Summary: Affordable Health Care Expansion Act of 2011- Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Restores provisions of law amended by such Act or provisions. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow individual taxpayers a refundable tax credit for health insurance costs paid for the benefit of the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, and dependents; (2) require business taxpayers who receive payments for certain employee health insurance coverage to file informational returns; and (3) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to make advance payments of health insurance tax credit amounts to health insurance providers.

repeals patient protection affordable care act health care related provisions health_care_and_education reconciliation act restores provisions law amended act provisions amends internal revenue code allow individual taxpayers refundable tax credit health insurance costs paid benefit taxpayer taxpayer spouse dependents require business taxpayers receive payments certain employee health insurance coverage file informational returns direct secretary treasury advance payments health insurance tax credit amounts health insurance providers


Summary: Allows the Secretary of Defense (DOD), beginning in FY2012, to increase a premium, deductible, copayment, or other charge for health care provided under TRICARE (a DOD managed care program) only if: (1) the rates of monthly basic pay for members of the Armed Forces are increased for the same year, and (2) the increase to TRICARE charges is not more than half the percentage by which amounts payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act are increased for the same year.

allows secretary defense dod beginning fy2012 increase premium deductible copayment charge health care provided tricare dod managed care program rates monthly basic pay members armed_forces increased year increase tricare charges half percentage amounts payable title survivors disability insurance social security act increased year


Summary: Strengthening Medicare Anti-Fraud Measures Act of 2011 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to exclude from participation in any federal health care program entities affiliated with a sanctioned entity, as well as any officer or managing employee of an affiliated entity (currently, only individuals with an ownership or control interest in a sanctioned entity), if the affiliated entity was so affiliated at the time of any of the conduct forming the basis for the conviction or exclusion of the sanctioned entity.

strengthening medicare anti fraud measures act amends title social security act authorize secretary health_and_human_services hhs exclude participation federal health care program entities affiliated sanctioned entity officer managing employee affiliated entity currently individuals ownership control interest sanctioned entity affiliated entity affiliated time conduct forming basis conviction exclusion sanctioned entity


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a maximum annual benefit of $3,750 ($7,500 for married couples filing a joint tax return) for a dependent care flexible spending arrangement; and (2) allow a carryover of unused dependent care benefits in tax-exempt cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements into the next plan year.

amends internal revenue code allow maximum annual benefit married couples filing joint tax return dependent care flexible spending arrangement allow carryover unused dependent care benefits tax exempt cafeteria plans flexible spending arrangements plan year


Summary: Personal Responsibility in Health Care Insurance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit an individual to avoid the requirements to maintain minimum essential coverage by signing an affidavit of personal responsibility with respect to the individual or any dependents. Requires such an affidavit to include an acknowledgment that the individual is waiving: (1) eligibility to enroll in a qualified health plan through a health insurance exchange, (2) the applicability of provisions prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions, and (3) the ability to discharge health care debts in a bankruptcy. Makes an exemption effective for three years and renewable. Sets forth eligibility requirements, including that such individual is not eligible for any other exemption from the requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage and is not enrolled in any minimum essential coverage.

internal revenue code permit individual avoid requirements maintain minimum essential coverage signing affidavit personal responsibility respect individual dependents requires affidavit include acknowledgment individual waiving eligibility enroll qualified health plan health insurance exchange applicability provisions prohibiting preexisting condition exclusions ability discharge health care debts bankruptcy makes exemption effective years renewable sets forth eligibility requirements including individual eligible exemption requirement maintain minimum essential coverage enrolled minimum essential coverage


Summary: Soldiers Targeted by Offensive Profiteering Act of 2011 (STOP Act) - Prohibits any person, except with permission, from using the name or image of a protected individual in connection with any merchandise, retail product, impersonation, solicitation, or commercial activity in a manner calculated to connect the protected individual with that individual's service in the Armed Forces. Defines as a "protected individual" any person who: (1) is a member of the Armed Forces; or (2) was a member at any time after April 5, 1917, and, if not living, has a surviving spouse, child, parent, grandparent, or sibling. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring actions to enjoin violations of this Act.

soldiers targeted stop act prohibits person permission image protected individual connection merchandise retail product solicitation commercial activity manner calculated connect protected individual individual service armed_forces defines protected individual person member armed_forces member time april living surviving spouse child parent grandparent sibling authorizes attorney general bring actions enjoin violations act


Summary: Congressional Foreign Travel Reform Act of 2011 - Authorizes the House of Representatives and the Senate to obtain local currencies of foreign nations to provide a per diem allowance to a Member, officer, or employee of each chamber on official foreign travel, if the individual obtains an authorization to receive such an allowance from the appropriate specified congressional officer or committee chairman. Limits such local currency to up to the equivalent of $75 per day per person, or the authorized maximum per diem allowance for federal employees while traveling in a foreign country, whichever is greater, exclusive of the actual cost of transportation. Prohibits any Member or employee of the House from undertaking any official foreign travel unless, within 14 days before and within 14 days after such travel, the individual prepares and makes available for public inspection a specified statement containing certain travel-related information. Prohibits a vacation stopover for annual leave at any point during official foreign travel. Specifies restrictions on official foreign travel by Member and House committee employees, except travel to a military installation or to a theater of operations of the Armed Forces. Requires Members of the House and employees who undertake official foreign travel to: (1) take necessary actions to reduce travel costs, and (2) return any per diem remaining unexpended at conclusion of the travel.

reform act authorizes house_of_representatives senate obtain local currencies foreign nations provide diem allowance member officer employee chamber official foreign travel individual obtains authorization receive allowance appropriate specified congressional officer committee chairman limits local currency equivalent day person authorized maximum diem allowance federal employees traveling foreign country whichever greater exclusive actual cost transportation prohibits member employee house undertaking official foreign travel days days travel individual prepares makes available public inspection specified statement containing certain travel related information prohibits vacation annual leave point official foreign travel specifies restrictions official foreign travel member house committee employees travel military installation theater operations armed_forces requires members house employees undertake official foreign travel necessary actions reduce travel costs return diem remaining unexpended conclusion travel


Summary: Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover the services of a qualified respiratory therapist performed under the general supervision of a physician.

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


Summary: Medical Practice Freedom Act of 2011 - Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) or any state from requiring any health care provider to participate in any health plan as a condition of licensure of the provider in any state.

medical practice freedom act prohibits secretary health_and_human_services hhs state requiring health care provider participate health plan condition licensure provider state


Summary: Critical Care Assessment and Improvement Act of 2011 - Requires studies on critical care in the United States by the Institute of Medicine and the Comptroller General.  Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to establish the Critical Care Coordinating Council to coordinate the collection and analysis of information on current NIH research relating to the care of the critically ill and injured, identify gaps in such research, and make recommendations to the Director of NIH on how to improve such research. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the adequacy of the number of critical care practitioners in disaster medical assistance teams, the Medical Reserve Corps, and the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, to develop guidelines or best practices for the evacuation of intensive care units during a national health emergency, including a pandemic or natural disaster, that ensure the safe and effective evacuation of all individuals regardless of age, disability, or life expectancy. Requires the Secretary to establish the Panel on Emergency Preparedness Databases to: (1) assess the adequacy of existing national preparedness databases in facilitating effective and coordinated medical responses during a national health emergency; (2) identify gaps in existing information networks; and  (3) recommend specific ways to improve awareness of the availability of resources before, during, and after an incident. Prohibits the Secretary from using any finding or recommendation developed under this Act in making coverage, reimbursement, or incentive determinations under any program in a a manner that precludes or discourages an individual from choosing a health care treatment based on how the individual values the tradeoff between extending the length of life and the risk of disability.

critical care assessment improvement act requires studies critical care united_states institute_of_medicine comptroller_general directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs acting director national_institutes_of_health nih establish coordinate collection analysis information current nih research relating care critically ill injured identify gaps research recommendations director nih improve research requires secretary report congress adequacy number critical care practitioners disaster medical assistance teams medical_reserve_corps requires secretary acting director agency healthcare_research quality assistant secretary preparedness response develop guidelines best practices evacuation intensive care units national health emergency including pandemic natural disaster ensure safe effective evacuation individuals regardless age disability life expectancy requires secretary establish assess adequacy existing national preparedness databases facilitating effective coordinated medical responses national health emergency identify gaps existing information networks recommend specific ways improve awareness availability resources incident prohibits secretary finding recommendation developed act making coverage reimbursement incentive determinations program manner precludes discourages individual choosing health care treatment based individual values extending length life risk disability


Summary: Health Care Waiver Fairness Act of 2011 - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Treasury to establish waiver processes under which the administrator of a health plan, an employer, an individual, or other entity may seek to waive the application of a health insurance coverage requirement under PPACA. Sets forth PPACA requirements that may be waived, including those related to minimum essential coverage and employers offering health care coverage to employees. Establishes requirements for the waiver process, including requiring submission of a statement describing how the imposition of the PPACA requirement would result in a significant decrease in access to coverage or a significant increase in premiums or other costs for such plan, employer, individual, or entity. Deems to be approved any waiver including such a statement. Requires the Secretary of HHS to conduct a public awareness campaign of the waiver process with funds made available for the Prevention and Public Health Fund.

health care waiver fairness act amends patient protection affordable care act ppaca require secretary health_and_human_services hhs secretary labor secretary treasury establish waiver processes administrator health plan employer individual entity seek waive application health insurance coverage requirement ppaca sets forth ppaca requirements waived including related minimum essential coverage employers offering health care coverage employees establishes requirements waiver process including requiring submission statement describing imposition ppaca requirement result significant decrease access coverage significant increase premiums costs plan employer individual entity deems approved waiver including statement requires secretary hhs conduct public awareness campaign waiver process funds available prevention_and_public_health_fund


Summary: Health Flexible Spending Arrangements Improvements Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a distribution to a participant in a flexible spending arrangement (FSA) of FSA funds not used to reimburse medical expenses by the end of the plan year (currently, unspent funds must be forfeited). Limits the amount of such distribution to the lesser of: (1) $500; or (2) the excess of the salary reduction contributions to the FSA, over reimbursements for medical expenses for the plan year. Includes such distributions in the gross income of the FSA participant for income and employment tax purposes.

health flexible spending arrangements improvements act amends internal revenue code allow distribution participant flexible spending arrangement fsa fsa funds reimburse medical expenses end plan year currently unspent funds forfeited limits distribution lesser excess salary reduction contributions fsa reimbursements medical expenses plan year includes distributions gross income fsa participant income employment tax purposes


Summary: Medicare Ambulance Access Preservation Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase to 6% the rate of increase in the fee schedule for ground ambulance services furnished between January 1, 2012, and January 1, 2018, in rural and urban areas. Extends to January 1, 2018, the increase in the base rate of the fee schedule the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is required to make for a trip in the case of ground ambulance services furnished on or after July 1, 2004, for which the transportation originates in a qualified low population density rural area.

medicare ambulance access preservation act amends title xviii medicare social security act increase rate increase fee schedule ground ambulance services furnished january january rural urban areas extends january increase base rate fee schedule secretary health_and_human_services hhs required trip case ground ambulance services furnished july transportation originates qualified low population density rural area


Summary: Medicare Beneficiary Freedom to Choose Act of 2011- Amends title XVIII (Medicare) to revise requirements for the use of private contracts by Medicare beneficiaries under which no Medicare claims shall be made. Requires any such contract to be in writing and signed by the Medicare beneficiary. Allows individuals to choose to opt out of the Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance), and makes them eligible for health savings accounts.

medicare beneficiary freedom choose act amends title xviii medicare revise requirements use private contracts medicare beneficiaries medicare claims shall requires contract writing signed medicare beneficiary allows individuals choose opt medicare makes eligible health savings accounts


Summary: Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) and the nation have a committed health benefits obligation to retired military personnel that exceeds the obligation of corporate employers to civilian employees; and (2) DOD has many additional options to constrain the growth of health care spending in ways that do not disadvantage beneficiaries, and should pursue such options rather than seeking large fee increases for beneficiaries. Prohibits an increase after: (1) April 1, 2006, in a premium, deductible, copayment, or other charge prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for medical and dental health care coverage for military personnel; and (2) September 30, 2011, in the dollar amount of a cost-sharing requirement under the DOD pharmacy benefits program. Prohibits: (1) charges for DOD inpatient care from exceeding $535 per day; and (2) beginning on October 1, 2011, an increase in premiums under TRICARE (a DOD managed health care program) for certain members of the Selected Reserve and Retired Reserve.

military retirees health care protection act expresses sense congress department_of_defense dod nation committed health benefits obligation retired military personnel exceeds obligation corporate employers civilian employees dod additional options constrain growth health care spending ways disadvantage beneficiaries pursue options seeking large fee increases beneficiaries prohibits increase april premium deductible copayment charge prescribed secretary defense medical dental health care coverage military personnel september dollar cost sharing requirement dod pharmacy benefits program prohibits charges dod inpatient care exceeding day beginning october increase premiums tricare dod managed health care program certain members


Summary: Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to repeal: (1) the prohibition against Medicare participation by physician-owned hospitals that do not have a provider agreement by August 1, 2010, which nonetheless allows their Medicare participation under a rural provider and hospital exception to a specified ownership or investment prohibition if they meet certain requirements; and (2) the requirement that drug, device, biological and medical supply manufacturers report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) any transfers of value made to a physician, physician medical practice, a physician group practice, and/or teaching hospital, as well as information on any physician ownership or investment interest in the manufacturer. Restores or revives related previous law amended or repealed by PPACA as if PPACA had not been enacted.

amends patient_protection affordable care act ppaca repeal prohibition medicare participation physician owned hospitals provider agreement august nonetheless allows medicare participation rural provider hospital exception specified ownership investment prohibition meet certain requirements requirement drug device biological medical supply manufacturers report secretary health_and_human_services hhs transfers value physician physician medical practice physician group practice teaching hospital information physician ownership investment interest manufacturer restores revives related previous law amended repealed ppaca ppaca enacted


Summary: Health Care Waiver Transparency Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish detailed criteria used by the Secretary to approve a waiver, adjustment, or other compliance relief provided for under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, including how significant of a decrease in benefits or increase in premiums would need to occur in order to be approved for a waiver. Directs the Secretary to publish each application for a waiver and the approval or rejection of the waiver while ensuring the confidentiality of proprietary information of each applicant. Prohibits any preferential treatment to be given to an applicant based on political contributions or association with a labor union, a health plan provided for under a collective bargaining agreement, or another organized labor group.

health care waiver transparency act requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs publish detailed criteria secretary approve waiver adjustment compliance relief provided patient_protection affordable care act health care provisions health_care_and_education reconciliation act including significant decrease benefits increase premiums need occur order approved waiver directs secretary publish application waiver approval rejection waiver ensuring confidentiality proprietary information applicant prohibits preferential treatment given applicant based political contributions association labor union health plan provided collective bargaining agreement organized labor group


Summary: Access to Professional Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to exclude remuneration paid for licensed independent insurance producers from administrative cost calculations for purposes of calculating the medical-loss ratio of a health insurance plan. Defines "independent insurance producer" to mean an insurance agent or broker, insurance consultant, benefit specialist, limited insurance representative, and any other person required to be licensed under the laws of the particular state to sell, solicit, negotiate, service, effect, procure, renew, or bind policies of insurance coverage or offer advice, counsel, opinions, or services related to insurance. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), when a state requests an adjustment of a medical-loss ratio, to defer to the state's findings and determinations as to whether enforcing the required medical-loss ratio may destabilize the individual or small group markets for health insurance.

amends public_health_service_act exclude remuneration paid licensed independent insurance producers administrative cost calculations purposes calculating medical loss ratio health insurance plan defines independent insurance producer mean insurance agent broker insurance consultant benefit specialist limited insurance representative person required licensed laws particular state sell solicit negotiate service effect procure renew bind policies insurance coverage offer advice counsel opinions services related insurance requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs state requests adjustment medical loss ratio defer state findings determinations enforcing required medical loss ratio individual small group markets health insurance


Summary: Military Health Care Affordability Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) so long as the United States sends men and women into battle, the United States will be faithful to care for them upon their return; (2) as the veteran answered the call of duty, so too, is the United States duty-bound to answer the call of the veteran; and (3) the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have the tools and ingenuity to provide continued excellent health care without increasing TRICARE payments from the veteran before fiscal year 2014. Extends through FY2013 (under current law, through FY2011) the prohibition on increases in certain health care costs and restrictions on health benefit adjustments for members of the Armed Forces, retirees, and their dependents, including charges and premiums under TRICARE (a DOD managed care program) and cost-sharing requirements under the DOD pharmacy benefits program.

military health care affordability act expresses sense congress long united_states men women battle united_states faithful care return veteran duty united_states duty bound answer veteran department_of_defense dod department_of_veterans_affairs tools provide continued excellent health care increasing tricare payments veteran fiscal year extends fy2013 current law fy2011 prohibition increases certain health care costs restrictions health benefit adjustments members armed_forces retirees dependents including charges premiums tricare dod managed care program cost sharing requirements dod pharmacy benefits program


Summary: Medical Foods Equity Act of 2011 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to include coverage of: (1) medically necessary food and food modified to be low protein that is formulated to be consumed or administered under the supervision of a physician and the medical equipment and supplies necessary to administer such food; and (2) pharmacological doses of vitamins and amino acids used for the treatment of inborn errors of metabolism. Applies such coverage requirements to the TRICARE program (military health care). Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to require health plans to provide coverage of such food, vitamins, and amino acids. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to determine the minimum yearly coverage for all health insurance plans based upon the expanded coverage provided by this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to establish age-specific minimum levels of coverage. Declares that the minimum yearly coverage determined by the Secretary shall not preempt any state standards that require a higher minimum yearly coverage level for the same services and benefits.

amends titles xviii medicare xix medicaid chip known schip social security act include coverage medically necessary food food modified low protein formulated consumed administered supervision physician medical equipment supplies necessary administer food pharmacological doses vitamins amino acids treatment inborn errors metabolism applies coverage requirements tricare program military health care amends employee retirement income security act erisa public_health_service_act internal revenue code require health plans provide coverage food vitamins amino acids requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs determine minimum yearly coverage health insurance plans based expanded coverage provided act authorizes secretary establish age specific minimum levels coverage declares minimum yearly coverage determined secretary shall preempt state standards require higher minimum yearly coverage level services benefits


Summary: Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to repeal provisions imposing an annual fee on health insurance providers.

amends patient_protection affordable care act repeal provisions imposing annual fee health insurance providers


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to automatically enroll in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical system certain veterans who served on active duty in combat operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War or in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after November 11, 1998. Gives such veterans the option of declining enrollment.

directs secretary veterans_affairs automatically enroll department_of_veterans_affairs medical system certain veterans served active duty combat operations period war persian_gulf_war combat hostile force period hostilities november gives veterans option declining enrollment


Summary: Medicare Beneficiary Preservation of Choice Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to repeal the allowance for disenrollment, between January 1 and March 15 of each year, only from an MedicareAdvantage plan to elect enrollment in the original Medicare fee-for-service program. Restores the option under previous law to elect to change from a MedicareAdvantage to the original Medicare fee-for-service plan, or from the original Medicare fee-for-service to a MedicareAdvantage plan, once a year during the first three months.

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


Summary: Medicare Enrollment Protection Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) establish a special Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) enrollment period period for individuals enrolled in COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) continuation coverage who elected not to enroll under part B during the individual's initial enrollment period; (2) require a continuous open Medicare part B enrollment, apart from an initial enrollment period or a special enrollment period, during which there shall be an increase in the monthly premium; (3) provide for special enrollment periods to correct errors, misrepresentations, or the inaction of officers, employees, or agents of group health plans or plan sponsors; and (4) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure appropriate coordination of Medicare part B with American Health Benefit Exchanges under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on enrollment in the Medicare part B program.

amends title xviii medicare social security act establish special medicare supplementary_medical_insurance enrollment period period individuals enrolled cobra consolidated_omnibus_budget reconciliation act continuation coverage elected enroll individual initial enrollment period require continuous open medicare enrollment apart initial enrollment period special enrollment period shall increase monthly premium provide special enrollment periods correct errors misrepresentations inaction officers employees agents group health plans plan sponsors direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs ensure appropriate coordination medicare patient_protection affordable care act ppaca directs comptroller general report congress enrollment medicare program


Summary: Women's Excellence of Care and Accessibility Review and Evaluation Act or the WE CARE Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to: (1) conduct a comprehensive review of women-specific health services and treatment available for female members of the Armed Forces, and (2) report review results to the congressional defense committees.

women excellence care accessibility review evaluation act care act directs secretary defense dod conduct comprehensive review women specific health services treatment available female members armed_forces report review results congressional defense committees


Summary: Janey Ensminger Act - Presumes a service connection, for veterans' benefits purposes, for any illness associated with contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, during a period in which the water there was contaminated by volatile organic compounds, including known and probable human carcinogens, notwithstanding evidence of such illness during such period. Makes family members who resided at such location during such period, or were in utero during such period while the mother resided at such location, eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for any condition or disability associated with exposure to such contaminants.

act presumes service connection veterans benefits purposes illness associated contaminants water supply camp lejeune period water contaminated volatile organic compounds including known probable human carcinogens notwithstanding evidence illness period makes family members resided location period period mother resided location eligible hospital care medical services nursing home care department_of_veterans_affairs condition disability associated exposure contaminants


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

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


Summary: Community Pharmacy Fairness Act of 2011 - Entitles independent pharmacies negotiating contract terms with a health plan for the provision of health care items or services to the same treatment under the antitrust laws as the treatment to which bargaining units recognized under the National Labor Relations Act are entitled. Treats such a pharmacy as an employee engaged in concerted activities in connection with such negotiations. Exempts actions taken in good faith reliance on this Act from being subject to criminal sanctions or civil penalties beyond actual damages incurred. Provides that this Act does not exempt from application of antitrust laws any agreement or unlawful conspiracy that: (1) would have the effect of boycotting any independent pharmacy; (2) would exclude, limit the participation or reimbursement of, or otherwise limit the scope of services to be provided by any independent pharmacy or group of independent pharmacies with respect to the performance of services that are within their scope of practice as defined or permitted by relevant law or regulation; (3) allocates a market among competitors; (4) unlawfully ties the sale or purchase of one product or service to the sale or purchase of another product or service; or (5) monopolizes or attempts to monopolize a market. Provides that this Act shall not apply to negotiations between pharmacies and health plans regarding benefits provided under specified federal programs, including Medicaid, veterans' medical care, and the federal employees' health benefits program. Requires the Comptroller General to study the impact of this Act after five years.Provides that this Act does not preclude the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Department of Justice (DOJ) from overseeing the conduct of independent pharmacies covered under this Act.

community pharmacy fairness act entitles independent pharmacies negotiating contract terms health plan provision health care items services treatment antitrust laws treatment bargaining units recognized national_labor_relations_act entitled treats pharmacy employee engaged concerted activities connection negotiations exempts actions taken good faith reliance act subject criminal sanctions civil penalties actual damages incurred provides act exempt application antitrust laws agreement unlawful conspiracy effect independent pharmacy exclude limit participation reimbursement limit scope services provided independent pharmacy group independent pharmacies respect performance services scope practice defined permitted relevant law regulation allocates market competitors unlawfully ties sale purchase product service sale purchase product service attempts market provides act shall apply negotiations pharmacies health plans benefits provided specified federal programs including medicaid veterans medical care federal employees health benefits program requires comptroller general study impact act years provides act preclude federal_trade_commission ftc department_of_justice doj overseeing conduct independent pharmacies covered act


Summary: Medicare IVIG Access and Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers Act of 2012 - Title I: Medicare IVIG Access - (Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a three-year demonstration project under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to evaluate the benefits of providing payment for items and services needed for the in-home administration of intravenous immune globin (IVIG) for the treatment of primary immune deficiency diseases. Requires the Secretary to enroll up to 4,000 Medicare beneficiaries who have been diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency disease for participation in the project. Requires that generally items and services for which payment may be made under the demonstration program be treated and covered under SSA title XVIII part B in the same manner as similar items and services covered under that part. Directs the Secretary to establish a per visit payment amount for items and services needed for the in-home IVIG administration based on the national per visit low-utilization payment amount under the prospective payment system for home health services under Medicare. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such Medicare requirements as may be necessary to carry out the demonstration project. Specifies requirements for interim and final evaluations for Congress of the impact of the demonstration project on Medicare beneficiary access to items and services needed for in-home IVIG administration. Requires the final report to Congress to: (1) analyze the appropriateness of implementing a new payment methodology for IVIGs in all care settings under Medicare part B; and (3) update the report entitled "Analysis of Supply, Distribution, Demand, and Access Issues Associated with Immune Globulin Intravenous (IGIV)," issued in February 2007 by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of HHS for Planning and Evaluation. Makes specified funds available for the project from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Title II: Strengthening Medicare Secondary Payer Rules - (Sec. 201) Adds requirements for determination through a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website of a final amount for reimbursement to the appropriate Trust Fund for a conditional Medicare secondary payment in the event that a beneficiary's primary plan proves to be responsible. Allows a Medicare claimant or applicable plan, within 120 days before the reasonably expected date of a settlement, judgment, award, or other payment, to notify the Secretary that a payment is reasonably expected and the payment's expected date. Directs the Secretary to maintain and make available to Medicare beneficiaries (and to authorized family or other recognized representatives and to an applicable plan which has obtained the beneficiary's consent) access through a CMS website to information on claims for items and services, including those relating to a potential settlement, judgment, award, or other payment. Prescribes requirements for such a website. Deems to be the final conditional amount subject to recovery related to a settlement, judgment, award, or other payment any statement of reimbursement amount an individual downloads from the CMS website during a specified protected period, if the settlement, judgment, award, or other payment is made during the same period. Prescribes requirements for resolution of discrepancies with a statement of reimbursement amount. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations establishing a right of appeal and an appeals process with respect to any payment determination for which recovery of conditional payments is sought from an applicable primary plan. (Sec. 202) Creates an exception to the requirement that a primary plan (and any entity receiving payment from a primary plan) reimburse the appropriate Trust Fund for any Medicare payment with respect to an item or service if the primary plan has or had a responsibility to make the payment. Declares that this repayment requirement shall not apply with respect to any settlement, judgment, or other payment by an applicable plan arising from liability insurance (including self-insurance) and from alleged physical trauma-based incidents (excluding alleged ingestion, implantation, or exposure cases) constituting a total payment obligation to a claimant of not more than a single threshold amount calculated by the Secretary for the year involved. Directs the Secretary to calculate and publish a single threshold amount annually according to a specified formula (excluding ongoing expenses). Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress on the single threshold amount for settlements, judgments, awards, or other payments for conditional payment obligations arising from liability insurance and alleged incidents, but also on the establishment and application of similar thresholds for conditional payment obligations arising from worker compensation cases and no fault insurance cases. (Sec. 203) Changes from mandatory to discretionary the civil monetary penalty of up to $1,000 for an applicable plan that fails to comply with requirements for determining if a claimant is entitled to Medicare benefits and for submitting to the Secretary for each day of noncompliance with respect to each claimant related information by or on behalf of liability insurance (including self-insurance), no fault insurance, and workers' compensation laws and plans. Directs the Secretary to publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting proposals for the specification of practices for which sanctions will and will not be imposed (safe harbors). Requires the Secretary, after considering the proposals submitted, to publish in the Federal Register, for comment, proposed specified practices for which such sanctions will and will not be imposed. Requires the Secretary, after considering any public comment, to issue final rules specifying such practices. (Sec. 204) Requires the Secretary to modify insurance information reporting requirements so that an applicable plan, in complying with them, is permitted but not required to access or report to the Secretary beneficiary Social Security account numbers or health identification claim numbers. Requires extension of the deadline for such modification by one or more periods of up to one year each if the Secretary notifies appropriate congressional committees that the prior deadline, without an extension, threatens patient privacy or the integrity of the secondary payer program. (Sec. 205) Sets a three-year statute of limitations on a Medicare secondary payer claim by the Secretary for reimbursement against an applicable plan that becomes a Medicare primary payer pursuant to a settlement, judgment, award, or other payment made relating to the payment owed.

strengthening medicare repaying taxpayers act title medicare ivig access sec directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish year demonstration project title xviii medicare social security act ssa evaluate benefits providing payment items services needed home administration intravenous immune ivig treatment primary immune deficiency diseases requires secretary enroll medicare beneficiaries diagnosed primary immunodeficiency disease participation project requires generally items services payment demonstration program treated covered ssa title xviii manner similar items services covered directs secretary establish visit payment items services needed home ivig administration based national visit low utilization payment prospective payment system home health services medicare authorizes secretary waive medicare requirements necessary carry demonstration project specifies requirements interim final evaluations congress impact demonstration project medicare beneficiary access items services needed home ivig administration requires final report congress analyze appropriateness implementing new payment methodology care settings medicare update report entitled analysis supply distribution demand access issues associated issued february office assistant secretary makes specified funds available project federal_supplementary_medical_insurance_trust_fund title strengthening medicare secondary payer rules sec adds requirements determination centers medicare medicaid_services cms website final reimbursement appropriate trust_fund conditional medicare secondary payment event beneficiary primary plan proves responsible allows medicare claimant applicable plan days reasonably expected date settlement judgment award payment notify secretary payment reasonably expected payment expected date directs secretary maintain available medicare beneficiaries authorized family recognized representatives applicable plan obtained beneficiary consent access cms website information claims items services including relating potential settlement judgment award payment prescribes requirements website deems final conditional subject recovery related settlement judgment award payment statement reimbursement individual cms website specified protected period settlement judgment award payment period prescribes requirements resolution discrepancies statement reimbursement directs secretary promulgate regulations establishing right appeal appeals process respect payment determination recovery conditional payments sought applicable primary plan sec creates exception requirement primary plan entity receiving payment primary plan reimburse appropriate trust_fund medicare payment respect item service primary plan responsibility payment declares repayment requirement shall apply respect settlement judgment payment applicable plan arising liability insurance including self insurance alleged physical trauma based incidents excluding alleged ingestion exposure cases constituting total payment obligation claimant single threshold calculated secretary year involved directs secretary calculate publish single threshold annually according specified formula excluding ongoing expenses requires secretary report annually congress single threshold settlements judgments awards payments conditional payment obligations arising liability insurance alleged incidents establishment application similar thresholds conditional payment obligations arising worker compensation cases fault insurance cases sec changes mandatory discretionary civil monetary penalty applicable plan fails comply requirements determining claimant entitled medicare benefits submitting secretary day noncompliance respect claimant related information behalf liability insurance including self insurance fault insurance workers compensation laws plans directs secretary publish notice federal_register soliciting proposals specification practices sanctions imposed safe harbors requires secretary considering proposals submitted publish federal_register comment proposed specified practices sanctions imposed requires secretary considering public comment issue final rules specifying practices sec requires secretary modify insurance information reporting requirements applicable plan complying permitted required access report secretary beneficiary social_security account numbers health identification claim numbers requires extension deadline modification periods year secretary notifies appropriate congressional committees prior deadline extension threatens patient privacy integrity secondary payer program sec sets year statute limitations medicare secondary payer claim secretary reimbursement applicable plan medicare primary payer pursuant settlement judgment award payment relating payment owed


Summary: State Compact Health Choice Act of 2011 - Eliminates the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to regulate health care choice compacts, which are agreements between two or more states to allow health plans that comply with one state's laws to be offered in the individual market in all such states. Gives Congress's consent to such compacts. Removes the requirement that a health plan under such a compact be a qualified health plan. Authorizes Congress to revoke consent for such compacts by passing a joint resolution. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt an individual covered under a plan subject to such a compact from the requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage.

authority secretary health_and_human_services hhs regulate health care choice compacts agreements states allow health plans comply state laws offered individual market states gives congress consent compacts removes requirement health plan compact qualified health plan authorizes congress revoke consent compacts passing joint resolution amends internal revenue code exempt individual covered plan subject compact requirement maintain minimum essential coverage


Summary: Preserving Our Hometown Independent Pharmacies Act of 2011 - Treats independent pharmacies negotiating contract terms with a health plan for the provision of health care items or services the same under the antitrust laws as an employee engaged in concerted activities, and not as an employer, independent contractor, managerial employee, or supervisor, only in connection with such negotiations. Exempts actions taken in good faith reliance on this Act from being subject to criminal sanctions or civil penalties beyond actual damages incurred. Provides that this Act does not exempt from application of antitrust laws any agreement or unlawful conspiracy that: (1) would have the effect of boycotting any independent pharmacy; (2) would exclude, limit the participation or reimbursement of, or otherwise limit the scope of services to be provided by any independent pharmacy or group of independent pharmacies with respect to the performance of services that are within their scope of practice as defined or permitted by relevant law or regulation; (3) allocates a market among competitors; (4) unlawfully ties the sale or purchase of one product or service to the sale or purchase of another product or service; or (5) monopolizes or attempts to monopolize a market. Provides that this Act shall not apply to negotiations between pharmacies and health plans regarding benefits provided under specified federal programs, including Medicaid, veterans' medical care, and the federal employees' health benefits program. Requires the Comptroller General to study the impact of this Act after five years. Provides that this Act does not preclude the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Department of Justice (DOJ) from overseeing the conduct of independent pharmacies covered under this Act.

preserving independent pharmacies act treats independent pharmacies negotiating contract terms health plan provision health care items services antitrust laws employee engaged concerted activities employer independent contractor managerial employee supervisor connection negotiations exempts actions taken good faith reliance act subject criminal sanctions civil penalties actual damages incurred provides act exempt application antitrust laws agreement unlawful conspiracy effect independent pharmacy exclude limit participation reimbursement limit scope services provided independent pharmacy group independent pharmacies respect performance services scope practice defined permitted relevant law regulation allocates market competitors unlawfully ties sale purchase product service sale purchase product service attempts market provides act shall apply negotiations pharmacies health plans benefits provided specified federal programs including medicaid veterans medical care federal employees health benefits program requires comptroller general study impact act years provides act preclude federal_trade_commission ftc department_of_justice doj overseeing conduct independent pharmacies covered act


Summary: Family and Retirement Health Investment Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to health savings accounts (HSAs), to allow: (1) both spouses to make increased catch-up contributions to the same HSA; (2) Medicare Part A beneficiaries to establish and contribute to an HSA; (3) veterans eligible for service-connected disability benefits and individuals eligible for Indian health service assistance to establish an HSA; (4) individuals eligible to receive benefits under certain TRICARE plans to establish an HSA; (5) a carryforward of unused benefits, up to $500, in a flexible spending arrangement; (6) payments from an HSA for prescription and over-the-counter medicine or drugs; (7) the use of HSAs to purchase certain health insurance coverage and long-term care insurance; and (8) payment of certain medical expenses incurred before the establishment of an HSA. Amends the bankruptcy code to treat HSAs as tax-exempt individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for purposes of exempting them from creditor claims. Reauthorizes the use of Medicaid health opportunity accounts. Treats as medical care for purposes of the tax deduction for medical expenses certain exercise equipment and physical fitness programs, nutritional and dietary supplements, and periodic fees paid to a primary physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. Repeals provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that impose annual limitations on deductibles for health plans offered in the small group market.

amends internal revenue code respect health savings accounts hsas allow spouses increased catch contributions hsa medicare beneficiaries establish contribute hsa veterans eligible service connected disability benefits individuals eligible indian health service assistance establish hsa individuals eligible receive benefits certain tricare plans establish hsa unused benefits flexible spending arrangement payments hsa prescription counter medicine drugs use hsas purchase certain health insurance coverage long term care insurance payment certain medical expenses incurred establishment hsa amends bankruptcy code treat hsas tax exempt individual retirement accounts iras purposes exempting creditor claims reauthorizes use medicaid health opportunity accounts treats medical care purposes tax deduction medical expenses certain exercise equipment physical fitness programs nutritional dietary supplements periodic fees paid primary physician physician assistant nurse practitioner repeals provisions patient_protection affordable care act impose annual limitations deductibles health plans offered small group market


Summary: Preservation of Access to Osteoporosis Testing for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend through 2013 the minimum payment amount for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) services for bone mass measurement.

beneficiaries act amends title xviii medicare social security act extend minimum payment dual energy ray absorptiometry dxa services bone mass measurement


Summary: Healthcare Waiver Transparency Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish the decision to approve or deny an application for a waiver of the restrictions on a health plan's annual limit for essential health benefits on the HHS website within five business days after making such a decision and include in the notice the applicant's name, city, and state and the application date. Requires the Secretary to ensure the confidentiality of proprietary information under this Act.

healthcare waiver transparency act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services hhs publish decision approve deny application waiver restrictions health plan annual limit essential health benefits hhs website business days making decision include notice applicant city state application date requires secretary ensure confidentiality proprietary information act


Summary: MLR Repeal Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to repeal provisions requiring a health plan (including a grandfathered health plan) to: (1) submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) a report concerning the ratio of the incurred loss (or incurred claims) plus the loss adjustment expense (or change in contract reserves) to earned premiums; and (2) provide an annual rebate to each enrollee if the ratio of the amount of premium revenue expended by the issuer on reimbursement for clinical services provided to enrollees and activities that improve health care quality to the total amount of premium revenue for the plan year is less than a 85% for large group markets or 80% for small group or individual markets. Repeals a requirement that each U.S. hospital establish and make public a list of its standard charges for items and services.

repeal act amends public_health_service_act repeal provisions requiring health plan including grandfathered health plan submit secretary health_and_human_services hhs report concerning ratio incurred loss incurred claims plus loss adjustment expense change contract reserves earned premiums provide annual rebate enrollee ratio premium revenue expended issuer reimbursement clinical services provided enrollees activities improve health care quality total premium revenue plan year large group markets small group individual markets repeals requirement hospital establish public list standard charges items services


Summary: Equal Access to COBRA Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and Public Health Service Act to expand COBRA coverage (health insurance continuation benefits) to include an employee's domestic partner and any dependent child of the domestic partner.

amends internal revenue code employee retirement income security act erisa public health service act expand cobra coverage health insurance continuation benefits include employee domestic partner dependent child domestic partner


Summary: Allows any individual who is otherwise entitled to benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to elect to opt out of such entitlement. Allows an individual who has opted out of Medicare to opt back in without penalty. Prohibits any requirement to opt out of SSA title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) as a condition for opting out of Medicare. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make individuals who opt out of Medicare part A eligible for health savings accounts.

allows individual entitled benefits title xviii medicare social security act ssa elect opt entitlement allows individual opted medicare opt penalty prohibits requirement opt ssa title survivors disability_insurance oasdi condition opting medicare amends internal revenue code individuals opt medicare eligible health savings accounts


Summary: Restoring Access to Medication Act - Repeals provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that limited payments for medications from health savings accounts, medical savings accounts, and health flexible spending arrangements to only prescription drugs or insulin. Rescinds appropriated but unobligated discretionary funds determined by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to be equal to the reduction in tax revenues resulting from the repeal in this Act. Requires the Director to report to the Secretary of the Treasury and Congress the accounts and amounts identified for rescission. Exempts unobligated funds of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Social Security Administration (SSA).

restoring access medication act repeals provisions patient_protection affordable care act limited payments medications health savings accounts medical savings accounts health flexible spending arrangements prescription drugs insulin rescinds appropriated unobligated discretionary funds determined director office_of_management_and_budget omb equal reduction tax revenues resulting repeal act requires director report secretary treasury congress accounts amounts identified rescission exempts unobligated funds department_of_veterans_affairs social_security_administration ssa


Summary: Children's Hospitals Education Equity Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the definition of "children's hospital" for purposes of payments associated with operating approved graduate medical residency training programs to include a psychiatric hospital that has, continuously since enactment of this Act, met the following criteria: (1) the hospital is excluded from the Medicare inpatient prospective payment system, (2) the hospital has 90% or more inpatients under the age of 18, (3) the hospital has a Medicare payment agreement, and (4) the hospital has an accredited residency program.

revise definition children hospital purposes payments associated operating approved graduate medical residency training programs include psychiatric hospital continuously enactment act met following criteria hospital excluded medicare inpatient prospective payment system hospital age hospital medicare payment agreement hospital accredited residency program


Summary: Medigap Medical Loss Ratio Improvement Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policies to increase the minimum loss ratio required of such policies. (A loss ratio is the ratio of total losses paid out in insurance claims, plus adjustment expenses, divided by the total earned insurance premiums.) Prohibits the issuance or renewal of a Medigap policy in any state unless the policy can be expected to return to policyholders in the form of aggregate benefits: (1) at least 85% (currently 75%) of the aggregate amount of premiums collected in the case of group policies, and (2) at least 80% (currently 65%) in the case of individual policies.

loss ratio improvement act amends title xviii medicare social security act respect medicare supplemental medigap policies increase minimum loss ratio required policies loss ratio ratio total losses paid insurance claims plus adjustment expenses divided total earned insurance premiums prohibits issuance renewal medigap policy state policy expected return policyholders form aggregate benefits currently aggregate premiums collected case group policies currently case individual policies


Summary: Health Equity Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax deduction allowed to self-employed individuals for health insurance costs; (2) allow a new tax deduction for the health care insurance costs of a taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, and dependents; and (3) expand the tax deduction for medical expenses to include costs for a membership in a fitness program or athletic club, fitness equipment, or weight loss program up to $1,200 in a taxable year and allow tax-free reimbursements for such expenses up to $1,200 a year under flexible spending arrangements and health reimbursement arrangements.

health equity act amends internal revenue code permanent tax deduction allowed self employed individuals health insurance costs allow new tax deduction health care insurance costs taxpayer taxpayer spouse dependents expand tax deduction medical expenses include costs membership fitness program athletic club fitness equipment weight loss program taxable year allow tax free reimbursements expenses year flexible spending arrangements health reimbursement arrangements


Summary: People's Act of 2011 - Amends the Budget Control Act of 2011 to prohibit the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction from proposing any reductions in eligibility, payments, or benefits, or that would otherwise reduce outlays of budget authority for: (1) Social Security benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) or under SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI); (2) the Medicare program under SSA title XVIII; (3) the Medicaid program under SSA title XIX; or (4) the Head Start Act or any program administered by the Secretary of Education, including any program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Higher Education Act of 1965, or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

people act amends budget control act prohibit joint_select_committee deficit reduction proposing reductions eligibility payments benefits reduce outlays budget authority social_security benefits title survivors disability_insurance oasdi social security act ssa ssa title ssi medicare program ssa title xviii medicaid program ssa title xix head start act program administered secretary education including program elementary secondary education act individuals_with_disabilities_education_act higher education act rehabilitation act


Summary: Access to Medical Treatment Act - Gives an individual the right to be treated by a health care practitioner with any medical treatment that the individual desires, including a treatment that is not approved, certified, or licensed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), if: (1) the practitioner has personally examined the individual and agrees to treat the individual, and (2) the administration of such treatment does not violate licensing laws. Authorizes health care practitioners to provide any method of treatment to such an individual if certain requirements are met, including that: (1) there is no reason to conclude that such treatment will cause danger to the individual; and (2) the patient is informed in writing that such treatment has not been approved, certified, or licensed by the Secretary. Requires a practitioner to report: (1) administering such treatment and discovering it to be a danger to an individual, and (2) the positive effects of an unconventional medical treatment for a life-threatening medical condition. Allows an individual to introduce or deliver into interstate commerce, or to produce, transport, receive, or hold, a food, drug, device, or equipment solely for use in accordance with this Act if there have been no advertising claims made by the manufacturer, distributor, or seller with respect to a medical treatment. States that nothing in this Act shall in any way adversely affect the distribution or sale of dietary supplements.

individual right treated health care practitioner medical treatment individual desires including treatment approved certified licensed secretary health_and_human_services hhs practitioner personally examined individual agrees treat individual administration treatment violate licensing laws authorizes health care practitioners provide method treatment individual certain requirements met including reason conclude treatment cause danger individual patient informed writing treatment approved certified licensed secretary requires practitioner report administering treatment discovering danger individual positive effects unconventional medical treatment life threatening medical condition allows individual introduce deliver interstate commerce produce transport receive hold food drug device equipment solely use accordance act advertising claims manufacturer distributor seller respect medical treatment states act shall way adversely affect distribution sale dietary supplements


Summary: Medicare Cost Contract Extension Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend through December 31, 2015, the indefinite extendability or renewability of Medicare reasonable cost reimbursement contracts.

amends title xviii medicare social security act extend december indefinite medicare reasonable cost reimbursement contracts


Summary: Provider Tax Administrative Simplification Act of 2011 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to approve a waiver of the uniform tax requirement (whether or not the tax is broad based), regardless of whether the state concerned satisfies certain requirements, for any state with a provider tax that does not apply to continuing care retirement communities or life care communities that: (1) have no beds certified to provide medical assistance under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act; or (2) do not provide services for which Medicaid payment may be made.

requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs approve waiver uniform tax requirement tax broad based regardless state concerned satisfies certain requirements state provider tax apply continuing care retirement communities life care communities beds certified provide medical assistance title xix medicaid social security act provide services medicaid payment


Summary: Wounded Veteran Job Security Act - Expands the definition of "service in the uniformed services" for the purposes of uniformed servicemembers' employment and reemployment rights to include a period for which a person is absent from a position of employment to obtain medical treatment for an injury or illness recognized as service connected by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), or for which a line-of-duty document has been granted by the Secretary of Defense (DOD). Directs such a person intending to return to a position of employment to notify the employer within a specified time period. Requires a person submitting an application for reemployment due to such an absence for medical treatment to provide the employer, upon request, with documentation to establish eligibility for reemployment, including a link between the injury or illness and the medical treatment obtained.

wounded veteran job security act expands definition service uniformed services purposes uniformed servicemembers employment reemployment rights include period person absent position employment obtain medical treatment injury illness recognized service connected secretary veterans_affairs line duty document granted secretary defense dod directs person intending return position employment notify employer specified time period requires person submitting application reemployment absence medical treatment provide employer request documentation establish eligibility reemployment including link injury illness medical treatment obtained


Summary: Empowering Patients First Act - Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education and Reconciliation Act of 2010, effective as of their enactment. Restores or revives provisions amended or repealed by such Act or such health care provisions. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for qualified health insurance costs to residents of a state that implements a high-risk pool, a reinsurance pool, or other risk-adjustment mechanism. Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment and governance of individual membership associations (IMAs) to make health benefits coverage available to IMA members and their dependents. Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2011 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of association health plans, which are group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations and which meet certain ERISA certification requirements. Directs that the laws of the state designated by a health insurance issuer (primary state) shall apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer in the primary state and in any other state (secondary state), but only if the coverage and issuer comply with conditions of this Act. Amends title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) require a state CHIP plan to specify how it will achieve coverage for 90% of targeted low-income children; and (2) prohibit CHIP payments for children with family income above 300% of the applicable poverty line. Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011 - Sets forth provisions governing lawsuits arising from health care liability claims regarding health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce. Establishes a statute of limitations and limits noneconomic and punitive damages. Permits a group health plan to vary premiums and cost-sharing by up to 50% of the benefits based on participation (or lack of participation) in a wellness program. Requires a health insurance issuer to provide claims information, on request, to a plan, plan sponsor, or plan administrator. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from using comparative effectiveness research to deny coverage of an item or service under a federal health care program. Authorizes a state to establish a Health Plan and Provider Portal website to standardize information on health insurance plans available in the state. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of SSA to permit Medicare beneficiaries to contract with a physician or practitioner for health care items or services. Prohibits states from imposing limits on the amount of charges for health care services furnished by an eligible professional. Sets forth provisions regarding students loans and loan repayment for health care professionals. Exempts health care professionals from federal and state antitrust laws in connection with negotiations with a health plan regarding contract terms under which the professionals provide health care items or services for which plan benefits are provided. Establishes discretionary spending limits for FY2012-FY2021 for new budget authority in the nondefense category.

empowering patients act repeals patient protection affordable care act health care provisions health_care_and_education reconciliation act effective enactment restores revives provisions amended repealed act health care provisions amends internal revenue code allow tax credit qualified health insurance costs residents state implements high risk pool reinsurance pool risk adjustment mechanism amends public_health_service_act provide establishment governance individual membership associations imas health benefits coverage available ima members dependents small_business_health_fairness_act amends employee retirement income security act erisa provide establishment governance association health plans group health plans sponsors trade industry professional chamber commerce similar business associations meet certain erisa certification requirements directs laws state designated health insurance issuer primary state shall apply individual health insurance coverage offered issuer primary state state secondary state coverage issuer comply conditions act amends title chip known schip social security act ssa require state chip plan specify achieve coverage targeted low income children prohibit chip payments children family income applicable poverty line help efficient accessible low cost act sets forth provisions governing lawsuits arising health care liability claims health care goods services medical product affecting interstate commerce establishes statute limitations limits noneconomic punitive damages permits group health plan vary premiums cost sharing benefits based participation lack participation wellness program requires health insurance issuer provide claims information request plan plan sponsor plan administrator prohibits secretary health_and_human_services hhs comparative effectiveness research deny coverage item service federal health care program authorizes state establish health plan provider portal website standardize information health insurance plans available state amends title xviii medicare ssa permit medicare beneficiaries contract physician practitioner health care items services prohibits states imposing limits charges health care services furnished eligible professional sets forth provisions students loans loan repayment health care professionals exempts health care professionals federal state antitrust laws connection negotiations health plan contract terms professionals provide health care items services plan benefits provided establishes discretionary spending limits fy2012-fy2021 new budget authority nondefense category


Summary: Freeze and Investigate Affordable Care Act of 2011 - Declares that the provisions of the health reform law that are not in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act shall not take effect. Prohibits the federal government from promulgating or enforcing regulations under the provisions of the health reform law that are not in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, or otherwise prepare to implement such provisions. Establishes the Affordable Care Evaluation Commission to report to the President and Congress a projection of the impact that the implementation of the provisions of the health reform law that are not in effect on the enactment of this Act would have on: (1) the quality of health care delivered to individuals who are Medicare recipients on the date of the enactment of this Act, (2) health insurance coverage of individuals insured as of such date, (3) participation in state exchanges and the effect on the federal deficit, and (4) job creation and the size of the tax base. Requires the report also to: (1) evaluate findings, conclusions, and recommendations developed by all other relevant government agencies regarding the facts and circumstances surrounding such implementation, and (2) recommend corrective measures to mitigate any negative impact of such implementation.

freeze investigate affordable care act declares provisions health reform law effect date enactment act shall effect prohibits federal government promulgating enforcing regulations provisions health reform law effect date enactment act prepare implement provisions establishes report president congress projection impact implementation provisions health reform law effect enactment act quality health care delivered individuals medicare recipients date enactment act health insurance coverage individuals insured date participation state exchanges effect federal deficit job creation size tax base requires report evaluate findings conclusions recommendations developed relevant government agencies facts circumstances surrounding implementation recommend corrective measures mitigate negative impact implementation


Summary: Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to expand eligibility for the high risk health insurance pool program to include individuals who have been covered under a state health benefits risk pool during the six-month period prior to the date on which such individual is applying for coverage through the high risk pool.

amends patient_protection affordable care act expand eligibility high risk health insurance pool program include individuals covered state health benefits risk pool month period prior date individual applying coverage high risk pool


Summary: Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from being provided access to data in individually identifiable form for purposes of establishing standards relating to the collection and sharing of risk-related data to carry out risk adjustment activities.

amends patient_protection affordable care act prohibit secretary health_and_human_services hhs provided access data individually identifiable form purposes establishing standards relating collection sharing risk related data carry risk adjustment activities


Summary: Common Sense Deficit Reduction Act of 2011 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to eliminate: (1) health care entitlements for certain individuals who are under age 65, not entitled to or enrolled for benefits under SSA title XVIII (Medicare), and whose income does not exceed 133% of the poverty line; (2) the state option to cover individuals whose income exceeds 133% of the poverty line; (3) the increased federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for medical assistance for newly eligible mandatory individuals; and (4) coverage of former foster care children under age 26. Eliminates requirements that Medicaid benchmark benefits: (1) provide minimum essential coverage, and (2) ensure parity in the financial requirements and treatment limitations in medical and surgical benefits, on the one hand, and mental health or substance use disorder benefits, on the other. Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to eliminate: (1) the extension of the Medicaid premium assistance subsidy to all individuals, regardless of age; and (2) the prohibition against any state requirement, as a condition of Medicaid eligibility, that an individual (or the individual's parent) apply for enrollment in qualified employer-sponsored coverage. Amends SSA titles XIX and XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP) to eliminate the modified adjusted gross income standard for determining Medicaid and CHIP eligibility. Amends SSA title XXI to: (1) eliminate the increased FMAP for CHIP; (2) reduce CHIP appropriations for FY2013 and eliminate them for FY2014-FY2015; (3) repeal the requirement that a state assure exchange coverage for targeted low-income children unable to be provided child health assistance as a result of funding shortfalls; (4) terminate after FY2013 (instead of the current extension through FY2015) the period during which the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must make grants to improve CHIP outreach and enrollment; and (5) reduce the amount of money for awarding such grants. Reduces the amount of the one-time appropriations to CHIP under the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA). Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the tax credit for premium assistance for coverage under a qualified health plan. Amends PPACA, the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, the Public Health Service Act, and SSA title XIX to repeal mandatory reductions in the maximum limits for out-of-pocket expenses (cost-sharing subsidies) for individuals enrolled in qualified health plans whose incomes are between 100% and 400% of the poverty line. Amends PPACA to require a state's American Health Benefit Exchange to certify that, for purposes of the individual responsibility penalty under the Internal Revenue Code, an individual is exempt from the individual requirement to purchase qualified health care insurance (mandate) or from the penalty imposed by such section because the individual would have qualified for premium assistance under the Internal Revenue Code, medical assistance under Medicaid, child health assistance under CHIP, or reduced costing sharing, but for the enactment of this Act. Repeals the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program (CLASS Act) under the Public Health Service Act.

common sense deficit reduction act amends title xix medicaid social security act ssa eliminate health care entitlements certain individuals age entitled enrolled benefits ssa title xviii medicare income exceed poverty line state option cover individuals income exceeds poverty line increased federal medical assistance percentage fmap medical assistance newly eligible mandatory individuals coverage foster care children age eliminates requirements medicaid benchmark benefits provide minimum essential coverage ensure parity financial requirements treatment limitations medical surgical benefits hand mental health substance use disorder benefits amends patient_protection affordable care act ppaca eliminate extension medicaid premium assistance subsidy individuals regardless age prohibition state requirement condition medicaid eligibility individual individual parent apply enrollment qualified employer sponsored coverage amends ssa titles xix chip eliminate modified adjusted gross income standard determining medicaid chip eligibility amends ssa title xxi eliminate increased fmap chip reduce chip appropriations fy2013 eliminate fy2014 fy2015 repeal requirement state assure exchange coverage targeted low income children unable provided child health assistance result funding shortfalls terminate fy2013 instead current extension fy2015 period secretary health_and_human_services hhs grants improve chip outreach enrollment reduce money awarding grants reduces time appropriations chip amends internal revenue code repeal tax credit premium assistance coverage qualified health plan amends ppaca fair labor standards act public_health_service_act ssa title xix repeal mandatory reductions maximum limits pocket expenses cost sharing subsidies individuals enrolled qualified health plans incomes poverty line amends ppaca require state american_health_benefit_exchange certify purposes individual responsibility penalty internal revenue code individual exempt individual requirement purchase qualified health care insurance mandate penalty imposed section individual qualified premium assistance internal revenue code medical assistance medicaid child health assistance chip reduced sharing enactment act repeals community_living_assistance_services supports program class act public_health_service_act


Summary: Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations to carry out lifespan respite care programs for FY2012-FY2016.

amends public_health_service_act authorize appropriations carry lifespan respite care programs fy2012 fy2016


Summary: Diagnostic Imaging Services Access Protection Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from applying a multiple procedure payment reduction policy to the professional component of imaging services furnished: (1) in 2012; or (2) in 2013 or a subsequent year unless the reduction is based on the data, analysis, and conclusions of a study completed by an expert panel of physician members from a national medical speciality society expert in the field of diagnostic imaging services.

amends title xviii medicare social security act prohibit secretary health_and_human_services hhs applying multiple procedure payment reduction policy professional component imaging services furnished subsequent year reduction based data analysis conclusions study completed expert panel physician members national medical speciality society expert field diagnostic imaging services


Summary: Veterans Health Care Stamp Act - Requires the U.S. Postal Service to provide for the issuance and sale of a veterans health care stamp to help fund the medical care and treatment of veterans.

provide issuance sale veterans health care stamp help fund medical care treatment veterans


Summary: Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to apply the requirement for a health plan to provide dependent coverage until an adult child turns 26 years of age to plans that do not have any participants who are current employees (retiree-only plans).

amends public_health_service_act employee retirement income security act erisa internal revenue code apply requirement health plan provide dependent coverage adult child turns years age plans participants current employees retiree plans


Summary: Modernizing Our Drug & Diagnostics Evaluation and Regulatory Network Cures Act of 2011 or the MODDERN Cures Act of 2011 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) establish the Advanced Diagnostics Education Council to recommend standard terms and definitions related to innovative diagnostics for use by patients, physicians, health care providers, payers, and policy makers.; and (2) publish a guide regarding such terms and definitions. Sets forth additional factors for the Secretary to consider in determining the payment amount for new clinical diagnostic laboratory tests under gap filling procedures which are used when no comparable existing test is available. Extends the exclusivity period for a drug or biological product if the diagnostic test related to such drug has been determined by the Secretary to have been developed by, or with the participation of, the manufacturer or sponsor of the drug or biological product, and use of the diagnostic tests provides for or improves: (1) the identification of a patient population for the drug or biological product; or (2) the determination of the most appropriate treatment option for a patient population with the drug or biological product. Establishes a dormant therapy designation for drugs or biological products that address unmet medical needs. Gives such a drug or biological product 15 years of data exclusivity under which no drug can be approved by relying on the approval or licensure of the dormant therapy.

modernizing drug diagnostics evaluation regulatory network cures act cures act requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish recommend standard terms definitions related innovative diagnostics use patients physicians health care providers payers policy makers publish guide terms definitions sets forth additional factors secretary consider determining payment new clinical diagnostic laboratory tests gap filling procedures comparable existing test available extends exclusivity period drug biological product diagnostic test related drug determined secretary developed participation manufacturer sponsor drug biological product use diagnostic tests provides improves identification patient population drug biological product determination appropriate treatment option patient population drug biological product establishes therapy designation drugs biological products address unmet medical needs gives drug biological product years data exclusivity drug approved relying approval licensure therapy


Summary: Disabled Veterans Employment Protection Act - Entitles a person who is absent from employment by reason of the receipt of medical treatment for a service-connected disability (absent employee) to: (1) be retained by the person's employer; (2) the seniority and other rights and benefits determined by seniority that the person had on the commencement of such treatment plus the additional seniority and rights and benefits that the person would have attained if the person had remained continuously employed; and (3) be considered on furlough or leave of absence during such treatment and therefore entitled to other rights and benefits not determined by seniority as are other persons of similar seniority, status, and pay who are on furlough or leave of absence. Terminates such entitlement when a person knowingly provides written notice of the intent not to return to such position following treatment. Allows the absent employee to use any vacation, annual, medical, or similar leave with pay accrued before the commencement of the treatment. Provides that an employer shall not be required to comply with the requirements of this Act if: (1) the employer's circumstances have so changed as to make such compliance impossible or unreasonable; (2) such compliance would pose an undue hardship on the employer; or (3) the employment in question is for a brief, nonrecurring period without a reasonable expectation of continuing indefinitely or for a significant period. Limits the application of this Act to periods of absence of not more than 12 workweeks during any 12-month period. Applies health insurance continuation requirements to absences from employment described in this Act. Prohibits any employer discrimination or acts of reprisal against an absent employee.

disabled act entitles person absent employment reason receipt medical treatment service connected disability absent employee retained person employer seniority rights benefits determined seniority person commencement treatment plus additional seniority rights benefits person attained person remained continuously employed considered furlough leave absence treatment entitled rights benefits determined seniority persons similar seniority status pay furlough leave absence terminates entitlement person knowingly provides written notice intent return position following treatment allows absent employee use vacation annual medical similar leave pay accrued commencement treatment provides employer shall required comply requirements act employer circumstances changed compliance impossible unreasonable compliance pose undue hardship employer employment question brief nonrecurring period reasonable expectation continuing indefinitely significant period limits application act periods absence workweeks month period applies health insurance continuation requirements employment described act prohibits employer discrimination acts reprisal absent employee


Summary: Medicaid Enhancement and Emergency Job Creation Act of 2011 - Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2011 (ARRA) to extend through FY2012 the increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) under SSA title XIX (Medicaid).

amends american_recovery_and_reinvestment_act arra extend fy2012 increase federal medical assistance percentage fmap ssa title xix medicaid


Summary: Fair Pay to Medicaid Providers Act of 2011 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to declare that a state plan shall not be in compliance with Medicaid prompt pay requirements unless it applies such requirements to claims relating to items and services furnished by any eligible person or entity in the same or similar manner as the plan applies such requirements to services furnished by a health care practitioner through an individual or group practice or through shared health facilities.

fair pay medicaid providers act amends title xix medicaid social security act declare state plan shall compliance medicaid prompt pay requirements applies requirements claims relating items services furnished eligible person entity similar manner plan applies requirements services furnished health care practitioner individual group practice shared health facilities


Summary: Enhanced Veteran Healthcare Experience Act of 2011 - Expresses the sense of Congress that better health care can be provided to veterans at little-to-no increased cost by revising the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) fee-based system for hospital care and medical services in non-VA facilities. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide certain enrolled veterans with health services (authorized hospital care or medical, rehabilitative, or preventative health services) that are provided by a non-VA provider with whom the Secretary enters into a contract pursuant to this Act if the Secretary determines that VA facilities are incapable of furnishing such services because of: (1) geographical inaccessibility; or (2) a lack of required personnel, resources, or ability at VA facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to enter a contract with a non-VA provider that: (1) demonstrates the ability to provide non-VA health care services to veterans; (2) meets or exceeds credentialing standards of the VA and the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission; (3) has coordinators who help veterans make, confirm, and keep medical appointments, a system that allows veterans to file complaints, and a demonstrated ability to respond to potential quality indicators and patient safety events; and (4) has the ability to process claims from other providers in its network, bill third parties, and transmit received amounts to the Secretary. Sets forth requirements concerning the VA's coordination with non-VA providers, performance metrics, and bonus payments for exceeding such metrics.

experience act expresses sense congress better health care provided veterans little increased cost revising department_of_veterans_affairs fee based system hospital care medical services non-va facilities directs secretary veterans_affairs provide certain enrolled veterans health services authorized hospital care medical rehabilitative preventative health services provided non-va provider secretary enters contract pursuant act secretary determines facilities incapable furnishing services geographical inaccessibility lack required personnel resources ability facilities authorizes secretary enter contract non-va provider demonstrates ability provide non-va health care services veterans meets exceeds credentialing standards coordinators help veterans confirm medical appointments system allows veterans file complaints demonstrated ability respond potential quality indicators patient safety events ability process claims providers network bill parties transmit received amounts secretary sets forth requirements concerning coordination non providers performance metrics bonus payments exceeding metrics