Summary: HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a group health plan or health insurance issuer offering group health coverage from denying benefits or coverage otherwise provided under the plan for the treatment of an injury solely because it resulted from participation in a legal mode of transportation or recreational activity.

hipaa recreational injury technical correction act amends employee retirement income security act erisa public_health_service_act internal revenue code prohibit group health plan health insurance issuer offering group health coverage denying benefits coverage provided plan treatment injury solely resulted participation legal mode transportation recreational activity


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit: (1) federal civilian and military retirees to pay Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and TRICARE supplemental premiums on a pretax basis (i.e., exclude premiums from gross income); and (2) a tax deduction (available to itemizers and nonitemizers) for TRICARE supplemental premiums or enrollment fees. Directs the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Secretary of Defense to ensure that the option of paying FEHBP and TRICARE supplemental premiums on a pretax basis is available to federal civilian and military retirees for the first open enrollment period beginning not less than 90 days after the enactment of this Act.

amends internal revenue code permit federal civilian military retirees pay federal_employees_health_benefits_program fehbp tricare supplemental premiums basis exclude premiums gross income tax deduction available tricare supplemental premiums enrollment fees directs director secretary defense ensure option paying fehbp tricare supplemental premiums basis available federal civilian military retirees open enrollment period beginning days enactment act


Summary: Community Choice Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require state Medicaid plan coverage of community-based attendant services and supports for certain Medicaid-eligible individuals. Outlines requirements for: (1) an enhanced federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for ongoing activities of early coverage states that enhance and promote the use of community-based attendant services and supports; and (2) increased federal financial participation for certain expenditures incurred by the state for the provision of such services and supports. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) award grants to eligible states which have established a Consumer Task Force to assist the state in its development of real choice systems change initiatives; and (2) conduct a demonstration project for the purpose of evaluating service coordination and cost-sharing approaches with respect to the provision of community-based services and supports to dually eligible individuals.

community choice act amends title xix medicaid social security act ssa require state medicaid plan coverage community based attendant services supports certain medicaid eligible individuals outlines requirements enhanced federal medical assistance percentage fmap ongoing activities early coverage states enhance promote use community based attendant services supports increased federal financial participation certain expenditures incurred state provision services supports directs secretary health_and_human_services award grants eligible states established assist state development real choice systems change initiatives conduct demonstration project purpose evaluating service coordination cost sharing approaches respect provision community based services supports dually eligible individuals


Summary: Veterans Health Care Empowerment Act of 2007 - Allows any veteran with a service-connected disability to receive hospital care or medical services for any condition at any hospital or medical facility or from any medical provider eligible to receive payments under either Medicare or the TRICARE program (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care program). Requires the cost of such care and services to be borne by the United States.

empowerment act allows veteran service connected disability receive hospital care medical services condition hospital medical facility medical provider eligible receive payments medicare tricare program department_of_defense dod managed health care program requires cost care services borne united_states


Summary: Early Treatment for HIV Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give states the option of providing Medicaid coverage for certain low-income HIV-infected individuals. Provides states taking advantage of this option with an enhanced federal Medicaid match.

early treatment hiv act amends title xix medicaid social security act states option providing medicaid coverage certain low income hiv infected individuals provides states taking advantage option enhanced federal medicaid match


Summary: Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit states, at their option, to require certain individuals to present satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality for Medicaid eligibility. Revises the rules for children born in the United States to mothers eligible for Medicaid. Declares that a Medicaid-eligible individual shall be deemed to have provided satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality, and shall not be required to provide further evidence, on any date during or after the period in which the individual is eligible for Medicaid.

amends title xix medicaid social security act permit states option require certain individuals present satisfactory documentary evidence citizenship nationality medicaid eligibility revises rules children born united_states mothers eligible medicaid declares medicaid eligible individual shall deemed provided satisfactory documentary evidence citizenship nationality shall required provide evidence date period individual eligible medicaid


Summary: Unintended Pregnancy Reduction Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to: (1) include women who are not pregnant but who meet certain income eligibility standards in a mandatory categorically needy group for family planning services purposes; (2) allow a state Medicaid plan to provide for making medical assistance available to such individuals during a presumptive eligibility period; and (3) prohibit a state from providing for medical assistance through enrollment of an individual with benchmark coverage or benchmark-equivalent coverage unless it includes certain family planning services and supplies.

unintended pregnancy reduction act amends title xix medicaid social security act include women pregnant meet certain income eligibility standards mandatory categorically needy group family planning services purposes allow state medicaid plan provide making medical assistance available individuals presumptive eligibility period prohibit state providing medical assistance enrollment individual benchmark coverage benchmark equivalent coverage includes certain family planning services supplies


Summary: Part D Equity for Low-Income Seniors Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Commissioner of Social Security to provide for an expedited process for the qualification for low-income assistance through a request to the Secretary of the Treasury for tax return and other information. Increases the alternative resource standard for determination of eligibility for a low-income subsidy for 2008, indexed for inflation for succeeding years. Requires indexing of deductibles and cost-sharing above the annual out-of-pocket threshold for individuals with income below 150% of the poverty line.

equity low income seniors act amends voluntary prescription drug benefit program title xviii medicare social security act direct commissioner social_security provide expedited process qualification low income assistance request secretary treasury tax return information increases alternative resource standard determination eligibility low income subsidy indexed inflation succeeding years requires indexing deductibles cost sharing annual pocket threshold individuals income poverty line


Summary: Medicare Part D Outreach and Enrollment Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide a special 90-day enrollment period for individuals who qualify for an income-related subsidy under the Medicare prescription drug program under part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program), with waiver of any late enrollment fee. Makes appropriations to the National Center on Senior Benefits Outreach and Enrollment to provide outreach and enrollment assistance with respect to premium and cost-sharing subsidies under the drug program. Requires the Commissioner of Social Security, when conducting Medicare eligibility screening, to screen also for an individual's eligibility for medical assistance under SSA title XIX (Medicaid) for any Medicare cost-sharing, and, if the results are positive, report the pertinent information to the appropriate state Medicaid agency for the individual's eligibility determination and enrollment for Medicare cost-sharing under the state plan. Directs the Assistant Secretary of the Administration on Aging to study and report to Congress on screening processes used by government needs-based programs.

medicare outreach enrollment enhancement act amends title xviii medicare social security act ssa provide special day enrollment period individuals qualify income related subsidy medicare prescription drug program voluntary prescription drug benefit program waiver late enrollment fee makes appropriations benefits outreach enrollment provide outreach enrollment assistance respect premium cost sharing subsidies drug program requires commissioner social_security conducting medicare eligibility screening screen individual eligibility medical assistance ssa title xix medicaid medicare cost sharing results positive report pertinent information appropriate state medicaid agency individual eligibility determination enrollment medicare cost sharing state plan directs assistant secretary administration_on_aging study report congress screening processes government needs based programs


Summary: Honor Our Commitment to Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to administer the health care enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs so as to enroll any eligible veteran who applies. (This directive in effect terminates an administrative freeze on the enrollment of veterans in the lowest priority enrollment category.)

honor commitment veterans act directs secretary veterans_affairs administer health care enrollment system department_of_veterans_affairs enroll eligible veteran applies directive effect terminates administrative freeze enrollment veterans lowest priority enrollment category


Summary: Catastrophic Health Coverage Promotion Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish demonstration projects to provide health care coverage to individuals who: (1) are not eligible for Medicaid or Medicare benefits and have exceeded $10,500 in out-of-pocket health care costs in a year or an adjusted amount based on the average out-of-pocket costs of individuals with catastrophic illnesses in a state for the year; or (2) were receiving Medicare or Medicaid benefits but who have exhausted their eligibility and any additional private health insurance coverage. Directs the Secretary, in designing such demonstration projects, to use: (1) state risk pools; (2) reinsurance mechanisms for small businesses; (3) public or private arrangements for the provision of affordable health insurance coverage to cover catastrophic health care expenses; and (4) any combination of such arrangements. Requires the Secretary to establish demonstration projects to provide health insurance coverage for catastrophic health benefits to individuals who do not have health insurance coverage. Directs the Secretary, in designing such demonstration projects, to: (1) use a catastrophic health insurance product administered by private health insurance plans with a deductible indexed to income level or an adjusted deductible amount based on average out-of-pocket costs; and (2) subsidize such catastrophic coverage and allow subsidies on a sliding scale to offer an affordable product for individuals earning below 200% of the federal poverty level. Establishes evaluation requirements for the projects.

catastrophic health coverage promotion act requires secretary health_and_human_services establish demonstration projects provide health care coverage individuals eligible medicaid medicare benefits exceeded pocket health care costs year adjusted based average pocket costs individuals catastrophic illnesses state year receiving medicare medicaid benefits exhausted eligibility additional private health insurance coverage directs secretary designing demonstration projects use state risk pools reinsurance mechanisms small businesses public private arrangements provision affordable health insurance coverage cover catastrophic health care expenses combination arrangements requires secretary establish demonstration projects provide health insurance coverage catastrophic health benefits individuals health insurance coverage directs secretary designing demonstration projects use catastrophic health insurance product administered private health insurance plans deductible indexed income level adjusted deductible based average pocket costs subsidize catastrophic coverage allow subsidies sliding scale offer affordable product individuals earning federal poverty level establishes evaluation requirements projects


Summary: Homecoming Enhancement Research and Oversight (HERO) Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences for a study of the physical and mental health and other readjustment needs of members and former members of the Armed Forces who deployed in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom, and their families. Requires: (1) reports, from the Academy to the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs and from the Secretary to Congress, on such study; (2) the public availability of the reports; (3) such Secretaries to develop a joint plan to address report findings; and (4) the public availability of the Secretaries' response.

oversight hero act directs secretary defense enter agreement national_academy_of_sciences study physical mental health readjustment needs members members armed_forces deployed operations iraqi freedom enduring_freedom families requires reports academy secretaries defense veterans_affairs secretary congress study public availability reports secretaries develop joint plan address report findings public availability secretaries response


Summary: Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007 - Requires a member of the Armed Forces (member) in an outpatient status at a military medical treatment facility (facility) to be assigned a medical care case manager and a service member advocate, each of whom have completed a training program and curriculum for such management. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a: (1) Department of Defense (DOD)-wide Ombudsman Office; (2) toll-free hotline for reporting deficiencies in medical services and medical support facilities; (3) standardized training program and curriculum for military personnel and health care professionals involved in the disability evaluation system; and (4) pilot program to track and assist outpatient members who are still in need of medical treatment. Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to: (1) notify appropriate Members of Congress of the hospitalization of members evacuated from a theater of combat; and (2) ensure that members appearing before medical evaluation boards have access to an independent medical advocate. Requires reports concerning: (1) enhanced training for individuals providing assistance to recovering members; (2) the adequacy and quality of medical and medical-support facilities at each military installation; and (3) traumatic brain injury classifications. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide a process for the transition of members from the DOD health care and disability systems to those of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); (2) allow reserve members to use facilities closest to home for the treatment of injuries sustained in a combat theater of operations; (3) develop a plan and conduct research for reducing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in combat veterans; (4) study the provision of support services for families of recovering members; (5) evaluate the Polytrauma Liaison Officer/Non-Commissioned Officer program; (6) study waiting periods for appointments at VA facilities; and (7) study the development of a joint soldier tracking system for recovering members. Establishes the: (1) Department of Defense Medical Support Fund; and (2) Oversight Board for Wounded Warriors.

wounded warrior assistance act requires member armed_forces member outpatient status military medical treatment facility facility assigned medical care case manager service member advocate completed training program curriculum management directs secretary defense establish toll free hotline reporting deficiencies medical services medical support facilities standardized training program curriculum military personnel health care professionals involved disability evaluation system pilot program track assist outpatient members need medical treatment requires secretary military department concerned notify appropriate members congress hospitalization members evacuated theater combat ensure members appearing medical evaluation boards access independent medical advocate requires reports concerning enhanced training individuals providing assistance recovering members adequacy quality medical medical support facilities military installation traumatic brain injury classifications directs secretary provide process transition members dod health care disability systems department_of_veterans_affairs allow reserve members use facilities closest home treatment injuries sustained combat theater operations develop plan conduct research reducing post traumatic stress disorder ptsd combat veterans study provision support services families recovering members evaluate polytrauma liaison officer officer program study waiting periods appointments facilities study development joint soldier tracking system recovering members establishes oversight board wounded warriors


Summary: Bridging the Gap for Wounded Warriors Act - Requires a member of the Armed Forces (member) who is medically retired because of physical disability incurred in or aggravated by military service to be treated as an active-duty member, for purposes of entitlement to military health care services and benefits, for the longer of: (1) the two-year period after medical retirement; or (2) the period during which the member is on the temporary disability retirement list. Requires active-duty members receiving health care and services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for an injury or illness which would qualify for medical retirement to be treated as a veteran for the longer of: (1) the two-year period after the member incurs the injury or illness; or (2) the period during which the member is assigned to the VA for health care services and benefits. Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to establish a joint office for the Department of Defense (DOD) and VA for the coordination of assistance to members in their transition from military service to civilian life. Requires each member determined to be unfit to perform required duties to: (1) be evaluated by a disability ratings team at the appropriate military medical treatment facility; and (2) either placed on the temporary disability retired list or further evaluated for assignment of a final disability rating. Allows member appeal of a determination of unfitness. Requires final disability ratings to be used for determining eligibility for retired pay and other benefits. Requires an interim and final report from the Comptroller General to Congress on DOD and VA programs for the assessment and treatment of wounded members.

bridging gap wounded warriors act requires member armed_forces member medically retired physical disability incurred aggravated military service treated active duty member purposes entitlement military health care services benefits longer year period medical retirement period member temporary disability retirement list requires active duty members receiving health care services department_of_veterans_affairs injury illness qualify medical retirement treated veteran longer year period member incurs injury illness period member assigned health care services benefits directs establish joint office department_of_defense dod coordination assistance members transition military service civilian life requires member determined unfit perform required duties evaluated disability ratings team appropriate military medical treatment facility placed temporary disability retired list evaluated assignment final disability rating allows member appeal determination unfitness requires final disability ratings determining eligibility retired pay benefits requires interim final report comptroller_general congress dod programs assessment treatment wounded members


Summary: Federal Employees Electronic Personal Health Records Act of 2007 - Amends federal civil service law to require each contract between the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and a qualified carrier offering a health benefit plan for federal employees to provide for establishment and maintenance of electronic personal health records for each individual and family member enrolled in the plan. Requires such records to be: (1) in a standard electronic format, available for electronic access through the Internet; and (2) based on the federal messaging and health vocabulary standards endorsed by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, the American Health Information Community, or the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

act amends federal civil service law require contract qualified carrier offering health benefit plan federal employees provide establishment maintenance electronic personal health records individual family member enrolled plan requires records standard electronic format available electronic access internet based federal messaging health standards endorsed secretary health_and_human_services


Summary: Tax Equity for Domestic Partner and Health Plan Beneficiaries Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the exclusion from gross income for employer-provided health care coverage to certain eligible beneficiaries and their dependent children; (2) revise the definition of "dependent" for purposes of the tax deductions for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals and for contributions to health savings accounts; and (3) extend voluntary employees' beneficiary association sick and accident benefits to eligible beneficiaries and their dependents. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue guidance on reimbursements of medical expenses from flexible spending and health reimbursement arrangements.

tax equity domestic partner health plan beneficiaries act amends internal revenue code extend exclusion gross income employer provided health care coverage certain eligible beneficiaries dependent children revise definition dependent purposes tax deductions health insurance costs self employed individuals contributions health savings accounts extend voluntary employees beneficiary association sick accident benefits eligible beneficiaries dependents directs secretary treasury issue guidance reimbursements medical expenses flexible spending health reimbursement arrangements


Summary: Veterans Advocacy Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program to assess the feasibility and advisability of utilizing legal entities to provide legal services to assist veterans and members of the Armed Forces in applying for and receiving health care, benefits, and services. Requires the Secretary to award ten grants to legal entities to provide such services. Limits grant duration to one year.

veterans directs secretary veterans_affairs carry program assess feasibility advisability utilizing legal entities provide legal services assist veterans members armed_forces applying receiving health care benefits services requires secretary award grants legal entities provide services limits grant duration year


Summary: Children's Access to Reconstructive Evaluation and Surgery Act or the CARES Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan that covers surgical benefits to also cover outpatient and inpatient diagnosis and treatment of a child's congenital or developmental deformity, disease, or injury. Requires that such coverage: (1) be subject to pre-authorization or pre-certification requirements of the plan or issuer; and (2) include any surgical treatment deemed by the treating physician to be medically necessary to approximate a normal appearance. Defines "treatment" to include reconstructive surgical procedures that are performed on abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease, including: (1) procedures that do not materially affect the function of the body part being treated; and (2) procedures for secondary conditions and follow-up treatment. Excludes cosmetic surgery performed to reshape normal structures of the body to improve appearance or self-esteem.

cares act amends public_health_service_act employee retirement income security act erisa internal revenue code require group health plan covers surgical benefits cover outpatient inpatient diagnosis treatment child congenital developmental disease injury requires coverage subject pre authorization pre certification requirements plan issuer include surgical treatment deemed treating physician medically necessary approximate normal appearance defines treatment include reconstructive surgical procedures performed abnormal structures body caused congenital defects abnormalities trauma infection tumors disease including procedures materially affect function body treated procedures secondary conditions follow treatment excludes cosmetic surgery performed normal structures body improve appearance self


Summary: Servicemembers' Healthcare Benefits and Rehabilitation Enhancement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) assign a medical care manager and a caseworker to each member of the Armed Forces who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, or is otherwise in a medical hold or holdover status, for an injury, illness, or disease incurred or aggravated while on active duty (recovering member); and (2) undertake efforts to improve the speed and efficiency of the Department of Defense (DOD) physical disability evaluation system. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to the congressional defense and veterans' committees a plan to update the disability ratings schedule of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reflect the effects on the modern workforce of mental health disorders, including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) establish a system for the prioritization of processing the separation of members; (2) establish a medical record database to track and record the medical status of all members (and make such system accessible to the VA); (3) assess, both before and after, the mental health of each member who is deployed, or is expected to be deployed, to a combat theater; and (4) report, along with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, on plans to increase the role of private providers in the provision of rehabilitation to members and former members with TBI or PTSD when the VA is unable to provide such services. Requires the: (1) Secretary of the military department concerned to notify the appropriate Members of Congress of the hospitalization of any recovering member evacuated from a theater of combat; and (2) recovering member to consent to such notification.

servicemembers healthcare benefits rehabilitation enhancement act directs secretary defense assign medical care manager caseworker member armed_forces undergoing medical treatment recuperation therapy medical hold holdover status injury illness disease incurred aggravated active duty recovering member undertake efforts improve speed efficiency department_of_defense dod physical disability evaluation system requires secretary veterans_affairs submit congressional defense veterans committees plan update disability ratings schedule department_of_veterans_affairs reflect effects modern workforce mental health disorders including traumatic brain injury tbi post traumatic stress disorder ptsd directs secretary defense establish system prioritization processing separation members establish medical record database track record medical status members system accessible assess mental health member deployed expected deployed combat theater report secretary veterans_affairs plans increase role private providers provision rehabilitation members members tbi ptsd unable provide services requires secretary military department concerned notify appropriate members congress hospitalization recovering member evacuated theater combat recovering member consent notification


Summary: TAA Health Coverage Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the tax credit for the health insurance costs of trade adjustment assistance (TAA) workers to, among other things: (1) increase the rate of such credit from 65 to 95% of health insurance costs ; (2) allow for the full amount of such credit and for full payment of TAA worker health insurance premiums for months prior to the issuance of a qualified health insurance costs credit eligibility certificate; and (3) set forth new tax credit eligibility rules for TAA workers and their family members. Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to establish a program to offer TAA workers enrollment in the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program (FEHBP).Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to: (1) prevent a lapse of health care coverage for TAA workers; and (2) align coverage periods under such Act with eligibility periods for TAA workers. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to require a state or entity to use national emergency grant funds to provide TAA workers and their family members with health insurance coverage for periods prior to their first eligibility month.

amends internal revenue code revise tax credit health insurance costs trade adjustment assistance taa workers things increase rate credit health insurance costs allow credit payment taa worker health insurance premiums months prior issuance qualified health insurance costs credit eligibility certificate set forth new tax credit eligibility rules taa workers family members requires director office_of_personnel_management establish program offer taa workers enrollment employee retirement income security act erisa prevent lapse health care coverage taa workers align coverage periods act eligibility periods taa workers amends workforce investment act require state entity use national emergency grant funds provide taa workers family members health insurance coverage periods prior eligibility month


Summary: Healthy Tax Reform Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow uninsured individual taxpayers and their spouses and dependents a refundable tax credit for a limited amount of their health insurance costs; (2) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a program for payment of health insurance costs by advancing health insurance tax credit amounts to insurance providers during the taxable year; (3) limit the availability of certain tax preferences for individuals eligible for the health insurance tax credit; and (4) repeal the alternative minimum tax after 2006. Amends the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to deem whether a state has taken efforts to provide its citizens with greater access to affordable private health insurance, including by establishing a state health insurance exchange, a high risk pool, a reinsurance mechanism, or other high risk solution. Sets forth requirements for certification of a state health insurance exchange.Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to expand Medicaid health opportunity accounts to all states as of January 1, 2008.

internal revenue code allow uninsured individual taxpayers spouses dependents refundable tax credit limited health insurance costs direct secretary treasury establish program payment health insurance costs advancing health insurance tax credit amounts insurance providers taxable year limit availability certain tax preferences individuals eligible health insurance tax credit repeal alternative minimum tax amends social security act require secretary health_and_human_services hhs deem state taken efforts provide citizens greater access affordable private health insurance including establishing state health insurance exchange high risk pool reinsurance mechanism high risk solution sets forth requirements certification state health insurance exchange amends title xix medicaid social security act expand medicaid health opportunity accounts states january


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

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


Summary: Every American Insured Health Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow uninsured individual taxpayers and their spouses and dependents a refundable tax credit for a limited amount of their health insurance costs; (2) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a program for payment of health insurance costs by advancing health insurance tax credit amounts to insurance providers during the taxable year; and (3) limit the availability of certain tax preferences for individuals eligible for the health insurance tax credit. Amends the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to deem whether a state has taken efforts to provide its citizens with greater access to affordable private health insurance, including by establishing a state health insurance exchange, a high risk pool, a reinsurance mechanism, or other high risk solution. Sets forth requirements for certification of a state health insurance exchange.Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to expand Medicaid health opportunity accounts to all states as of January 1, 2008.

act amends internal revenue code allow uninsured individual taxpayers spouses dependents refundable tax credit limited health insurance costs direct secretary treasury establish program payment health insurance costs advancing health insurance tax credit amounts insurance providers taxable year limit availability certain tax preferences individuals eligible health insurance tax credit amends social security act require secretary health_and_human_services hhs deem state taken efforts provide citizens greater access affordable private health insurance including establishing state health insurance exchange high risk pool reinsurance mechanism high risk solution sets forth requirements certification state health insurance exchange amends title xix medicaid social security act expand medicaid health opportunity accounts states january


Summary: Universal Health Coverage Act of 2007 - Requires each U.S. citizen or national or alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence to have qualified health coverage, unless such individual is opposed for religious reasons to health coverage. Defines "qualified health coverage" to include federal health plans, group health plans, and other appropriate coverage.Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop at least three types of low-cost health insurance plans for each state and the District of Columbia that shall be made available, on a guaranteed-issue basis, to all individuals with incomes below 400% of the federal poverty line.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose on each individual who is required but fails to have qualified health coverage for any continuous period of more than 60 days a monthly tax in an amount equal to the average monthly premium for qualified health coverage in the state in which the individual resides. Requires amounts collected to be used by the Secretary to cover the cost of a automatically enrolling individuals who pay such tax in health care coverage under one of the three lowest cost qualified health coverage products offered in the state.

universal health coverage act requires citizen national alien lawfully admitted united_states permanent residence qualified health coverage individual opposed religious reasons health coverage defines qualified health coverage include federal health plans group health plans appropriate coverage requires secretary health_and_human_services develop types low cost health insurance plans state district_of_columbia shall available guaranteed issue basis individuals incomes federal poverty line amends internal revenue code impose individual required fails qualified health coverage continuous period days monthly tax equal average monthly premium qualified health coverage state individual resides requires amounts collected secretary cover cost automatically enrolling individuals pay tax health care coverage lowest cost qualified health coverage products offered state


Summary: Medicare Savings Program Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to the Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) and Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB) programs (Medicare Savings Program) to increase the income eligibility levels for: (1) QMBs to 135% of the federal poverty level (FPL); and (2) SLMBs to 150% of the FPL. Eliminates the application of estate recovery for Medicare Savings Program beneficiaries. Modifies the asset tests for QMBs and SLMBs. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for expedited enrollment under the Medicare Savings Program through Social Security offices. Provides for treatment of QMBs, SLMBs, and other dual eligibles as Medicare beneficiaries.Amends SSA title XIX with respect to Medicaid treatment of certain Medicare providers.Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to examine and report on whether providers have attempted to make QMBs liable for deductibles, coinsurance, and co-payments in violation of applicable law. Requires the Secretary to report an enforcement plan of action to Congress regarding any QMBs that have been held so liable in violation of law.Requires states to provide medical assistance to dual eligibles in MedicareAdvantage (MA) plans.

amends title xix medicaid social security act ssa respect qualified medicare beneficiaries specified low income medicare beneficiaries programs medicare_savings_program increase income eligibility levels qmbs federal poverty level fpl fpl eliminates application estate recovery medicare_savings_program beneficiaries modifies asset tests qmbs directs secretary health_and_human_services provide expedited enrollment medicare_savings_program social_security offices provides treatment qmbs dual eligibles medicare beneficiaries amends ssa title xix respect medicaid treatment certain medicare providers directs inspector general department_of_health_and_human_services examine report providers attempted qmbs liable deductibles coinsurance payments violation applicable law requires secretary report enforcement plan action congress qmbs held liable violation law requires states provide medical assistance dual eligibles medicareadvantage plans


Summary: Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) phase out the waiting period for disabled individuals to become eligible for benefits under SSA title XVIII (Medicare); and (2) eliminate the waiting period for individuals with life-threatening conditions to become eligible for such benefits. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to request the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to study the range of disability conditions that can be delayed or prevented if individuals receive access to health care services and coverage before a condition reaches disability levels.

ending amends title old age survivors disability insurance oasdi social security act ssa phase waiting period disabled individuals eligible benefits ssa title xviii medicare eliminate waiting period individuals life threatening conditions eligible benefits directs secretary health_and_human_services request institute_of_medicine_of_the_national_academy_of_sciences study range disability conditions delayed prevented individuals receive access health care services coverage condition reaches disability levels


Summary: Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Investment Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for the cost of operating nurse-managed health clinics that provide primary care for underserved or vulnerable populations and are associated with a school, college, or nursing department, federally qualified health center, or independent nonprofit health or social services agency.Requires a grant application to contain assurances that a clinic will: (1) provide all required comprehensive primary health services for a period of not to exceed two years (subject to a waiver); and (2) establish a community advisory committee to provide input into the clinic's decisionmaking process.Permits grant funds to be used for primary care and additional health services for the management of clinic programs, salaries, training, and the acquisition and leasing of buildings and equipment. Requires the amount of any grant to be determined by the Secretary considering the financial need of, and state, local, and other operational funding provided to, the clinic.Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program through which the Secretary shall provide clinics technical and other assistance in meeting requirements of this Act; and (2) develop and implement a plan for evaluating clinics funded.

amends public_health_service_act direct secretary health_and_human_services award grants cost operating nurse managed health clinics provide primary care underserved vulnerable populations associated school college nursing department federally qualified health center independent nonprofit health social services agency requires grant application contain assurances clinic provide required comprehensive primary health services period exceed years subject waiver establish community advisory committee provide input clinic decisionmaking process permits grant funds primary care additional health services management clinic programs salaries training acquisition leasing buildings equipment requires grant determined secretary considering financial need state local operational funding provided clinic directs secretary establish program secretary shall provide clinics technical assistance meeting requirements act develop implement plan evaluating clinics funded


Summary: Medicare Preventive Services Coverage Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) extend from six months to one year the eligibility period for the "Welcome to Medicare" physical examination; and (2) cover and waive cost-sharing for specified additional preventive screening services.

amends title xviii medicare social security act extend months year eligibility period welcome medicare physical examination cover waive cost sharing specified additional preventive screening services


Summary: Community Health Center Employee Health Coverage Act of 2007 - Expands the definition of "employee" for purposes of the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program to include an individual who is an employee of a federally qualified heath center, or a grantee providing technical or other assistance to such a center, that has elected to offer FEHB coverage. Requires such an employee to pay both the employee and agency contributions and administrative expenses.

expands definition employee purposes federal_employees_health benefits fehb program include individual employee federally qualified heath center grantee providing technical assistance center elected offer fehb coverage requires employee pay employee agency contributions administrative expenses


Summary: Preexisting Condition Exclusion Patient Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to allow a group health plan to impose a preexisting condition exclusion only if: (1) such exclusion relates to a condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within the 30-day period ending on the enrollment date; and (2) such exclusion extends not more than three months, or nine months for a late enrollee, after the enrollment date.Applies such requirement to coverage offered in the individual market. Allows an issuer of individual health insurance coverage to impose a preexisting condition exclusion for a period of not more than three months under certain circumstances.Revises provisions that prohibit health insurance issuers that offer health insurance coverage in the individual market from declining to offer coverage or imposing any preexisting condition exclusion on coverage to an eligible individual to remove eligibility requirements that require an individual to have: (1) elected COBRA continuation coverage, if it was offered; and (2) exhausted such continuation coverage, if elected.

preexisting condition exclusion patient protection act amends employee retirement income security act erisa public_health_service_act internal revenue code allow group health plan impose preexisting condition exclusion exclusion relates condition medical advice diagnosis care treatment recommended received day period ending enrollment date exclusion extends months months late enrollee enrollment date applies requirement coverage offered individual market allows issuer individual health insurance coverage impose preexisting condition exclusion period months certain circumstances revises provisions prohibit health insurance issuers offer health insurance coverage individual market declining offer coverage imposing preexisting condition exclusion coverage eligible individual remove eligibility requirements require individual elected cobra continuation coverage offered exhausted continuation coverage elected


Summary: Equity for Our Nation's Self Employed Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow self-employed individuals to deduct health insurance costs in computing the tax on self-employment income.

equity nation self employed act amends internal revenue code allow self employed individuals deduct health insurance costs computing tax self employment income


Summary: Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for direct access to qualified audiologists for Medicare beneficiaries, without regard to any requirement that the beneficiary be under the care of (or referred by) a physician or other health care practitioner, or that such services are provided under the supervision of a physician or other health care practitioner. Covers audiology services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).

amends title xviii medicare social security act provide direct access qualified audiologists medicare beneficiaries regard requirement beneficiary care referred physician health care practitioner services provided supervision physician health care practitioner covers audiology services medicare supplementary_medical_insurance


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing care and a variety of services (including counseling) to veterans residing in rural areas through a mobile system that transports Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical and benefits personnel, as well as equipment and other materials, to the areas designated for the program.Requires a mobile system to visit each designated area at least once each 45 days and remain present during each visit for at least 48 hours.Sets forth coordination requirements concerning identification of veterans who are not enrolled in, or otherwise being cared for by, the VA health care system, county and local veterans service offices, and use of community-based VA outpatient clinics.

directs secretary veterans_affairs carry pilot program assess feasibility advisability providing care variety services including counseling veterans residing rural areas mobile system transports department_of_veterans_affairs medical benefits personnel equipment materials areas designated program requires mobile system visit designated area days remain present visit hours sets forth coordination requirements concerning identification veterans enrolled health care system county local veterans service offices use community based outpatient clinics


Summary: Health Care Choice Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide 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 the conditions of this Act.Exempts issuers from any secondary state's laws that would prohibit or regulate the operation of the issuer in such state, subject to certain restrictions imposed by such state.Specifies the notice that an issuer must provide in any insurance coverage offered in a secondary state and at renewal of the policy.Requires each issuer issuing individual health insurance coverage in both primary and secondary states to submit to: (1) the insurance commissioners of such states a copy of the plan of operation or feasibility study and written notice of any change in its designation of its primary state and of its compliance with all the laws of the primary state; and (2) the insurance commission of each secondary state a copy of the issuer's quarterly financial statement that was submitted to the primary state.Prohibits an issuer from offering, selling, or issuing individual health insurance coverage in a secondary state if the state insurance commissioner does not use a risk-based capital formula for the determination of capital and surplus requirements for all issuers.Gives sole jurisdiction to the primary state to enforce the primary state's covered laws in the primary state and any secondary state. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the effect of this Act on specified health insurance issues.

health care choice act amends public_health_service_act provide 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 exempts issuers secondary state laws prohibit regulate operation issuer state subject certain restrictions imposed state specifies notice issuer provide insurance coverage offered secondary state renewal policy requires issuer issuing individual health insurance coverage primary secondary states submit insurance commissioners states copy plan operation feasibility study written notice change designation primary state compliance laws primary state insurance commission secondary state copy issuer quarterly financial statement submitted primary state prohibits issuer offering selling issuing individual health insurance coverage secondary state state insurance commissioner use risk based capital formula determination capital surplus requirements issuers gives sole jurisdiction primary state enforce primary state covered laws primary state secondary state requires comptroller general study report congress effect act specified health insurance issues


Summary: Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 - (Sec. 101) Title I: Increase in Physician Payment Update; Extension of the Physician Quality Reporting System - (Sec. 101) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) increase the physician payment update; (2) revise the Physician Assistance and Quality Initiative Fund, adding limitations on expenditures; and (3) extend through 2009 the physician quality reporting system Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 to provide for transitional bonus incentive payments for quality reporting in 2008, and waive the payment limitation for 2008 and 2009. Directs the Secretary to establish alternative criteria for: (1) satisfactory reporting; (2) alternative reporting periods for reporting groups of quality measures for professional services; and (3) other specified reporting. Makes necessary appropriations to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Program Management Account for purposes of such quality reporting in 2008. (Sec. 102) Extends through June 30, 2008: (1) the Medicare incentive payment program for physician scarcity areas; and (2) the floor on work geographic adjustment under the Medicare physician fee schedule. (Sec. 104) Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 and the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, to extend the specified treatment of certain physician pathology services under Medicare for the first six months of 2008. (Sec. 105) Extends through June 30, 2008: (1) the exceptions process for Medicare therapy caps; and (2) the payment rule for brachytherapy. Extends the latter payment rule to therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. (Sec. 107) Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, as amended by the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, to extend through June 30, 2008, Medicare reasonable costs payments for certain clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished to hospital patients in certain rural areas. (Sec. 108) Extends until January 1, 2010, the authority of specialized Medicare advantage plans for special needs individuals to restrict enrollment. (Sec. 109) Delays until January 1, 2009, any application of the limitation on extension or renewal of Medicare reasonable cost contract plans. (Sec. 110) Amends SSA title XVIII, as amended by Public Law 110-48, to decrease the amount of funding available to the Medicare Advantage Regional Plan Stabilization Fund during 2013. (Sec. 111) Requires any entity serving as an insurer or third party administrator for a group health plan, as well as the administrator or fiduciary of any self-insured, self-administered group health plan, to: (1) secure from the plan sponsor and plan participants information necessary to identifying situations where the group health plan is or has been a primary plan to the Medicare program; and (2) submit such information to the Secretary. Requires an applicable plan to determine: (1) whether a claimant is entitled to Medicare benefits on any basis; and (2) submit specified information about any entitled claimant to the Secretary. Establishes civil money penalties for enforcement. (Sec. 112) Provides for application of alternative volume weighting in computation of average sales price with respect to payment of Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) multiple source and single source drugs furnished after April 1, 2008.. Provides for a special rule for payment, beginning April 1, 2008, of single source drugs or biologicals treated as a multiple source drug. (Sec. 113) Sets the payment rate for diagnostic laboratory tests for HbA1c that are labeled by the Food and Drug Administration for home use and are furnished on or after April 1, 2008. (Sec. 114) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the establishment of: (1) a national long-term care hospital (LTCH) facility primarily engaged in providing inpatient services to Medicare beneficiaries whose medically complex conditions require a long hospital stay; and (2) patient criteria for purposes of determining medical necessity, appropriateness of admission, and continued stay at, and discharge from, LTCHs. Prohibits the Secretary from applying, for a three-year period, the 25% patient threshold payment adjustment to freestanding and grandfathered LTCHs. Provides that payment to an applicable LTCH or satellite facility located in a rural area, or co-located with an urban single or MSA dominant hospital, shall not be subject to any payment adjustment if no more than 75% of the hospital's Medicare discharges are admitted from a colocated hospital. (An "MSA-dominant hospital" is one that has discharged more than 25% of the total hospital Medicare discharges in the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in which the hospital is located.) Provides that payment to an applicable LTCH or satellite facility colocated with another hospital shall not be subject to a specified payment adjustment if no more than 50% of the hospital's Medicare discharges (with certain exceptions) are admitted from a colocated hospital. Prohibits the Secretary from applying certain amendments finalized on May 11, 2007, to the short-stay outlier payment regulations for LTCHs. Prohibits the Secretary from making the one-time prospective adjustment to LTCH prospective payment rates. Directs the Secretary to impose a moratorium for purposes of the Medicare program: (1) on the establishment and classification of a LTCH (with certain exceptions) or satellite facility, other than an existing one; and (2) on an increase of LTCH beds in existing LTCHs or satellite facilities (except for bed increases in an existing LTCH or satellite facility during the moratorium). Provides for prospective payment updates for LTCHs. Directs the Secretary to provide, under contracts with one or more appropriate fiscal intermediaries or Medicare administrative contractors, for reviews of the medical necessity of admissions to LTCHs and continued stay at such hospitals of individuals entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance). Makes necessary appropriations for FY2008-FY2009. (Sec. 115) Freezes the payment for inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) services in FY2008-FY2009. Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to require the Secretary to require a compliance rate no greater than 60% in the classification criterion used under the IRF regulation to determine whether a hospital or hospital unit is an inpatient rehabilitation facility under Medicare. Requires the Secretary, for cost reporting periods beginning on or after July 1, 2007, to include patients with comorbidities in the applicable inpatient population. Directs the Secretary to analyze and report to Congress on: (1) Medicare beneficiaries' access to medically necessary rehabilitation services; (2) alternatives or refinements to the 75% rule policy for determining criteria for inpatient rehabilitation hospital and unit designation under the Medicare program; and (3) certain conditions for which individuals are commonly admitted to certain inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. (Sec. 116) Extends through June 30, 2008, the exception to the 60-day limit on Medicare reciprocal billing arrangements in the case of arrangements between two physicians over a longer continuous period during all of which one of them is ordered to active duty as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces. (Sec. 117) Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 to extend certain Medicare hospital wage index reclassifications through FY2008. Directs the Secretary to extend for discharges occurring through September 30, 2008, the special exception reclassifications made under Medicare and contained in the final rule promulgated by the Secretary in the Federal Register on August 11, 2004. Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to provide, for purposes of the reclassification of a group of hospitals in a geographic area for purposes of discharges occurring during FY 2008, that a hospital reclassified under such Act shall not be taken into account and shall not prevent the other hospitals in such area from continuing such a group for such purposes. Directs the Secretary, in the case of certain subsection (d) hospitals, to apply a certain higher wage index in specified circumstances. (Sec. 118) Directs the Secretary to use certain funds to make grants to states for: (1) state health insurance assistance programs receiving assistance under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990; and (2) area agencies on aging. Requires direct grants also to the Aging and Disability Resources Centers under the Aging and Disability Resource Center grant program. Title II: Medicaid and SCHIP - (Sec. 201) Amends SSA title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) to extend SCHIP funding through March 31, 2009. Makes permanent the rules on redistribution of unspent FY 2005 allotments. Provides for: (1) additional allotments to eliminate remaining funding shortfalls for FY2008; (2) the redistribution of unused FY2006 allotments to states with estimated funding shortfalls during the first two quarters of FY2009; and (3) additional allotments to eliminate funding shortfalls for the first two quarters of FY2009. (Sec. 202) Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, as amended by Public Law 110-48 and the TMA, Abstinence, Education, and QI Programs Extension Act of 2007 to extend through June 30, 2008, authority for transitional medical assistance (TMA) and the abstinence education program. (Sec. 203) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to entend through June 2008 the qualifying individual (QI) program. (Sec. 204) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to extend through June 30, 2008, the Medicaid disproportionate hospital share (DSH) allotments for the states of Tennessee and Hawaii, with specified adjustments. (Sec. 205) Amends SSA title XXI to make appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce for adjustments to the annual Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey in order to produce statistically reliable annual state data on the number of low-income children who do not have health insurance coverage. (Sec. 206) Prohibits the Secretary from taking any action to impose any Medicaid coverage or payment restrictions for rehabilitation services or school-based transportation, if such restrictions are more restrictive in any aspect than those applied to such areas as of July 1, 2007. Title III: Miscellaneous - (Sec. 301) Makes the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) a congressional agency. (Sec. 302) Amends the Public Health Service Act to to make appropriations for special diabetes programs for Type I diabetes and for Indians for FY2009.

medicare medicaid schip extension act sec title increase extension sec amends title xviii medicare social security act ssa increase physician payment update revise physician assistance quality initiative fund adding limitations expenditures extend physician quality reporting system amends tax relief health care act provide transitional bonus incentive payments quality reporting waive payment limitation directs secretary establish alternative criteria satisfactory reporting alternative reporting periods reporting groups quality measures professional services specified reporting makes necessary appropriations purposes quality reporting sec extends june medicare incentive payment program physician scarcity areas floor work geographic adjustment medicare physician fee schedule sec amends medicare medicaid schip benefits improvement protection act amended medicare_prescription_drug improvement modernization act tax relief health care act extend specified treatment certain physician pathology services medicare months sec extends june exceptions process medicare therapy caps payment rule extends payment rule therapeutic sec amends medicare_prescription_drug improvement modernization act amended extend june medicare reasonable costs payments certain clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished hospital patients certain rural areas sec extends january authority specialized medicare advantage plans special needs individuals restrict enrollment sec delays january application limitation extension renewal medicare reasonable cost contract plans sec amends ssa title xviii amended public law decrease funding available sec requires entity serving insurer party administrator group health plan administrator fiduciary self insured self administered group health plan secure plan sponsor plan participants information necessary identifying situations group health plan primary plan medicare program submit information secretary requires applicable plan determine claimant entitled medicare benefits basis submit specified information entitled claimant secretary establishes civil money penalties enforcement sec provides application alternative volume computation average sales price respect payment medicare supplementary_medical_insurance multiple source single source drugs furnished april provides special rule payment beginning april single source drugs biologicals treated multiple source drug sec sets payment rate diagnostic laboratory tests labeled food_and_drug_administration home use furnished april sec directs secretary study report congress establishment national long term care hospital ltch facility primarily engaged providing inpatient services medicare beneficiaries medically complex conditions require long hospital stay patient criteria purposes determining medical necessity appropriateness admission continued stay discharge ltchs prohibits secretary applying year period patient threshold payment adjustment freestanding grandfathered ltchs provides payment applicable ltch satellite facility located rural area located urban single msa dominant hospital shall subject payment adjustment hospital medicare discharges admitted hospital msa dominant hospital discharged total hospital medicare discharges metropolitan statistical area msa hospital located provides payment applicable ltch satellite facility hospital shall subject specified payment adjustment hospital medicare discharges certain exceptions admitted hospital prohibits secretary applying certain amendments finalized short stay outlier payment regulations ltchs prohibits secretary making time prospective adjustment ltch prospective payment rates directs secretary impose moratorium purposes medicare program establishment classification ltch certain exceptions satellite facility existing increase ltch beds existing ltchs satellite facilities bed increases existing ltch satellite facility moratorium provides prospective payment updates ltchs directs secretary provide contracts appropriate fiscal intermediaries medicare administrative contractors reviews medical necessity admissions ltchs continued stay hospitals individuals entitled enrolled benefits medicare makes necessary appropriations fy2008 fy2009 sec freezes payment inpatient rehabilitation facility services fy2008 fy2009 amends deficit reduction act require secretary require compliance rate greater classification criterion regulation determine hospital hospital unit inpatient rehabilitation facility medicare requires secretary cost reporting periods beginning july include patients applicable inpatient population directs secretary analyze report congress medicare beneficiaries access medically necessary rehabilitation services alternatives rule policy determining criteria inpatient rehabilitation hospital unit designation medicare program certain conditions individuals commonly admitted certain inpatient rehabilitation hospitals sec extends june exception day limit medicare reciprocal billing arrangements case arrangements physicians longer continuous period ordered active duty member reserve component armed forces sec amends tax relief health care act extend certain medicare hospital wage index reclassifications fy2008 directs secretary extend discharges occurring september special exception reclassifications medicare contained final rule promulgated secretary federal_register august amends medicare_prescription_drug improvement modernization act provide purposes reclassification group hospitals geographic area purposes discharges occurring hospital reclassified act shall taken account shall prevent hospitals area continuing group purposes directs secretary case certain subsection hospitals apply certain higher wage index specified circumstances sec directs secretary use certain funds grants states state health insurance assistance programs receiving assistance omnibus_budget_reconciliation_act area agencies aging requires direct grants grant program title medicaid schip sec amends ssa title schip extend schip funding march makes permanent rules redistribution unspent allotments provides additional allotments eliminate remaining funding shortfalls fy2008 redistribution unused fy2006 allotments states estimated funding shortfalls quarters fy2009 additional allotments eliminate funding shortfalls quarters fy2009 sec amends tax relief health care act amended public law tma programs extension act extend june authority transitional medical assistance tma abstinence education program sec amends ssa title xix medicaid june qualifying individual program sec amends ssa title xix medicaid extend june medicaid disproportionate hospital share dsh allotments states tennessee hawaii specified adjustments sec amends ssa title xxi appropriations secretary commerce adjustments annual order produce statistically reliable annual state data number low income children health insurance coverage sec prohibits secretary taking action impose medicaid coverage payment restrictions rehabilitation services school based transportation restrictions restrictive aspect applied areas july title iii miscellaneous sec makes medicare_payment_advisory_commission medpac congressional agency sec amends public_health_service_act appropriations special diabetes programs type diabetes indians fy2009


Summary: Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for programs, functions, and activities of the Veterans Health Administration for FY2008 130 percent of the amount obligated during FY2006. Adjusts the amount provided for fiscal years after FY2008 based on the number of enrolled veterans and the number of other persons eligible but not enrolled who are provided care, multiplied by the per capita baseline amount for FY2006, as increased by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index. Prohibits the availability of such funds for: (1) construction, acquisition, or alteration of veterans' medical facilities (other than for repairs provided for before the date of enactment of this Act); or (2) grants for the construction of state home facilities for the furnishing of veterans' domiciliary, nursing home, and hospital care.

assured funding veterans health care act requires secretary treasury available secretary veterans_affairs programs functions activities veterans_health_administration fy2008 percent obligated fy2006 adjusts provided fiscal years fy2008 based number enrolled veterans number persons eligible enrolled provided care multiplied capita baseline fy2006 increased percentage increase consumer price index prohibits availability funds construction acquisition alteration veterans medical facilities repairs provided date enactment act grants construction state home facilities furnishing veterans domiciliary nursing home hospital care


Summary: Medicare Beneficiary Protection Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and maintain a Medicare plan complaint system. Requires non-network Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service plans to disclose providers that refuse to accept certain enrollees in the plan. Prohibits certain marketing practices with respect to Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug plans, including provision for meals or other items of monetary value, telemarketing, cross-selling, and up-selling. Revises enrollment requirements under Medicare parts C (Medicare+Choice) and D (Voluntary Prescription Drugs). Allows an individual to discontinue an election of a Medicare+Choice plan if enrolled fewer than 60 days. Changes the beginning date of the annual, coordinated election period for such a plan from November 15 to October 1. Requires the Secretary, in establishing a process for the enrollment, disenrollment, termination, and change of enrollment of part D eligible individuals in prescription drug plans, to use rules similar to (and coordinated with) those under the Medicare+Choice program for a continuous open enrollment and disenrollment period for the first three months of the year in which an individual first becomes eligible.

amends title xviii medicare social security act direct secretary health_and_human_services develop maintain medicare plan complaint system requires non network medicare_advantage private fee service plans disclose providers refuse accept certain enrollees plan prohibits certain marketing practices respect medicare_advantage plans prescription drug plans including provision meals items monetary value telemarketing cross selling selling revises enrollment requirements medicare parts voluntary prescription drugs allows individual discontinue election plan enrolled fewer days changes beginning date annual coordinated election period plan november october requires secretary establishing process enrollment disenrollment termination change enrollment eligible individuals prescription drug plans use rules similar coordinated program continuous open enrollment disenrollment period months year individual eligible


Summary: Health Insurance Coverage Protection Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a group health plan from imposing an aggregate lifetime benefit limit of less than: (1) $5 million for the first two plan years; (2) $10 million for the third and fourth plan years; and (3) adjusted amounts based on the consumer price index for subsequent plan years. Excludes from such prohibition a group health plan offered to employees of a small employer, except upon request of the employer for a consistent limit.Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with the Institute of Medicine for a study to determine the number of individuals who have reached the lifetime limitations set forth in this Act.

act amends employee retirement income security act erisa public_health_service_act prohibit group health plan imposing aggregate lifetime benefit limit million plan years million fourth plan years adjusted amounts based consumer price index subsequent plan years excludes prohibition group health plan offered employees small employer request employer consistent limit requires secretary health_and_human_services contract institute_of_medicine study determine number individuals reached lifetime limitations set forth act


Summary: Small Business Health Options Program Act of 2008 or the SHOP Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate an office within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to administer a health insurance program for small businesses and self-employed individuals to purchase health insurance coverage meeting certain requirements. Establishes a Small Business Health Board to monitor the implementation of the program and make recommendations for improvements.Requires the Administrator of the program to: (1) enter into contracts with health insurance issuers to provide health insurance coverage under this Act; and (2) enter into agreements with entities to serve as navigators to provide information about the program and assist in enrollment.Requires a participating employer to ensure that each eligible employee has an opportunity to enroll in a plan. Sets forth requirements for health plans offered under this Act. Requires the Administrator to contract with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to study the rating requirements that apply to health insurance purchased in the small group markets in the states and to develop recommendations concerning rating requirements.Sets forth premium-setting rules for plans under this Act.Allows a state to prohibit participation in this program if the state offers alternative health benefit plans.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for small employers for qualified employee health insurance expenses under this Act.

shop act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services designate office department_of_health_and_human_services hhs administer health insurance program small businesses self employed individuals purchase health insurance coverage meeting certain requirements establishes monitor implementation program recommendations improvements requires administrator program enter contracts health insurance issuers provide health insurance coverage act enter agreements entities serve navigators provide information program assist enrollment requires participating employer ensure eligible employee opportunity enroll plan sets forth requirements health plans offered act requires administrator contract national_association_of_insurance_commissioners study rating requirements apply health insurance purchased small group markets states develop recommendations concerning rating requirements sets forth premium setting rules plans act allows state prohibit participation program state offers alternative health benefit plans amends internal revenue code allow tax credit small employers qualified employee health insurance expenses act


Summary: Small Business Health Plans Act of 2008 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for the establishment and governance of small business health plans, which are group health plans sponsored by trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations that meet ERISA certification requirements. Requires the Secretary of Labor to: (1) apply the rules and standards of this Act to Alternative Market Pooling Organizations, such as unions, churches, and other groups; and (2) consult with the domicile state regarding the Secretary's exercise of authority over such plans. Allows other existing plans to be treated as small business health plans under certain circumstances. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to promulgate Minimum Standards for premium variations and Model Small Group Rating Rules for plans under this Act. Requires the Secretary to issue the List of Required Benefits of covered benefits, services, or categories of providers that are required to be provided by health insurance issuers in at least 26 states as a result of state mandate laws. Applies covered benefit, service, or category of provider mandates from the List to states with laws requiring such mandates, but does not apply such mandates from the List to states with no such laws. Supersedes any and all state laws relating to such mandates in the health insurance market.Requires the Secretary to establish the Health Insurance Consensus Standards Board to develop recommendations that harmonize inconsistent state health insurance laws. Provides that any harmonized standards adopted by the Secretary will supersede state laws related to the areas covered by the harmonized standards.

plans act amends employee retirement income security act erisa provide establishment governance small business health plans group health plans sponsored trade industry professional chamber commerce similar business associations meet erisa certification requirements requires secretary labor apply rules standards act alternative market pooling organizations unions churches groups consult domicile state secretary exercise authority plans allows existing plans treated small business health plans certain circumstances amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services secretary promulgate minimum standards premium variations plans act requires secretary issue list required benefits covered benefits services categories providers required provided health insurance issuers states result state mandate laws applies covered benefit service category provider mandates list states laws requiring mandates apply mandates list states laws supersedes state laws relating mandates health insurance market requires secretary establish develop recommendations harmonize inconsistent state health insurance laws provides harmonized standards adopted secretary supersede state laws related areas covered harmonized standards


Summary: Economic Recovery in Health Care Act of 2008 - Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from finalizing, implementing, enforcing, or otherwise taking any action to give effect prior to April 1, 2009, to the following administrative actions: (1) the proposed and final rule (with certain exceptions) entitled "Medicaid Program; Health-Care Related Taxes," published, respectively, on March 23, 2007, and on February 22, 2008; (2) the proposed rule entitled "Medicaid Program; Graduate Medical Education," published on May 23, 2007; (3) the State Health Official Letter 07-001, dated August 17, 2007, issued by the Director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding certain requirements under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) relating to the prevention of the substitution of health benefits coverage for children and the enforcement of medical support orders; (4) the proposed rule entitled "Medicaid Program; Clarification of Outpatient Clinic and Hospital Facility Services definition and Upper Payment Limit," published on September 28, 2007; (5) the interim final rule entitled "Medicaid Program; Optional State Plan Case Management Services," published on December 4, 2007; and (6) the proposed rule entitled "Revisions to Procedures for the Departmental Appeals Board and Other Departmental Hearings," published on December 28, 2007. Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007 to extend through April 1, 2009, the moratorium relating to the cost limit for providers operated by units of government and provisions to ensure the integrity of the federal-state financial partnership. Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 to extend through April 1, 2009, the moratorium relating to rehabilitation services, school-based administration, and school-based transportation. Provides for state fiscal relief through a temporary increase of Medicaid federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) and targeted grants to Round One (FY2008 and FY2009) and Round Two (FY2009 only) Qualifying States. Makes appropriations for related payments to such states.

economic recovery health care act prohibits secretary health_and_human_services finalizing implementing enforcing taking action effect prior april following administrative actions proposed final rule certain exceptions entitled published respectively march february proposed rule entitled published dated august issued director center medicaid centers certain requirements relating prevention substitution health benefits coverage children enforcement medical support orders proposed rule entitled definition published september interim final rule entitled published december proposed rule entitled revisions procedures departmental appeals board departmental hearings published december amends katrina_recovery iraq_accountability_appropriations_act extend april moratorium relating cost limit providers operated units government provisions ensure integrity federal state financial partnership amends medicare medicaid schip extension act extend april moratorium relating rehabilitation services school based administration school based transportation provides state fiscal relief temporary increase medicaid federal medical assistance percentage fmap targeted grants round fy2008 fy2009 round fy2009 makes appropriations related payments states


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) taxpayers who do not itemize their deductions to deduct from gross income the costs of health insurance and long-term care insurance; and (2) payments from health savings accounts for non-group high deductible health plan premiums.

amends internal revenue code allow taxpayers itemize deductions deduct gross income costs health insurance long term care insurance payments health savings accounts non group high deductible health plan premiums


Summary: Small Business Empowerment Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national program to make quality, affordable health insurance available to small employers and self-employed individuals in a manner that will spread risk on a national basis, modeled on the federal employees health benefit program.Requires the Secretary to enter into a contract with an eligible entity for administration of the program. Authorizes such administrator to provide health insurance coverage to employees of participating employers and individuals. Directs such administrator to: (1) establish a pilot program to provide for the offering by carriers of a model health benefits plan; and (2) contract with the Institute of Medicine to assess the impact of the program on health care coverage costs and access.Sets minimum standards for program health benefits plans. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations providing for employer participation.Establishes the National Health Coverage Commission. Includes among Commission duties: (1) developing a model that ensures adequate coverage for medically necessary services, promotes disease and chronic disease management, and provides incentives for health provider compliance with best practices protocols; and (2) developing model cost sharing mechanisms that do not discriminate and that accommodate lower income individuals.Directs the Secretary and the program administrator to implement an educational campaign concerning the program.Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to provide reinsurance to qualified carriers offering plans under this Act; (2) make specified large claim payments (from the Small Business Health Coverage Trust Fund established by this Act) and annual payments to such carriers; and (3) require the payment of monthly assessments by each issuer offering health insurance coverage.

small business empowerment act directs secretary health_and_human_services establish national program quality affordable health insurance available small employers self employed individuals manner spread risk national basis modeled federal employees health benefit program requires secretary enter contract eligible entity administration program authorizes administrator provide health insurance coverage employees participating employers individuals directs administrator establish pilot program provide offering carriers model health benefits plan contract institute_of_medicine assess impact program health care coverage costs access sets minimum standards program health benefits plans directs secretary prescribe regulations providing employer participation establishes includes commission duties developing model ensures adequate coverage medically necessary services promotes disease chronic disease management provides incentives health provider compliance best practices protocols developing model cost sharing mechanisms discriminate accommodate lower income individuals directs secretary program administrator implement educational campaign concerning program requires secretary establish program provide reinsurance qualified carriers offering plans act specified large claim payments established act annual payments carriers require payment monthly assessments issuer offering health insurance coverage


Summary: Medicare IVIG Access Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, upon collection of data and completion of a review, to provide, if appropriate, to physicians and hospitals furnishing intravenous immune globulins (IVIGs), an additional payment for all items related to the furnishing of IVIG in an appropriate amount.Provides for coverage of IVIG administered in the home. Makes disposable drug delivery systems, including elastomeric infusion pumps, for the treatment of colorectal cancer durable medical equipment for Medicare purposes.

medicare ivig access act amends title xviii medicare social security act direct secretary health_and_human_services collection data completion review provide appropriate physicians hospitals furnishing intravenous immune additional payment items related furnishing ivig appropriate provides coverage ivig administered home makes disposable drug delivery systems including infusion pumps treatment colorectal cancer medical medicare purposes


Summary: Access to Cancer Clinical Trials Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a group health plan from: (1) denying an eligible participant or beneficiary participation in clinical trials related to the treatment of cancer that are federally funded or conducted under an investigational new drug application reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); (2) denying (or limiting or imposing additional conditions on) the coverage of routine patient costs for items and services furnished in connection with such participation; or (3) discriminating against an individual on the basis of such participation. Includes as routine patient costs all items and services provided in the clinical trial that are otherwise generally available to a qualified individual, with certain exceptions. Applies such prohibitions to coverage offered in the individual market.Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study the impact on group health plans and health insurance issuers of requiring them to cover routine patient care costs for individuals with serious and life threatening diseases other than cancer.

access cancer clinical trials act amends public_health_service_act employee retirement income security act erisa internal revenue code prohibit group health plan denying eligible participant beneficiary participation clinical trials related treatment cancer federally funded conducted investigational new drug application reviewed food_and_drug_administration fda denying limiting imposing additional conditions coverage routine patient costs items services furnished connection participation discriminating individual basis participation includes routine patient costs items services provided clinical trial generally available qualified individual certain exceptions applies prohibitions coverage offered individual market requires secretary health_and_human_services study impact group health plans health insurance issuers requiring cover routine patient care costs individuals life threatening diseases cancer


Summary: Children's Health Protection Act of 2008 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a group health plan from imposing any preexisting condition exclusion for individuals who have not attained 19 years of age. Applies such requirement to coverage offered in the individual market.

amends employee retirement income security act erisa public_health_service_act internal revenue code prohibit group health plan imposing preexisting condition exclusion individuals attained years age applies requirement coverage offered individual market


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the harbor maintenance tax commercial cargo (other than bulk cargo) loaded at: (1) a port in the U.S. mainland and unloaded at another such port after transport solely by coastal route or river or unloaded at a port in Canada located in the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System; or (2) such a port in Canada and unloaded at a port in the U.S. mainland. Defines the "Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System" as the waterway between Duluth, Minnesota, and Sept Iles, Quebec, Canada, encompassing the five Great Lakes, their connecting channels, and the Saint Lawrence River.

amends internal revenue code exempt harbor maintenance tax commercial cargo bulk cargo loaded port mainland unloaded port transport solely coastal route river unloaded port canada located great lakes saint lawrence seaway system port canada unloaded port mainland defines great lakes saint lawrence seaway system waterway duluth minnesota quebec canada encompassing great lakes connecting channels saint lawrence river


Summary: Medicare and Medicaid Extension Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to extend: (1) the physician payment update; (2) the floor on the work geographic adjustment under the Medicare physician fee schedule; (3) the treatment of certain physician pathology services; (4) the exceptions process for therapy caps; (5) the payment rule for brachytherapy and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals; and (6) the accommodation of physicians ordered to active duty in the Armed Services. Delays generally until after 2011 full implementation of the Medicare competitive acquisition program for the purchase of durable medical equipment (DME), prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS).Revises such program, dividing its implementation into two rounds, and specifying covered item updates for 2009-2014.Prescribes requirements for application of accreditation in implementing quality standards.Requires suppliers to disclose subcontractors.Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for a competitive acquisition ombudsman within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to respond to complaints and inquiries by suppliers and individuals.Specifies topics for the Comptroller General's required study and report to Congress on the impact of competitive acquisition of DME on suppliers, manufacturers, and patients. Sets forth a special rule for the competitive acquisition program for diabetic testing strips. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to extend the qualifying individual (QI), transitional medical assistance (TMA), abstinence education, and Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) programs.

medicare medicaid extension act amends title xviii medicare social security act ssa extend physician payment update floor work geographic adjustment medicare physician fee schedule treatment certain physician pathology services exceptions process therapy caps payment rule therapeutic accommodation physicians ordered active duty delays generally implementation medicare competitive acquisition program purchase durable medical equipment dme prosthetics orthotics supplies program dividing implementation rounds specifying covered item updates requirements application accreditation implementing quality standards requires suppliers disclose subcontractors directs secretary health_and_human_services provide competitive acquisition ombudsman respond complaints inquiries suppliers individuals specifies topics comptroller_general required study report congress impact competitive acquisition dme suppliers manufacturers patients sets forth special rule competitive acquisition program diabetic testing strips amends ssa title xix medicaid extend qualifying individual transitional medical assistance tma abstinence education medicaid disproportionate share hospital dsh programs