Summary:
Protecting the Integrity of Medicare Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish cost-effective procedures to ensure that: (1) a Social Security account number (or any derivative) is not displayed, coded, or embedded on the Medicare card issued to an individual entitled to benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of SSAct title XVIII (Medicare) or enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); and (2) any other identifier displayed on such card is not identifiable as a Social Security account number (or any derivative).

Directs the Secretary to make specified transfers during FY2015-FY2018 from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund to: (1) the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Program Management Account, (2) the Social Security Administration Limitation on Administration Account, and (3) the Railroad Retirement Board Limitation on Administration Account.

(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to establish procedures to ensure that Medicare payment is not made for items and services furnished to an individual incarcerated, deceased, or otherwise ineligible and not lawfully present in the United States.

(Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary, if cost-effective and technologically viable, to consider appropriate measures to implement use of electronic Medicare beneficiary and provider smart cards.

(Sec. 5) Extends the Medicare durable medical equipment face-to-face encounter documentation requirement to include physician assistants, practitioners, or specialists as well as physicians (as under current law).

(Sec. 6) Requires each Medicare administrative contractor to establish an improper payment outreach and education program for service providers and suppliers in order to reduce improper Medicare payments.

Requires the Secretary to retain a portion of the amounts recovered by recovery audit contractors to improve the ability of chiropractors to provide documentation of services to the Secretary to ensure that they are reasonable and necessary.

(Sec.7) Requires the Secretary to develop a plan to revise the incentive program under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 to encourage greater participation by individuals to report fraud and abuse in the Medicare program.

(Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to require a claim for a covered Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) drug for an individual enrolled in a prescription drug plan or in a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan (PDP) to include a valid prescriber National Provider Identifier.

(Sec. 9) Gives Medicare beneficiaries the option to receive the Medicare Summary Notice (explanation of benefits) electronically.

(Sec.10) Directs the Secretary to: (1) apply competitive procedures to selection of a Medicare administrative contractor at least once every 10 years (currently once every 5 years); and (3) study and, as appropriate, specify incentives for states to work with the Secretary under the Medicare-Medicaid Data Match Program to protect the federal and state share of expenditures.

(Sec. 12) Authorizes a PDP sponsor to establish a drug management program for at-risk beneficiaries.

Requires a PDP sponsor, with respect to covered part D drugs, to have in place, directly or through appropriate arrangements, a utilization management tool designed to prevent: (1) the abuse of frequently abused drugs by individuals, and (2) the diversion of such drugs at pharmacies.

Directs the Secretary to authorize Medicare drug integrity contractors (MEDICs) to accept directly an individual's prescription and necessary medical records from pharmacies, prescription drug plans, and physicians in order for MEDICs to provide information relevant to determining whether the individual is an at-risk beneficiary.

Requires the Government Accountability Office to study: (1) the implementation of these amendments; and (2) the effectiveness of the at-risk beneficiaries for prescription drug abuse drug management program.

(Sec. 13) Directs the Secretary to issue a clarification or modification with respect to the application of the Common Rule (governing the protection of human subjects in research) to activities involving clinical data registries.

(Sec. 14) Amends SSA title XI to eliminate civil monetary penalties for inducements to physicians to limit services that are not medically necessary. Retains such penalties for inducements to limit medically necessary services.

Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on options for amending existing Medicare fraud and abuse laws and regulations to permit gainsharing or similar arrangements between physicians and hospitals that would otherwise be subject to penalties.

(Sec. 15) Modifies the Medicare home health surety bond condition of participation requirement.

(Sec. 16) Directs the Secretary to: (1) implement a process for medical review of spinal subluxation services by a chiropractor, and (2) develop educational and training programs to improve the ability of chiropractors to document services in a manner that demonstrates they are reasonable and necessary.

(Sec. 17) Requires the Secretary to: (1) revise the testing in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina of a model of prior authorization for repetitive scheduled non-emergent ambulance transport to cover specified additional states; and (2) apply the prior authorization program to all states under certain conditions.

(Sec. 19) Directs the Secretary to submit a plan to Congress for including in the annual report of the Comprehensive Error Rate Testing programs data on services (other than medical visits) paid under the physician fee schedule where the fee schedule amount exceeds $250 and where the error rate exceeds 20%.

(Sec. 20) Removes funds for the Medicare Improvement Fund that were added by the Impact Act of 2014.

protecting integrity medicare act sec amends title old age survivors disability insurance social security act ssact direct secretary health_and_human_services establish cost effective procedures ensure social_security account number derivative displayed coded embedded medicare card issued individual entitled benefits ssact title xviii medicare enrolled medicare supplementary_medical_insurance identifier displayed card identifiable social_security account number derivative directs secretary specified transfers fy2015 fy2018 federal_hospital_insurance_trust_fund federal_supplementary_medical_insurance_trust_fund centers medicare sec directs secretary establish procedures ensure medicare payment items services furnished individual incarcerated deceased ineligible lawfully present united_states sec directs secretary cost effective technologically viable consider appropriate measures implement use electronic medicare beneficiary provider smart cards sec extends medicare durable medical equipment face face encounter documentation requirement include physician assistants practitioners specialists physicians current law sec requires medicare administrative contractor establish improper payment outreach education program service providers suppliers order reduce improper medicare payments requires secretary retain portion amounts recovered recovery audit contractors improve ability chiropractors provide documentation services secretary ensure reasonable necessary requires secretary develop plan revise incentive program health_insurance_portability_and_accountability_act encourage greater participation individuals report fraud abuse medicare program sec directs secretary require claim covered medicare voluntary prescription drug benefit program drug individual enrolled prescription drug plan medicare advantage prescription drug plan pdp include valid prescriber national provider identifier sec gives medicare beneficiaries option receive medicare summary notice explanation benefits electronically directs secretary apply competitive procedures selection medicare administrative contractor years currently years study appropriate specify incentives states work secretary medicare-medicaid data_match_program protect federal state share expenditures sec authorizes pdp sponsor establish drug management program risk beneficiaries requires pdp sponsor respect covered drugs place directly appropriate arrangements utilization management tool designed prevent abuse frequently abused drugs individuals diversion drugs pharmacies directs secretary authorize medicare drug integrity contractors medics accept directly individual prescription necessary medical records pharmacies prescription drug plans physicians order medics provide information relevant determining individual risk beneficiary requires government accountability office study implementation amendments effectiveness risk beneficiaries prescription drug abuse drug management program sec directs secretary issue clarification modification respect application common rule governing protection human subjects research activities involving clinical data registries sec amends ssa title eliminate civil monetary penalties inducements physicians limit services medically necessary retains penalties inducements limit medically necessary services directs secretary report congress options amending existing medicare fraud abuse laws regulations permit gainsharing similar arrangements physicians hospitals subject penalties sec modifies medicare home health surety bond condition participation requirement sec directs secretary implement process medical review spinal services chiropractor develop educational training programs improve ability chiropractors document services manner demonstrates reasonable necessary sec requires secretary revise testing new_jersey pennsylvania south_carolina model prior authorization repetitive scheduled non emergent ambulance transport cover specified additional states apply prior authorization program states certain conditions sec directs secretary submit plan congress including annual report programs data services medical visits paid physician fee schedule fee schedule exceeds error rate exceeds sec removes funds medicare_improvement_fund added impact act


Summary:
Truth in Healthcare Marketing Act of 2015

This bill prohibits any person from making any statement or engaging in any act that misrepresents: (1) whether the person holds a state health care license; or (2) the person's education, training, degree, license, or clinical expertise.

A person's advertisement for the person's health care services must disclose the license under which the person is authorized to provide those services.

A violation of this Act is an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

 The Federal Trade Commission must study and report to Congress on health care professionals' misrepresentations under this Act.

truth bill prohibits person making statement engaging act misrepresents person holds state health care license person education training degree license clinical expertise person advertisement person health care services disclose license person authorized provide services violation act unfair deceptive act practice federal_trade_commission_act federal_trade_commission study report congress health care professionals misrepresentations act


Summary:
This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise the conditions for state use of an independent enrollment broker in marketing Medicaid managed care organizations and other managed care entities to eligible individuals.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services must find that the broker has also established and maintains policies and procedures to ensure the independence of its enrollment activities from the interests of any managed care entity or provider.

bill amends title xix medicaid social security act revise conditions state use independent enrollment broker marketing medicaid managed care organizations managed care entities eligible individuals secretary health_and_human_services find broker established maintains policies procedures ensure independence enrollment activities interests managed care entity provider


Summary:
Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) with respect to the practices of recovery audit contractors (RACs) under the Medicare program fin identifying underpayments and overpayments and recouping overpayments.

Incentive payments to a RAC for recovery activities are prohibited for FY2015 and subsequent fiscal years.

Payments for recovery activities shall be reduced, according to a sliding scale established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to any RAC with a complex audit denial rate at the end of a fiscal year, determined pursuant to a specified formula, that is .1% or greater.

The one-year timely filing limit for certain rebilled SSAct title XVIII part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) claims is eliminated, extending the deadline for the rebill to 180 days after final denial of the claim.

A determination of whether inpatient hospital services or inpatient critical access hospital services furnished to an individual are reasonable and necessary shall now be based solely on information available to the admitting physician at the time of the inpatient admission of the individual for such services, as documented in the medical record.

medicare audit improvement act bill amends title xviii medicare social security act ssact respect practices recovery audit contractors medicare program fin identifying underpayments overpayments overpayments incentive payments recovery activities prohibited fy2015 subsequent fiscal years payments recovery activities shall reduced according sliding scale established secretary health_and_human_services complex audit denial rate end fiscal year determined pursuant specified formula greater year timely filing limit certain ssact title xviii supplementary_medical_insurance claims eliminated extending deadline days final denial claim determination inpatient hospital services inpatient critical access hospital services furnished individual reasonable necessary shall based solely information available admitting physician time inpatient admission individual services documented medical record


Summary:
This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a third-party quality system assessment program to accredit persons to assess whether a medical device manufacturer's quality system can ensure the safety and effectiveness of an approved medical device after certain changes, including changes in manufacturing or changes to enhance device safety.

Device manufacturers are allowed to make changes to a device without submitting to the FDA the 30-day notice required for manufacturing changes or a premarket approval supplement if their quality system has been certified by an accredited person.

An accredited person who assesses a device manufacturer's quality system must submit a summary of their assessment and, as appropriate, a certification to the FDA within 30 days of the assessment. An assessment summary and certification is deemed accepted by the FDA 30 days after submission unless the FDA determines that additional information is needed to support certification, the assessment or certification is unwarranted, or an action other than acceptance of the certification is otherwise justified.

Periodic reports by device manufacturers must describe any changes made to a device without submission of the 30-day notice or the premarket approval supplement.

Certifications accepted by the FDA remain in effect for two years.

The FDA must report on this quality system assessment program no later than January 31, 2022. The program is terminated at the end of FY2022.

bill amends cosmetic act require food_and_drug_administration fda establish party quality system assessment program accredit persons assess medical device manufacturer quality system ensure safety effectiveness approved medical device certain changes including changes manufacturing changes enhance device safety device manufacturers allowed changes device submitting fda day notice required manufacturing changes premarket approval supplement quality system certified accredited person accredited person assesses device manufacturer quality system submit summary assessment appropriate certification fda days assessment assessment summary certification deemed accepted fda days submission fda determines additional information needed support certification assessment certification unwarranted action acceptance certification justified periodic reports device manufacturers describe changes device submission day notice premarket approval supplement certifications accepted fda remain effect years fda report quality system assessment program later january program terminated end fy2022


Summary:
Saving Lives, Saving Costs Act

Establishes a framework for health care liability lawsuits to undergo review by independent medical review panels if health care professionals (practicing physicians or their agents or employees) allege adherence to applicable clinical practice guidelines.

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish clinical practice guidelines provided and maintained by national or state medical societies or medical specialty societies designated by HHS. Sets forth standards for the development of guidelines, including standards related to transparency, the composition of the panel, and the review of existing evidence. Prohibits holding a professional organization or a participant in guideline development liable for injury allegedly caused by adherence to a guideline to which they contributed.

Declares that this Act does not preempt: (1) any state or federal law that imposes greater procedural or substantive protections for health care providers and health care organizations from liability, loss, or damages than those provided under this Act; (2) any state or federal law that creates a cause of action; or (3) any defenses otherwise available.

Gives jurisdiction of health care liability actions against health care professionsals, providers, or organizations to district courts. Allows a defendant to remove any health care liability action brought in a state court to a district court.

Requires an independent medical review in health care liability actions that have been removed to a district court if the eligible professionals allege that they adhered to applicable clinical practice guidelines. Sets forth procedures for the use of the panel's findings at trial.

saving lives saving costs act establishes framework health care liability lawsuits undergo review independent medical review panels health care professionals practicing physicians agents employees allege adherence applicable clinical practice guidelines requires department_of_health_and_human_services hhs publish clinical practice guidelines provided maintained national state medical societies medical specialty societies designated hhs sets forth standards development guidelines including standards related transparency composition panel review existing evidence prohibits holding professional organization participant guideline development liable injury allegedly caused adherence guideline contributed declares act preempt state federal law imposes greater procedural substantive protections health care providers health care organizations liability loss damages provided act state federal law creates cause action defenses available gives jurisdiction health care liability actions health care providers organizations district courts allows defendant remove health care liability action brought state court district court requires independent medical review health care liability actions removed district court eligible professionals allege applicable clinical practice guidelines sets forth procedures use panel findings trial


Summary:
Protecting Infants Born Alive Act

This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to modify requirements regarding a state plan for medical assistance. Under current law, a state plan for medical assistance must provide that any individual eligible for medical assistance may obtain required services from any institution, agency, or person qualified to perform them. The bill specifies that a state may not be required to provide medical assistance for such services by any individual or entity whose services or actions are suspected by the state of causing the termination of a human fetus classified as an infant born alive. Furthermore, a provider of such an abortion may neither receive payment under the Medicaid program nor participate in any federal or state health care program.

protecting infants born alive act bill amends title xix medicaid social security act modify requirements state plan medical assistance current law state plan medical assistance provide individual eligible medical assistance obtain required services institution agency person qualified perform bill specifies state required provide medical assistance services individual entity services actions suspected state causing termination human fetus classified infant born alive furthermore provider abortion receive payment medicaid program participate federal state health care program


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

Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

(Sec. 3) This bill amends the federal criminal code to require any health care practitioner who is present when a child is born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion to: (1) exercise the same degree of care as reasonably provided to any other child born alive at the same gestational age, and (2) ensure that such child is immediately admitted to a hospital. The term "born alive" means the complete expulsion or extraction from his or her mother, at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut.

Also, a health care practitioner or other employee who has knowledge of a failure to comply with these requirements must immediately report such failure to an appropriate law enforcement agency.

An individual who violates the provisions of this Act is subject to a criminal fine, up to five years in prison, or both.

An individual who commits an overt act that kills a child born alive is subject to criminal prosecution for murder.

The legislation bars the criminal prosecution of a mother of a child born alive for conspiracy to violate the provisions of this Act, for being an accessory after the fact, or for concealment of felony.

A woman who undergoes an abortion or attempted abortion may file a civil action for damages against an individual who violates this Act.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure born alive abortion survivors protection act sec bill amends federal criminal code require health care practitioner present child born alive following abortion attempted abortion exercise degree care reasonably provided child born alive gestational age ensure child immediately admitted hospital term born alive means complete expulsion extraction mother stage development expulsion extraction heart umbilical cord definite movement voluntary regardless umbilical cord cut health care practitioner employee knowledge failure comply requirements immediately report failure appropriate law enforcement agency individual violates provisions act subject criminal fine years prison individual commits act kills child born alive subject criminal prosecution murder legislation bars criminal prosecution mother child born alive conspiracy violate provisions act accessory fact concealment felony woman undergoes abortion attempted abortion file civil action damages individual violates act


Summary:
Ensuring Access to Quality Medicaid Providers Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program [CHIP]) of the Social Security Act to prohibit federal payment under Medicaid for nonemergency services furnished by providers whose participation in Medicaid, Medicare, or CHIP has been terminated.

Under current law, a state must exclude from Medicaid participation any provider that has been terminated under any state's Medicaid program or under Medicare. The bill maintains those requirements and further requires a state to exclude from Medicaid participation any provider that has been terminated under CHIP. Furthermore, a state must exclude from CHIP participation any provider that has been terminated under Medicaid or Medicare.

The bill also revises a state's reporting requirements with respect to terminating a provider under a state plan. A state shall require each Medicaid or CHIP provider, whether the provider participates on a fee-for-service (FFS) basis or within the network of a managed care organization (MCO), to enroll with the state by providing specified identifying information. When notifying the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that a provider has been terminated under a state plan, the state must submit this information as well as information regarding the termination date and reason. HHS shall review such termination notifications and, if appropriate, include them in a database or similar system, as specified by the bill.

The bill prohibits federal payment under a state's Medicaid or CHIP program for services provided by an MCO unless: (1) the state has a system for notifying MCOs when a provider is terminated under Medicaid, Medicare, or CHIP; and (2) any contract between the state plan and an MCO provides that such providers be excluded from participation in the MCO provider network.

HHS shall report to Congress on this bill's implementation.

(Sec. 3) A state must publish and annually update a public directory of FFS providers participating under the state plan.

ensuring access quality medicaid providers act sec bill amends titles xix medicaid social security act prohibit federal payment medicaid nonemergency services furnished providers participation medicaid medicare chip terminated current law state exclude medicaid participation provider terminated state medicaid program medicare bill maintains requirements requires state exclude medicaid participation provider terminated chip furthermore state exclude chip participation provider terminated medicaid medicare bill revises state reporting requirements respect terminating provider state plan state shall require medicaid chip provider provider participates fee service ffs basis network managed care organization enroll state providing specified identifying information notifying department_of_health_and_human_services hhs provider terminated state plan state submit information information termination date reason hhs shall review termination notifications appropriate include database similar system specified bill bill prohibits federal payment state medicaid chip program services provided state system notifying provider terminated medicaid medicare chip contract state plan provides providers excluded participation provider network hhs shall report congress bill implementation sec state publish annually update public directory ffs providers participating state plan


Summary:
Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare and Medicaid Expenditures to Restore Integrity to Benefits Act of 2015

This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to make several changes related to the prevention of Medicaid fraud.

With respect to the Medicaid Integrity Program (MIP), the bill: (1) specifies that program appropriations may cover costs of equipment, travel, training, and salaries and benefits; and (2) allows the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) flexibility in determining the number of additional staff necessary to carry out the program. (MIP is a federal program aimed at preventing and reducing provider fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicaid program.)

Under current law, HHS may contract with Medicare administrative contractors (MACs), which are private insurers that process Medicare claims within specified geographic jurisdictions. The bill requires HHS to provide specified incentives for MACs to reduce improper payment error rates within their jurisdictions.

The bill establishes criminal penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and up to $500,000 in fines for illegally purchasing or distributing Medicare, Medicaid, or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) beneficiary identification or billing privileges.

The bill increases the scope of the Medicare-Medicaid Data Match Program (Medi-Medi Program), an existing program through which contractors and participating governmental agencies collaboratively analyze Medicare and Medicaid billing trends. HHS must establish a plan to encourage states to participate in the Medi-Medi Program.

HHS shall develop and implement a plan to allow states to access relevant data on improper or fraudulent payments made under the Medicare program on behalf of individuals dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.

preventing reducing improper medicare benefits act bill amends title xix medicaid social security act changes related prevention medicaid fraud respect medicaid_integrity_program mip bill specifies program appropriations cover costs equipment travel training salaries benefits allows department_of_health_and_human_services hhs flexibility determining number additional staff necessary carry program mip federal program aimed preventing reducing provider fraud waste abuse medicaid program current law hhs contract medicare administrative contractors macs private insurers process medicare claims specified geographic jurisdictions bill requires hhs provide specified incentives macs reduce improper payment error rates jurisdictions bill establishes criminal penalties years imprisonment fines illegally purchasing distributing medicare medicaid beneficiary identification billing privileges bill increases scope medicare-medicaid data_match_program medi-medi_program existing program contractors participating governmental agencies collaboratively analyze medicare medicaid billing trends hhs establish plan encourage states participate program hhs shall develop implement plan allow states access relevant data improper fraudulent payments medicare program behalf individuals dually eligible medicare medicaid


Summary:
End Surprise Billing Act of 2015

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require a critical access hospital or other hospital to comply, as a condition of participation in Medicare, with certain requirements related to billing for out-of-network services.

With respect to an individual who has health benefits coverage and is seeking services, a hospital must provide notice as to: (1) whether the hospital, or any of the providers furnishing services to the individual at the hospital, is not within the health care provider network or otherwise a participating provider with respect to the individual's health care coverage; and (2) if so, the estimated out-of-pocket costs of the services to the individual. At least 24 hours prior to providing those services, the hospital must document that the individual: (1) has been provided with the required notice, and (2) consents to be furnished with the services and charged an amount approximate to the estimate provided. Otherwise, the hospital may not charge the individual more than the individual would have been required to pay if the services had been furnished by an in-network or participating provider.

With respect to such an individual who is seeking same-day emergency services, a hospital may not charge more than the individual would be required to pay for such services furnished by an in-network or participating provider.

end billing act bill amends title xviii medicare social security act require critical access hospital hospital comply condition participation medicare certain requirements related billing network services respect individual health benefits coverage seeking services hospital provide notice hospital providers furnishing services individual hospital health care provider network participating provider respect individual health care coverage estimated pocket costs services individual hours prior providing services hospital document individual provided required notice consents furnished services charged approximate estimate provided hospital charge individual individual required pay services furnished network participating provider respect individual seeking day emergency services hospital charge individual required pay services furnished network participating provider


Summary:
Medical Loss Ratio Accountability Act of 2016

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to audit a statistically significant and representative selection of health insurers to verify that insurer reports on medical loss ratio are accurate.

This bill amends the Social Security Act to base determinations of the medical loss ratio of a Medicare Advantage plan on information from the HHS audit of the plan, if the plan was audited.

medical loss ratio accountability act bill amends public_health_service_act require department_of_health_and_human_services hhs audit statistically significant representative selection health insurers verify insurer reports medical loss ratio accurate bill amends social security act base determinations medical loss ratio medicare_advantage plan information hhs audit plan plan audited


Summary:
Medicaid Program Integrity Enhancement Act of 2016

This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require a state Medicaid agency to establish a process by which a provider may appeal a decision by the agency to suspend payment to the provider on the basis of credible fraud allegations.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must revise specified regulations related to such suspensions in order to comply with due process requirements established by the bill.

Specifically, a state Medicaid agency may not suspend payment until the agency: (1) consults with the state's Medicaid fraud control unit or, if the state has no such unit, with the state's attorney general; (2) certifies that it has considered whether the suspension will jeopardize beneficiary access and whether there is good cause not to suspend payment; and (3) furnishes the provider with the agency's reasons for finding no such good cause.

Furthermore, the agency must periodically evaluate whether there is good cause to discontinue a suspension for which an investigation is pending. With specified exceptions, such good cause shall be deemed to exist if the investigation remains unresolved after a suspension has been in effect for 18 months.

CMS must also revise specified regulations to provide that an allegation of fraud shall be considered credible only if the allegation has indications of reliability and the state Medicaid agency: (1) has reviewed all allegations, facts, and evidence carefully; (2) acts judiciously on a case-by-case basis; and (3) has considered the potential impact a payment suspension may have on beneficiary access to care.

bill amends title xix medicaid social security act require state medicaid agency establish process provider appeal decision agency suspend payment provider basis credible fraud allegations centers cms revise specified regulations related suspensions order comply process requirements established bill specifically state medicaid agency suspend payment agency consults state medicaid fraud control unit state unit state attorney general certifies considered suspension jeopardize beneficiary access good cause suspend payment furnishes provider agency reasons finding good cause furthermore agency periodically evaluate good cause discontinue suspension investigation pending specified exceptions good cause shall deemed exist investigation remains unresolved suspension effect months cms revise specified regulations provide allegation fraud shall considered credible allegation indications reliability state medicaid agency reviewed allegations facts evidence carefully acts case case basis considered potential impact payment suspension beneficiary access care


Summary:
Promoting Integrity in Medicare Act of 2016 or PIMA of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) expand Medicare's prohibition on physician self-referrals to include, with specified exceptions, certain advanced imaging, anatomic pathology, radiation therapy, and physical therapy services; and (2) establish increased civil monetary penalties for violations of the self-referral prohibition with respect to those services.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall conduct a compliance review with respect to such referrals.

promoting integrity medicare_act pima bill amends title xviii medicare social security act expand medicare prohibition physician self referrals include specified exceptions certain advanced imaging pathology radiation therapy physical therapy services establish increased civil monetary penalties violations self referral prohibition respect services centers shall conduct compliance review respect referrals


Summary:
Protecting Seniors from Health Care Fraud Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to report annually to Congress and the public on: (1) the ten most prevalent health care fraud schemes targeted to seniors, (2) steps being taken to combat such schemes, and (3) policy suggestions to improve protections for seniors.

HHS may omit certain information from an annual report if public disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation or educate criminals rather than seniors.

HHS shall disseminate reports to Medicare beneficiaries as specified by the bill.

health care fraud act bill amends title xviii medicare social security act direct department_of_health_and_human_services hhs report annually congress public prevalent health care fraud schemes targeted seniors steps taken combat schemes policy suggestions improve protections seniors hhs omit certain information annual report public disclosure compromise ongoing investigation educate criminals seniors hhs shall disseminate reports medicare beneficiaries specified bill


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

Ethical Patient Care for Veterans Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that each VA physician is informed of the duty to report any covered activity committed by another physician that the physician witnesses or otherwise directly discovers to the applicable state licensing authority within five days.

 Disciplinary Appeals Boards shall have exclusive jurisdiction to review any case of professional conduct or competence arising from a VA physician's failure to properly report such activity.

"Covered activity" means any activity occurring in a VA medical facility that consists of or causes the provision of impaired, incompetent, or unethical health care that requires direct reporting under the Code of Medical Ethics of the American Medical Association.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house reported version repeated ethical patient care veterans act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs ensure physician informed duty report covered activity committed physician physician witnesses directly discovers applicable state licensing authority days disciplinary appeals boards shall exclusive jurisdiction review case professional conduct competence arising physician failure properly report activity covered activity means activity occurring medical facility consists causes provision impaired incompetent unethical health care requires direct reporting code medical ethics


Summary:
Health Care Price Transparency Promotion Act of 2016

This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require state Medicaid plans to provide that the state will establish and maintain laws to: (1) require disclosure of information on hospital charges, (2) make such information available to the public, and (3) provide individuals with information about estimated out-of-pocket costs for health care services.

health care price transparency promotion act bill amends title xix medicaid social security act require state medicaid plans provide state establish maintain laws require disclosure information hospital charges information available public provide individuals information estimated pocket costs health care services


Summary:
Local Medicaid Enforcement Incentives Act of 2016

This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to award grants to states for the purpose of establishing or expanding programs that: (1) detect and prevent Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse; (2) identify and recover overpayments resulting from such fraud, waste, or abuse; and (3) share recovered overpayments with localities that assist in detection, prevention, or recovery.

local bill requires centers award grants states purpose establishing expanding programs detect prevent medicaid fraud waste abuse identify recover overpayments resulting fraud waste abuse share recovered overpayments localities assist detection prevention recovery


Summary:
No Obamacare Kickbacks Act of 2015

Applies prohibitions against, and criminal penalties for, false statements and kickbacks in part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to plans and programs established or funded under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including qualified health plans, catastrophic plans, health benefit exchanges, reinsurance programs, the risk corridor program, patient navigators, and contracts with individuals or entities to facilitate enrollment in exchanges.

Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Government Accountability Office to jointly study and report to Congress on the effect of this Act.

obamacare kickbacks act applies prohibitions criminal penalties false statements kickbacks general provisions title social security act plans programs established funded patient_protection affordable care act including qualified health plans catastrophic plans health benefit exchanges reinsurance programs risk corridor program patient navigators contracts individuals entities facilitate enrollment exchanges directs inspector general department_of_health_and_human_services government_accountability_office jointly study report congress effect act


Summary:
Quality Data, Quality Healthcare Act of 2015

 Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the use of certain data by qualified public or private entities to evaluate the performance of service providers and suppliers under Medicare insurance programs.

Authorizes a qualified entity to: (1) use Medicare data, and information derived from service provider and supplier performance evaluations, for additional non-public analyses; or (2) provide or sell such data and analyses to specified health care-related entities for non-public use (including for purposes of assisting service providers and suppliers to develop and participate in quality and patient care improvement activities, particularly development of new models of care).

Conditions such authorization upon a data use agreement between a qualified entity and a specified health care-related entity under which the latter: (1) may not re-sell such data or analyses, and (2) shall comply with the qualified entity's privacy and security policies in using such data or analyses.

Prescribes a civil money penalty for unauthorized use of data and analyses.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide Medicare claims data to qualified clinical data registries for purposes of linking it with clinical outcomes data and performing and disseminating risk-adjusted, scientifically valid research to support quality improvement.

Prohibits a qualified clinical data registry from reporting publicly any claims data thus made available that individually identifies a service provider or supplier without prior consent.

quality healthcare act amends title xviii medicare social security act respect use certain data qualified public private entities evaluate performance service providers suppliers medicare insurance programs authorizes qualified entity use medicare data information derived service provider supplier performance evaluations additional non public analyses provide sell data analyses specified health care related entities non public use including purposes assisting service providers suppliers develop participate quality patient care improvement activities particularly development new models care conditions authorization data use agreement qualified entity specified health care related entity sell data analyses shall comply qualified entity privacy security policies data analyses prescribes civil money penalty unauthorized use data analyses requires secretary health_and_human_services provide medicare claims data qualified clinical data registries purposes linking clinical outcomes data performing disseminating risk adjusted scientifically valid research support quality improvement prohibits qualified clinical data registry reporting publicly claims data available individually identifies service provider supplier prior consent


Summary:
Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare and Medicaid Expenditures Act of 2015 or the PRIME Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to cover the costs of equipment, salaries and benefits, and travel and training in appropriations for the Medicaid Integrity Program. Allows the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to increase Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services staff whose duties consist solely of protecting the integrity of the Medicare program under SSAct title XVIII by a number determined necessary to carry out the Program (currently, by 100).

(Sec. 3) Directs HHS to provide incentives for Medicare administrative contractors (MACs) to reduce the improper payment error rates in their jurisdictions.

Authorizes among such incentives:

 a sliding scale of award fee payments and additional incentives to MACs that either reduce the improper payment rates in their jurisdictions to certain HHS-determined thresholds or accomplish tasks that further improve payment accuracy; and substantial reductions in award fee payments under cost-plus-award-fee contracts for MACs that reach an upper end improper payment rate threshold or fail to accomplish tasks that further improve payment accuracy. (Sec. 4) Requires imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of up to $500,000 ($1 million in the case of a corporation), or both, for without lawful authority knowingly and willfully purchasing, selling, distributing, or arranging for the purchase, sale, or distribution of a beneficiary identification number or unique health identifier for a health care provider under SSAct titles XVIII, XIX, or XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP).

(Sec. 5) Directs HHS to establish a plan to encourage and facilitate the participation of states in the Medicare-Medicaid Data Match Program (Medi-Medi Program). Revises Medi-Medi Data Match Program purposes.

Directs HHS to develop and implement a plan that allows state agencies responsible for administering a state Medicaid plan access to relevant data on improper or fraudulent payments made under the Medicare program for health care items or services provided to dual eligible individuals (eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid).

preventing reducing improper medicare medicaid expenditures act prime act sec amends title xix medicaid social security act ssact cover costs equipment salaries benefits travel training appropriations medicaid_integrity_program allows department_of_health_and_human_services hhs increase centers medicare medicaid_services staff duties consist solely protecting integrity medicare program ssact title xviii number determined necessary carry program currently sec directs hhs provide incentives medicare administrative contractors macs reduce improper payment error rates jurisdictions authorizes incentives sliding scale award fee payments additional incentives macs reduce improper payment rates jurisdictions certain hhs determined thresholds accomplish tasks improve payment accuracy substantial reductions award fee payments cost plus award fee contracts macs reach upper end improper payment rate threshold fail accomplish tasks improve payment accuracy sec requires imprisonment years fine million case corporation lawful authority knowingly willfully purchasing selling distributing arranging purchase sale distribution beneficiary identification number unique health identifier health care provider ssact titles xviii xix chip sec directs hhs establish plan encourage facilitate participation states medicare-medicaid data_match_program medi-medi_program data match program purposes directs hhs develop implement plan allows state agencies responsible administering state medicaid plan access relevant data improper fraudulent payments medicare program health care items services provided dual eligible individuals eligible medicare medicaid


Summary: Healthcare Information Technology Enterprise Integration Act - (Sec. 3) Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish an initiative for advancing health care information enterprise integration within the United States. Authorizes the Director to focus on: (1) information technology standards and interoperability analysis; (2) supporting the establishment of conformance testing infrastructure; (3) security; (4) medical device communication; (5) supporting the provisioning of technical architecture products for management and retrieval; and (6) information management.Allows the Director to assist health care representatives and organizations and federal agencies in the development of technical roadmaps that identify the remaining steps needed to ensure that standards will be in place. Requires such roadmaps to rely upon voluntary consensus standards, where possible, consistent with federal technology transfer laws.(Sec. 4) Requires the Director to report on the development or adoption of technology-neutral information technology infrastructure guidelines and standards to enable federal agencies to effectively select and utilize health care information technologies in a manner that is: (1) sufficiently secure; (2) interoperable; and (3) inclusive of ongoing federal efforts that provide technical expertise to harmonize existing standards and assist in the development of interoperability specifications. Requires such guidelines and standards to: (1) promote the use by federal agencies of commercially available products; (2) develop uniform testing procedures suitable for determining product conformance; (3) support and promote the testing of electronic health care information technologies utilized by federal agencies; (4) provide protection and security profiles; (5) establish a core set of interoperability specifications in federal agency transactions; and (6) include validation criteria to enable federal agencies to select appropriate health care information technologies. Requires the Director to report on: (1) the level of interoperability and security of technologies for sharing health care information among federal agencies; and (2) federal agency problems and progress in ensuring interoperable and secure health care information systems and electronic health care records.(Sec. 5) Requires the Director to establish a program of assistance to institutions of higher education to establish multidisciplinary Centers for Healthcare Information Enterprise Integration in order to: (1) generate innovative approaches to health care information enterprise integration; and (2) develop and use information technologies and other complementary fields.Directs the National High-Performance Computing Program to coordinate federal research and development programs related to the development and deployment of health information technology.Requires the Director to establish a task force to develop a strategic plan, including recommendations for: (1) the development, adoption, and maintenance of terminologies and classifications; (2) gaining commitment of terminology and classification stakeholders to principles and guidelines for an open and transparent process to enable cost-effective interoperability and complete and accurate information; (3) the design of a centralized authority or governance model; and (4) U.S. participation in the International Health Terminology Standards Development Organization.(Sec. 6) Authorizes Appropriations for FY2009-FY2010.

sec requires director national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist establish initiative advancing health care information enterprise integration united_states authorizes director focus information technology standards interoperability analysis supporting establishment conformance testing infrastructure security medical device communication supporting technical architecture products management retrieval information management allows director assist health care representatives organizations federal agencies development technical roadmaps identify remaining steps needed ensure standards place requires roadmaps rely voluntary consensus standards possible consistent federal technology transfer requires director report development adoption technology neutral information technology infrastructure guidelines standards enable federal agencies effectively select utilize health care information technologies manner sufficiently secure interoperable inclusive ongoing federal efforts provide technical expertise harmonize existing standards assist development interoperability specifications requires guidelines standards promote use federal agencies commercially available products develop uniform testing procedures suitable determining product conformance support promote testing electronic health care information technologies utilized federal agencies provide protection security profiles establish core set interoperability specifications federal agency transactions include validation criteria enable federal agencies select appropriate health care information technologies requires director report level interoperability security technologies sharing health care information federal agencies federal agency problems progress ensuring interoperable secure health care information systems electronic health care requires director establish program assistance institutions higher education establish multidisciplinary order generate innovative approaches health care information enterprise integration develop use information technologies complementary fields directs national high performance computing program coordinate federal research development programs related development deployment health information technology requires director establish task force develop strategic plan including recommendations development adoption maintenance classifications gaining commitment terminology classification stakeholders principles guidelines open transparent process enable cost effective interoperability complete accurate information design centralized authority governance model participation authorizes appropriations fy2009 fy2010


Summary: Blue Collar Computing and Business Assistance Act of 2007 - Directs the Under Secretary of Technology of the Department of Commerce to award grants to eligible entities (any nonprofit, consortium of nonprofits, or partnership between a for-profit and a nonprofit) to establish up to five Advanced Multidisciplinary Computing Software Centers throughout the United States. Requires each Center to conduct: (1) general outreach to small businesses and manufacturers in all industry sectors within the geographic region assigned to the Center by the Under Secretary; and (2) technology transfer, development, and utilization programs for businesses throughout the United States in the specific industry sector assigned to the Center by the Under Secretary.

business assistance act directs secretary award grants eligible entities nonprofit consortium nonprofits partnership profit nonprofit establish advanced multidisciplinary computing software centers united_states requires center conduct general outreach small businesses manufacturers industry sectors geographic region assigned center secretary technology transfer development utilization programs businesses united_states specific industry sector assigned center secretary


Summary: Satellite and Cable Access Act of 2007 - Amends federal copyright law and the Communications Act of 1934 to allow certain counties and areas to receive broadcast transmissions of network television stations located in the capital of the state in which such counties and areas are located.

satellite cable access act amends federal copyright law communications act allow certain counties areas receive broadcast transmissions network television stations located capital state counties areas located


Summary: Four Corners Television Access Act of 2007 - Amends federal copyright law and the Communications Act of 1934 to allow certain counties and areas to receive broadcast transmissions of network television stations located in the capital of the state in which such counties and areas are located. Allows, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a satellite carrier, cable system, or translator station that elects to provide secondary transmission only to subscribers in the state who otherwise would not receive the primary transmission because the subscribers are in a designated market area outside of that state if: (1) the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) determines that it is in the best interest of the public welfare; and (2) the satellite carrier, cable system, or translator station agrees to also provide the secondary transmission in the assigned designated market area.

corners television access act amends federal copyright law communications act allow certain counties areas receive broadcast transmissions network television stations located capital state counties areas located allows notwithstanding provision law satellite carrier cable system translator station elects provide secondary transmission subscribers state receive primary transmission subscribers designated market area outside state federal_communications_commission fcc determines best interest public welfare satellite carrier cable system translator station agrees provide secondary transmission assigned designated market area


Summary: AmericaView Authorization Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), to: (1) establish and maintain a nationwide AmericaView Program to advance the availability, distribution, and use of remote sensing data (information acquired from above the surface of the Earth by satellite or airplane) and technology in each state; (2) maintain AmericaView (the national nonprofit collaboration of StateView participants cooperating with the EROS Data Center to achieve the purposes of the AmericaView Program) in each state to develop publicly accessible remote sensing data archive and distribution infrastructure and expand remote sensing education, research, and knowledge; (3) award annual grants to sustain and develop StateView programs (the AmericaView programs of an individual states, comprised of educational institutions and state and local governments); and (4) maintain an advisory committee to advise the USGS Director about the AmericaView Program.

authorization act directs secretary interior acting director united_states_geological_survey usgs establish maintain nationwide advance availability distribution use remote sensing data information acquired surface earth satellite airplane technology state maintain national nonprofit collaboration participants cooperating achieve purposes state develop publicly accessible remote sensing data archive distribution infrastructure expand remote sensing education research knowledge award annual grants sustain develop programs programs individual states comprised educational institutions state local governments maintain advisory committee advise usgs director


Summary: International Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2009 - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish a committee under the National Science and Technology Council that has the responsibility of identifying and coordinating international science and technology cooperation that can strengthen U.S. science and technology enterprise, improve economic and national security, and support U.S. foreign policy goals. Requires the committee to be co-chaired by senior level officials from OSTP and the Department of State. Requires the committee to: (1) plan and coordinate interagency international science and technology cooperative research and training activities and partnerships supported or managed by federal agencies; (2) establish federal priorities and policies for aligning such international science and technology cooperative research and training activities and partnerships with the foreign policy goals of the United States; (3) identify opportunities for new international science and technology cooperative research and training partnerships that advance science and technology and U.S. foreign policy priorities; (4) solicit recommendations from non-federal science and technology stakeholders; (5) work with international science and technology counterparts to establish and maintain partnerships; and (6) address broad issues that influence the ability of U.S. scientists and engineers to collaborate with foreign counterparts. Requires the Director of OSTP to report annually to Congress on: (1) the priorities and policies established under this Act; (2) the ongoing and new partnerships identified in the previous year; and (3) how stakeholder input was received.

requires director office_of_science_and_technology_policy ostp establish committee national_science_and_technology_council responsibility identifying coordinating international science technology cooperation strengthen science technology enterprise improve economic national security support foreign policy goals requires committee chaired senior level officials ostp department_of_state requires committee plan coordinate interagency international science technology cooperative research training activities partnerships supported managed federal agencies establish federal priorities policies aligning international science technology cooperative research training activities partnerships foreign policy goals united_states identify opportunities new international science technology cooperative research training partnerships advance science technology foreign policy priorities solicit recommendations non federal science technology stakeholders work international science technology counterparts establish maintain partnerships address broad issues influence ability scientists engineers collaborate foreign counterparts requires director ostp report annually congress priorities policies established act ongoing new partnerships identified previous year stakeholder input received


Summary: Four Corners Television Access Act of 2009 - Amends federal copyright law and the Communications Act of 1934 to allow satellite or cable retransmission of signals of broadcast television stations located in the capital of a state to counties in that state if the counties meet specified criteria.

corners television access act amends federal copyright law communications act allow satellite cable retransmission signals broadcast television stations located capital state counties state counties meet specified criteria


Summary: Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to reduce the matching funds requirement for participants in the Hollings Manufacturing Partnership Program from not less than 50% of the costs incurred for the first three years and an increasing share for each of the last three years to 50% of the costs incurred or such lesser percentage as determined by the Secretary, by rule, and authorized by law.

amends national_institute_of_standards_and_technology_act authorize secretary commerce reduce matching funds requirement participants costs incurred years increasing share years costs incurred lesser percentage determined secretary rule authorized law


Summary: International Cybercrime Reporting and Cooperation Act - Directs the President to report annually to Congress regarding: (1) foreign countries use of information and communications technologies (ICT) in critical infrastructure, cybercrime based in each country, the adequacy of each countrys legal and law enforcement systems addressing cybercrime, and online protection of consumers and commerce; (2) multilateral efforts to prevent and investigate cybercrime, including U.S. actions to promote such multilateral efforts; and (3) countries for which action plans have been developed. Directs the President to give priority for assistance to improve legal, judicial, and enforcement capabilities with respect to cybercrime to countries with low ICT levels of development or utilization in their critical infrastructure, telecommunications systems, and financial industries. Directs the President to develop an action plan (with legislative, institutional, or enforcement benchmarks) and annual compliance assessment for each country determined to be a country of cyber concern: (1) from which there is a pattern of cybercrime incidents against the U.S. government, private U.S. entities, or other U.S. persons; and (2) whose government is uncooperative with efforts to combat cybercrime. Urges the President to take restrictive actions against a country that has not complied with the appropriate benchmarks with respect to: (1) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC); (2) the Export-Import Bank of the United States; (3) multilateral development financing; (4) the Trade and Development Agency; (5) preferential trade programs; and (6) foreign assistance. Authorizes the President to waive the requirements to develop an action plan or make a determination of cyber concern if in U.S. national interest. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) designate a high-level Department of State employee to coordinate anti-cybercrime activities; and (2) assign an employee to have primary responsibility for cybercrime policy in each country or region significant to U.S. anti-cybercrime efforts.

international cybercrime reporting cooperation act directs president report annually congress foreign use information communications technologies critical infrastructure cybercrime based country adequacy legal law enforcement systems addressing cybercrime online protection consumers commerce multilateral efforts prevent investigate cybercrime including actions promote multilateral efforts countries action plans developed directs president priority assistance improve legal judicial enforcement capabilities respect cybercrime countries low levels development utilization critical infrastructure telecommunications systems financial industries directs president develop action plan legislative institutional enforcement benchmarks annual compliance assessment country determined country cyber concern pattern cybercrime incidents government private entities persons government efforts combat cybercrime urges president restrictive actions country complied appropriate benchmarks respect overseas_private_investment_corporation opic export-import_bank united_states multilateral development financing trade_and_development_agency preferential trade programs foreign assistance authorizes president waive requirements develop action plan determination cyber concern national interest directs secretary state designate high level department_of_state employee coordinate anti cybercrime activities assign employee primary responsibility cybercrime policy country region significant anti cybercrime efforts


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the tax credit for increasing research activities permanent.

amends internal revenue code tax credit increasing research activities permanent


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities, and (2) increase the amount of such credit for taxpayers who earn more than 50% of their gross receipts from domestic production activities.

amends internal revenue code permanent tax credit increasing research activities increase credit taxpayers earn gross receipts domestic production activities


Summary: Prohibits a U.S. commercial entity from transferring any proprietary technology or intellectual property researched, developed, or commercialized with federal financial assistance to an entity: (1) owned or controlled by the government of a country which requires any U.S. commercial entity to transfer proprietary technology or intellectual property as a condition of doing business, or (2) in which the citizens of such a country hold 5% interests of the capital structure of that entity. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to waive such prohibition if the transfer would not compromise U.S. economic interests or competitiveness.

prohibits commercial entity transferring proprietary technology intellectual property developed federal financial assistance entity owned controlled government country requires commercial entity transfer proprietary technology intellectual property condition business citizens country hold interests capital structure entity authorizes secretary commerce waive prohibition transfer compromise economic interests competitiveness


Summary:
US-Israel Global Neuroscience Partnership Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to eligible entities for U.S.-Israel cooperative neuroscience research.

Establishes in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) an International Neuroscience-Related Research Advisory Board.

Terminates the grant program and the Advisory Board seven years after the date of enactment of this Act.

israel global neuroscience partnership act directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs award grants eligible entities cooperative neuroscience research establishes national_institutes_of_health nih international neuroscience related research advisory board terminates grant program advisory_board seven years date enactment act


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

 International Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2014 - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish a body under the National Science and Technology Council that has the responsibility of identifying and coordinating international science and technology cooperation that can strengthen U.S. science and technology enterprise, improve economic and national security, and support U.S. foreign policy goals.

Requires the body to be co-chaired by senior level officials from OSTP and the Department of State.

Requires the body to: (1) coordinate interagency international science and technology cooperative research and training activities and partnerships supported or managed by federal agencies, (2) establish federal priorities and policies for aligning such international science and technology cooperative research and training activities and partnerships with the foreign policy goals of the United States, (3) identify opportunities for new international science and technology cooperative research and training partnerships that advance science and technology and U.S. foreign policy priorities, (4) solicit recommendations from non-federal science and technology stakeholders, and (5) identify broad issues that influence the ability of U.S. scientists and engineers to collaborate with foreign counterparts.

Requires the Director to report annually on the body's activities.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure requires director office_of_science_and_technology_policy ostp establish body national_science_and_technology_council responsibility identifying coordinating international science technology cooperation strengthen science technology enterprise improve economic national security support foreign policy goals requires body chaired senior level officials ostp department_of_state requires body coordinate interagency international science technology cooperative research training activities partnerships supported managed federal agencies establish federal priorities policies aligning international science technology cooperative research training activities partnerships foreign policy goals united_states identify opportunities new international science technology cooperative research training partnerships advance science technology foreign policy priorities solicit recommendations non federal science technology stakeholders identify broad issues influence ability scientists engineers collaborate foreign counterparts requires director report annually body activities


Summary:
Authorizes the U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Foundation, created pursuant to the 1994 Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Israeli Ministry of Industry and Trade (now the Ministry of Economy), to facilitate research and development and technology partnerships among U.S. and Israeli researchers, and business and industrial entities for purposes of advancing technologies, leading to commercialization and domestic manufacturing, and creating benefits for both nations.

Instructs the Department of Commerce, through the Deputy Secretary's office and in conjunction with Israel's Ministry of Economy's Chief Scientist, to ensure that the U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Foundation maintains its role as the facilitator of the reauthorized 1994 Memorandum of Understanding to create and execute joint research and development agreements between Israel and U.S. entities, including U.S. federal agencies, states, cities, businesses, academic institutions, and scientific foundations.

authorizes created pursuant memorandum understanding facilitate research development technology partnerships israeli researchers business industrial entities purposes advancing technologies leading commercialization domestic manufacturing creating benefits nations instructs department_of_commerce deputy secretary office conjunction israel chief scientist ensure maintains role facilitator reauthorized memorandum understanding create execute joint research development agreements israel entities including federal agencies states cities businesses academic institutions scientific foundations


Summary:
International Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2015

 Directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish or designate a working group under the National Science and Technology Council that has the responsibility of identifying and coordinating international science and technology cooperation that can strengthen U.S. science and technology enterprise, improve economic and national security, and support U.S. foreign policy goals.

Requires the working group to be co-chaired by officials from OSTP and the Department of State.

Requires the working group to: (1) coordinate interagency international science and technology cooperative research and training activities and partnerships supported or managed by federal agencies; (2) establish federal priorities and policies for aligning such international research, training, and partnerships with U.S. foreign policy goals; (3) identify opportunities for new international research and training partnerships that advance science and technology and U.S. foreign policy priorities; (4) solicit recommendations from non-federal science and technology stakeholders; and (5) identify broad issues that influence the ability of U.S. scientists and engineers to collaborate with foreign counterparts.

Requires the Director to report every two years on the working group's activities.

directs office_of_science_and_technology_policy ostp establish designate working group national_science_and_technology_council responsibility identifying coordinating international science technology cooperation strengthen science technology enterprise improve economic national security support foreign policy goals requires working group chaired officials ostp department_of_state requires working group coordinate interagency international science technology cooperative research training activities partnerships supported managed federal agencies establish federal priorities policies aligning international research training partnerships foreign policy goals identify opportunities new international research training partnerships advance science technology foreign policy priorities solicit recommendations non federal science technology stakeholders identify broad issues influence ability scientists engineers collaborate foreign counterparts requires director report years working group activities


Summary:
U.S.-Israel Global Neuroscience Partnership Act

This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities for U.S.-Israel cooperative neuroscience research and related technological innovation.

The programs shall be carried out through the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The bill establishes in NIH a U.S.-Israel Neuroscience Advisory Committee.

The grant program and the Committee are terminated seven years after enactment of this Act.

global neuroscience partnership act bill directs department_of_health_and_human_services award grants eligible entities cooperative neuroscience research related technological innovation programs shall carried programs national_institutes_of_health nih bill establishes nih grant program committee terminated seven years enactment act


Summary: Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to redesignate the Office of Vocational and Adult Education of the Department of Education as the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education. Amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to make conforming amendments.

amends department_of_education_organization_act redesignate adult_education department_of_education technical adult_education amends carl perkins career technical education act conforming amendments


Summary: Employee Educational Assistance Act of 2007 - Renders the general terminating date (i.e., December 31, 2010) of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 inapplicable to provisions of that Act that extended the exclusion of employer-provided educational assistance from the gross income of employees (thus making such tax exclusion permanent).

employee educational assistance act renders general terminating date december economic_growth_and_tax_relief_reconciliation_act inapplicable provisions act extended exclusion employer provided educational assistance gross income employees making tax exclusion permanent


Summary: Community-Based Health Care Retraining Act - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to require the Secretary of Labor to establish and carry out a health professions training demonstration project that awards grants to eligible entities to train certain unemployed workers from the manufacturing or service sector for employment as health care professionals in communities with manufacturing and service sector job loss and health care professional shortages.

require secretary labor establish carry health professions training demonstration project awards grants eligible entities train certain unemployed workers manufacturing service sector employment health care professionals communities manufacturing service sector job loss health care professional shortages


Summary: Makes miscellaneous and technical amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965 (the Act). Title I: General Provisions - Makes technical amendments to title I of the Act. (Sec. 101) Amends the Higher Education Opportunity Act to make the date of such Act's enactment, August 14, 2008, the effective date of its revisions to the general definition of institutions of higher education (IHEs). Makes prerequisites for foreign nursing school participation in the Act's Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program inapplicable, until July 1, 2012, to foreign nursing schools that were participating in the FFEL program on August 13, 2008. Title II: Teacher Quality Enhancement: Makes technical amendments to title II of the Act. (Sec. 201) Requires prospective teachers in teaching residency programs to acquire a master's degree within 18 months of beginning the program. Permits partnerships that receive a grant under the Teacher Quality Partnership grant program for a teacher preparation program to carry out a pre-baccalaureate teacher preparation program or a fifth year initial licensing program. Title III: Institutional Aid - Makes technical amendments to title III of the Act. (Sec. 301) Excludes Howard University, which receives assistance under other specified federal law, from eligibility for capacity-building grants to Predominantly Black Institutions under title III of the Act. Title IV: Student Assistance - Makes technical amendments to title IV of the Act. (Sec. 401) Increases amounts authorized and appropriated in FY2013 and FY2015 for increases in the maximum Pell Grant award. Directs the Secretary of Education to award scholarships, to be known as Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants, to individuals whose parent or guardian died as a result of performing military service for the U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001. Makes such scholarships equal to the maximum Pell Grant award. (Sec. 402) Revises the FFEL default reduction program to allow guaranty agencies to assign rehabilitated loans to the Secretary of Education, until October 2011, if: (1) they have not been able to sell the loans to eligible lenders; and (2) the Secretary determines that market conditions unduly limit their ability to do so. Requires the holder of a rehabilitated loan to request the consumer reporting agency to which the default of the loan was reported to remove the record of default from a borrower's credit history. Prohibits eligible FFEL lenders from offering inducements to any individuals or entities in order to secure FFEL applicants. (Currently, IHEs and their employees may not be offered such inducements.) (Sec. 404) Authorizes the Secretary to purchase, or enter into forward commitments to purchase, rehabilitated FFELs that eligible lenders purchased under the FFEL default reduction program from October 2003 through June 2010, provided such purchase does not result in any net cost to the federal government. Conditions the purchase of such loans on the agreement of lenders to use the funds from such purchases to originate new federal loans to students or to purchase rehabilitated loans under the default reduction program. (Sec. 406) States that, beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, the expected family contribution, used in determining a student's eligibility for federal student aid, shall be zero for students who are eligible for Pell grants and whose parent or guardian was killed while performing military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001. Updates the list of programs providing veterans' education benefits that are to be excluded from students' income in determining their eligibility for student aid under title IV. Advances the date, from July 2010 to July 2009, by which veterans' education benefits not received under title IV must be excluded from consideration as available financial assistance in title IV need analyses. (Sec. 407) Delays the implementation of the EZ FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), a simplified format for use in applying for federal student aid, until the 2010-2011 school year. Requires the Secretary to determine that an IHE's participation as an experimental site under the Quality Assurance program (which allows certain IHEs to implement their own comprehensive student aid management systems) is a success if such participation has reduced the IHEs administrative burdens and benefited its students, without creating costs for the taxpayer. Gives existing sites that have not yet been deemed successful until June 30, 2010, to reach that goal. (Sec. 409) Makes certain rulemaking requirements and the master calendar of actions the Secretary must take regarding student aid inapplicable to amendments made by this title or regulations promulgated under such amendments. Title V: Developing Institutions - Makes a technical amendment to title V of the Act. Title VI: International Education Programs - Makes technical amendments to title VI of the Act. Title VII: Graduate and Postsecondary Improvement - Makes technical amendments to title VII of the Act. (Sec. 701) Requires IHEs offering comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities to integrate such students socially and academically with non-disabled students, to the maximum extent possible. Title VIII: Additional Programs - Makes technical amendments to title VIII of the Act. (Sec. 802) Makes technical amendments to the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 and the Education of the Deaf Act of 1986.

makes miscellaneous technical amendments higher education act act title general provisions makes technical amendments title act sec amends opportunity act date act enactment august effective date revisions general definition institutions higher education ihes makes prerequisites foreign nursing school participation act federal_family_education_loan ffel program inapplicable july foreign nursing schools participating ffel program august title teacher quality enhancement makes technical amendments title act sec requires prospective teachers teaching residency programs acquire master degree months beginning program permits partnerships receive grant teacher_quality_partnership grant program teacher preparation program carry pre baccalaureate teacher preparation program fifth year initial licensing program title iii institutional aid makes technical amendments title iii act sec excludes receives assistance specified federal law eligibility capacity building grants predominantly_black_institutions title iii act title student assistance makes technical amendments title act sec increases amounts authorized appropriated fy2013 fy2015 increases maximum pell_grant award directs secretary education award scholarships known iraq afghanistan service grants individuals parent guardian died result performing military service iraq afghanistan september makes scholarships equal maximum pell_grant award sec revises ffel default reduction program allow guaranty agencies assign rehabilitated loans secretary education october able sell loans eligible lenders secretary determines market conditions unduly limit ability requires holder rehabilitated loan request consumer reporting agency default loan reported remove record default borrower credit history prohibits eligible ffel lenders offering inducements individuals entities order secure ffel applicants currently ihes employees offered inducements sec authorizes secretary purchase enter forward commitments purchase rehabilitated ffels eligible lenders purchased ffel default reduction program october june provided purchase result net cost federal government conditions purchase loans agreement lenders use funds purchases originate new federal loans students purchase rehabilitated loans default reduction program sec states beginning school year expected family contribution determining student eligibility federal student aid shall zero students eligible pell grants parent guardian killed performing military service iraq afghanistan september updates list programs providing veterans education benefits excluded students income determining eligibility student aid title advances date july july veterans education benefits received title excluded consideration available financial assistance title need analyses sec delays implementation simplified format use applying federal student aid school year requires secretary determine ihe participation experimental site program allows certain ihes implement comprehensive student aid management systems success participation reduced ihes administrative burdens benefited students creating costs taxpayer gives existing sites deemed successful june reach goal sec makes certain rulemaking requirements master calendar actions secretary student aid inapplicable amendments title regulations promulgated amendments title developing institutions makes technical amendment title act title technical amendments title act title vii graduate postsecondary improvement makes technical amendments title vii act sec requires ihes offering comprehensive transition postsecondary programs students intellectual disabilities integrate students socially academically non disabled students maximum extent possible title viii additional programs makes technical amendments title viii act sec makes technical amendments higher_education_amendments education deaf act


Summary: Educating Entrepreneurs through Today's Technology Act - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to contract with qualified vendors for entrepreneurial training content, the development of communications technology that can distribute such content throughout the United States, and the establishment of a nationwide, online network for the exchange of peer-to-peer technical assistance. Directs the Administrator to ensure that the content developed is: (1) timely and relevant to entrepreneurial development and can be successfully communicated remotely to an audience through the use of technology; and (2) able to be distributed to small businesses, home-based businesses, small business development centers, women's business centers, veterans business centers, the SBA, and network entrepreneurs throughout the United States and its territories. Requires a report from the Administrator to Congress on SBA progress in implementing this Act. Authorizes appropriations.

educating entrepreneurs today technology act amends small business act direct administrator small_business_administration sba contract qualified vendors entrepreneurial training content development communications technology distribute content united_states establishment nationwide online network exchange peer peer technical assistance directs administrator ensure content developed timely relevant entrepreneurial development successfully communicated remotely audience use technology able distributed small businesses home based businesses small business development centers women business centers veterans business centers sba network entrepreneurs united_states territories requires report administrator congress sba progress implementing act authorizes appropriations


Summary: Agriculture Education Freedom Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an individual any gain from the sale of any animal raised and sold by such individual as part of his or her participation in the 4-H program under the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service of the Department of Agriculture, the Future Farmers of America, any tax-exempt similar organization, or any program of a tax-exempt educational organization.

agriculture education freedom act amends internal revenue code exclude gross income individual gain sale animal raised sold individual participation program tax exempt similar organization program tax exempt educational organization


Summary: Increases the amount of educational assistance provided to certain veterans for flight training from 60% to 75% of tuition and fees which similarly circumstanced nonveterans enrolled in the same flight course are required to pay.

increases educational assistance provided certain veterans flight training tuition fees similarly enrolled flight course required pay


Summary: Test Prep for Heroes Act - Authorizes the use of entitlement assistance under the Post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program for payment for a test preparatory course in connection with licensing or certification in a vocation or profession.

test prep heroes act authorizes use entitlement assistance veterans educational assistance program payment test preparatory course connection licensing certification vocation profession


Summary: Public Private Vocational Partnership Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow corporations (other than S corporations, personal holding companies, and service organizations) a general business tax credit for: (1) charitable contributions to secondary schools, community colleges, or technical schools that provide vocational education; and (2) employing interns as part of a vocational education course approved by a secondary school or community college.

public private vocational partnership act amends internal revenue code allow corporations corporations personal holding companies service organizations general business tax credit charitable contributions secondary schools community colleges technical schools provide vocational education employing interns vocational education course approved secondary school community college


Summary: Space to Schools Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to implement a program to encourage individuals who are former employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), its suppliers, or related contractors who have relevant work experience in the aerospace industry to pursue careers as elementary, secondary, or vocational school teachers. Sets forth educational background requirements for program participants. Requires program participants to enter into an agreement to: (1) obtain certification or licensing as an elementary, secondary, vocational, or technical school teacher, and to become a highly qualified teacher; and (2) accept an offer of full-time employment as an elementary, secondary, vocational, or technical school teacher for at least three school years and commit to teaching science, technology, engineering, or mathematics after obtaining such certification or licensing. Directs the Secretary to provide program participants with: (1) a stipend for use in obtaining certification or licensing; or (2) a larger bonus if they agree to perform their service in high-need schools. Requires the Secretary to establish an Advisory Board to oversee the program.

space schools act authorizes secretary education implement program encourage individuals employees national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa suppliers related contractors relevant work experience aerospace industry pursue careers elementary secondary vocational school teachers sets forth educational background requirements program participants requires program participants enter agreement obtain certification licensing elementary secondary vocational technical school teacher highly qualified teacher accept offer time employment elementary secondary vocational technical school teacher school years commit teaching science technology engineering mathematics obtaining certification licensing directs secretary provide program participants stipend use obtaining certification licensing larger bonus agree perform service high need schools requires secretary establish advisory_board oversee program


Summary: Youth Corps Act of 2010 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to authorize the Secretary of Labor to make grants to eligible public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations to carry out Youth Corps programs that utilize the Youth Corps model to provide eligible youth age 16 through 24 with education and work readiness training to enable them to find employment in the economy of the 21st century, and instill in them a sense of civic engagement and environmental stewardship. Defines "Youth Corps model" as a youth education and training program for which an eligible entity provides eligible youth, among other things, with stipended or paid work experience and basic and technical skills training leading to: (1) enrollment in postsecondary education or training; (2) attainment of an industry-recognized certification or credential; (3) meaningful employment in the economy of the 21st century; or (4) military service.

amends workforce investment act authorize secretary labor grants eligible public private nonprofit agencies organizations carry youth_corps programs utilize youth_corps model provide eligible youth age education work readiness training enable find employment economy 21st century sense civic engagement environmental stewardship defines youth_corps model youth education training program eligible entity provides eligible youth things paid work experience basic technical skills training leading enrollment postsecondary education training attainment industry recognized certification credential meaningful employment economy 21st century military service


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a clearinghouse of information on best practices for states and local governments to use in carrying out ocean lifeguard training programs, particularly on materials and tests involving rip current awareness and safety.

directs secretary education establish clearinghouse information best practices states local governments use carrying ocean training programs particularly materials tests involving current awareness safety