nonpostal services communities public private partnerships post offices cities including post office rural area urban area bill authorizes usps enter contracts upgrade fleet vehicles increase long term savings reducing collision maintenance fuel costs usps required develop fuel economy guidelines vehicles reduce petroleum consumption vehicles annually end fy2025 usps use cost savings offering nonpostal services reinvest innovation research development operations usps use commercially available crash avoidance technologies improve safety vehicle fleet bill requires government_accountability_office conduct study usps providing access public broadband internet service internet voting


Summary:
Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015

This bill directs the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to submit a report on the universal service obligation of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) that takes into account the changing nature of communications and includes recommendations on better defining such obligation to help keep the USPS relevant in the digital age.

TITLE I--POSTAL SERVICE WORKFORCE

Federal agencies must use criteria specific to USPS employees in calculating any liability of the USPS, including retiree health benefits, retirement annuities, and workers' compensation liabilities.

This title: (1) creates a new Postal Service Health Benefits Program (PSHBP) within the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, to be implemented and administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), for all USPS employees and annuitants; (2) requires all Medicare-eligible postal employees and annuitants enrolled in PSHBP to also enroll in Medicare; (3) restructures the pre-funding requirements for USPS retiree health benefits by replacing the current schedule of annual payments to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund with a schedule of annual installment payments that will liquidate pension liabilities by September 30, 2056, as recomputed by June 30 of each year beginning in 2017; (4) reduces the pre-funding requirement for retiree health benefits to 80% of projected liability (currently, 100%); (5) permits refunds to the USPS for overpayments of unfunded pension obligations; and (6) extends the USPS payment schedule for unfunded Civil Service Retirement System liabilities from 25 years to 40 years.

A right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board is granted to any USPS officer or employer who: (1) is not represented by a recognized bargaining representative; and (2) is in a supervisory, professional, technical, clerical, administrative, or managerial position covered by the Executive and Administrative Schedule.

Any arbitration board deciding a USPS contract dispute must render a decision within 45 days after its appointment and consider the financial condition of the USPS in deciding such disputes.

The USPS must designate a USPS employee as the Workforce Development Officer to assume primary responsibility for issues relating to the morale of USPS employees.

TITLE II--POSTAL OPERATIONS

The USPS must submit to the Board of Governors of the PRC: (1) a plan describing the actions the USPS intends to take to achieve long-term solvency, and (2) a financial plan and budget. The PRC must contract with an independent agency to complete a study that analyzes USPS finances, the overall mailing industry, the demand for market-dominant and competitive products, and changes in overall USPS revenue and costs savings.

The USPS is prohibited from: (1) closing or consolidating any postal facility for two years after enactment of this Act; and (2) closing or consolidating any post office, or reducing the hours of certain post offices, for five years after enactment of this Act.

The USPS must: (1) submit to appropriate congressional committees a comprehensive strategic plan for reducing the number of area and district offices; (2) establish and regularly revise a uniform set of national service standards; (3) convert door delivery to other delivery modes, including centralized delivery or curbside delivery; and (4) implement a pilot program to assess the feasibility of integrating alternative fuel vehicles into the postal fleet.

 The USPS may not maintain or operate more than one post office in a House or Senate Office Building.

TITLE III--POSTAL SERVICE REVENUE AND INNOVATION This title freezes the rates for market-dominant products in effect on September 30, 2015, until January 1, 2018. By January 1, 2018, the PRC must establish a new system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products.

This title authorizes the USPS to provide new nonpostal services and to ship wine, beer, and distilled spirits.

This title establishes: (1) the position of a Chief Innovation Officer who shall lead the development and implementation of innovative postal products and services and nonpostal services that have the potential to improve the net financial position of the USPS; and (2) a Strategic Advisory Commission on Postal Service Solvency, Service, and Innovation to provide strategic guidance and foster innovative thinking to address challenges facing the USPS without unfairly competing with the private sector. The Commission must develop a strategic blueprint for the long-term solvency of the USPS.

TITLE IV--POSTAL SERVICE CUSTOMER SERVICE, TRANSPARENCY, AND REGULATION

The Board of Governors of the USPS shall conduct a study on USPS customer service, including the training of employees that serve the public. The PRC shall submit an annual report to specified congressional committees on the fiscal stability of the U.S. mailing industry.

The USPS must: (1) develop and regularly update a more customer-friendly publication of USPS terms, abbreviations, and acronyms, which shall be made publicly available on the USPS website; and (2) develop and promote adequate and efficient postal services with respect to its market-dominant products.

This title: (1) establishes an Advocate for Competition and requires the USPS and the PRC to publicly post justifications for noncompetitive contracts, and (2) requires a USPS contracting officer who identifies an ethical issue involving a proposed contract to submit such contract to a designated ethics official prior to awarding it.

TITLE V--FEDERAL EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ACT

Workers' Compensation Reform Act of 2015

This Act amends the the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) to revise benefit payments for FECA enrollees. Under the provisions of this title:

 FECA benefits for totally disabled enrollees are reduced, with certain exceptions, to 50% of their pre-disability pay upon reaching full retirement age, as defined in the Social Security Act; augmented compensation for dependents of postal employees who have a work-related injury is eliminated, except for employees who are totally disabled and for partially-disabled employees for three years after the enactment of this Act; injured workers may receive schedule compensation payments (i.e., specific payments for certain injuries) if their FECA benefits are reduced by this Act; vocational rehabilitation provisions for injured workers (except workers who have attained retirement age) are modified to require such workers to develop a comprehensive return to work plan and undergo vocational rehabilitation, authorize the Department of Labor to enter into an assisted reemployment agreement with public or private employers for hiring individuals eligible for wage-loss compensation for up to three years, and extend vocational rehabilitation opportunities under FECA to partially disabled workers; a disability management review process must certify and monitor the disability status and extent of injury of each FECA recipient; employees who receive worker compensation benefits must report their earnings from employment or self-employment; a disability management review process must certify and monitor the disability status and injuries of employees receiving compensation; benefits for a severe disfigurement of the face, head, or neck are increased to $50,000 and the maximum benefit for the reimbursement for funeral expenses for an employee who dies due to a work-related injury is increased to $6,000; and compensation for the disability or death of a federal employee shall include injuries sustained in at attack by a terrorist or terrorist organization.

transparency_act bill directs postal_regulatory_commission prc submit report universal service obligation usps takes account changing nature communications includes recommendations better defining obligation help usps relevant digital age title postal service workforce federal agencies use criteria specific usps employees calculating liability usps including retiree health benefits retirement annuities workers compensation liabilities title creates new implemented administered usps employees annuitants requires medicare eligible postal employees annuitants enrolled enroll medicare pre funding requirements usps retiree health benefits replacing current schedule annual payments postal_service_retiree_health_benefits_fund schedule annual installment payments liquidate pension liabilities september june year beginning reduces pre funding requirement retiree health benefits projected liability currently permits refunds usps overpayments unfunded pension obligations extends usps payment schedule unfunded civil_service_retirement_system liabilities years years right appeal merit_systems_protection_board granted usps officer employer represented recognized bargaining representative supervisory professional technical clerical administrative managerial position covered arbitration board deciding usps contract dispute render decision days appointment consider financial condition usps deciding disputes usps designate usps employee assume primary responsibility issues relating morale usps employees title postal operations usps submit board_of_governors prc plan describing actions usps intends achieve long term solvency financial plan budget prc contract independent agency complete study analyzes usps finances overall mailing industry demand market dominant competitive products changes overall usps revenue costs savings usps prohibited closing consolidating postal facility years enactment act closing consolidating post office reducing hours certain post offices years enactment act usps submit appropriate congressional committees comprehensive strategic plan reducing number area district offices establish regularly revise uniform set national service standards convert door delivery delivery modes including centralized delivery curbside delivery implement pilot program assess feasibility integrating alternative fuel vehicles postal fleet usps maintain operate post office house title iii postal service revenue innovation title freezes rates market dominant products effect september january january prc establish new system regulating rates classes market dominant products title authorizes usps provide new nonpostal services ship wine beer distilled spirits title establishes position chief innovation officer shall lead development implementation innovative postal products services nonpostal services potential improve net financial position usps strategic advisory commission innovation provide strategic guidance foster innovative thinking address challenges facing usps unfairly competing private sector commission develop strategic long term solvency usps title postal service customer service transparency regulation board_of_governors usps shall conduct study usps customer service including training employees serve public prc shall submit annual report specified congressional committees fiscal stability mailing industry usps develop regularly update customer friendly publication usps terms shall publicly available usps website develop promote adequate efficient postal services respect market dominant products title establishes requires usps prc publicly post justifications noncompetitive contracts requires usps contracting officer identifies ethical issue involving proposed contract submit contract designated ethics official prior awarding title federal employees compensation act workers compensation reform act act amends feca revise benefit payments feca enrollees provisions title feca benefits totally disabled enrollees reduced certain exceptions pre disability pay reaching retirement age defined social security act augmented compensation dependents postal employees work related injury eliminated employees totally disabled partially disabled employees years enactment act injured workers receive schedule compensation payments specific payments certain injuries feca benefits reduced act vocational rehabilitation provisions injured workers workers attained retirement age modified require workers develop comprehensive return work plan undergo vocational rehabilitation authorize department_of_labor enter assisted reemployment agreement public private employers hiring individuals eligible wage loss compensation years extend vocational rehabilitation opportunities feca partially disabled workers disability management review process certify monitor disability status extent injury feca recipient employees receive worker compensation benefits report earnings employment self employment disability management review process certify monitor disability status injuries employees receiving compensation benefits severe face head increased maximum benefit reimbursement funeral expenses employee dies work related injury increased compensation disability death federal employee shall include injuries sustained attack terrorist terrorist organization


Summary:
This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue a Battle of Midway 75th Anniversary Semipostal Stamp, to be made available to the public for one year, beginning not later than June 4, 2017.

Amounts from the sale of this semipostal stamp shall be transferred to the Department of Defense to contribute to the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Midway.

bill directs issue battle midway 75th anniversary semipostal stamp available public year beginning later june amounts sale semipostal stamp shall transferred department_of_defense contribute 75th anniversary


Summary:
Gold Star Families Forever Stamp Act

This bill directs the Postmaster General to provide for the issuance of a forever stamp to honor the sacrifices of families who have lost a loved one who was a member of the Armed Forces in combat.

forever stamp act bill directs postmaster general provide issuance forever stamp honor sacrifices families lost member armed_forces combat


Summary:
Post Office Discontinuance Accountability Act of 2016

This bill establishes procedures under which the United States Postal Service (USPS) may carry out emergency suspensions of post offices because of a natural disaster, damage to or destruction of a post office, or a lack of qualified personnel to operate it or adequate measures to safeguard it.

A District Manager implementing an emergency suspension must: (1) provide immediate notice to the Headquarters Review Coordinator or the Field Performance office, local officials of the USPS, and customers; (2) establish alternate service as quickly as possible; (3) temporarily reassign each employee of the post office; and (4) form a suspension review team, which shall review the suspension and recommend that the suspension continue or that the post office reopen.

If the team recommends that the suspension continue, the District Manager shall either initiate discontinuance procedures for the post office or publish a plan to restore service within 180 days. If restoration is delayed, the District Manager must publish notice and either host a public forum in the affected community or initiate discontinuance procedures.

The District Manager shall immediately notify the affected community when a post office is reopened or service is restored.

 The bill authorizes the USPS to establish an alternative process to suspend postal services to a community based on the expiration of a lease or rental agreement for a post office. The District Manager shall take specified steps to: (1) negotiate an extension of an expiring agreement, the sale of the post office to the USPS, or a new agreement for postal service; (2) provide for the disruption of service if the negotiations fail and for the restoration of service; or (3) initiate discontinuance procedures.

bill establishes procedures united_states_postal_service usps carry emergency suspensions post offices natural disaster damage destruction post office lack qualified personnel operate adequate measures safeguard district manager implementing emergency suspension provide immediate notice office local officials usps customers establish alternate service quickly possible temporarily reassign employee post office form suspension review team shall review suspension recommend suspension continue post office reopen team recommends suspension continue district manager shall initiate discontinuance procedures post office publish plan restore service days restoration delayed district manager publish notice host public forum affected community initiate discontinuance procedures district manager shall immediately notify affected community post office reopened service restored bill authorizes usps establish alternative process suspend postal services community based expiration lease rental agreement post office district manager shall specified steps negotiate extension expiring agreement sale post office usps new agreement postal service provide disruption service negotiations fail restoration service initiate discontinuance procedures


Summary:
Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act

This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to provide an option under the Secure Mail Initiative under which, for payment of a fee recouping costs, a person to whom a document is sent under such initiative may require the U.S. Postal Service to obtain a signature from that person in order to deliver the document.

strengthening initiative act bill requires department_of_homeland_security provide option payment fee costs person document sent initiative require obtain signature person order deliver document


Summary: Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act - Title I: Research on Postpartum Depression and Psychosis - (Sec. 101) Encourages the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), to continue aggressive work on postpartum depression and other postpartum psychosis. Encourages the Director of NIMH to continue research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and find a cure for, postpartum conditions, including: (1) basic research concerning the etiology and causes of the conditions; (2) epidemiological studies to address the frequency and natural history of the conditions and differences among racial and ethnic groups; (3) the development of improved screening and diagnostic techniques; (4) clinical research for the development and evaluation of new treatments; and (5) information and education programs for health care professionals and the public.(Sec. 102) Encourages the Director of NIH and the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to carry out a national campaign to increase the awareness and knowledge of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.(Sec. 103) Requires the Director of NIH to include in the biennial report to Congress a summary of NIH research activities on depression.(Sec. 104) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Director of NIMH may conduct a longitudinal study of the relative mental health consequences for women of resolving a pregnancy in various ways. Requires the Director of NIMH to report to Congress on the findings of the study.Title II: Delivery of Services Regarding Postpartum Depression and Psychosis - (Sec. 201) Urges the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to public or nonprofit private entities for projects to establish, operate, and coordinate effective and cost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services to individuals with postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis and their families. Requires the Secretary to ensure that such projects provide services for the diagnosis and management of postpartum conditions. Provides that the Secretary may authorize projects that include: (1) delivering or enhancing outpatient and home-based health and support services; (2) delivering or enhancing inpatient care management services that ensure the well-being of the mother and family and the future development of the infant; and (3) improving the quality, availability, and organization of health care and support services for individuals with postpartum conditions and support services for their families. Urges the Secretary to integrate programs under this Act with other grants programs.(Sec. 202) Sets forth grant requirements, including that the applicant agrees: (1) to abide by any limitations deemed appropriate by the Secretary on any charges to individuals receiving services pursuant to the grant; (2) that the grant will not be expended for services paid for under another program or by an entity that provides health services on a prepaid basis; and (3) to post a conspicuous notice of any federal policies that apply with respect to the imposition of charges.(Sec. 203) Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to assist entities in complying with the requirements of this title in order to make such entities eligible for grants.Title III: General Provisions - (Sec. 301) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2010.

postpartum depression research care act title research sec encourages secretary health_and_human_services acting director national_institutes_of_health nih director national_institute_of_mental_health continue aggressive work postpartum depression postpartum encourages director continue research expand understanding causes find cure postpartum conditions including basic research concerning causes conditions epidemiological studies address frequency natural history conditions differences racial ethnic groups development improved screening diagnostic techniques clinical research development evaluation new treatments information education programs health care professionals encourages director nih administrator health_resources_and_services_administration hrsa carry national campaign increase awareness knowledge postpartum depression postpartum requires director nih include biennial report congress summary nih research activities expresses sense congress director conduct longitudinal study relative mental health consequences women resolving pregnancy ways requires director report congress findings study title delivery services postpartum depression sec urges secretary health_and_human_services grants public nonprofit private entities projects establish operate coordinate effective cost efficient systems delivery essential services individuals postpartum depression postpartum families requires secretary ensure projects provide services diagnosis management postpartum conditions provides secretary authorize projects include delivering enhancing outpatient home based health support services delivering enhancing inpatient care management services ensure mother family future development infant improving quality availability organization health care support services individuals postpartum conditions support services families urges secretary integrate programs act grants sets forth grant requirements including applicant agrees abide limitations deemed appropriate secretary charges individuals receiving services pursuant grant grant expended services paid program entity provides health services prepaid basis post conspicuous notice federal policies apply respect imposition authorizes secretary provide technical assistance assist entities complying requirements title order entities eligible grants title iii general provisions sec authorizes appropriations fy2008 fy2010


Summary: Audrey Nerenberg Act - Amends the Missing Children's Assistance Act to include within the definition of child under such Act an individual whose mental capacity is less than 18 years of age as determined by an appropriate medical authority.

act_-_amends missing children assistance act include definition child act individual mental capacity years age determined appropriate medical authority


Summary: Amends federal veterans' benefits provisions to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in providing counseling and other mental health services to a veteran who has limited proficiency in English, to ensure that such services are available in both English and a language in which that veteran is proficient, if requested by the veteran. Requires the Secretary to implement a system by which persons with limited English proficiency can access services provided by the Department of Veterans consistent with, and without unduly burdening, the Department's fundamental mission. Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees on the implementation by the Department's Veterans Health Administration of a specified directive to implement prohibitions on discrimination on the basis of national origin for persons with limited English proficiency in federally-conducted programs and activities and in federal financial-assisted programs.

amends federal veterans benefits provisions direct secretary veterans_affairs providing counseling mental health services veteran limited proficiency english ensure services available english language veteran proficient requested veteran requires secretary implement system persons limited english proficiency access services provided consistent unduly department fundamental mission requires report secretary congressional veterans committees implementation department veterans_health_administration specified directive implement prohibitions discrimination basis national origin persons limited english proficiency federally conducted programs activities federal financial assisted programs


Summary: Keeping Families Together Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award competitive matching grants to states to establish systems of care to provide mental health treatment and services to all children who are in the custody of the state or at-risk of entering into the custody of the state for the purpose of receiving mental health services. Requires states to use grant funds for certain activities, including to: (1) expand public health insurance programs to cover community-based mental health and family support services for such children and their families that will be sustainable after the grant has expired; (2) provide outreach and public education concerning available programs and activities; and (3) provide training and professional development for personnel who work with such children. Requires the Administrator to establish a task force to examine: (1) problems of mental health in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems; (2) issues with respect to access by children and youth to mental health services; and (3) the role of federal agencies in promoting access by children and youth to mental health services.

keeping families act amends public_health_service_act allow secretary health_and_human_services acting administrator substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration award competitive matching grants states establish systems care provide mental health treatment services children custody state risk entering custody state purpose receiving mental health services requires states use grant funds certain activities including expand public health insurance programs cover community based mental health family support services children families sustainable grant expired provide outreach public education concerning available programs activities provide training professional development personnel work children requires administrator establish task force examine problems mental health child welfare juvenile justice systems issues respect access children youth mental health services role federal agencies promoting access children youth mental health services


Summary: Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of marriage and family therapist services generally, and particularly those provided in rural health clinics and in hospice programs. Amends Medicare part C (Miscellaneous) to exclude such services from the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system. Authorizes marriage and family therapists to develop discharge plans for post-hospital services.

seniors_mental_health_access_improvement_act amends title xviii medicare social security act provide coverage medicare supplementary_medical_insurance marriage family therapist services generally particularly provided rural health clinics hospice programs amends medicare miscellaneous exclude services skilled nursing facility prospective payment system authorizes marriage family therapists develop discharge plans post hospital services


Summary: Protecting Children's Health in Schools Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish requirements for providing and receiving reimbursement for school-based health care for children, including children with special needs, and the related administrative and transportation costs covered under Medicaid. Includes health care provided through Medicaid managed care organizations.Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Education, acting jointly, to develop and implement a uniform methodology for claims under this Act.

schools act amends title xix medicaid schip social security act ssa establish requirements providing receiving reimbursement school based health care children including children special needs related administrative transportation costs covered medicaid includes health care provided medicaid managed care organizations directs secretary health_and_human_services secretary education acting jointly develop implement uniform methodology claims act


Summary: Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to repeal the exclusion from medical assistance under the Medicaid program of items and services for patients in an institution for mental diseases.

amends title xix medicaid social security act repeal exclusion medical assistance medicaid program items services patients institution mental diseases


Summary: Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit treatment limits or the imposition of financial requirements on mental health and substance-related disorder benefits in group health plans which are not similarly imposed on substantially all medical and surgical benefits in any category of items or services under such plans.Directs the Comptroller General to study the effect of the implementation of this Act on various aspects of the health care system, including the cost of and access to health insurance coverage, the quality of health care, Medicare, Medicaid, and state and local mental health and substance abuse treatment spending, and spending on public services.

equity act amends employee retirement income security act erisa public_health_service_act internal revenue code prohibit treatment limits imposition financial requirements mental health substance related disorder benefits group health plans similarly imposed substantially medical surgical benefits category items services plans directs comptroller_general study effect implementation act aspects health care system including cost access health insurance coverage quality health care medicare medicaid state local mental health substance abuse treatment spending spending public services


Summary: Post-Abortion Depression Research and Care Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), to expand and intensify NIMH research and related activities with respect to post-abortion depression and psychosis. Requires the Director of NIMH to: (1) conduct or support research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and to find a cure for, such post-abortion conditions; and (2) conduct a study to determine the incidence and prevalence of cases of post-abortion conditions and the symptoms, severity, and duration of such cases, toward the goal of more fully identifying the characteristics of such cases and developing diagnostic techniques. Requires the Secretary to make grants to establish, operate, and coordinate effective and cost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services to individuals with such post-abortion conditions.

care act requires secretary health_and_human_services acting director national_institutes_of_health nih director national_institute_of_mental_health expand intensify research related activities respect post abortion depression requires director conduct support research expand understanding causes find cure post abortion conditions conduct study determine incidence prevalence cases post abortion conditions symptoms severity duration cases goal fully identifying characteristics cases developing diagnostic techniques requires secretary grants establish operate coordinate effective cost efficient systems delivery essential services individuals post abortion conditions


Summary: Seniors Access to Mental Health Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide, by a gradual increase in the percentage of expenses considered incurred expenses, for a gradual reduction (from 50% to the standard 20%) by 2013 of copayment rates for outpatient psychiatric services under the Medicare program.

seniors access mental health act amends title xviii medicare social security act provide gradual increase percentage expenses considered incurred expenses gradual reduction standard copayment rates outpatient psychiatric services medicare program


Summary: Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of marriage and family therapist services generally, and particularly those provided in rural health clinics and in hospice programs, and mental health counselor services under part B of the Medicaid program. Amends Medicare part C (Miscellaneous) to exclude such services from the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system.Authorizes marriage and family therapists to develop discharge plans for post-hospital services.

seniors_mental_health_access_improvement_act amends title xviii medicare social security act provide coverage medicare supplementary_medical_insurance marriage family therapist services generally particularly provided rural health clinics hospice programs mental health counselor services medicaid program amends medicare miscellaneous exclude services skilled nursing facility prospective payment system authorizes marriage family therapists develop discharge plans post hospital services


Summary: Medicare Mental Health Modernization Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for: (1) elimination of the lifetime limit on inpatient mental health services; (2) parity in treatment for outpatient mental health services; (3) coverage of intensive residential services under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and of intensive outpatient services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); (4) exclusion of clinical social worker services from coverage under the Medicare skilled nursing facility prospective payment system; and (5) coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to Congress on whether the criteria for coverage of any therapy service or any outpatient mental health care service under Medicare unduly restricts the access to such a service of any Medicare beneficiary with Alzheimer's disease or a related mental illness because the coverage criteria requires the Medicare beneficiary to display continuing clinical improvement to continue to receive the service.

amends title xviii medicare social security act ssa provide elimination lifetime limit inpatient mental health services parity treatment outpatient mental health services coverage intensive residential services medicare intensive outpatient services medicare supplementary_medical_insurance exclusion clinical social worker services coverage medicare skilled nursing facility prospective payment system coverage marriage family therapist services mental health counselor services medicare directs secretary health_and_human_services study report congress criteria coverage therapy service outpatient mental health care service medicare unduly restricts access service medicare beneficiary alzheimer disease related mental illness coverage criteria requires medicare beneficiary display continuing clinical improvement continue receive service


Summary: Positive Aging Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to : (1) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to public and private nonprofit entities for projects to demonstrate ways of integrating mental health services for older adults into primary care settings and for multidisciplinary geriatric mental health outreach teams in community settings where older adults reside or receive social services; (2) require the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services to designate a Deputy Director for Older Adult Mental Health Services to address the mental health needs of older adults; (3) require the inclusion of representatives of older adults and their families and geriatric mental health professionals on the Advisory Council for the Center; (4) designate as a project of national significance the treatment of older adults with substance-related disorders; and (5) require state plans under the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant program to describe outreach to, and services for, older individuals and individuals who are homeless and living in rural areas.

positive aging act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services grants public private nonprofit entities projects demonstrate ways integrating mental health services older adults primary care settings multidisciplinary geriatric mental health outreach teams community settings older adults reside receive social services require director center_for_mental_health_services designate deputy director older_adult_mental_health_services address mental health needs older adults require inclusion representatives older adults families geriatric mental health professionals advisory_council_for_the_center designate project national significance treatment older adults substance related disorders require state plans community_mental_health_services block grant program describe outreach services older individuals individuals homeless living rural areas


Summary: Expanding the Promise for Individuals With Autism Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) convene, on behalf of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, a Treatments, Interventions, and Services Evaluation Task Force to evaluate evidence-based biomedical and behavioral treatments and services for individuals with autism; (2) establish a multi-year demonstration grant program for states to provide evidence-based autism treatments, interventions, and services. (3) establish planning and demonstration grant programs for adults with autism; (4) award grants to states for access to autism services following diagnosis; (5) award grants to University Centers of Excellence for Developmental Disabilities to provide services and address the unmet needs of individuals with autism and their families; (6) make grants to protection and advocacy systems to address the needs of individuals with autism and other emerging populations of individuals with disabilities; and (7) award a grant to a national nonprofit organization for the establishment and maintenance of a national technical assistance center for autism services and information dissemination.Directs the Comptroller General to issue a report on the financing of autism services and treatments.

expanding promise individuals autism act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services convene behalf interagency autism coordinating committee treatments interventions services evaluation task force evaluate evidence based biomedical behavioral treatments services individuals autism establish multi year demonstration grant program states provide evidence based autism treatments interventions services establish planning demonstration grant programs adults autism award grants states access autism services following diagnosis award grants provide services address unmet needs individuals autism families grants protection advocacy systems address needs individuals autism emerging populations individuals disabilities award grant national nonprofit organization establishment maintenance national technical assistance center autism services information dissemination directs comptroller_general issue report financing autism services treatments


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to contract with a qualified community mental health center for the provision of veterans' mental health services.

authorizes secretary veterans_affairs contract qualified community mental health center provision veterans mental health services


Summary: Sgt. Jonathan Schulze Military Health Services Improvement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to prescribe a requirement that members of the Armed Forces: (1) deploying to a combat theater receive a pre-deployment mental health evaluation conducted by a qualified mental health professional; and (2) returning from service of more than 30 days in a combat theater, or injured in a combat theater, receive a post-deployment combat stress evaluation conducted by a qualified mental health professional. Directs the Secretary to implement a program designed to: (1) raise awareness about mental health issues that members may encounter during and after deployment; and (2) reduce the stigma associated with mental health care. Directs the Secretary to develop a program to improve awareness of the availability of mental health services for, and warning signs about mental health problems in, dependents of members who served or will serve in a combat theater during the previous or next 60 days. Requires such program to include a toll-free number and informational website. Directs the Secretary: (1) and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into a memorandum of understanding to improve the transition of mental health-related cases from the Department of Defense (DOD) to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); (2) of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to treat female victims of combat stress; (3) to create an information clearinghouse to improve the availability of information about mental health professionals who treat combat stress; and (4) to provide for the availability (for afour-year period) of mental health services under the TRICARE program (a DOD managed health care program) for reserve personnel who performed certain active duty (and their family members).

sgt improvement act directs secretary defense prescribe requirement members armed_forces deploying combat theater receive pre deployment mental health evaluation conducted qualified mental health professional returning service days combat theater injured combat theater receive post deployment combat stress evaluation conducted qualified mental health professional directs secretary implement program designed raise awareness mental health issues members encounter deployment reduce stigma associated mental health care directs secretary develop program improve awareness availability mental health services warning signs mental health problems dependents members served serve combat theater previous days requires program include toll free number informational website directs secretary secretary veterans_affairs enter memorandum understanding improve transition mental health related cases department_of_defense dod department_of_veterans_affairs veterans_affairs implement pilot program treat female victims combat stress create information clearinghouse improve availability information mental health professionals treat combat stress provide availability year period mental health services tricare program dod managed health care program reserve personnel performed certain active duty family members


Summary: Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award a grant of not more than three years in duration to an eligible entity to establish, publicize, and operate a national toll-free telephone number to serve as a suicide prevention hotline targeted to and staffed predominately by veterans.

hotline act directs secretary veterans_affairs award grant years duration eligible entity establish publicize operate national toll free telephone number serve suicide prevention hotline targeted staffed predominately veterans


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide veterans' readjustment counseling and related mental health services through the use of mobile Vet Centers. Requires the Secretary to establish two mobile Vet Centers in each of five specified Veterans Integrated Service Network areas.

directs secretary veterans_affairs carry pilot program provide veterans readjustment counseling related mental health services use mobile vet_centers requires secretary establish mobile vet_centers specified veterans_integrated_service_network areas


Summary: Parental Consent Act of 2007 - Prohibits federal funds from being used to establish or implement any universal or mandatory mental health, psychiatric, or socioemotional screening program. Prohibits federal education funds from being used to pay any local educational agency or other instrument of government that uses the refusal of a parent or legal guardian to provide consent to mental health screening as the basis of a charge of child abuse, child neglect, medical neglect, or education neglect until the agency or instrument demonstrates that it is no longer using such refusal as a basis of such charge.Defines a screening program under this Act as any mental health screening program in which a set of individuals is automatically screened without regard to whether there was a prior indication of a need for mental health treatment, including: (1) any program of state incentive grants to implement recommendations in the July 2003 report of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, the State Early Childhood Comprehensive System, grants for TeenScreen, and the Foundations for Learning Grants; and (2) any student mental health screening program that allows mental health screening of individuals under 18 years of age without the express, written, voluntary, informed consent of the parent or legal guardian of the individual involved.

parental consent act prohibits federal funds establish implement universal mandatory mental health psychiatric screening program prohibits federal education funds pay local educational agency instrument government uses refusal parent legal guardian provide consent mental health screening basis charge child abuse child neglect medical neglect education neglect agency instrument demonstrates longer refusal basis charge defines screening program act mental health screening program set individuals automatically screened regard prior indication need mental health treatment including program state incentive grants implement recommendations july report president state early childhood comprehensive system grants student mental health screening program allows mental health screening individuals years age express written voluntary informed consent parent legal guardian individual involved


Summary: Mental Health Care for Our Wounded Warriors Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) members of the Armed Forces (members) deserve the best possible treatment for mental and physical illnesses and injuries sustained while in military service; (2) members should have access to mental health providers; (3) mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) should be treated with an urgency similar to physical ailments incurred by members; (4) there is a need to recruit, train, and retain more mental health care professionals to diagnose and treat members; and (5) there is a continued need for research, new treatments, and best practices for treating PTSD, as well as a long-term strategy for recruiting, training, and retaining the mental health workforce of the Department of Defense (DOD). Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish at least two centers of excellence in military mental health for, among other things, the development and implementation of DOD strategy for the prevention, identification, and treatment of combat-related mental health conditions, with an emphasis on PTSD and traumatic brain injury. Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional defense committees on appropriate actions to address current personnel shortages in the DOD mental health workforce.

mental health care wounded warriors act expresses sense congress members armed_forces members deserve best possible treatment mental physical illnesses injuries sustained military service members access mental health providers mental health disorders post traumatic stress disorder ptsd treated urgency similar physical incurred members need recruit train retain mental health care professionals diagnose treat members continued need research new treatments best practices treating ptsd long term strategy recruiting training retaining mental health workforce department_of_defense dod directs secretary defense establish centers excellence military mental health things development implementation dod strategy prevention identification treatment combat related mental health conditions emphasis ptsd traumatic brain injury requires report secretary congressional defense committees appropriate actions address current personnel shortages dod mental health workforce


Summary: Medicare Marriage and Family Therapist Services Improvement Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of marriage and family therapist services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) and for coverage of marriage and family therapist services provided in rural health clinics and hospice programs. Amends Medicare part C (Miscellaneous) to exclude such services from the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system. Authorizes marriage and family therapists to develop discharge plans for post-hospital services.

family therapist services improvement act amends title xviii medicare social security act provide coverage marriage family therapist services medicare supplementary_medical_insurance coverage marriage family therapist services provided rural health clinics hospice programs amends medicare miscellaneous exclude services skilled nursing facility prospective payment system authorizes marriage family therapists develop discharge plans post hospital services


Summary: Mental Health Services in Public Health Emergencies Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services, to make grants to: (1) states and political subdivisions to provide mental health services in response to public health emergencies; and (2) states to develop statewide plans for providing such services and to train personnel to implement such plan effectively.Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to establish the National Mental Health Crisis Response Technical Assistance Center to: (1) provide consultation and technical assistance to the Director and state and local governments on developing and implementing plans for providing mental health services in response to public health emergencies; (2) develop policy guidelines on mental health concerns related to crisis incidents and develop recommendations for proposed regulations and legislative proposals; (3) develop and conduct training events and conferences on mental health needs of disaster victims and witnesses; (4) serve as the principal clearinghouse for information concerning the mental health aspects of public health emergencies; and (5) provide onsite technical expertise during public health emergencies.Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to award grants for the training of health professionals with respect to the treatment of individuals who are victims of disaster.

emergencies act amends public_health_service_act allow secretary health_and_human_services acting director center_for_mental_health_services grants states political subdivisions provide mental health services response public health emergencies states develop statewide plans providing services train personnel implement plan effectively requires secretary acting director establish provide consultation technical assistance director state local governments developing implementing plans providing mental health services response public health emergencies develop policy guidelines mental health concerns related crisis incidents develop recommendations proposed regulations legislative proposals develop conduct training events conferences mental health needs disaster victims witnesses serve principal clearinghouse information concerning mental health aspects public health emergencies provide onsite technical expertise public health emergencies requires secretary acting director award grants training health professionals respect treatment individuals victims disaster


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program to provide to veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, particularly veterans who served in such Operations while in the National Guard and reserves: (1) peer outreach and support services; (2) readjustment counseling and related services; and (3) mental health services. Directs the Secretary to also provide to immediate family members of such veterans, during the three-year period following the return of the veterans from such a deployment, education, support, counseling, and mental health services to assist in: (1) readjustment to civilian life; (2) recovery from an injury or illness incurred during such deployment; and (3) readjustment of the family following the veteran's return.Authorizes the Secretary to contract with community health centers and other qualified entities to provide such services in areas not adequately served by health care facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).Requires the Secretary to: (1) contract for a program to train veterans to provide the peer outreach and support services; and (2) conduct a training program for clinicians of community health centers and entities contracted to provide such services.Extends the eligibility for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for veterans who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations from two to five years after their discharge or release from such duty.

directs secretary veterans_affairs establish program provide veterans operations iraqi freedom enduring_freedom particularly veterans served operations national_guard reserves peer outreach support services readjustment counseling related services mental health services directs secretary provide immediate family members veterans year period following return veterans deployment education support counseling mental health services assist readjustment civilian life recovery injury illness incurred deployment readjustment family following veteran return authorizes secretary contract community health centers qualified entities provide services areas adequately served health care facilities department_of_veterans_affairs secretary contract program train veterans provide peer outreach support services conduct training program clinicians community health centers entities contracted provide services extends eligibility hospital care medical services nursing home care veterans served active duty theater combat operations years discharge release duty


Summary: TRICARE Mental Health Services Enhancement Act - Amends the TRICARE program (a Department of Defense (DOD) managed health care program) to authorize the provision of mental health counseling for TRICARE participants. Authorizes the provision of mental health services in DOD clinical trials. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to authorize the Secretary of Defense to enter into personal service contracts with mental health counselors. Includes mental health counselors within DOD licensure requirements for health-care professionals.

enhancement act amends tricare program department_of_defense dod managed health care program authorize provision mental health counseling tricare participants authorizes provision mental health services dod clinical trials amends national_defense_authorization_act fiscal year authorize secretary defense enter personal service contracts mental health counselors includes mental health counselors dod licensure requirements health care professionals