Summary: Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prescribe standards for appointment and practice as a physician within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Requires: (1) applicants to provide certain information, including each lawsuit, civil action, or other claim against the individual for medical malpractice or negligence, and their results; (2) each appointee to disclose any judgments against the individual for medical malpractice or negligence and any payments made; and (3) physicians already employed within the VHA to disclose such information. Prohibits a new appointment without approval of the director of the Veterans Integrated Services Network (Network) in which the individual will serve. Directs the Secretary to encourage directors to hire physicians who are board-certified. Requires: (1) the VHA's Under Secretary of Health to designate a National Quality Assurance Officer for the VHA quality assurance program; (2) each Network regional director to appoint a quality assurance officer; and (3) the director of each VHA medical facility to appoint a quality assurance officer. Directs the Secretary to review VA policies for maintaining health care quality and patient safety at VA medical facilities. Authorizes the Secretary, in order to recruit and retain VHA physicians in hard-to-fill positions, to: (1) repay certain educational loans for individuals who agree to serve for at least three years as a VHA physician; (2) reimburse tuition for medical students who agree to serve as a VHA physician after such education; and (3) enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program an individual who agrees to serve as a VHA physician for at least five days per month. Encourages the Secretary to undertake additional incentives to encourage individuals to serve or practice as VHA physicians in hard-to-fill positions.

improvement act directs secretary veterans_affairs prescribe standards appointment practice physician veterans_health_administration vha department_of_veterans_affairs requires applicants provide certain information including lawsuit civil action claim individual medical malpractice negligence results appointee disclose judgments individual medical malpractice negligence payments physicians employed vha disclose information prohibits new appointment approval director individual serve directs secretary encourage directors hire physicians board certified requires vha secretary health designate vha quality assurance program network regional director appoint quality assurance officer director vha medical facility appoint quality assurance officer directs secretary review policies maintaining health care quality patient safety medical facilities authorizes secretary order recruit retain vha physicians hard fill positions repay certain educational loans individuals agree serve years vha physician reimburse tuition medical students agree serve vha physician education enroll federal_employees_health_benefits_program individual agrees serve vha physician days month encourages secretary undertake additional incentives encourage individuals serve practice vha physicians hard fill positions


Summary: Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009 - Title I: Department Personnel Matters - (Sec. 101) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to appoint personnel for health care positions within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) not specifically listed in authorized classes for appointment, as long as the Secretary provides prior notification to the congressional veterans committees and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Requires the Secretary, before submitting notification, to solicit comments from any labor organization representing employees in any such class and include such comments in such notification. Authorizes the appointment of nurse assistants within the VHA. Makes the probationary period after appointment as a registered nurse two years. Provides that an appointment on a part-time basis of a VHA health care professional who has previously served on a full-time basis shall be without a probationary period. Limits to two years the probationary period for the appointment of a registered nurse on a temporary, part-time basis, after which time the appointment shall be considered permanent. Provides an exception with respect to appointments made on a term-limited basis of three years or less. Authorizes the Secretary to waive, on a case-by-case basis, the application of salary offsets for VHA retirees reemployed in the VHA. Bases the rate of basic pay for appointees to the Office of the Under Secretary for Health on pay levels in the Senior Executive Service for equivalent positions. Allows for the payment of special incentive pay of up to $40,000 annually for a VHA pharmacist executive. Removes, adjusts, or waives certain pay restrictions, including on the non-foreign cost-of-living adjustment, market pay, and basic and locality pay, for VHA: (1) physicians and dentists; (2) physicians or dentists occupying administrative or executive leadership positions; (3) nurses; and (4) certified registered nurse anesthetists. Requires additional training, education, and support for appropriate VHA employees in the conduct and use of locality pay scale surveys. Requires VHA facility wage-related information, currently provided by way of reports from facility directors to the Secretary, to be made available, upon request, to individuals in VHA positions covered by such report. Increases from $25,000 to $100,000 the special pay for nurse executives. Makes part-time nurses eligible for additional premium nurse pay. Adds nurse service in excess of eight consecutive hours to the services eligible for additional overtime pay. Adds licensed practical nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and certain other nurse positions to those positions exempted from limitations on increases in basic pay rates. (Sec. 102) Prohibits: (1) the Secretary from requiring nursing staff to work more than 40 hours in a week or eight hours in a day (12 hours in the case of three-day workweeks), except under non-recurring emergency circumstances; and (2) discrimination or adverse personnel actions against nurse staff who refuse to work such additional hours. Revises the calculation of leave for nurses working two 12-hour shifts on a weekend. Redefines the VHA alternative work schedule for nurses as six 12-hours shifts within an 80-hour pay period (as opposed to three 12-hour shifts within a work week). (Sec. 103) Reinstates through 2014 the VA's health professionals educational assistance scholarship program. Revises the VA's education debt reduction program to: (1) add recruitment as a program purpose; and (2) allow all (under current law, only recently appointed) employees to participate. Authorizes the Secretary to utilize certain authorities under the Public Health Service Act to repay educational loans of qualified health professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds in order to secure VHA clinical research by such professionals. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to prescribe standards for appointment and practice as a physician within the VHA. Requires: (1) applicants to provide certain information, including each lawsuit, civil action, or other claim against the individual for medical malpractice or negligence, and the results thereof; (2) each appointee to disclose any judgments against the individual for medical malpractice or negligence and any payments made; (3) physicians already employed within the VHA to disclose such information; and (4) the Veterans Integrated Services Network (Network) director in the region in which the physician seeks employment to investigate the information disclosed by such physician. Prohibits a new appointment without the approval of the appropriate Network regional director. Requires each VHA medical facility to enroll practicing physicians in the Proactive Disclosure Service of the National Practitioner Data Bank. Encourages the hiring of physicians who are board-certified or eligible for such certification in their field. Title II: Health Care Matters - (Sec. 201) Repeals the requirement for annual reports concerning: (1) pay adjustments for registered nurses; and (2) VA long-range health planning. (Sec. 202) Changes the due date of an annual report to Congress concerning research on the health effects of military service during the Persian Gulf War, and terminates such report after July 1, 2015. (Sec. 203) Provides that VA payments made to providers who furnish medical care to a veteran's beneficiary under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Veterans Administration (CHAMPVA) shall constitute payment in full (thereby extinguishing the beneficiary's liability to that provider). (Sec. 204) Authorizes disclosure of VA medical information to a representative of a patient who lacks decision-making capacity. (Sec. 205) Requires VA patients to disclose health-plan information and their Social Security number. Authorizes the Secretary to deny or terminate medical care and services (with an exception for medical emergencies) to individuals who do not provide such information. (Sec. 206) Requires: (1) the VHA's Under Secretary of Health to designate a National Quality Management Officer for the VHA quality assurance program; (2) each Network regional director to appoint a quality management officer; and (3) the director of each VHA medical facility to appoint a quality management officer. Outlines duties for each officer. Authorizes appropriations. Directs: (1) the Under Secretary to establish mechanisms through which VHA employees may submit confidential reports on matters relating to quality of care in VHA facilities to the designated quality management officers; and (2) the Secretary to review, and report to Congress on, current policies and protocols for maintaining health care quality and patient safety at VA medical facilities. (Sec. 207) Requires a report from the Secretary to the veterans committees on the implementation of provisions of this Act (sections 104 and 206) concerning: (1) standards for the appointment and practice of physicians in VA medical facilities; and (2) the enhancement of VHA medical quality assurance through the appointment of quality management officers. (Sec. 208) Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a two-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of using community-based organizations and local and state governmental entities to ensure that veterans receive the care and benefits for which they are eligible, including while transitioning from military service to civilian life; and (2) report to Congress on the pilot program. (Sec. 209) Authorizes the Secretary to contract with appropriate entities to provide specialized residential care and rehabilitation services to a veteran of Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom who suffers from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), has an accumulation of deficits in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living and, because of these deficits, would otherwise require nursing home admission even though such care would generally exceed the veteran's nursing needs. (Sec. 210) Directs the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies to conduct an expanded study on the health impact of Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD). Requires the study to include, as practicable, all veterans who participated in Project SHAD. (Sec. 211) Authorizes the Secretary to utilize non-VA facilities for the care and treatment of veterans suffering from TBI when the Secretary: (1) is unable to provide such treatment or services at the frequency or for the duration necessary; or (2) determines that it is optimal to the veteran's recovery and rehabilitation. Requires the non-VA facility selected to maintain care standards established by an independent, peer-reviewed organization that accredits specialized rehabilitation programs for adults with TBI. (Sec. 212) Provides for treatment of a health facility of a tribal organization as a state home for purposes of grant payments to such homes for veterans' domiciliary care, nursing home care, and hospital care. Exempts a health facility of a tribal organization from the prohibition against the Secretary treating a new facility as a state home after September 30, 2009. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to assist tribal organizations in constructing or acquiring facilities in order to furnish domiciliary or nursing home care to veterans and in expanding, remodeling, or altering existing buildings in order to furnish domiciliary care, nursing home care, adult day health care, or hospital care to veterans in homes. (Sec. 213) Directs the Secretary to conduct a three-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing a dental insurance plan for any veteran enrolled in the VA annual patient enrollment system, as well as survivors and dependents eligible for VA medical care. Provides for: (1) voluntary plan enrollment and disenrollment; and (2) the payment of plan premiums. Title III: Women Veterans Health Care Matters - (Sec. 301) Requires the Secretary to report to the veterans committees on barriers to the receipt of comprehensive health care through the VA encountered by women veterans, especially those of Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a plan to improve the provision of health care services to women veterans and to plan appropriately for the future health care needs of women serving on active duty in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom; and (2) submit such plan to the veterans committees. (Sec. 303) Requires: (1) the Secretary to contract with a non-VA entity for an independent study on health consequences of women veterans of active-duty service in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom; (2) the entity chosen to report study results to the Secretary and Congress; and (3) the Secretary to report to Congress on the study results. (Sec. 304) Directs the Secretary to: (1) implement a program for education, training, certification, and continuing medical education for mental health professionals specializing in the provision of counseling and care to veterans suffering from sexual trauma; and (2) report annually to Congress on the counseling and care provided. (Sec. 305) Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a two-year pilot program to evaluate the feasibility and advisability of providing reintegration and readjustment services in group retreat settings to women veterans recently separated from military service after a prolonged deployment; and (2) report to Congress on the pilot program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on employment of full-time women veteran program managers at VA medical centers to ensure that health care needs of women veterans are met. (Sec. 307) Requires the inclusion, respectively, of women veterans recently separated from service and minority women veterans recently separated from service on: (1) the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; and (2) the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans. (Sec. 308) Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out a two-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing subsidies to veterans receiving regular and intensive mental health services and other intensive health care services in order to obtain child care while receiving such services; and (2) report to Congress on the pilot program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 309) Authorizes the Secretary to furnish care to a newborn child of a woman veteran receiving VA maternity care for up to seven days after the birth of the child. Title IV: Mental Health Care Matters - (Sec. 401) Makes any member who serves in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom eligible for readjustment counseling and related mental health services through Vet Centers (centers for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans), regardless of whether the member is on active duty at the time of receipt of such counseling and services. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary, upon receipt of a request for counseling from an individual who has been discharged or released from active service, to: (1) provide referrals to assist the individual in obtaining mental health care and services outside the VA; and (2) if pertinent, advise such individual of the right to apply for review of the discharge or release. (Sec. 403) Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study to determine the number of veterans who died by suicide between January 1, 1999, and the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) report study results to the veterans committees. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary to transfer specified VHA funds to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Graduate Psychology Education program established under the Public Health Service Act. Requires such funds to be used to award grants to support the training of psychologists in the treatment of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), TBI, and other combat-related disorders. Provides a preference for VA health care facilities in the awarding of such grants. Title V: Homeless Veterans Matters - (Sec. 501) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a five-year pilot program to make grants to public and nonprofit organizations to coordinate the provision of supportive services to very low income, formerly homeless veterans residing in permanent housing on property that was part of a military installation that was closed and that has a redevelopment plan that includes use of the property for homeless veterans. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 502) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a five-year pilot program to make grants to public and nonprofit organizations to coordinate the provision of supportive services to very low income, formerly homeless veterans residing in permanent housing. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a five-year pilot program to make grants to public and nonprofit organizations to provide outreach to inform low-income and elderly veterans and their spouses who reside in rural areas of the veterans' pension benefits for which they may be eligible. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 504) Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress progress reports on each of the pilot programs authorized under this title. Title VI: Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations - (Sec. 601) Amends federal provisions concerning the establishment at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities of nonprofit research and education corporations (NRECs) to allow an NREC to facilitate the conduct of research or education, or both, at more than one VA medical center. States that such an NREC shall be known as a multi-medical center research corporation (MCRC). Allows an NREC to act as a MCRC if: (1) the NREC board of directors approve a resolution permitting that NREC to act as a MCRC; and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs approves the resolution. Requires each NREC and MCRC (corporation) to be established in accordance with the nonprofit corporation laws of the state in which the VA medical center which it supports is located. States that neither such corporation shall be considered to be owned by, or an agent or instrumentality of, the United States. (Sec. 602) Restates the purposes of the corporations, including with respect to their role in: (1) providing a flexible funding mechanism; and (2) residencies or similar programs. (Sec. 603) Modifies the composition of corporation boards of directors. Revises requirements concerning non-VA members of boards of directors of NRECs and MCRCs to: (1) state a minimum number who are not officers or employees of the federal government; and (2) expand the required areas of experience or expertise. Removes financial relationship restrictions from conflict of interest standards applicable to directors. (Sec. 604) Increases authorized corporate powers of the corporations to include entering into contracts and setting fees for education and training facilitated through a corporation. (Sec. 606) Revises annual report procedures to require submission of an Internal Revenue Service return form applicable to organizations exempt from income tax. Revises conflict of interest policies applicable to directors, officers, and employees of a corporation. Revises requirements for a report to Congress to increase the threshold for providing information identifying payees of the corporation. Title VII: Other Matters - (Sec. 701) Expands the authority of VA police officers to include: (1) carrying VA-issued weapons while off VA property in an official capacity or while on official travel; (2) conducting investigations, on and off VA property, of offenses that may have been committed on VA property; (3) carrying out any VA-authorized duties when engaged in duties authorized by other federal statutes; and (4) serving arrest warrants issued by competent judicial authority. (Sec. 702) Makes the uniform allowance for VA police officers the lesser of: (1) the amount currently permitted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); or (2) estimated or actual costs as determined by periodic VA surveys. Requires the allowance to be paid: (1) at the beginning of the officer's employment, for those appointed on or after October 1, 2008; or (2) in the case of any other officer, upon the officer's request.

title department personnel matters sec authorizes secretary veterans_affairs appoint personnel health care positions veterans_health_administration vha department_of_veterans_affairs specifically listed authorized classes appointment long secretary provides prior notification congressional veterans committees office_of_management_and_budget omb requires secretary submitting notification solicit comments labor organization representing employees class include comments notification authorizes appointment nurse assistants vha makes probationary period appointment registered nurse years provides appointment time basis vha health care professional previously served time basis shall probationary period limits years probationary period appointment registered nurse temporary time basis time appointment shall considered permanent provides exception respect appointments term limited basis years authorizes secretary waive case case basis application salary offsets vha retirees reemployed vha bases rate basic pay appointees office secretary health pay levels senior_executive_service equivalent positions allows payment special incentive pay annually vha pharmacist executive removes adjusts waives certain pay restrictions including non foreign cost living adjustment market pay basic locality pay vha physicians dentists physicians dentists occupying administrative executive leadership positions nurses certified registered nurse anesthetists requires additional training education support appropriate vha employees conduct use locality pay scale surveys requires vha facility wage related information currently provided way reports facility directors secretary available request individuals vha positions covered report increases special pay nurse executives makes time nurses eligible additional premium nurse pay adds nurse service excess consecutive hours services eligible additional overtime pay adds licensed practical nurses licensed vocational nurses certain nurse positions positions exempted limitations increases basic pay rates sec prohibits secretary requiring nursing staff work hours week hours day hours case day workweeks non recurring emergency circumstances discrimination adverse personnel actions nurse staff refuse work additional hours revises calculation leave nurses working hour shifts weekend redefines vha alternative work schedule nurses hours shifts hour pay period opposed hour shifts work week sec reinstates health professionals educational assistance scholarship program revises education debt reduction program add recruitment program purpose allow current law recently appointed employees participate authorizes secretary utilize certain authorities public_health_service_act repay educational loans qualified health professionals disadvantaged backgrounds order secure vha clinical research professionals sec directs secretary prescribe standards appointment practice physician vha requires applicants provide certain information including lawsuit civil action claim individual medical malpractice negligence results thereof appointee disclose judgments individual medical malpractice negligence payments physicians employed vha disclose information director region physician seeks employment investigate information disclosed physician prohibits new appointment approval appropriate network regional director requires vha medical facility enroll practicing physicians national_practitioner_data_bank encourages hiring physicians board certified eligible certification field title health care matters sec repeals requirement annual reports concerning pay adjustments registered nurses long range health planning sec changes date annual report congress concerning research health effects military service persian_gulf_war terminates report july sec provides payments providers furnish medical care veteran beneficiary champva shall constitute payment beneficiary liability provider sec authorizes disclosure medical information representative patient lacks decision making capacity sec requires_va patients disclose health plan information social_security number authorizes secretary deny terminate medical care services exception medical emergencies individuals provide information sec requires vha secretary health designate officer vha quality assurance program network regional director appoint quality management officer director vha medical facility appoint quality management officer outlines duties officer authorizes appropriations directs secretary establish mechanisms vha employees submit confidential reports matters relating quality care vha facilities designated quality management officers secretary review report congress current policies protocols maintaining health care quality patient safety medical facilities sec requires report secretary veterans committees implementation provisions act sections concerning standards appointment practice physicians medical facilities enhancement vha medical quality assurance appointment quality management officers sec directs secretary conduct year pilot program assess feasibility advisability community based organizations local state governmental entities ensure veterans receive care benefits eligible including transitioning military service civilian life report congress pilot program sec authorizes secretary contract appropriate entities provide specialized residential care rehabilitation services veteran operations enduring freedom iraqi_freedom suffers traumatic brain injury tbi accumulation deficits activities daily living instrumental activities daily living deficits require nursing home admission care generally exceed veteran nursing needs sec directs secretary contract institute_of_medicine_of_the_national_academies conduct expanded study health impact project defense shad requires study include practicable veterans participated sec authorizes secretary utilize non-va facilities care treatment veterans suffering tbi secretary unable provide treatment services frequency duration necessary determines optimal veteran recovery rehabilitation requires non facility selected maintain care standards established independent peer reviewed organization specialized rehabilitation programs adults tbi sec provides treatment health facility tribal organization state home purposes grant payments homes veterans domiciliary care nursing home care hospital care exempts health facility tribal organization prohibition secretary treating new facility state home september authorizes secretary grants assist tribal organizations constructing acquiring facilities order furnish domiciliary nursing home care veterans expanding remodeling altering existing buildings order furnish domiciliary care nursing home care adult day health care hospital care veterans homes sec directs secretary conduct year pilot program assess feasibility advisability providing dental insurance plan veteran enrolled annual patient enrollment system survivors dependents eligible medical care provides voluntary plan enrollment disenrollment payment plan premiums title iii women veterans health care matters sec requires secretary report veterans committees barriers receipt comprehensive health care encountered women veterans especially operations iraqi freedom enduring_freedom sec directs secretary develop plan improve provision health care services women veterans plan appropriately future health care needs women serving active duty operations iraqi freedom enduring_freedom submit plan veterans committees sec requires secretary contract non-va entity independent study health consequences women veterans active duty service operations iraqi freedom enduring_freedom entity chosen report study results secretary congress secretary report congress study results sec directs secretary implement program education training certification continuing medical education mental health professionals specializing provision counseling care veterans suffering sexual trauma report annually congress counseling care provided sec requires secretary conduct year pilot program evaluate feasibility advisability providing reintegration readjustment services group retreat settings women veterans recently separated military service prolonged deployment report congress pilot program authorizes appropriations sec directs secretary report congress employment time women veteran program managers medical centers ensure health care needs women veterans met sec requires inclusion respectively women veterans recently separated service minority women veterans recently separated service advisory_committee_on_women_veterans advisory_committee_on_minority_veterans sec directs secretary carry year pilot program assess feasibility advisability providing subsidies veterans receiving regular intensive mental health services intensive health care services order obtain child care receiving services report congress pilot program authorizes appropriations sec authorizes secretary furnish care newborn child woman veteran receiving maternity care seven days birth child title mental health care matters sec makes member serves operations iraqi freedom enduring_freedom eligible readjustment counseling related mental health services vet_centers centers readjustment counseling related mental health services veterans regardless member active duty time receipt counseling services sec directs secretary receipt request counseling individual discharged released active service provide referrals assist individual obtaining mental health care services outside pertinent advise individual right apply review discharge release sec requires secretary conduct study determine number veterans died suicide january date enactment act report study results veterans committees authorizes appropriations sec directs secretary transfer specified vha funds secretary health_and_human_services program established public_health_service_act requires funds award grants support training psychologists treatment veterans post traumatic stress disorder ptsd tbi combat related disorders provides preference health care facilities awarding grants title homeless veterans matters sec authorizes secretary carry year pilot program grants public nonprofit organizations coordinate provision supportive services low income homeless veterans residing permanent housing property military installation closed redevelopment plan includes use property homeless veterans authorizes appropriations sec authorizes secretary carry year pilot program grants public nonprofit organizations coordinate provision supportive services low income homeless veterans residing permanent housing authorizes appropriations sec authorizes secretary carry year pilot program grants public nonprofit organizations provide outreach inform low income elderly veterans spouses reside rural areas veterans pension benefits eligible authorizes appropriations sec directs secretary submit congress progress reports pilot programs authorized title title sec amends federal provisions concerning establishment department_of_veterans_affairs medical facilities nonprofit research education corporations nrecs allow nrec facilitate conduct research education medical center states nrec shall known multi medical center research corporation mcrc allows nrec act mcrc nrec board directors approve resolution permitting nrec act mcrc secretary veterans_affairs approves resolution requires nrec mcrc corporation established accordance nonprofit corporation laws state medical center supports located states corporation shall considered owned agent instrumentality united_states sec restates purposes corporations including respect role providing flexible funding mechanism residencies similar programs sec modifies composition corporation boards directors revises requirements concerning non members boards directors nrecs mcrcs state minimum number officers employees federal government expand required areas experience expertise removes financial relationship restrictions conflict interest standards applicable directors sec increases authorized corporate powers corporations include entering contracts setting fees education training facilitated corporation sec revises annual report procedures require submission internal_revenue_service return form applicable organizations exempt income tax revises conflict interest policies applicable directors officers employees corporation revises requirements report congress increase threshold providing information identifying payees corporation title vii matters sec expands authority police officers include carrying issued weapons property official capacity official travel conducting investigations property offenses committed property carrying authorized duties engaged duties authorized federal statutes serving arrest warrants issued competent judicial authority sec makes uniform allowance police officers lesser currently permitted estimated actual costs determined periodic surveys requires allowance paid beginning officer employment appointed october case officer officer request


Summary: Medicare Respiratory Therapy Initiative Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover the services of a qualified respiratory therapist performed under the general supervision of a physician.

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


Summary: Access for All America Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) increase and extend the authorization of appropriations for community health centers and for the National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment program for FY2010-FY2015, and provide for increased funding for such programs in FY2016 and each subsequent fiscal year; and (2) revise and expand provisions allowing a community health center to provide services at different locations, adjust its operating plan and budget, enter into arrangements with other centers to purchase supplies and services at reduced cost, and correct material failures in grant compliance.

access america act amends public_health_service_act increase extend authorization appropriations community health centers national_health_service_corps scholarship loan repayment program fy2010 fy2015 provide increased funding programs fy2016 subsequent fiscal year revise expand provisions allowing community health center provide services different locations adjust operating plan budget enter arrangements centers purchase supplies services reduced cost correct material failures grant compliance


Summary: Nurse Education, Expansion, and Development Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to award a grant to each eligible school of nursing to increase the number of nursing faculty and students. Requires such schools to formulate and implement a plan to accomplish at least two of specified goals, which include: (1) establishing or significantly expanding an accelerated baccalaureate degree nursing program designed to graduate new nurses in 12 to 18 months; (2) establishing cooperative interdisciplinary training between schools of nursing and other specified health related fields; (3) increasing admissions, enrollment, and retention of qualified individuals who are financially disadvantaged; (4) increasing enrollment of minority and diverse student populations; (5) increasing enrollment of new graduate baccalaureate nursing students in graduate programs that educate nurse faculty members; (6) developing post-baccalaureate residency programs to prepare nurses for practice in specialty areas where nursing shortages are more severe; and (7) increasing integration of geriatric content into the core curriculum. Requires the Comptroller General to study ways to increase participation in the nurse faculty profession and to submit a report to Congress that includes: (1) a discussion of the master's degree and doctoral degree programs that are successful in placing graduates as faculty in schools of nursing; and (2) an examination of compensation disparities throughout the nursing profession and between higher education instructional faculty generally and higher education instructional nursing faculty.

expansion development act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services acting health_resources_and_services_administration hrsa award grant eligible school nursing increase number nursing faculty students requires schools formulate implement plan accomplish specified goals include establishing significantly expanding accelerated baccalaureate degree nursing program designed graduate new nurses months establishing cooperative interdisciplinary training schools nursing specified health related fields increasing admissions enrollment retention qualified individuals financially disadvantaged increasing enrollment minority diverse student populations increasing enrollment new graduate baccalaureate nursing students graduate programs educate nurse faculty members developing post baccalaureate residency programs prepare nurses practice specialty areas nursing shortages severe increasing integration geriatric content core curriculum requires comptroller general study ways increase participation nurse faculty profession submit report congress includes discussion master degree doctoral degree programs successful placing graduates faculty schools nursing examination compensation disparities nursing profession higher education instructional faculty generally higher education instructional nursing faculty


Summary: Conrad State 30 Improvement Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to make the J-1 visa waiver (Conrad state 30/medical services in underserved areas) program permanent. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) revise entry provisions for H-1B visa foreign medical graduates and provide for an increase under specified conditions in the annual per-state cap of 30 foreign doctors; and (2) exempt from worldwide immigration numerical limitations alien physicians who have completed service requirements of a state waiver or exemption, including alien physicians who completed such service before the date of enactment of this Act.

conrad state improvement act amends immigration nationality technical corrections act j-1 visa waiver conrad state medical services underserved areas program permanent amends immigration nationality act revise entry provisions h-1b visa foreign medical graduates provide increase specified conditions annual state cap foreign doctors exempt worldwide immigration numerical limitations alien physicians completed service requirements state waiver exemption including alien physicians completed service date enactment act


Summary: Equity and Access for Podiatric Physicians Under Medicaid Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include podiatrists as physicians in order to cover their services under the Medicaid program.

equity access podiatric physicians title xix medicaid social security act include podiatrists physicians order cover services medicaid program


Summary: Clinical Social Work Medicare Equity Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under the Medicare skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (thus permitting direct payment under the Medicare program for clinical social worker services provided to SNF residents).

medicare equity act amends title xviii medicare social security act exclude clinical social worker services coverage medicare skilled nursing facility snf prospective payment system permitting direct payment medicare program clinical social worker services provided snf residents


Summary: Preventive Medicine and Public Health Training Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants to or enter into contracts with certain eligible entities to provide training to graduate medical residents in preventive medicine specialties. Requires grant funds to be used for: (1) residency programs for preventive medicine or public health; (2) financial assistance to resident physicians who plan to specialize in preventive medicine or public health; (3) preventive medicine or public health program costs, including curriculum development and practicum costs; and (4) the improvement of academic administrative units.

training act amends public_health_service_act authorize secretary health_and_human_services acting director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc award grants enter contracts certain eligible entities provide training graduate medical residents preventive medicine specialties requires grant funds residency programs preventive medicine public health financial assistance resident physicians plan specialize preventive medicine public health preventive medicine public health program costs including curriculum development costs improvement academic administrative units


Summary: Rural Veterans Health Care Access and Quality Act of 2009 - Removes the $44,000-per-individual limit on authorized payments by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health professionals education debt reduction program. Requires notice to potential employees of their eligibility and selection for participation in such program. Includes VA facilities in the list of medical facilities eligible for the assignment of participants under the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program. Requires the Director of the VA's Office of Rural Health to develop an Office five-year strategic plan. Authorizes the use of volunteer counselors as part of the Vet Center program. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of teleconsultation for the provision of remote mental health and traumatic brain injury assessments in VA facilities not otherwise able to provide such assessments without contracting out or reimbursing other providers for such services. Requires the Secretary, for each Veterans Integrated Services Network, to negotiate with each party that has contracts to provide services at more than one community-based outpatient clinic in that Network to consolidate such contracts. Directs the Secretary to designate a rural outreach coordinator at each such clinic at which not less than 50% of the veterans enrolled reside in a highly rural area. Provides for peer review of health care services and patient records within the Network. Authorizes reimbursement for veterans' beneficiaries for air travel when it is the only practical way to reach a VA health care facility. Directs the Secretary to carry out a pilot program on incentives for physicians who assume responsibilities of primary care and mental health services to veterans at community hospitals in health professional shortage areas.

quality act removes individual limit authorized payments secretary veterans_affairs department_of_veterans_affairs health professionals education debt reduction program requires notice potential employees eligibility selection participation program includes facilities list medical facilities eligible assignment participants national_health_service_corps_scholarship_program requires director develop office year strategic plan authorizes use volunteer counselors program directs secretary carry program teleconsultation provision remote mental health traumatic brain injury assessments facilities able provide assessments contracting reimbursing providers services requires secretary veterans_integrated_services_network negotiate party contracts provide services community based outpatient clinic network consolidate contracts directs secretary designate rural outreach coordinator clinic veterans enrolled reside highly rural area provides peer review health care services patient records network authorizes reimbursement veterans beneficiaries air travel practical way reach health care facility directs secretary carry pilot program incentives physicians assume responsibilities primary care mental health services veterans community hospitals health professional shortage areas


Summary: Caring for an Aging America Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a Geriatric and Gerontology Loan Repayment Program to enter into contracts with qualified physicians, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, pharmacists, social workers, physician assistants, and psychologists to pay educational loans in exchange for providing full-time clinical practice and service to older adults; and (2) establish the National Advisory Council on the Geriatric and Gerontology Loan Repayment Program. Requires the Secretary to ensure that individuals eligible for the nurse loan repayment program include registered nurses who complete specialty training in geriatrics or gerontology and who elect to provide nursing services to older adults in home and long-term care settings. Authorizes the Secretary to award nursing education grants and enter into contracts for programs that focus on specialty training in providing long-term care services for nursing personnel who provide services in home and long-term care settings. Requires the Secretary to establish a Health and Long-Term Care Workforce Advisory Panel to: (1) examine, and provide advice on, workforce issues related to health and long-term care for the aging population; and (2) conduct a research project to identify incentives for recruitment and retention of clinicians and providers who agree to serve vulnerable older adults in geriatric and long-term care settings.

caring aging america act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services establish enter contracts qualified physicians nurse practitioners clinical nurse specialists pharmacists social workers physician assistants psychologists pay educational loans exchange providing time clinical practice service older adults establish national_advisory_council requires secretary ensure individuals eligible nurse loan repayment program include registered nurses complete specialty training geriatrics gerontology elect provide nursing services older adults home long term care settings authorizes secretary award nursing education grants enter contracts programs focus specialty training providing long term care services nursing personnel provide services home long term care settings requires secretary establish health long term care workforce advisory panel examine provide advice workforce issues related health long term care aging population conduct research project identify incentives recruitment retention clinicians providers agree serve vulnerable older adults geriatric long term care settings


Summary: Health Access and Health Professions Supply Act of 2009 or HAHPSA 2009  Establishes the Permanent National Health Workforce Commission. Requires the Commission to: (1) review federal policies related to the health professional workforce; (2) identify programs to reduce health professional isolation and build community health professional training infrastructure in rural, frontier, and urban underserved areas; and (3) develop guiding principles and accountability standards for the education of health professionals. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to makes matching grants to states for the operation of State Health Workforce Centers to improve the training, deployment, and retention of critical health professionals in underserved areas and for underserved populations. Revises provisions related to payments for direct graduate medical education costs and for the indirect costs of medical education, including to: (1) support the implementation of community-based training and innovative training models; and (2) require the Secretary to revise policies that constrain the Secretary's ability to respond to emergency situations and situations involving institutional and program closure. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to use excess amounts appropriated to address shortages of health professionals in rural, frontier, and urban underserved areas. Provides for the expansion of existing loan repayment programs to emphasize the provision of health professions services to facilities that have health professional shortages. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program for Medical, Dental, Physician Assistant, Pharmacy, Behavioral and Mental Health, Public Health, and Nursing Students in the United States Public Health Sciences Track in Affiliated Schools; and (2) award grants to increase health professions training in high-needs specialties.

supply act requires commission review federal policies related health professional workforce identify programs reduce health professional isolation build community health professional training infrastructure rural frontier urban underserved areas develop guiding principles accountability standards education health professionals requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs makes matching grants states operation improve training deployment retention critical health professionals underserved areas underserved populations revises provisions related payments direct graduate medical education costs indirect costs medical education including support implementation community based training innovative training models require secretary revise policies constrain secretary ability respond emergency situations situations involving institutional program closure amends public_health_service_act require secretary use excess amounts appropriated address shortages health professionals rural frontier urban underserved areas provides expansion existing loan repayment programs emphasize provision health professions services facilities health professional shortages requires secretary establish pharmacy behavioral mental health public health nursing students affiliated schools award grants increase health professions training high needs specialties


Summary: Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Support Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a program to provide funds to a state or local government, nonprofit firefighter association, or governmental or nongovernmental emergency medical services (EMS) organization, that carries out a volunteer firefighter incentive program in accordance with this Act. Directs the Secretary, for each fiscal year in which a state or local government, nonprofit firefighter association, or governmental or nongovernmental EMS organization carries out a volunteer firefighter incentive program, to pay such government, association, or organization (organization), out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated for such fiscal year, a sum equal to the total expenditures of funds not received from the federal government made by such organization for that fiscal year to carry out the program. Declares that this constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Acts and represents the obligation of the federal government to provide payment to a state or local government, nonprofit firefighter association, or governmental or nongovernmental EMS organization any amount so provided.Requires reports from recipients, and from the Secretary annually, to Congress.

ems support act amends federal_fire_prevention control act direct secretary homeland_security establish program provide funds state local government nonprofit firefighter association governmental nongovernmental emergency medical services ems organization carries volunteer firefighter incentive program accordance act directs secretary fiscal year state local government nonprofit firefighter association governmental nongovernmental ems organization carries volunteer firefighter incentive program pay government association organization organization money treasury appropriated fiscal year sum equal total expenditures funds received federal government organization fiscal year carry program declares constitutes budget authority advance appropriations acts represents obligation federal government provide payment state local government nonprofit firefighter association governmental nongovernmental ems organization provided requires reports recipients secretary annually congress


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for a cost reporting period beginning on or after July 1, 2005, to provide for payments of direct graduate education costs under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act in accordance with an alternative payment methodology for eligible hospitals in or adjacent to a major disaster area which have established a program to educate residents displaced from a graduate medical education (GME) program impacted by such disaster.

directs secretary health_and_human_services cost reporting period beginning july provide payments direct graduate education costs title xviii medicare social security act accordance alternative payment methodology eligible hospitals adjacent major disaster area established program educate residents displaced graduate medical education gme program impacted disaster


Summary: Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) reduce a hospital's otherwise applicable resident limit by the number of positions unused for the five most recent cost reporting periods; and (2) require the distribution of additional resulting residency positions to certain other hospitals. Requires that all the time spent by a resident in outpatient settings be counted towards the determination of full-time equivalency for the purposes of payments for direct graduate (GME) and indirect (IME) medical education costs, without regard to the setting in which the activities are performed, if the hospital continues to incur the costs of the resident's stipends and fringe benefits during the time the resident spends in that setting. Sets forth rules for counting resident time for didactic and scholarly activities and other activities. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a process for the redistribution of residency slots after a hospital closes.

resident physician shortage reduction act amends title xviii medicare social security act require secretary health_and_human_services reduce hospital applicable resident limit number positions unused recent cost reporting periods require distribution additional resulting residency positions certain hospitals requires time spent resident outpatient settings counted determination time equivalency purposes payments direct graduate gme indirect ime medical education costs regard setting activities performed hospital continues incur costs resident stipends fringe benefits time resident spends setting sets forth rules counting resident time didactic scholarly activities activities directs secretary health_and_human_services establish process redistribution residency slots hospital closes


Summary: Nurses' Higher Education and Loan Repayment Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to repay education loans in exchange for an individual working as a full-time member of the faculty of an accredited school of nursing. Terminates the provisions of this Act on December 31, 2020.

loan repayment act amends public_health_service_act authorize secretary health_and_human_services acting administrator health_resources_and_services_administration hrsa repay education loans exchange individual working time member faculty accredited school nursing terminates provisions act december


Summary: Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include physical therapy within the definition of "primary health services" for purposes of provisions concerning the National Health Service Corps. Makes physical therapists eligible for repayment of their educational loans in order to ensure an adequate supply of physical therapists.

physical therapist student loan repayment eligibility act amends public_health_service_act include physical therapy definition primary health services purposes provisions concerning national_health_service_corps makes physical therapists eligible repayment educational loans order ensure adequate supply physical therapists


Summary: Safeguarding Our Hospitals' Futures Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in the case of discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2009, to apply budget neutrality on a national basis in the calculation of the Medicare hospital wage index floor, including a minimum wage index, for each all-urban and rural state for discharges occurring during FY2008 under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (through a uniform, national adjustment to the area wage index).

safeguarding hospitals futures act directs secretary health_and_human_services case discharges occurring october apply budget neutrality national basis calculation medicare hospital wage index floor including minimum wage index urban rural state discharges occurring fy2008 title xviii medicare social security act uniform national adjustment area wage index


Summary: Public Health Workforce Development Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the Public Health Workforce Scholarship Program to assure an adequate supply of public health professionals to eliminate critical public health workforce shortages in federal, state, local, and tribal public health agencies and centers by offering four-year scholarships in return for employment at such agencies and centers. Requires the Secretary to establish the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide for the repayment of loans incurred by individuals in the pursuit of the relevant public health workforce educational degree or certificate in exchange for working at public health agencies or centers for at least three years. Requires the Secretary to award grants to public health agencies that receive public health preparedness cooperative agreements from HHS to operate state, local, and tribal public health workforce loan repayment programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, any eligible entity to award scholarships to eligible individuals to enroll in degree or professional training programs for the purpose of enabling mid-career professionals in the public health workforce to receive additional training in the field of public health. Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in cooperation with the Secretary, to ensure that included in the OPM website there is an online catalogue, or a link to an online catalogue, of public health workforce employment opportunities in the federal government.

public health workforce development act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish assure adequate supply public health professionals eliminate critical public health workforce shortages federal state local tribal public health agencies centers offering year scholarships return employment agencies centers requires secretary establish provide repayment loans incurred individuals pursuit relevant public health workforce educational degree certificate exchange working public health agencies centers years requires secretary award grants public health agencies receive public health preparedness cooperative agreements hhs operate state local tribal public health workforce loan repayment programs authorizes secretary grants enter contracts eligible entity award scholarships eligible individuals enroll degree professional training programs purpose enabling mid career professionals public health workforce receive additional training field public health requires director cooperation secretary ensure included opm website online catalogue link online catalogue public health workforce employment opportunities federal government


Summary: Veterans to Paramedics Transition Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize entities receiving rural emergency medical service training and equipment grants to use grant funds to provide required coursework and training to enable military veterans to satisfy emergency medical services personnel certification requirements, as determined by the appropriate state regulatory entity.

veterans paramedics transition act amends public_health_service_act authorize entities receiving rural emergency medical service training equipment grants use grant funds provide required coursework training enable military veterans satisfy emergency medical services personnel certification requirements determined appropriate state regulatory entity


Summary: Nurse Faculty and Physical Therapist Education Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration, to establish a Nurse Faculty Education Program to ensure an adequate supply of nurse faculty through awarding grants to eligible entities to: (1) hire new faculty, retain existing faculty, and purchase educational resources; (2) increase enrollment and graduation rates for students from doctoral programs; and (3) assist graduates in serving as nurse faculty in schools of nursing. Requires the Comptroller General to report on activities to increase participation in the nurse educator program. Requires the Secretary to establish a program to provide Geriatric Academic Career Awards to promote the career development of eligible individuals as geriatric nurse faculty. Requires the Secretary to establish a Nurse and Physical Therapist Distance Education Pilot Program to award grants for activities to increase accessibility to nursing and physical therapy education, including to: (1) assist individuals in rural areas who want to study nursing or physical therapy; (2) promote the study of nursing and physical therapy at all educational levels; (3) establish additional slots for nursing and physical therapy students at existing schools and programs; and (4) establish new nursing and physical therapy education programs at institutions of higher education Requires the Secretary to: (1) report on the country of origin or professional school of origin of newly licensed nurses and physical therapists in each state; and (2) contract with the Institute of Medicine to study the nursing and physical therapy workforce.

physical therapist education act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services acting health_resources_and_services_administration establish ensure adequate supply nurse faculty awarding grants eligible entities hire new faculty retain existing faculty purchase educational resources increase enrollment graduation rates students doctoral programs assist graduates serving nurse faculty schools nursing requires comptroller general report activities increase participation nurse educator program requires secretary establish program provide career awards promote career development eligible individuals geriatric nurse faculty requires secretary establish nurse physical therapist distance education pilot program award grants activities increase accessibility nursing physical therapy education including assist individuals rural areas want study nursing physical therapy promote study nursing physical therapy educational levels establish additional slots nursing physical therapy students existing schools programs establish new nursing physical therapy education programs institutions higher education requires secretary report country origin professional school origin newly licensed nurses physical therapists state contract institute_of_medicine study nursing physical therapy workforce


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 matching grants to eligible entities to train certain unemployed workers for employment as health care professionals in communities: (1) with a significant percentage decline in rates of employment and a health care professional shortage; or (2) that are underserved by the health care structure.

require secretary labor establish carry health professions training demonstration project awards matching grants eligible entities train certain unemployed workers employment health care professionals communities significant percentage decline rates employment health care professional shortage underserved health care structure


Summary: Preserving Patient Access to Primary Care Act of 2009 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award recruitment incentive grants or contracts to graduate medical schools to enable them to improve primary care education and training for medical students. Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to: (1) award grants to critical shortage health facilities to enable them to provide scholarships to individuals who agree to serve as physicians at such facilities after completing a residency in a primary care field; (2) establish an educational loan repayment program for individuals who agree to serve as primary care physicians or primary care providers (including nurse practitioners) in an area that is not a health professional shortage area but has a critical shortage of such physicians or providers; and (3) establish an educational loan repayment program for individuals who agree to serve as physicians in the field of obstetrics and gynecology or as certified nurse midwives in an area that is not a health professional shortage area. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for deferment of education loans during medical residency and internships in a primary care field. Amends the PHSA to direct the Secretary to award grants to eligible state and local government entities for the development of informational materials that promote careers in primary care. Amends the PHSA to extend the authorization of appropriations for training in a family medicine, general internal medicine, general geriatrics, general pediatrics, physician assistance, general dentistry, and pediatric dentistry Authorizes increased appropriations for the national health service corps scholarships and loan repayment programs. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to allow the use of Medicaid transformation payments for methods for improving medical assistance under Medicaid and SSA title XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) by encouraging certain medical practices to qualify as patient centered medical homes. Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to: (1) increase budget neutrality limits under the physician fee schedule to account for anticipated savings resulting from payments for certain services and the coordination of beneficiary care; and (2) require a separate Medicare payment for designated primary care services and comprehensive care coordination services. Amends SSA title XVIII to cover patient-centered medical home services. Directs the Secretary to develop a methodology to increase payments for designated evaluation and management services provided by primary and principal care providers. Requires: (1) additional incentive payments for primary care services furnished in health professional shortage areas; (2) permanent extension of the floor on the Medicare work geographic adjustment under the physician fee schedule; and (3) permanent extension of the Medicare incentive payment program for physician scarcity areas. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the process for determining relative value under the Medicare physician fee schedule. Eliminates cost sharing for preventive benefits and the time restriction for initial preventive physical examination. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on: (1) facilitating the receipt of Medicare preventive services by Medicare beneficiaries; (2) increasing the ability of physicians and primary care providers to assist Medicare beneficiaries in obtaining needed prescriptions under Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program); and (3) developing and implementing mechanisms to promote and increase interaction between physicians or primary care providers and the families of Medicare beneficiaries, as well as other caregivers who support such beneficiaries, for the purpose of improving patient care under the Medicare program. Requires additional payments to physicians for services to individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). Requires various specified studies. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to provide an ongoing assessment of the impact of changes in Medicare payment policies in improving access to and equity of payments to primary care physicians and primary care providers. Authorizes distribution of additional residency positions and the counting of resident time in certain outpatient settings. Establishes rules for counting resident time in a nonhospital setting primarily engaged in furnishing patient care in non-patient care activities, such as didactic and scholarly activities and other activities (but not research not associated with the treatment or diagnosis of a particular patient). Authorizes redistribution of residency slots after a hospital closes or is acquired by another entity with the approval of a bankruptcy court. Directs the Secretary to revise the 9th Statement of Work under the Quality Improvement Program to include a requirement that, in order to be an eligible Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for the 9th Statement of Work contract cycle, a QIO provide assistance, including technical assistance, to physicians under the Medicare program that seek to acquire the elements necessary to be recognized as a patient centered medical home practice under the National Committee for Quality Assurance's Physician Practice Connections -- PCMH module.

preserving patient access primary care act amends higher education act authorize secretary education award recruitment incentive grants contracts graduate medical schools enable improve primary care education training medical students amends public_health_service_act phsa direct secretary health_and_human_services acting administrator health_resources_and_services_administration award grants critical shortage health facilities enable provide scholarships individuals agree serve physicians facilities completing residency primary care field establish educational loan repayment program individuals agree serve primary care physicians primary care providers including nurse practitioners area health professional shortage area critical shortage physicians providers establish educational loan repayment program individuals agree serve physicians field obstetrics gynecology certified nurse midwives area health professional shortage area amends higher education act provide deferment education loans medical residency internships primary care field amends phsa direct secretary award grants eligible state local government entities development informational materials promote careers primary care amends phsa extend authorization appropriations training family medicine general internal medicine general geriatrics general pediatrics physician assistance general dentistry pediatric dentistry authorizes increased appropriations national health service corps scholarships loan repayment programs amends title xix medicaid social security act ssa allow use medicaid transformation payments methods improving medical assistance medicaid ssa title chip known schip encouraging certain medical practices qualify patient centered medical homes amends ssa title xviii medicare increase budget neutrality limits physician fee schedule account anticipated savings resulting payments certain services coordination beneficiary care require separate medicare payment designated primary care services comprehensive care coordination services amends ssa title xviii cover patient centered medical home services directs secretary develop methodology increase payments designated evaluation management services provided primary principal care providers requires additional incentive payments primary care services furnished health professional shortage areas permanent extension floor medicare work geographic adjustment physician fee schedule permanent extension medicare incentive payment program physician scarcity areas directs secretary study report congress process determining relative value medicare physician fee schedule eliminates cost sharing preventive benefits time restriction initial preventive physical examination directs secretary study report congress facilitating receipt medicare preventive services medicare beneficiaries increasing ability physicians primary care providers assist medicare beneficiaries obtaining needed prescriptions medicare voluntary prescription drug benefit program developing implementing mechanisms promote increase interaction physicians primary care providers families medicare beneficiaries caregivers support beneficiaries purpose improving patient care medicare program requires additional payments physicians services individuals limited english proficiency lep requires specified studies directs medicare_payment_advisory_commission medpac provide ongoing assessment impact changes medicare payment policies improving access equity payments primary care physicians primary care providers authorizes distribution additional residency positions counting resident time certain outpatient settings establishes rules counting resident time nonhospital setting primarily engaged furnishing patient care non patient care activities didactic scholarly activities activities research associated treatment diagnosis particular patient authorizes redistribution residency slots hospital closes acquired entity approval bankruptcy court directs secretary revise 9th statement work include requirement order eligible qio 9th statement work contract cycle qio provide assistance including technical assistance physicians medicare program seek acquire elements necessary recognized patient centered medical home practice module


Summary: Allied Health Reinvestment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop public service announcements to promote the allied health professions. Requires the Secretary to award grants to promote such professions by: (1) supporting relevant state and local advertising campaigns; (2) increasing education opportunities; (3) carrying out programs that form education pipelines to facilitate the entry of students into relevant careers; (4) expanding enrollment in such programs; (5) providing education through new technologies and methods; (6) enhancing the workforce through retention programs; (7) developing retention strategies; (8) expanding area health education centers to develop models of excellence for such professionals; and (9) developing clinical education, internship, and resident programs that encourage mentoring and the development of specialties. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to enter into agreements to establish faculty loan funds to increase the number of qualified allied health faculty. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide scholarships to individuals seeking allied health education who agree to provide service in rural and other medically underserved areas with personnel shortages; (2) develop a system for collecting and analyzing workforce data to determine education pipeline and practitioner shortages and to project future needs for such a workforce; and (3) include allied health schools among the schools eligible to receive grants to support Centers of Excellence in health professions education for individuals from diverse communities and backgrounds. Requires the Comptroller General to conduct an evaluation of whether this Act has demonstrably increased the number of allied health education program applicants.

require secretary health_and_human_services hhs develop public service announcements promote allied health professions requires secretary award grants promote professions supporting relevant state local advertising campaigns increasing education opportunities carrying programs form education pipelines facilitate entry students relevant careers expanding enrollment programs providing education new technologies methods enhancing workforce retention programs developing retention strategies expanding area health education centers develop models excellence professionals developing clinical education internship resident programs encourage mentoring development specialties requires secretary acting administrator health_resources_and_services_administration hrsa enter agreements establish faculty loan funds increase number qualified allied health faculty requires secretary provide scholarships individuals seeking allied health education agree provide service rural medically underserved areas personnel shortages develop system collecting analyzing workforce data determine education pipeline practitioner shortages project future needs workforce include allied health schools schools eligible receive grants support centers_of_excellence health professions education individuals diverse communities backgrounds requires comptroller general conduct evaluation act increased number allied health education program applicants


Summary: Medical Efficiency and Delivery Improvement of Care Act (MEDIC) of 2009 - Physician Workforce Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to establish a program to provide loans to eligible hospitals to establish residency training programs. Preserving Patient Access to Primary Care Act of 2009 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants or contracts toenable graduate medical schools to improve primary care education and training for medical students. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the HHS Secretary, acting through the HRSA Administrator, to award grants to enable critical shortage health facilities to provide scholarships to individuals who agree to serve as physicians at such facilities after completing a residency in a primary care field. Directs the Secretary to establish a program of contracts with eligible individuals who agree to serve as primary care physicians or primary care providers in a primary care field and in an area that is not a health professional shortage area but has a critical shortage of primary care physicians and primary care providers. Requires the Secretary to agree to pay, for each year of such service, up to $35,000 of the principal and interest of the individual's undergraduate or graduate educational loans. Authorizes a similar loan repayment program for physicians in the fields of obstetrics and gynecology and certified nurse midwives. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize deferment of medical student loans during residency and internships. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to award grants to eligible state and local government entities for development of informational materials that promote careers in primary care and encourage medical students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to become primary care physicians. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to transformation grants to support patient-centered medical homes under Medicaid and SSA title XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP). Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to require the Secretary to: (1) increase budget neutrality limits under the physician fee schedule to account for anticipated savings resulting from payments for certain services and the coordination of beneficiary care; and (2) pay for designated primary care services and comprehensive care coordination services furnished to an individual. Authorizes Medicare coverage of patient-centered medical home services. Directs the Secretary to develop a methodology to increase payments for designated evaluation and management services provided by primary care physicians, primary care providers, and principal care providers. Creates an additional incentive payment program for primary care services furnished in health professional shortage areas. Extends permanently the Medicare incentive payment program for physician scarcity areas. Revises Medicare requirements for preventive services, eliminating the time restriction for an initial preventive physical examination as well as cost-sharing for preventive benefits. Requires additional payments for providing Medicare services to individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). Requires various studies and reports. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to assess the impact of changes in Medicare payment policies in improving access to and equity of payments to primary care physicians and primary care providers. Outlines requirements for distribution of additional residency positions and the counting of resident time in outpatient settings and for didactic and scholarly activities and other activities. Requires the Secretary to establish a process under which, in the case where a hospital with an approved medical residency program closes on or after the date of enactment of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the Secretary will increase the otherwise applicable resident limit for other hospitals. Directs the Secretary to revise the 9th Statement of Work under the Quality Improvement Program to require that, in order to be an eligible Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for the 9th Statement of Work contract cycle, a QIO shall provide assistance, including technical assistance, to physicians under the Medicare program that seek to acquire the elements necessary to be recognized as a patient-centered medical home practice under the National Committee for Quality Assurance's Physician Practice Connections--PCMH module. Medicare Payment Improvement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary to determine a value index for each Medicare physician fee schedule area. Home and Community Balanced Incentives Act of 2009 - Amends SSA title XIX to establish an enhanced federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for states to: (1) expand provision of non-institutionally-based long-term services and supports; and (2) maintain provision of home and community-based services (HCBS). Authorizes grants to make structural changes to the state Medicaid program. Revises the income eligibility level for HCBS services for elderly and disabled individuals. Revises the income eligibility limit for the state option to provide HCBS services under a waiver. Replaces the income limit of 150% of the poverty line with a limit of 300% of the supplemental security income (SSI) benefit rate. Authorizes additional state options with respect to HCBS services. Applies spousal impoverishment rules to recipients of HCBS. Project 2020: Building on the Promise of Home and Community-Based Services Act of 2009 - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXII (Long-Term Services and Supports), requiring the Secretary to establish and carry out a single-entry point system program, a healthy living program, and an enhanced nursing home diversion program.

medical efficiency delivery improvement care act medic physician workforce enhancement act amends public_health_service_act direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs acting administrator health_resources_and_services_administration hrsa establish program provide loans eligible hospitals establish residency training programs preserving patient access primary care act amends higher education act authorize secretary education award grants contracts graduate medical schools improve primary care education training medical students amends public_health_service_act direct hhs secretary acting hrsa administrator award grants enable critical shortage health facilities provide scholarships individuals agree serve physicians facilities completing residency primary care field directs secretary establish program contracts eligible individuals agree serve primary care physicians primary care providers primary care field area health professional shortage area critical shortage primary care physicians primary care providers requires secretary agree pay year service principal interest individual undergraduate graduate educational loans authorizes similar loan repayment program physicians fields obstetrics gynecology certified nurse midwives amends higher education act authorize deferment medical student loans residency internships amends public_health_service_act direct secretary award grants eligible state local government entities development informational materials promote careers primary care encourage medical students particularly disadvantaged backgrounds primary care physicians amends title xix medicaid social security act ssa respect transformation grants support patient centered medical homes medicaid ssa title chip amends ssa title xviii medicare require secretary increase budget neutrality limits physician fee schedule account anticipated savings resulting payments certain services coordination beneficiary care pay designated primary care services comprehensive care coordination services furnished individual authorizes medicare coverage patient centered medical home services directs secretary develop methodology increase payments designated evaluation management services provided primary care physicians primary care providers principal care providers creates additional incentive payment program primary care services furnished health professional shortage areas extends permanently medicare incentive payment program physician scarcity areas revises medicare requirements preventive services eliminating time restriction initial preventive physical examination cost sharing preventive benefits requires additional payments providing medicare services individuals limited english proficiency lep requires studies reports directs medicare_payment_advisory_commission medpac assess impact changes medicare payment policies improving access equity payments primary care physicians primary care providers outlines requirements distribution additional residency positions counting resident time outpatient settings didactic scholarly activities activities requires secretary establish process case hospital approved medical residency program closes date enactment secretary increase applicable resident limit hospitals directs secretary revise 9th statement work require order eligible qio 9th statement work contract cycle qio shall provide assistance including technical assistance physicians medicare program seek acquire elements necessary recognized patient centered medical home practice module medicare payment improvement act directs secretary determine value index medicare physician fee schedule area home community balanced incentives act amends ssa title xix establish enhanced federal medical assistance percentage fmap states expand provision non institutionally based long term services supports maintain provision home community based services hcbs authorizes grants structural changes state medicaid program revises income eligibility level hcbs services elderly disabled individuals revises income eligibility limit state option provide hcbs services waiver replaces income limit poverty line limit supplemental security income ssi benefit rate authorizes additional state options respect hcbs services applies spousal impoverishment rules recipients hcbs project building promise home act amends social security act add new title xxii supports requiring secretary establish carry single entry point system program healthy living program enhanced nursing home diversion program


Summary: Rural Health Clinic Patient Access and Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to rural health clinic reimbursement. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make incentive payments to rural health clinic employees or contractors for satisfactory reporting of data on clinic quality measures. Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow a community health center to contract with a federally certified rural health clinic for the delivery of primary health care services to individuals who would otherwise be eligible for free or reduced cost care if they were able to obtain it at the community health center. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the diabetes education and medical nutrition therapy counseling services provided by federally qualified health clinics. Directs the Secretary to establish a demonstration project of grants to states to examine whether health care professionals can be recruited or retained to work in underserved rural areas by providing them with medical malpractice subsidies. States that a rural health clinic qualified under Medicare or Medicaid may be defined and certified by the Secretary as rural even if it fails to satisfy the requirement that it not be located in an urbanized area. Amends SSA title XVIII to establish the minimum Medicare Advantage plan payment rate for services furnished by a rural health clinic. Expresses the sense of the Senate concerning the adequacy of network-based health plans.

improvement act amends title xviii medicare social security act respect rural health clinic reimbursement directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs incentive payments rural health clinic employees contractors satisfactory reporting data clinic quality measures amends public_health_service_act allow community health center contract federally certified rural health clinic delivery primary health care services individuals eligible free reduced cost care able obtain community health center directs comptroller general report congress diabetes education medical nutrition therapy counseling services provided federally qualified health clinics directs secretary establish demonstration project grants states examine health care professionals recruited retained work underserved rural areas providing medical malpractice subsidies states rural health clinic qualified medicare medicaid defined certified secretary rural fails satisfy requirement located urbanized area amends ssa title xviii establish minimum medicare_advantage plan payment rate services furnished rural health clinic expresses sense senate concerning adequacy network based health plans


Summary: Strengthen Social Work Training Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include a graduate program in clinical social work or a program in social work among health professions schools eligible for grants to support programs for underrepresented minorities. Includes graduate programs in clinical psychology, graduate programs in clinical social work, and programs in social work among health education programs eligible for grants to: (1) provide scholarships to disadvantaged students; and (2) offer faculty positions to disadvantaged students. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to, and enter into contracts with: (1) schools offering degrees in social work to provide support for geriatric training projects; (2) hospitals, schools, or other entities to plan, develop, and operate or participate in an approved social work training program and to provide financial assistance to program participants that are planning to specialize, work, or teach in the field of social work; and (3) schools offering social work programs to establish, maintain, or improve academic administrative units to provide clinical instruction in social work. Authorizes health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to offer health services through a clinical social worker as provided for under state law.

strengthen social work training act amends public_health_service_act include graduate program clinical social work program social work health professions schools eligible grants support programs underrepresented minorities includes graduate programs clinical psychology graduate programs clinical social work programs social work health education programs eligible grants provide scholarships disadvantaged students offer faculty positions disadvantaged students allows secretary health_and_human_services hhs grants enter contracts schools offering degrees social work provide support geriatric training projects hospitals schools entities plan develop operate participate approved social work training program provide financial assistance program participants planning specialize work teach field social work schools offering social work programs establish maintain improve academic administrative units provide clinical instruction social work authorizes health maintenance organizations offer health services clinical social worker provided state law


Summary: Nurse Training and Retention Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a partnership grant program to award matching grants to eligible entities to carry out comprehensive programs to provide education to nurses and create a pipeline to nursing for incumbent ancillary health care workers who wish to advance their careers.

nurse training directs secretary labor establish partnership grant program award matching grants eligible entities carry comprehensive programs provide education nurses create pipeline nursing incumbent ancillary health care workers wish advance careers


Summary: Medicare Graduate Nursing Education Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to declare reasonable for Medicare payment purposes the educational and related costs of expanded advanced practice nurse training programs.

medicare graduate nursing education act amends title xviii medicare social security act declare reasonable medicare payment purposes educational related costs expanded advanced practice nurse training programs


Summary: Health Professions and Primary Care Reinvestment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to hospitals, medical schools, and other entities to train primary care providers to provide care through patient-centered medical homes and to develop tools and curricula and provide continuing education relevant to patient-centered homes. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (National Center) to collect, analyze, and report data related to health workforce issues in coordination with the State and Regional Centers for Health Workforce Analysis; (2) award grants to, or enter into contracts with, states, state workforce commissions, and other health care entities to collect, analyze, and report to the National Center data on programs related to health workforce issues; and (3) increase the amount of grants or contracts awarded for the establishment and maintenance of a longitudinal tracking system (a system that tracks students, residents, fellows, interns, or faculty who have received education, training, or financial assistance from Health Professions Education and Training programs for at least five years). Requires the Advisory Committee on Interdisciplinary, Community-Based Linkages and the Advisory Council on Graduate Medical Education to develop, publish, and implement performance measures for health professions education programs.

primary care reinvestment act amends public_health_service_act authorize secretary health_and_human_services hhs grants hospitals medical schools entities train primary care providers provide care patient centered medical homes develop tools curricula provide continuing education relevant patient centered homes requires secretary establish national center collect analyze report data related health workforce issues coordination state regional centers health workforce analysis award grants enter contracts states state workforce commissions health care entities collect analyze report data programs related health workforce issues increase grants contracts awarded establishment maintenance longitudinal tracking system system tracks students residents fellows interns faculty received education training financial assistance training programs years requires advisory committee interdisciplinary advisory_council develop publish implement performance measures health professions education programs