Summary: Preserving Access to Hospice (PATH) Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for a temporary moratorium, from November 1, 2005, through October 31, 2008, on enforcement of the hospice cap amount. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report on: (1) the resource effectiveness and quality of hospice care as a substitute benefit for other acute care alternatives under Medicare; (2) the optimal median and average length of stay in hospice care under Medicare; (3) the reasons for persistently low median and average length of such stays; and (4) the desirability of requiring a national coverage determination of eligibility for hospice care under Medicare.

preserving access hospice path act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act provide temporary moratorium november october enforcement hospice cap directs medicare_payment_advisory_commission medpac study report resource effectiveness quality hospice care substitute benefit acute care alternatives medicare optimal median average length stay hospice care medicare reasons persistently low median average length stays desirability requiring national coverage determination eligibility hospice care medicare


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out major medical facility projects (projects) in FY2009 in: (1) Palo Alto, California; (2) Lee County, Florida; (3) San Juan, Puerto Rico; and (4) San Antonio, Texas. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out projects in FY2009, as originally authorized under the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006, for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers in Denver, Colorado, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out specified major medical facility leases (leases) in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. Authorizes appropriations for projects and leases authorized under this Act.

authorizes secretary veterans_affairs carry major medical facility projects projects fy2009 palo_alto california lee county florida san_juan puerto_rico san_antonio texas authorizes secretary carry projects fy2009 originally authorized veterans benefits health_care information technology act department_of_veterans_affairs medical centers denver colorado new_orleans louisiana authorizes secretary carry specified major medical facility leases leases arizona california colorado florida georgia ohio oregon puerto_rico south_carolina wisconsin authorizes appropriations projects leases authorized act


Summary: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exempt certain rural hospitals from the 12% cap on disproportionate share hospital (DSH) adjustment percentages.

amends title xviii medicare social_security_act exempt certain rural hospitals cap disproportionate share hospital dsh adjustment percentages


Summary: Poison Center Support, Enhancement, and Awareness Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide coordination and assistance for the maintenance of the nationwide toll-free phone number to access poison control centers. Requires the Secretary to carry out and expand upon a national media campaign to educate the public and health care providers about poison prevention and the availability of poison control center resources in local communities. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with nationally recognized organizations in the field of poison control and national media firms for the development and implementation of a nationwide poison prevention and poison control center awareness campaign. Expands the poison control center grant program to allow the Secretary to award grants for poison control centers to comply with the operational requirements needed to sustain certification. Adds as the purposes for which such grants may be used: (1) to establish and evaluate best practices in the United States for poison prevention, poison control center outreach, and emergency and preparedness programs; (2) to implement standard patient management guidelines for commonly encountered toxic exposures; (3) to develop, support, and enhance technology and capabilities of professional organizations in the field of poison control to collect national poisoning, toxic occurrence, and related public health data; and (4) to develop initiatives to foster the enhanced public health utilization of national poison data. Eliminates matching requirements for such grants.Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2014.

poison center support enhancement awareness act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services provide coordination assistance maintenance nationwide toll free phone number access poison control centers requires secretary carry expand national media campaign educate public health_care providers poison prevention availability poison control center resources local communities authorizes secretary enter contracts nationally recognized organizations field poison control national media firms development implementation nationwide poison prevention poison control center awareness campaign expands poison control center grant program allow secretary award grants poison control centers comply operational requirements needed sustain certification adds purposes grants establish evaluate best practices united_states poison prevention poison control center outreach emergency preparedness programs implement standard patient management guidelines commonly encountered toxic exposures develop support enhance technology capabilities professional organizations field poison control collect national poisoning toxic occurrence related public health data develop initiatives foster enhanced public health utilization national poison data eliminates matching requirements grants authorizes appropriations fy2009 fy2014


Summary: American Energy Production Act of 2008 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permit projected lines of states adjacent to the subsoil and seabed of the outer Continental Shelf to be used for oil and gas preleasing and leasing activities. Authorizes the governor of a state with a new producing area within the offshore administrative boundaries beyond the submerged land of the state to petition the Secretary of Energy requesting that the Secretary make new producing areas available for oil and gas leasing.Provides for disposition of outer Continental Shelf revenues from new producing areas to the Treasury and to new producing states and coastal political subdivisions.Sets forth a lease sales program for oil and gas development within the Coastal Plain located on a certain map entitled "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge." Prescribes environmental protection procedures for the Coastal Plain.Requires the State of Alaska to establish in is state treasury the "Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund," to assist designated Alaska entities impacted by the oil and gas exploration and production.Prohibits exportation of oil or gas produced under this Act. Prescribes a refinery permitting process.Suspends petroleum acquisition for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.Amends the Clean Air Act to include renewable biomass within its purview.Sets forth an advanced battery manufacturing incentive program.Instructs the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Research and Development of the Environmental Protection Agency to implement a research and development program for adding materials to biofuels to make the biofuels more compatible with infrastructure used to store and deliver petroleum-based fuels.Instructs the Secretary of Energy to study and report to Congress on: (1) the feasibility of increasing consumption in the United States of ethanol-blended gasoline with specified levels of ethanol; and (2) specified diesel vehicle attributes.Clean Coal-Derived Fuels for Energy Security Act of 2008 - Directs the President to promulgate regulations to ensure that covered fuel introduced into commerce in the United States on an annual average basis contains a specified volume and percentage of clean coal-derived fuel. Grants a temporary exemption to small refineries.Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 to repeal the proscription against final regulations for commercial oil shale leasing program on public land.Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal the proscription against federal agency contracts for procurement of alternative or synthetic fuel. Authorizes the Department of Defense to enter into multiyear contracts to purchase synthetic fuels.

american energy production act amends outer_continental_shelf_lands_act permit projected lines states adjacent subsoil seabed outer_continental_shelf oil gas preleasing leasing activities authorizes governor state new producing area offshore administrative boundaries submerged land state petition secretary energy requesting secretary new producing areas available oil gas leasing provides disposition outer_continental_shelf revenues new producing areas treasury new producing states coastal political subdivisions sets forth lease sales program oil gas development coastal_plain located certain map entitled arctic_national_wildlife_refuge prescribes environmental protection procedures coastal_plain requires state alaska establish state treasury coastal_plain_local_government_impact_aid_assistance_fund assist designated alaska entities impacted oil gas exploration production prohibits exportation oil gas produced act prescribes refinery permitting process suspends petroleum acquisition strategic_petroleum_reserve amends clean_air act include renewable biomass purview sets forth advanced battery manufacturing incentive program instructs assistant administrator office research development environmental_protection_agency implement research development program adding materials biofuels biofuels compatible infrastructure store deliver petroleum based fuels instructs secretary energy study report congress feasibility increasing consumption united_states ethanol blended gasoline specified levels ethanol specified diesel vehicle attributes clean coal derived fuels energy security act directs president promulgate regulations ensure covered fuel introduced commerce united_states annual average basis contains specified volume percentage clean coal derived fuel grants temporary exemption small refineries amends department_of_the_interior environment related agencies appropriations act repeal final regulations commercial oil_shale leasing program public land amends energy_independence_and_security_act repeal federal agency contracts procurement alternative synthetic fuel authorizes department_of_defense enter multiyear contracts purchase synthetic fuels


Summary: Improved Adoption Incentives and Relative Guardianship Support Act of 2008 - Title I: Extension and Improvement of Adoption Incentives - (Sec. 101) Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) extend the adoption incentives program through FY2012; (2) increase the incentive payment to a state, according to a specified formula, for exceeding the highest ever foster child adoption rate; and (3) increase incentive payments for special needs adoptions and older child adoptions. (Sec. 102) Revises requirements for the adoption assistance program with respect to the adoption of children with special needs. Title II: Support for Relative Guardianships - (Sec. 201) Gives states the option to provide for relative guardianship assistance payments for children. Prescribes requirements for such payments. Requires the use of unawarded adoption incentive funds to make relative guardianship incentive payments. Makes children who exit foster care for relative guardianship or adoption after age 16 eligible for independent living services and education and training vouchers under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. Requires a state plan for foster care and adoption assistance to provide that, within 30 days after removal of a child from the parent's or parents' custody, the state shall exercise due diligence to identify and notify all the child's adult relatives of the removal, and: (1) explain the relative's options to participate in the child's care and placement; (2) describe the requirements to become a foster family home, and the additional services and supports available for children placed in such a home; and (3) explain the availability, if any, of kinship guardianship assistance payments. Provides for a penalty in connection with the state's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant for noncompliance with such notice requirements. Requires the state to inform any individual who is adopting, or whom the state is made aware is considering adopting, a child in foster care under state responsibility of the individual's potential eligibility for a federal tax credit. Sets forth case plan requirements in the case of a child with respect to whom the permanency plan is placement with a relative and receipt of relative guardianship assistance payments. Requires states to check any child abuse and neglect registry maintained by other states in which a relative guardian has resided in the preceding five years before such an individual may be approved for placement of a child. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to establish up to 10 two-year demonstration projects to determine the extent to which flexibility in the application of certain licensing standards to foster family homes of immediate relative foster parents results in improved well-being and permanency outcomes for children in foster care. (Sec. 203) Amends SSA title IV part B (Child and Family Services) to authorize the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible entities for the federal share (50%) of the cost of carrying out kinship navigator programs that help connect kinship caregivers with the services and assistance required to meet the needs of the children they are raising and their own needs. Makes appropriations for such grants for FY2009-FY2013. (Sec. 204) Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to authorize comparisons and disclosures to state agencies of information in the Federal Parent Locator Service for child welfare, foster care, and adoption assistance program purposes. Title III: Tribal Foster Care and Adoption Access - (Sec. 301) Amends SSA title IV part E to allow an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium, if specified requirements are met, to receive direct federal funds for foster care and adoption services for Indian children it provides. Prescribes requirements for determination of the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for calculating such payments. Authorizes an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium to receive a portion of a state plan allotment as part of an agreement to operate the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary to make grants to states that successfully collaborate with and support tribes to improve permanency outcomes for Indian children. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary to establish a National Child Welfare Resource Center for Tribes. Title IV: Support for Older Children in Foster Care and Other Provisions - (Sec. 401) Amends SSA title IV part E to give states the option of covering certain children in foster care, and certain children in an adoptive or guardianship placement, after attaining age 18. (Sec. 402) Requires a state agency caseworker and appropriate other representatives of a child aging out of foster care to assist the child in developing a transition plan personalized at the child's direction, which includes specific options on housing, health insurance, education, local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services, as well as work force supports and employment services. (Sec. 403) Requires case plans under SSA title B or E to include a plan for ensuring the educational stability of the child while in foster care. Title V: Revenue Provisions - (Sec. 501) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require the children in adoption to be unmarried and younger than the taxpayer claiming a personal exemption for a dependent; and (2) restrict qualifying child tax benefits to the child's parent, or where no parent claims a qualifying child, to another taxpayer, but only if the other taxpayer's adjusted gross income (AGI) is higher than the highest AGI of any of the child's parents. (Sec. 502) Provides for the collection of unemployment compensation debts resulting from fraud. (Sec. 503) Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to invest U.S. operating cash in repurchase agreements with acceptable parties.

improved adoption incentives relative guardianship support act title extension improvement adoption incentives sec amends foster care adoption assistance title social_security_act ssa extend adoption incentives program fy2012 increase incentive payment state according specified formula exceeding highest foster child adoption rate increase incentive payments special needs adoptions older child adoptions sec revises requirements adoption assistance program respect adoption children special needs title support relative sec gives states option provide relative guardianship assistance payments children prescribes requirements payments requires use adoption incentive funds relative guardianship incentive payments makes children exit foster care relative guardianship adoption age eligible independent living services education training vouchers john chafee foster care independence program requires state plan foster care adoption assistance provide days removal child parent parents custody state shall exercise diligence identify notify child adult relatives removal explain relative options participate child care placement describe requirements foster family home additional services supports available children placed home explain availability kinship guardianship assistance payments provides penalty connection state temporary_assistance needy families grant noncompliance notice requirements requires state inform individual adopting state aware considering adopting child foster care state responsibility individual potential eligibility federal tax credit sets forth case plan requirements case child respect permanency plan placement relative receipt relative guardianship assistance payments requires states check child abuse neglect registry maintained states relative guardian resided preceding years individual approved placement child sec directs secretary establish year demonstration projects determine extent flexibility application certain licensing standards foster family homes immediate relative foster parents results improved permanency outcomes children foster care sec amends ssa title child family services authorize assistant secretary children_and_families_of_the_department_of_health_and_human_services grants eligible entities federal share cost carrying kinship navigator programs help connect kinship caregivers services assistance required meet needs children raising needs makes appropriations grants fy2009 fy2013 sec amends ssa title child support establishment paternity authorize comparisons disclosures state agencies information federal_parent_locator_service child welfare foster care adoption assistance program purposes title iii tribal foster care adoption access sec amends ssa title allow indian tribe tribal organization tribal consortium specified requirements met receive direct federal funds foster care adoption services indian children provides prescribes requirements determination federal medical assistance percentage fmap calculating payments authorizes indian tribe tribal organization tribal consortium receive portion state plan allotment agreement operate john chafee foster care independence program sec directs secretary grants states successfully collaborate support tribes improve permanency outcomes indian children sec directs secretary establish national child welfare resource center tribes title support older children foster care provisions sec amends ssa title states option covering certain children foster care certain children adoptive guardianship placement attaining age sec requires state agency caseworker appropriate representatives child aging foster care assist child developing transition plan personalized child direction includes specific options housing health insurance education local opportunities mentors continuing support services work force supports employment services sec requires case plans ssa title include plan ensuring educational stability child foster care title revenue provisions sec amends_the_internal_revenue_code require children adoption unmarried younger taxpayer claiming personal exemption dependent restrict qualifying child tax benefits child parent parent claims qualifying child taxpayer taxpayer adjusted gross income higher highest child parents sec provides collection unemployment compensation debts resulting fraud sec authorizes secretary treasury invest operating cash repurchase agreements acceptable parties


Summary: Outpatient Mental Health Modernization Act of 2008 - Establishes a moratorium between January 1, 2009, and January 1, 2010, on changes in the Medicare outpatient department (OPD) fee schedule amount established for partial hospital (episode and visit) services. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) establish an accreditation program for community mental health centers providing partial hospitalization services; (2) require a specified reduction in the OPD fee schedule increase factor for any such center that fails to submit required data on its partial hospitalization services; and (3) establish a minimum number of four units of items and services as a requirement for coverage of such services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to require fiscal intermediaries under the Medicare program to file the cost reports of providers of partial hospitalization services into the Healthcare Provider Cost Reporting Information System (HCRIS) maintained by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

outpatient mental health modernization act establishes moratorium january january changes medicare outpatient department opd fee schedule established partial hospital episode visit services amends title xviii medicare social_security_act establish accreditation program community mental health centers providing partial hospitalization services require specified reduction opd fee schedule increase factor center fails submit required data partial hospitalization services establish minimum number units items services requirement coverage services directs secretary health_and_human_services require fiscal intermediaries medicare program file cost reports providers partial hospitalization services healthcare provider cost reporting information system maintained centers medicare medicaid_services


Summary: Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) submit to Congress a plan to introduce pay-for-performance mechanisms into contracts which compensate Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contractors for the provision of veterans' health care services through community-based outpatient clinics (clinics); (2) commence plan implementation within 60 days after submission, unless Congress enacts a law prohibiting or modifying plan implementation; and (3) report semiannually to Congress on the advisability of utilizing such mechanisms in the provision of VA health care services by means in addition to such clinics.

veterans health_care improvement act directs secretary veterans_affairs submit congress plan introduce pay performance mechanisms contracts compensate department_of_veterans_affairs contractors provision veterans health_care services community based outpatient clinics clinics commence plan implementation days submission congress enacts law prohibiting modifying plan implementation report semiannually congress advisability utilizing mechanisms provision health_care services means addition clinics


Summary: Rural Hospital Assistance Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the additional inpatient hospital service payment (payment adjustment) for low-volume hospitals (usually meaning a "subsection (d) hospital" located more than 25 road miles from another subsection (d) hospital and having less than 800 discharges during the fiscal year.) Redefines low-volume hospital, for discharges occurring during FY2009 only, as a "subsection (d) hospital" located more than 15 (instead of 25) road miles from another "subsection (d) hospital" and having less than 1,500 (instead of 800) discharges of individuals entitled to, or enrolled for, Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) benefits ("tweeners,'' or hospitals too large to be critical access hospitals, but too small to be financially viable under the Medicare hospital prospective payment system (PPS)). Revises, for FY2009 only, the temporary applicable percentage in the formula for determining the payment adjustment for such hospitals. Requires the use of the non-wage adjusted prospective payment rate (PPS) rate during FY2009 under the Medicare-dependent hospital (MDH) program. Prescribes requirements for hospitals to qualify for a Medicare hospital exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals to hospitals in which such physicians have an ownership or investment interest in the entity. (Eliminates the Medicare hospital exception for physician-owned hospitals, but provides a limited exception for existing facilities.)

rural hospital assistance_act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act respect additional inpatient hospital service payment payment adjustment low volume hospitals usually meaning subsection hospital located road miles subsection hospital having discharges fiscal year redefines low volume hospital discharges occurring fy2009 subsection hospital located instead road miles subsection hospital having instead discharges individuals entitled enrolled medicare hospital insurance benefits hospitals large critical access hospitals small financially viable medicare hospital prospective payment system pps revises fy2009 temporary applicable percentage formula determining payment adjustment hospitals requires use non wage adjusted prospective payment rate pps rate fy2009 medicare dependent hospital program prescribes requirements hospitals qualify medicare hospital exception prohibition certain physician referrals hospitals physicians ownership investment interest entity eliminates medicare hospital exception physician owned hospitals provides limited exception existing facilities


Summary: Green Hospitals, Healthy Hospitals Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting in conjunction with the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to provide nonprofit hospitals and health care institutions with 30-year no interest loans to enable such institutions to comply with the guidelines of the Green Guide for Health Care or successor regulations of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on green building technologies.Directs the Secretary to enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine for a report on the use of green building technologies, waste management techniques, and other environmentally sustainable practices to improve employee performance, reduce health care costs, and improve patient outcomes. Requires the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to include in its annual report on health care quality a summary of the most recent research on green health care and the ways in which environmentally sustainable practices can improve employee performance, reduce health care costs, and improve patient outcomes.

green hospitals healthy hospitals act directs secretary health_and_human_services acting conjunction administrator health_resources_and_services_administration provide nonprofit hospitals health_care institutions year interest loans enable institutions comply guidelines green guide health_care successor regulations department_of_health_and_human_services hhs green building technologies directs secretary enter contract institute_of_medicine report use green building technologies waste management techniques environmentally sustainable practices improve employee performance reduce health_care costs improve patient outcomes requires agency healthcare_research_and_quality include annual report health_care quality summary recent research green health_care ways environmentally sustainable practices improve employee performance reduce health_care costs improve patient outcomes


Summary: Healthy Food for Healthy Lives Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide demonstration grants to eligible entities to purchase eligible local or regional products from participating vendors to improve the availability of nutritious meals for: (1) patients and employees of, and visitors to, eligible hospitals, including Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical and nursing facilities; and (2) clients of eligible social service organizations that provide nutrition services.

healthy food healthy lives act directs secretary agriculture provide demonstration grants eligible entities purchase eligible local regional products participating vendors improve availability nutritious meals patients employees visitors eligible hospitals including department_of_veterans_affairs medical nursing facilities clients eligible social service organizations provide nutrition services


Summary: Nevada Cancer Institute Expansion Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to accept the relinquishment of all or part of the Alta-Hualapai Site by the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Directs the Secretary, after relinquishment of all or part of the Alta-Hualapai Site, to convey to the Nevada Cancer Institute (the Institute) in Las Vegas, the part of the Site that is necessary for the development of a nonprofit cancer institute. Requires the Secretary, after a request from the city, to convey to the city any remaining part of the Alta-Hualapai Site necessary for ancillary medical or nonprofit use compatible with the Institute's mission. Requires the Secretary to submit a report on all transactions conducted under Public Law 105-263 (the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998). Authorizes the Secretary to grant rights-of-way to the Las Vegas Valley Water District on a portion of the Alta-Hualapai Site for a flood control project and a water pumping facility.

nevada cancer institute expansion act_-_authorizes secretary interior acting director bureau_of_land_management blm accept relinquishment site city las_vegas nevada directs secretary relinquishment site convey nevada cancer institute institute las_vegas site necessary development nonprofit cancer institute requires secretary request city convey city remaining site necessary ancillary medical nonprofit use compatible institute mission requires secretary submit report transactions conducted public law southern_nevada_public_land_management_act authorizes secretary grant rights way las_vegas valley water district portion site flood control project water pumping facility


Summary: Rural Hospital Assistance Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the additional inpatient hospital service payment (payment adjustment) for low-volume hospitals (usually meaning a "subsection (d) hospital" located more than 25 road miles from another subsection (d) hospital and having less than 800 discharges during the fiscal year.) (Generally, a subsection (d) hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.) Redefines low-volume hospital, for discharges occurring during FY2009 only, as a subsection (d) hospital located more than 15 (instead of 25) road miles from another subsection (d) hospital and having less than 1,500 (instead of 800) discharges of individuals entitled to, or enrolled for, Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) benefits ("tweeners,'' or hospitals too large to be critical access hospitals, but too small to be financially viable under the Medicare hospital prospective payment system (PPS)). Revises, for FY2010 only, the temporary applicable percentage in the formula for determining the payment adjustment for such hospitals. Requires the use of the non-wage adjusted prospective payment rate (PPS) rate during FY2010 under the Medicare-dependent hospital (MDH) program. Prescribes requirements for hospitals to qualify for a Medicare hospital exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals to hospitals in which such physicians have an ownership or investment interest in the entity. (Eliminates the Medicare hospital exception for physician-owned hospitals, but provides a limited exception for existing facilities.)

rural hospital assistance_act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act respect additional inpatient hospital service payment payment adjustment low volume hospitals usually meaning subsection hospital located road miles subsection hospital having discharges fiscal year generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system ipps providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries redefines low volume hospital discharges occurring fy2009 subsection hospital located instead road miles subsection hospital having instead discharges individuals entitled enrolled medicare hospital insurance benefits hospitals large critical access hospitals small financially viable medicare hospital prospective payment system pps revises fy2010 temporary applicable percentage formula determining payment adjustment hospitals requires use non wage adjusted prospective payment rate pps rate fy2010 medicare dependent hospital program prescribes requirements hospitals qualify medicare hospital exception prohibition certain physician referrals hospitals physicians ownership investment interest entity eliminates medicare hospital exception physician owned hospitals provides limited exception existing facilities


Summary: Waives the 35-mile requirement for designation of a critical access hospital (CAH) under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for a hospital located in Osceola, Missouri.

waives mile requirement designation critical access hospital title xviii medicare social_security_act hospital located missouri


Summary: Critical Access Hospital Flexibility Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to state Medicare rural hospital flexibility programs, in particular the criteria for designation of critical access hospitals. Revises requirements for the counting of beds for purposes of determining whether a hospital may be designated as a critical access hospital. Allows a facility to provide a maximum of 20 (currently 25) acute care inpatient beds, as determined on an annual, average basis. Declares that only occupied beds shall be counted. Exempts from the critical access hospital inpatient bed limitation beds provided to certain veterans.

critical access hospital flexibility act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act respect state medicare rural hospital flexibility programs particular criteria designation critical access hospitals revises requirements counting beds purposes determining hospital designated critical access hospital allows facility provide maximum currently acute care inpatient beds determined annual average basis declares occupied beds shall counted exempts critical access hospital inpatient bed limitation beds provided certain veterans


Summary: National Trauma Center Stabilization Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise provisions governing grants to trauma centers. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish four programs to award grants to public or nonprofit trauma centers to: (1) assist in defraying substantial uncompensated care costs; (2) further a center's core mission; (3) provide emergency relief to ensure continued and future availability of trauma service; and (4) support the development and maintenance of innovative information technology systems. Sets forth: (1) minimum qualifications of eligible centers, including requirements for levels of uncompensated care provided; and (2) preferences for awarding grants among level I, II, III, and IV trauma centers and among centers based on the changing availability of or demand for trauma care in the area served and financial need. Requires grantees to submit a long-term plan for providing trauma care.Requires the Secretary to: (1) annually determine and notify centers of their eligibility to receive a grant; and (2) periodically report on the status of such grants, the financial stability of the centers, the populations using the centers, and the effectiveness and efficiency of center activities.Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY2010-FY2015 and specifies percentages to be reserved for the different types of grants.

national trauma center stabilization act amends public_health_service_act revise provisions governing grants trauma centers directs secretary health_and_human_services establish programs award grants public nonprofit trauma centers assist defraying substantial uncompensated care costs center core mission provide emergency relief ensure continued future availability trauma service support development maintenance innovative information technology systems sets forth minimum qualifications eligible centers including requirements levels uncompensated care provided preferences awarding grants level iii trauma centers centers based changing availability demand trauma care area served financial need requires grantees submit long term plan providing trauma care requires secretary annually determine notify centers eligibility receive grant periodically report status grants financial stability centers populations centers effectiveness efficiency center activities authorizes appropriations grants fy2010 fy2015 specifies percentages reserved different types grants


Summary: Sole Community Hospital Preservation Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services, particularly the transitional adjustment for sole community hospitals to limit any decline in payment. Continues to hold sole community hospitals harmless from any decline in payment. Increases the payment for covered OPD services furnished on or after January 1, 2010, in a sole community hospital by the amount of any difference between the pre-Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (pre-BBA) amount and a lesser PPS amount. Prescribes an increase of 7.1% in payment for such services (before the application of outliers and coinsurance). Permits the Secretary of Health and Human Services to revise such percentage based on a study comparing costs incurred by sole community hospitals located in rural areas by ambulatory payment classification groups (APCs) to costs incurred by hospitals located in urban areas. Bars any such increase in payment for devices, drugs, or biologicals.

sole community hospital preservation act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act respect prospective payment system pps hospital outpatient department opd services particularly transitional adjustment sole community hospitals limit decline payment continues hold sole community hospitals harmless decline payment increases payment covered opd services furnished january sole community hospital difference pre balanced_budget act pre lesser pps prescribes increase payment services application coinsurance permits secretary health_and_human_services revise percentage based study comparing costs incurred sole community hospitals located rural areas ambulatory payment classification groups costs incurred hospitals located urban areas bars increase payment devices drugs biologicals


Summary: RECOVER Act (Restoring Essential Care for Our Veterans for Effective Recovery) - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, if a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility that would otherwise provide covered medical services to veterans residing in an area for which a major disaster is declared is unable to provide such services for at least 180 days due to such disaster, to contract with one or more non-VA facilities in that area to provide such services to veterans who reside within 150 miles of the VA facility that is unable to provide the services. Makes such requirement inapplicable to a VA facility that is closed, or that the Secretary intends to close, as part of the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) process. Makes this Act applicable to any VA facility unable to provide covered services on or after August 29, 2005, by reason of a major disaster.

recover act restoring essential care veterans effective recovery directs secretary veterans_affairs department_of_veterans_affairs medical facility provide covered medical services veterans residing area major disaster declared unable provide services days disaster contract non-va facilities area provide services veterans reside miles facility unable provide services makes requirement inapplicable facility closed secretary intends close capital asset realignment enhanced services cares process makes act applicable facility unable provide covered services august reason major disaster


Summary: Long Term Care Quality Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require skilled nursing facilities to separately report expenditures for wages and benefits for nursing staff (by staff level, breaking out (at a minimum) registered nurses, licensed professional nurses, and certified nurse assistants).

long term care quality improvement act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act require skilled nursing facilities separately report expenditures wages benefits nursing staff staff level breaking minimum registered nurses licensed professional nurses certified nurse assistants


Summary: Liver Research Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the National Center on Liver Disease Research in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to ensure the development of increased understanding of, and better treatments and cures for, liver disease. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish the Liver Disease Research Advisory Board to: (1) advise and assist the Director of the Center concerning matters relating to liver disease research; and (2) develop the Liver Disease Research Action Plan to identify scientific opportunities and priorities of liver disease research. Requires the Director of each institute or center within NIH to allocate for liver disease research amounts necessary to: (1) fund existing scientific research opportunities; and (2) carry out the recommendations of the Plan.

liver research enhancement_act amends public_health_service_act establish national center liver disease research national institute diabetes kidney diseases ensure development increased understanding better treatments cures liver disease requires director national_institutes_of_health nih establish liver disease research advisory_board advise assist director center concerning matters relating liver disease research develop liver disease research action plan identify scientific opportunities priorities liver disease research requires director institute center nih allocate liver disease research amounts necessary fund existing scientific research opportunities carry recommendations plan


Summary: Pay for all your Undocumented Procedures (PAY UP!) Act of 2009 - Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to make permanent the program of federal reimbursement of emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens. Requires a reallotment of unspent program funds in a fiscal year among eligible providers in full expenditure states according to a specified ratio. Requires addition of such funds to the aggregate amount available for allotment for the succeeding fiscal year in the event there is no full expenditure state.

pay undocumented procedures pay act amends medicare_prescription_drug improvement modernization act permanent program federal reimbursement emergency health services furnished undocumented aliens requires unspent program funds fiscal year eligible providers expenditure states according specified ratio requires addition funds aggregate available allotment succeeding fiscal year event expenditure state


Summary: Designates the circle drive in front of the main entrance of the Oscar G. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility in Iron Mountain, Michigan, as "Sergeant First Class James D. Priestap Drive."

designates drive main entrance johnson department_of_veterans_affairs medical facility iron mountain michigan sergeant class james drive


Summary: Puerto Rico Medicare Reimbursement Equity Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the formula for the Medicare inpatient hospital services payment rate for Puerto Rico hospitals to: (1) reduce the applicable Puerto Rico percentage from 25% to zero; and (2) increase the applicable federal percentage from 75% to 100%.

puerto_rico medicare reimbursement equity act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act revise formula medicare inpatient hospital services payment rate puerto_rico hospitals reduce applicable puerto_rico percentage zero increase applicable federal percentage


Summary: Puerto Rico Hospitals Medicare DSH Equity Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prescribe a formula for the calculation of Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments for prospective payment system hospitals in Puerto Rico.

puerto_rico hospitals medicare dsh equity act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act prescribe formula calculation medicare disproportionate share hospital dsh payments prospective payment system hospitals puerto_rico


Summary: Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require the full-time director of food services at a Medicare skilled nursing facility (SNF) or a Medicaid nursing facility, if not a qualified dietitian, to be a Certified Dietary Manager meeting the requirements of the Certifying Board for Dietary Managers or have equivalent military or academic qualifications.

amends titles xviii medicare xix medicaid social_security_act require time director food services medicare skilled nursing facility snf medicaid nursing facility qualified certified dietary manager meeting requirements certifying board dietary managers equivalent military academic qualifications


Summary: Border Health Care Relief Act of 2009 - Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to extend through FY2012 federal reimbursement of emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens.

border health_care relief_act amends medicare_prescription_drug improvement modernization act extend fy2012 federal reimbursement emergency health services furnished undocumented aliens


Summary: Nursing Facility Fire Safety Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to establish programs of direct loans and grants for retrofitting nursing facilities with automatic fire sprinkler systems. Gives priority to grant applications that demonstrate a need or hardship. Requires the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to determine if there are loan programs or other funds available for such retrofitting. Authorizes the Secretary to evaluate where a nursing facility may not have an adequate structure to retrofit the entire facility within a reasonable timeframe and work with the facility to identify other remedial actions.

nursing facility fire safety act requires secretary health_and_human_services secretary establish programs direct_loans grants retrofitting nursing facilities automatic fire sprinkler systems gives priority grant applications demonstrate need hardship requires secretary consult secretary housing_and_urban_development determine loan programs funds available retrofitting authorizes secretary evaluate nursing facility adequate structure retrofit entire facility reasonable timeframe work facility identify remedial actions


Summary: Mitigating the Impact of Uncompensated Service and Time Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain physicians a bad debt tax deduction for their costs in providing uncompensated care as required under the Social Security Act to emergency room patients and pregnant women in labor.

mitigating impact uncompensated service time act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow certain physicians bad debt tax deduction costs providing uncompensated care required social_security_act emergency room patients pregnant women labor


Summary: Long-Term Care Life Safety Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to award grants to nursing homes, hospice facilities, assisted living facilities, residential care program facilities, board and care facilities and other appropriate facilities for the purpose of retrofitting such facilities with a professionally installed fire alarm detection system or other fire detection and prevention technology. Requires the Secretary to give priority to applicants that demonstrate a need or hardship. Allows the Secretary to consider such factors as the age and condition of the facilities, the need for facility beds in the community involved, and requirements imposed on the applicant to meet fire safety regulations under Medicare, Medicaid, other federal programs, or state or local licensing or building code standards.

long-term_care life safety act requires secretary health_and_human_services establish program award grants nursing homes hospice facilities assisted living facilities residential care program facilities board care facilities appropriate facilities purpose retrofitting facilities professionally installed fire alarm detection system fire detection prevention technology requires secretary priority applicants demonstrate need hardship allows secretary consider factors age condition facilities need facility beds community involved requirements imposed applicant meet fire safety regulations medicare medicaid federal programs state local licensing building code standards


Summary: Quality FIRST (From Incentives, Reporting, Standards, and Technology) Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make performance-based payments each fiscal year to hospitals that provide high quality inpatient hospital services to inpatients entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance). Requires the Secretary to select appropriate evidence-based, statistically valid, and sufficiently field tested quality measures of care furnished by hospitals in inpatient settings for evaluating hospital performance. Requires a utilization and quality control peer review organization to give priority of quality improvement assistance to low-performing hospitals. Directs the Secretary to establish a program under which a hospital seeking to improve the quality of inpatient hospital services based on the results of a performance evaluation may apply to the Secretary to receive quality improvement assistance from a private quality organization with expertise in supporting inpatient service quality improvement.

quality incentives reporting standards technology act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act direct secretary health_and_human_services performance based payments fiscal year hospitals provide high quality inpatient hospital services entitled benefits medicare hospital insurance requires secretary select appropriate evidence based statistically valid sufficiently field tested quality measures care furnished hospitals inpatient settings evaluating hospital performance requires utilization quality control peer_review organization priority quality improvement assistance low performing hospitals directs secretary establish program hospital seeking improve quality inpatient hospital services based results performance evaluation apply secretary receive quality improvement assistance private quality organization expertise supporting inpatient service quality improvement


Summary: Patient Advocate Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration program under which the Secretary may make grants for the development and operation of programs to provide services for patients to resolve health insurance, job retention, and debt crisis matters related to the patients' diagnosis and illness. Includes as services to be provided by grant recipients: (1) acting as contacts for individuals who are seeking prevention or early detection services or treatment for an adverse health condition; (2) facilitating the involvement of community organizations in assisting individuals to receive better access to high-quality health care services; (3) notifying individuals of clinical trials and facilitating enrollment of individuals in trials; (4) anticipating, identifying, and helping individuals to overcome barriers within the health care system to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment; (5) coordinating with the relevant health insurance ombudsman programs to provide information to individuals about health coverage; and (6) conducting ongoing outreach to health disparity populations in addition to assisting other individuals to seek preventive care. Directs the Secretary to: (1) require grantees to prohibit any patient health advocate providing services under the grant from accepting any referral fee, kickback, or other thing of value in return for referring an individual to a particular health care provider; and (2) prohibit the use of any grant funds to pay any fees or costs resulting from any proceeding to resolve a legal dispute.Sets forth provisions prohibiting discrimination in any program or activities funded or otherwise financially assisted under this Act.

patient advocate act requires secretary health_and_human_services establish demonstration program secretary grants development operation programs provide services patients resolve health insurance job retention debt crisis matters related patients diagnosis illness includes services provided grant recipients acting contacts individuals seeking prevention early detection services treatment adverse health condition facilitating involvement community organizations assisting individuals receive better access high quality health_care services notifying individuals clinical trials facilitating enrollment individuals trials anticipating identifying helping individuals overcome barriers health_care system ensure prompt diagnosis treatment coordinating relevant health insurance ombudsman programs provide information individuals health coverage conducting ongoing outreach health disparity populations addition assisting individuals seek preventive care directs secretary require grantees prohibit patient health advocate providing services grant accepting referral fee thing value return referring individual particular health_care provider prohibit use grant funds pay fees costs resulting proceeding resolve legal dispute sets forth provisions prohibiting discrimination program activities funded financially assisted act


Summary: Ambulatory Surgical Center Access Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the requirements and the formula for payments for services, including an implantable medical device, furnished to individuals in ambulatory surgical centers. Revises requirements for the reporting of data by ambulatory surgical centers and hospital outpatient departments. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on outpatient surgical services. Requires the expert outside advisory panel the Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to consult with respect to the clinical integrity of the groups and payment weights to include at least one ambulatory surgical center representative. States that the conditions for coverage of ambulatory surgical center services specified by the Secretary shall not prohibit ambulatory surgical centers from providing individuals with any notice of rights or other required notice on the date of a procedure if more advanced notice is not feasible under the circumstances, including when a procedure is scheduled and performed on the same day.

ambulatory surgical center access act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act revise requirements formula payments services including implantable medical device furnished individuals ambulatory surgical centers revises requirements reporting data ambulatory surgical centers hospital outpatient departments directs medicare_payment_advisory_commission medpac study report congress outpatient surgical services requires expert outside advisory_panel secretary health_and_human_services required consult respect clinical integrity groups payment weights include ambulatory surgical center representative states conditions coverage ambulatory surgical center services specified secretary shall prohibit ambulatory surgical centers providing individuals notice rights required notice date procedure advanced notice feasible circumstances including procedure scheduled performed day


Summary: Physician Availability Act of 2009 - Requires each covered hospital to have a qualified physician available in the hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to attend to the needs of the hospital's inpatients. Defines a "covered hospital" to: (1) include hospitals participating in Medicare or Medicaid or receiving federal funds; and (2) exclude hospitals in a federal facility or hospitals that the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines have fewer than 100 licensed beds. Considers a physician to be available if: (1) the physician is physically present in the hospital; (2) the physician's primary responsibility is to be in attendance to serve the needs of the hospital's inpatients without delay; and (3) the physician is not physically present in, assigned to, serving in, or expected to cover the hospital's emergency room or emergency department. Sets forth penalties for violations.

physician availability act requires covered hospital qualified physician available hospital hours day seven days week attend needs hospital defines covered hospital include hospitals participating medicare medicaid receiving federal funds exclude hospitals federal facility hospitals secretary health_and_human_services determines fewer licensed beds considers physician available physician physically present hospital physician primary responsibility attendance serve needs hospital delay physician physically present assigned serving expected cover hospital emergency room emergency department sets forth penalties violations


Summary: Hospital Price Transparency and Disclosure Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require a hospital or ambulatory surgical center to: (1) report data to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the frequency of performing certain services and administering certain drugs and the charge by the hospital or center for such services or drugs; and (2) prominently post such information at each admission site. Requires the Secretary to: (1) publicly post such information in a manner that promotes charge comparisons among hospitals and centers; and (2) select which services or drugs are to be reported based on how frequently each service is performed or each drug is administered. Allows the Secretary to impose a civil monetary penalty for violations of this Act.

hospital price transparency disclosure act amends public_health_service_act require hospital ambulatory surgical center report data secretary health_and_human_services hhs frequency performing certain services administering certain drugs charge hospital center services drugs prominently post information admission site requires secretary publicly post information manner promotes charge comparisons hospitals centers select services drugs reported based frequently service performed drug administered allows secretary impose civil monetary penalty violations act


Summary: Urban Medicare-Dependent Hospitals Preservation Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2009, to revise the criteria and payment formula for "subsection (d) hospitals" which are urban Medicare-dependent hospitals. (Generally a subsection (d) hospital is an acute care hospital particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.)

urban medicare dependent hospitals preservation act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act respect cost reporting periods beginning october revise criteria payment formula subsection hospitals urban medicare dependent hospitals generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries


Summary: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to additional payments to subsection (d) hospitals for indirect costs of medical education (IME). Declares that, if a subsection (d) hospital (new hospital) begins operations on or after January 1, 2010, within 35 road miles of an existing sole community hospital, the existing hospital shall continue to be treated for payment purposes as a sole community hospital if: (1) the new hospital is privately owned or operated as a for-profit entity; and (2) a portion of the new hospital's ownership is attributable to physicians. (Generally, a subsection (d) hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.)

amends title xviii medicare social_security_act respect additional payments subsection hospitals indirect costs medical education ime declares subsection hospital new hospital begins operations january road miles existing sole community hospital existing hospital shall continue treated payment purposes sole community hospital new hospital privately owned operated profit entity portion new hospital ownership attributable physicians generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries


Summary: Waives the 35-mile requirement for designation of a critical access hospital (CAH) under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit recognition as a CAH of Gadsden Community Hospital in Quincy, Florida.

waives mile requirement designation critical access hospital title xviii medicare social_security_act permit recognition community hospital florida


Summary: Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Investment Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants for operating nurse-managed health clinics. Defines "nurse-managed health clinic" as a nurse-practice arrangement that provides primary care or wellness services to underserved or vulnerable populations regardless of insurance status or ability to pay and that is associated with an educational institution, health center, or social services agency. Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance and services to such clinics in meeting the requirements of this Act and to develop and implement a plan for evaluating such clinics.

nurse managed health clinic investment act amends public_health_service_act direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs award grants operating nurse managed health clinics defines nurse managed health clinic nurse practice arrangement provides primary care wellness services underserved vulnerable populations regardless insurance status ability pay associated educational institution health center social_services agency requires secretary provide technical assistance services clinics meeting requirements act develop implement plan evaluating clinics


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide, without expiration, hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for certain Vietnam-era veterans exposed to herbicides, veterans of the Persian Gulf War, and veterans who served on active combat duty during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War, or in combat against a hostile force.

directs secretary veterans_affairs provide expiration hospital care medical services nursing home care certain vietnam era veterans exposed herbicides veterans persian_gulf_war veterans served active combat duty period war persian_gulf_war combat hostile force


Summary: Healthy Hospitals Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require a hospital or ambulatory surgical center (hospital), in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting protocols of the National Healthcare Safety Network, to report to the Network data on each health care-associated infection occurring in the hospital and patient demographic information that may affect such data. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promptly post data reported on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) public Internet site in a manner that promotes the comparison of data on each health care-associated infection: (1) among hospitals; and (2) by patient demographic information. Directs the Secretary, for each year for which such data is reported, to submit to Congress a report that summarizes: (1) the number and types of health care-associated infections reported in hospitals; (2) factors that contribute to the occurrence of such infections; (3) the number of certified infection control professionals on staff; (4) the total increases or decreases in health care costs that resulted from changes in infection rates; and (5) recommendations for best practices to eliminate such infections. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each knowing violation of the reporting requirement by a hospital. Expresses the sense of Congress that health care providers and facilities should take measures to reduce the rate of occurrence of health care-associated infections to zero.

healthy hospitals act amends public_health_service_act require hospital ambulatory surgical center hospital accordance centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc reporting protocols national healthcare safety network report network data health_care associated infection occurring hospital patient demographic information affect data requires secretary health_and_human_services promptly post data reported department_of_health_and_human_services hhs public internet site manner promotes comparison data health_care associated infection hospitals patient demographic information directs secretary year data reported submit congress report summarizes number types health_care associated infections reported hospitals factors contribute occurrence infections number certified infection control professionals staff total increases decreases health_care costs resulted changes infection rates recommendations best practices eliminate infections authorizes secretary impose civil penalty knowing violation reporting requirement hospital expresses sense congress health_care providers facilities measures reduce rate occurrence health_care associated infections zero


Summary: Health Information Technology (IT) Public Utility Act of 2009 - Establishes within the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a Federal Consolidated Health Information Technology Board to facilitate the implementation of electronic health record systems among safety-net health care providers, particularly small, rural providers. Sets forth the duties of the Board, which include: (1) ensuring that there is a constant interoperability between VistA (the software program utilized by the Department of Veterans Affair [VA]) and the RPMS (the Resource and Patient Management System of the Indian Health Service); (2) updating VistA and RPMS open source software on a timely basis; (3) establishing a child-specific electronic health record; and (4) developing and integrating quality and performance measurements. Directs the Board to establish the 21st Century Health Information Technology (HIT) Grant Program to award competitive grants to eligible safety-net health care providers to enable such providers to fully implement VistA or RPMS with respect to the patients served by such providers. Directs the Board to give preference to applicants that: (1) are located in geographical areas that have a greater likelihood of serving the same patients and utilizing interoperability to promote coordinated care management; or (2) demonstrate the greatest need for such award. Authorizes the Board to award competitive grants to eligible long-term care providers for demonstration projects to implement VistA or RPMS with respect to the individuals served by such providers.

health information technology public utility act establishes office national coordinator health information technology department_of_health_and_human_services hhs federal consolidated health information technology board facilitate implementation electronic health record systems safety net health_care providers particularly small rural providers sets forth duties board include ensuring constant interoperability vista software program utilized department veterans resource patient management system indian_health_service updating vista open source software timely basis establishing child specific electronic health record developing integrating quality performance measurements directs board establish 21st century health information technology hit grant program award competitive grants eligible safety net health_care providers enable providers fully implement vista respect patients served providers directs board preference applicants located geographical areas greater likelihood serving patients utilizing interoperability promote coordinated care management demonstrate greatest need award authorizes board award competitive grants eligible long-term_care providers demonstration projects implement vista respect individuals served providers


Summary: Rural Access to Nurse Anesthesia Services Act of 2009 - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, as amended by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, to treat a critical access hospital as rural, notwithstanding the reclassification of its location county as an urban county ("Lugar county") under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, in order to permit pass-through payment for the reasonable costs of certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) services. Counts on-call and standby costs for such services as reasonable CRNA costs.

rural access nurse anesthesia services act amends omnibus_budget_reconciliation_act amended omnibus_budget_reconciliation_act treat critical access hospital rural notwithstanding reclassification location county urban county county title xviii medicare social_security_act order permit pass payment reasonable costs certified registered nurse anesthetist services counts standby costs services reasonable costs


Summary: Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Extension Act of 2009 - Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to extend for an additional five years the rural community hospital demonstration program.

rural community hospital demonstration extension act amends medicare_prescription_drug improvement modernization act direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs extend additional years rural community hospital demonstration program


Summary: Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to permit the designation of a certain critical access hospital in Cass County, Minnesota, by exempting it from the requirement that it be certified by the state on or after January 1, 2006, as being a necessary provider of health care services to residents in the area. (Thus restores to Minnesota state authority to waive the application of the 35-mile rule.)

amends medicare_prescription_drug improvement modernization act permit designation certain critical access hospital county minnesota exempting requirement certified state january necessary provider health_care services residents area restores minnesota state authority waive application mile rule


Summary: Enhanced Birth Certificate Research Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the National Center for Health Statistics, to use such funds as may be necessary to collect statistics from enhanced birth certificates, with priority given to collecting statistics on infant mortality.

enhanced birth certificate research_act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services hhs acting national_center_for_health_statistics use funds necessary collect statistics enhanced birth certificates priority given collecting statistics infant mortality


Summary: Medicare VA Reimbursement Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in cooperation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), to establish a Medicare VA reimbursement program under which the HHS Secretary shall reimburse the VA Secretary, from the Medicare trust funds, for any item or service: (1) furnished to a Medicare-eligible veteran by a VA medical facility for the treatment of a non-service-connected condition; and (2) covered by Medicare or determined to be medically necessary by the VA Secretary. Requires the HHS Secretary to enter a memorandum of understanding with the VA Secretary concerning administration of the program. Specifies required conditions in the memorandum. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the program every three years. Declares the sense of Congress that the amount of funds appropriated to the VA for medical care in any fiscal year should not be reduced as a result of the implementation of the Medicare VA reimbursement program.

medicare reimbursement act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs cooperation secretary veterans_affairs establish medicare reimbursement program hhs secretary shall reimburse secretary medicare trust funds item service furnished medicare eligible veteran medical facility treatment non service connected condition covered medicare determined medically necessary secretary requires hhs secretary enter memorandum understanding secretary concerning administration program specifies required conditions memorandum directs comptroller_general report congress program years declares sense congress funds appropriated medical care fiscal year reduced result implementation medicare reimbursement program


Summary: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit the continuation of the critical access hospital (CAH) designation for certain hospitals under the Medicare rural hospital flexibility program that were originally designated as CAHs but whose rural areas were subsequently redesignated urban areas.

amends title xviii medicare social_security_act permit continuation critical access hospital designation certain hospitals medicare rural hospital flexibility program originally designated rural areas subsequently redesignated urban areas


Summary: Medicare Support for Rural Hospitals Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to the additional inpatient hospital service payment (payment adjustment) for low-volume hospitals (usually meaning a "subsection (d) hospital" located more than 25 road miles from another subsection (d) hospital and having less than 800 discharges during the fiscal year.) (Generally, a subsection (d) hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.) Redefines low-volume hospital, for discharges occurring during FY2010 only, as a subsection (d) hospital located more than 15 (instead of 25) road miles from another subsection (d) hospital and having less than 1,500 (instead of 800) discharges of individuals entitled to, or enrolled for, Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) benefits ("tweeners,'' or hospitals too large to be critical access hospitals, but too small to be financially viable under the Medicare hospital prospective payment system [PPS]). Revises, for FY2010 only, the temporary applicable percentage in the formula for determining the payment adjustment for such hospitals. Requires the use of the non-wage adjusted PPS rate during FY2010 under the Medicare-dependent hospital (MDH) program. Amends the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 to repeal the state option to verify a declaration of U.S. citizenship or nationality for purposes of Medicaid (SSA title XIX) or CHIP (Children's Health Insurance) (SSA title XXI) eligibility through verification of a name and Social Security number with the Commissioner of Social Security, as an alternative to the current documentation requirement.

medicare support rural hospitals act_-_amends title xviii medicare social_security_act ssa respect additional inpatient hospital service payment payment adjustment low volume hospitals usually meaning subsection hospital located road miles subsection hospital having discharges fiscal year generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system ipps providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries redefines low volume hospital discharges occurring fy2010 subsection hospital located instead road miles subsection hospital having instead discharges individuals entitled enrolled medicare hospital insurance benefits hospitals large critical access hospitals small financially viable medicare hospital prospective payment system pps revises fy2010 temporary applicable percentage formula determining payment adjustment hospitals requires use non wage adjusted pps rate fy2010 medicare dependent hospital program amends children health insurance program reauthorization act repeal state option verify declaration citizenship nationality purposes medicaid ssa title xix chip children health insurance ssa title xxi eligibility verification social_security number commissioner_of_social_security alternative current documentation requirement


Summary: Waives the 35-mile requirement for designation of a critical access hospital (CAH) under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit recognition as a CAH of Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania.

waives mile requirement designation critical access hospital title xviii medicare social_security_act permit recognition tyler memorial hospital pennsylvania


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a major medical facility lease for a Specialty Care Clinic in Atlanta, Georgia, in an amount up to $5,172,000.

authorizes secretary veterans_affairs carry major medical facility lease specialty care clinic atlanta georgia


Summary: Enhanced Rural Health Care Extension Act of 2009 - Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to extend from five to 10 years the Medicare rural community hospital demonstration program. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct the program in rural areas in the 15 states with the lowest population densities. Expands the number of hospitals selected from 15 to 30.

enhanced rural health_care extension act amends medicare_prescription_drug improvement modernization act extend years medicare rural community hospital demonstration program requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs conduct program rural areas states lowest population expands number hospitals selected


Summary: Veterans' Health and Radiation Safety Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to to report annually to Congress on the low-volume (treating 100 patients or fewer) programs at each medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Directs the Secretary to ensure that all employees at a VA hospital where radioactive isotopes are used in the administration of medical services receive appropriate training on what constitutes a medical event and when and to whom a medical event should be reported. Prohibits such isotopes from being used at a VA hospital where such training is not provided. Requires the Secretary to carry out specified evaluations and peer reviews of all medical services provided under contract with a non-government entity.

veterans health radiation safety act_-_requires secretary veterans_affairs report annually congress low volume treating patients fewer programs medical facility department_of_veterans_affairs directs secretary ensure employees hospital radioactive administration medical services receive appropriate training constitutes medical event medical event reported prohibits hospital training provided requires secretary carry specified evaluations peer reviews medical services provided contract non government entity


Summary: Compassionate Care for Servicewomen Act - Requires emergency contraception in drug form to be included on the basic core formulary of the uniform formulary of pharmaceutical agents for the pharmacy benefits program of the Department of Defense. Allows emergency contraception in other-than-drug form to also be so included. States that prior authorization shall not be required for such contraception.

compassionate care servicewomen act_-_requires emergency contraception drug form included basic core formulary uniform formulary pharmaceutical agents pharmacy benefits program department_of_defense allows emergency contraception drug form included states prior authorization shall required contraception


Summary: Janey Ensminger Act - Makes any veteran who was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, during a period in which the water there was contaminated by volatile organic compounds, including known and probable human carcinogens, eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for any illness, notwithstanding insufficient medical evidence to conclude that the illness is attributable to such contamination.

act makes veteran stationed camp lejeune north_carolina period water contaminated volatile organic compounds including known probable human carcinogens eligible hospital care medical services nursing home care department_of_veterans_affairs illness notwithstanding insufficient medical evidence conclude illness attributable contamination


Summary: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to make subsection (d) hospitals located in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands eligible for electronic health record (EHR) incentive payments in the same manner as subsection (d) hospitals located in the 50 states. (Generally, a subsection [d] hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.)

amends title xviii medicare social_security_act subsection hospitals located commonwealth_of_puerto_rico virgin_islands guam american_samoa northern_mariana_islands eligible electronic health record ehr incentive payments manner subsection hospitals located states generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries


Summary: Nursing Home Patient and Medicaid Assistance Act of 2010 - Makes appropriations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), who, acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services, shall pay an amount directly to an eligible dually-certified facility to reimburse it for furnishing quality care to Medicaid-eligible individuals. Defines "dually-certified facility" as one meeting several requirements, including participation as a nursing facility under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) and as a skilled nursing facility under SSA title XVIII (Medicare) during the entire year. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to prohibit a state Medicaid plan from being considered to meet the requirement for methods and procedures relating to the utilization of care and services unless, by April 1 before the beginning of any plan year (beginning with 2011), the state submits to the Secretary a plan amendment specifying the payment rates for such services, including data on how rates for payments to Medicaid managed care organizations take such payment rates into account. Requires the Secretary to review each such plan amendment and approve or disapprove it. Requires a state participating in the Medicaid program to submit to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: (1) information on the determination of payment rates for service providers; and (2) an explanation of the process used to allow providers, beneficiaries and their representatives, and other concerned state residents a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such rates, methodologies, and justifications before the state made such rates final.

nursing home patient medicaid assistance_act makes appropriations secretary health_and_human_services hhs acting administrator centers medicare medicare services shall pay directly eligible dually certified facility reimburse furnishing quality care medicaid eligible individuals defines dually certified facility meeting requirements including participation nursing facility title xix medicaid social_security_act ssa skilled nursing facility ssa title xviii medicare entire year amends title xix medicaid social_security_act prohibit state medicaid plan considered meet requirement methods procedures relating utilization care services april beginning plan year beginning state submits secretary plan amendment specifying payment rates services including data rates payments medicaid managed care organizations payment rates account requires secretary review plan amendment approve disapprove requires state participating medicaid program submit administrator centers medicare medicaid_services information determination payment rates service providers explanation process allow providers beneficiaries representatives concerned state residents reasonable opportunity review comment rates methodologies justifications state rates final


Summary: Hospital Reclassification Correction Act of 2010 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board, in rendering decisions on applications for a change in geographic classification, from rejecting the application of a hospital which is the only subsection (d) hospital in its Metropolitan Statistical Area on the basis of any comparison between the hospital's average hourly wage and the average hourly wage of hospitals in the area in which it is located. (Generally, a subsection [d] hospital is an acute care hospital particularly one that receives payment under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system [IPPS] when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.)

hospital reclassification correction act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act prohibit medicare geographic classification review board rendering decisions applications change geographic classification rejecting application hospital subsection hospital metropolitan_statistical_area basis comparison hospital average hourly wage average hourly wage hospitals area located generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payment medicare inpatient prospective payment system ipps providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries


Summary: Community Mental Health and Addiction Safety Net Equity Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to replace community mental health centers with federally qualified behavioral health centers which treat substance abuse in addition to mental illness and other conditions. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to extend Medicaid coverage to federally qualified behavioral health center services. Directs the Institute of Medicine to: (1) evaluate for Congress the combined paperwork burden of federally qualified behavioral health centers; and (2) analyze and report to Congress on the compensation structure of professional and paraprofessional personnel employed by federally qualified behavioral health centers nationwide as compared with the compensation structure of comparable health safety net providers and relevant private sector health care employers.

community mental health addiction safety net equity act amends public_health_service_act replace community mental health centers federally qualified behavioral health centers treat substance abuse addition mental illness conditions amends title xix medicaid social_security_act extend medicaid coverage federally qualified behavioral health center services directs institute_of_medicine evaluate congress combined paperwork burden federally qualified behavioral health centers analyze report congress compensation structure professional paraprofessional personnel employed federally qualified behavioral health centers nationwide compared compensation structure comparable health safety net providers relevant private sector health_care employers


Summary: Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2010 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to post-hospital extended care services, to provide that: (1) an individual who is in a period of observation status in a hospital exceeding 24 hours shall be deemed to have been an inpatient during such period of observation status (for purposes of counting toward the three-day inpatient hospital requirement for Medicare coverage of skilled nursing facility [SNF] services); and (2) the individual's leaving the hospital after such period of status shall be treated as a discharge from the hospital.

improving access medicare coverage act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act respect post hospital extended care services provide individual period observation status hospital exceeding hours shall deemed inpatient period observation status purposes counting day inpatient hospital requirement medicare coverage skilled nursing facility snf services individual leaving hospital period status shall treated discharge hospital


Summary: Enhancing Quality through Survey System Improvements Act of 2010 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for the review by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) of state procedures for scheduling and conducing standard skilled nursing facility (SNF) surveys. Authorizes the Secretary to review the SNF survey procedures of contractors other than a state. Makes each top tier SNF and nursing facility subject to a complete on-site standard survey at specified three-year intervals. Requires each state to implement programs to measure and reduce inconsistency in the application of survey results (including the results of both health surveys and life safety surveys) among surveyors. Lists the circumstances for special compliance surveys. Requires any funds collected by a state as an administrative civil monetary penalty to be used for the development of acuity adjusters that will provide more accurate information to the public, SNFs, nursing facilities, and their residents about the quality of care provided by each such facility.

enhancing quality survey system improvements act amends titles xviii medicare xix medicaid social_security_act revise requirements review secretary health_and_human_services hhs state procedures scheduling standard skilled nursing facility snf surveys authorizes secretary review snf survey procedures contractors state makes tier snf nursing facility subject complete site standard survey specified year intervals requires state implement programs measure reduce inconsistency application survey results including results health surveys life safety surveys lists circumstances special compliance surveys requires funds collected state administrative civil monetary penalty development acuity provide accurate information public snfs nursing facilities residents quality care provided facility


Summary: Nursing Home Patient Protection and Standards Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require testing programs in skilled nursing facility (SNF) survey and certification techniques to be sufficiently rigorous to ensure that surveyors are adequately prepared to survey and certify SNFs in a consistent and accurate manner. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish requirements: (1) for the qualification and compensation of members of a survey team; and (2) that a state employs an adequate number of individuals as members of survey teams to ensure adequate oversight of SNFs. Requires the Secretary, in addition to the training and testing program, to require that state and federal surveyors regularly complete an adequate number of continuing education courses meeting certain requirements for content and rigor of material. Requires covered individuals to report to the Secretary instances where surveys fail to report or under report an issue in a facility that could impact the safety or quality of care of its residents. Adds whistleblower protections for such individuals. Adds penalties for inappropriately influencing a surveyor. Requires the Secretary to establish an advisory committee on surveys. Requires survey team supervisors to review each conducted survey to ensure that any identified issues affecting quality of care are consistently and appropriately described and rated.

nursing home patient_protection standards act_-_amends title xviii medicare xix medicaid social_security_act require testing programs skilled nursing facility snf survey certification techniques sufficiently rigorous ensure adequately prepared survey certify snfs consistent accurate manner directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish requirements qualification compensation members survey team state employs adequate number individuals members survey teams ensure adequate oversight snfs requires secretary addition training testing program require state federal regularly complete adequate number continuing education courses meeting certain requirements content rigor material requires covered individuals report secretary instances surveys fail report report issue facility impact safety quality care residents adds whistleblower protections individuals adds penalties inappropriately influencing requires secretary establish advisory_committee surveys requires survey team supervisors review conducted survey ensure identified issues affecting quality care consistently appropriately described rated


Summary: Rural Hospital Protection Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in determining reasonable costs for reimbursements to critical access hospitals (CAHs) after January 1, 2004, to include certain health care related taxes as allowable costs. Prohibits any offset, in computing such costs, against tax assessments paid by such a hospital of amounts the hospital receives from a state, if the Secretary has not determined that a hold harmless provision, meeting specified criteria, is in effect with respect to the health care related tax.

rural hospital protection act_-_amends title xviii medicare social_security_act direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs determining reasonable costs reimbursements critical access hospitals january include certain health_care related taxes allowable costs prohibits offset computing costs tax assessments paid hospital amounts hospital receives state secretary determined hold harmless provision meeting specified criteria effect respect health_care related tax