Summary:
LTCH Technical Correction Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, as amended by other specified federal law, with respect to the five-year moratorium beginning April 1, 2014, on the establishment of long-term care (LTC) hospitals and LTC satellite facilities and on the increase of LTC hospital beds in existing LTC hospitals or satellite facilities for purposes of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSAct).

A technical correction is made to an exception to this moratorium for certain LTC hospitals that:

 began their qualifying period for Medicare payment on or before April 1, 2014; have a binding written agreement as of that date with an outside, unrelated party for the actual construction, renovation, lease, or demolition for an LTC hospital, and have expended, before that date, at least 10% of the project's estimated cost (or, if less, $ 2.5 million); or have obtained on or before that date an approved certificate of need in a state where one is required. This bill applies the exception to any similar moratorium.

(Sec. 3) Amends SSAct title XVIII to direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under the prospective payment system for inpatient hospital services furnished by an LTC hospital for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2016, to reduce the standard federal payment rate as if the estimated aggregate amount of high cost outlier payments for standard federal payment rate discharges for each fiscal year would be equal to 8% of estimated aggregate payments for standard federal payment rate discharges for that fiscal year.

Directs HHS to set the fixed loss amount for high cost outlier payments so that the estimated aggregate amount of high cost outlier payments made for standard federal payment rate discharges for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2016, shall be equal to 99.0625% of 8% of estimated aggregate payments for standard federal payment rate discharges for each such fiscal year.

ltch technical correction act sec bill amends medicare medicaid schip extension act amended specified federal law respect year moratorium beginning april establishment long-term_care ltc hospitals ltc satellite facilities increase ltc hospital beds existing ltc hospitals satellite facilities purposes title xviii medicare social_security_act ssact technical correction exception moratorium certain ltc hospitals began qualifying period medicare payment april binding written agreement date outside unrelated party actual construction renovation lease demolition ltc hospital expended date project estimated cost million obtained date approved certificate need state required bill applies exception similar moratorium sec amends ssact title xviii direct department_of_health_and_human_services hhs prospective payment system inpatient hospital services furnished ltc hospital fiscal years beginning october reduce standard federal payment rate estimated aggregate high cost outlier payments standard federal payment rate discharges fiscal year equal estimated aggregate payments standard federal payment rate discharges fiscal year directs hhs set fixed loss high cost outlier payments estimated aggregate high cost outlier payments standard federal payment rate discharges fiscal years beginning october shall equal estimated aggregate payments standard federal payment rate discharges fiscal year


Summary: This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to continue to instruct Medicare contractors not to enforce requirements for direct physician supervision of outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals through 2015.

bill requires department_of_health_and_human_services continue instruct medicare contractors enforce requirements direct physician supervision outpatient therapeutic services critical access small rural hospitals


Summary:
Medicare Patient Access to Cancer Treatment Act of 2015

 Expresses the sense of Congress that, to ensure the future of community cancer care, Medicare reimbursement should be equal for the same service provided to a cancer patient regardless of whether the service is delivered in the hospital outpatient department (OPD) or physician's office.

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the prospective payment system (PPS) for OPD services to require that the payment amount under PPS and physician fee schedules for covered OPD cancer services be a budget neutral combination of the amount otherwise payable under the PPS and the amount otherwise payable under the physician fee schedule for such services.

medicare_patient_access cancer treatment act expresses sense congress ensure future community cancer care medicare reimbursement equal service provided cancer patient regardless service delivered hospital outpatient department opd physician office amends title xviii medicare social_security_act respect prospective payment system pps opd services require payment pps physician fee schedules covered opd cancer services budget neutral combination payable pps payable physician fee schedule services


Summary:
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the prohibition against, and so permit, administrative or judicial review of any estimate used and any period selected for determining additional Medicare disproportionate share hospital payments to subsection (d) 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.)

bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act repeal prohibition permit administrative judicial review estimate period selected determining additional medicare disproportionate share hospital payments subsection hospitals generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries


Summary: This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the application of Medicare competitive acquisition rates to complex rehabilitative wheelchairs and accessories. (A competitive bidding program has replaced the use of established fee schedule amounts to determine payments under Medicare for certain durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs.)

bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act prohibit application medicare competitive acquisition rates complex rehabilitative wheelchairs accessories competitive bidding program replaced use established fee schedule amounts determine payments medicare certain durable medical equipment wheelchairs


Summary:
Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to alter the method of determining disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments under the Medicare program. (DSH payments compensate hospitals for the higher operating costs they incur in treating a large share of low-income patients.) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must estimate the aggregate amount of payments to be made for each fiscal year; if the estimated amount exceeds $3.3 billion, then each DSH payment shall be made according to its ratio to that limit.

CMS must make supplementary DSH payments to certain hospitals located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansa, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, or Wyoming.

The bill also amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify provisions related to overpayments made to taxpayers for tax credits under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Under current law, if the advance payments to a taxpayer for premium tax credits under PPACA exceed the allowable credit, the tax imposed shall be increased by the amount of such excess, subject to certain income-based limitations. The bill eliminates these income-based limitations.

strengthening dsh medicare subsidy recapture payment reform_act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act alter method determining disproportionate share hospital dsh payments medicare program dsh payments compensate hospitals higher operating costs incur treating large share low income patients centers medicare medicaid_services cms estimate aggregate payments fiscal year estimated exceeds billion dsh payment shall according ratio limit cms supplementary dsh payments certain hospitals located alabama florida georgia idaho louisiana maine mississippi missouri nebraska north_carolina oklahoma south_carolina south_dakota tennessee texas utah virginia wisconsin wyoming bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code modify provisions related overpayments taxpayers tax credits patient_protection affordable care act ppaca current law advance payments taxpayer premium tax credits ppaca exceed allowable credit tax imposed shall increased excess subject certain income based limitations bill eliminates income based limitations


Summary:
Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015

This bill amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) to establish a crosswalk between Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes and Medicaid Severity-Diagnosis Related Group (MS-DRG) codes for similar hospital services. (A crosswalk shows users where to put data from one scheme into a different scheme.)

Specifically, CMS must develop HCPCS versions for MS-DRGs that is similar to the Internal Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) codes for such MS-DRGs such that, to the extent possible, the MS-DRG assignment shall be similar for a claim coded with the HCPCS version as an identical claim coded with an ICD-10-PCS code.

CMS must develop and publish a freely available HCPCS/MS-DRG definitions manual and software.

medicare hospital code development act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act require centers medicare medicaid cms establish healthcare common procedure coding system hcpcs codes medicaid severity diagnosis related group codes similar hospital services shows users data scheme different scheme specifically cms develop hcpcs versions similar internal classification diseases 10th revision procedure coding system icd-10 codes extent possible assignment shall similar claim coded hcpcs version identical claim coded icd-10 code cms develop publish freely available hcpcs definitions manual software


Summary:
Increased Authorizations for the Denver VA Medical Center Construction Project Act

This bill amends the Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act to increase the amount authorized for the replacement of the existing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Denver, Colorado.

In the case of any super construction project (expenditures exceeding $100 million) the VA shall enter into an agreement with an appropriate non-VA federal entity to provide full project management services for the super construction project, including management over the project design, acquisition, construction, and contract changes.

The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to reduce the aggregate amount of specified VA awards and bonuses for FY2016. (Existing award levels are maintained for each of FY2017-FY2024.)

The VA shall reduce the retirement annuity benefits of a senior executive employee who: (1) is convicted of a felony that influenced the individual's performance while employed in the senior executive position, and (2) is afforded notice and an opportunity for a hearing conducted by another federal department or agency.

The VA may issue an order directing a VA employee to repay in full or in part any award or bonus if: (1) the VA determines such repayment appropriate pursuant to specified regulations, and (2) the employee is afforded notice and an opportunity for a hearing conducted by another federal department or agency.

A VA decision regarding a repayment is final and not subject to review by other federal agencies or courts.

increased authorizations denver medical center construction project act bill amends construction authorization choice improvement act increase authorized replacement existing department_of_veterans_affairs medical center denver colorado case super construction project expenditures exceeding million shall enter agreement appropriate non-va federal entity provide project management services super construction project including management project design acquisition construction contract changes veterans access choice accountability_act amended reduce aggregate specified awards bonuses fy2016 existing award levels maintained fy2017 fy2024 shall reduce retirement annuity benefits senior executive employee convicted felony influenced individual performance employed senior executive position afforded notice opportunity hearing conducted federal department agency issue order directing employee repay award bonus determines repayment appropriate pursuant specified regulations employee afforded notice opportunity hearing conducted federal department agency decision repayment final subject review federal agencies courts


Summary:
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to modify requirements for payment under the Medicare program for ambulance services furnished by critical access hospitals (CAHs), which are rural community hospitals that meet specified criteria and receive special payment.

Under current law, ambulance services furnished either by a CAH or by an entity owned or operated by a CAH are paid at a rate of 101% of reasonable costs incurred in furnishing those services, as long as the CAH or entity is the only provider of ambulance services that is located within a 35-mile drive of the CAH. The bill maintains this requirement but further requires that the CAH or entity furnishing the ambulance services be licensed or otherwise authorized to furnish services in the state in which the CAH is located.

bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act modify requirements payment medicare program ambulance services furnished critical access hospitals rural community hospitals meet specified criteria receive special payment current law ambulance services furnished entity owned operated paid rate reasonable costs incurred furnishing services long entity provider ambulance services located mile drive bill maintains requirement requires entity furnishing ambulance services licensed authorized furnish services state located


Summary:
Putting Patients and Providers Ahead of Compressed Regulatory Timelines Act of 2015

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate provider penalties for failure to comply with electronic health records (EHR) use requirements.

Under current law, certain hospitals, Medicare Advantage organizations, and professionals participating in Medicare are subject to negative payment adjustments if they fail to comply with established requirements for EHR use. The bill eliminates these penalties and requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reimburse such providers for payments that they would have received within a specified timeframe had such penalties not been applied.

putting patients providers ahead compressed regulatory timelines act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act eliminate provider penalties failure comply electronic health records ehr use requirements current law certain hospitals medicare_advantage organizations professionals participating medicare subject negative payment adjustments fail comply established requirements ehr use bill eliminates penalties requires centers medicare medicaid_services reimburse providers payments received specified timeframe penalties applied


Summary:
VA Health Center Management Stability and Improvement Act

(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) develop and implement a plan to hire highly qualified directors for each VA medical center that lacks a permanent director, and (2) prioritize such hiring for the medical centers that have been without a permanent director for the longest periods. The plan shall include: (1) a hiring deadline; (2) identification of possible hiring impediments; and (3) identification of opportunities to promote and train candidates from within the VA for senior executive positions, including medical center directors.

(Sec. 4) The VA shall ensure that the director of each VA medical facility annually certifies that the facility is in full compliance with all provisions of law and regulations relating to scheduling appointments for veterans hospital care and medical services. The VA may not waive any applicable provision of such laws or regulations.

If unable to make such certification, the director shall provide the VA with an explanation of noncompliance and a description of compliance actions being taken. If a director does not make a certification for any year, each covered official may not receive specified awards or bonuses during the subsequent year. A covered official is the: (1) director, (2) chief of staff, (3) associate director, (4) associate director for patient care, and (5) deputy chief of staff.

(Sec. 5) The VA shall ensure that its directives and policies apply uniformly to each VA office or facility.

health center management stability improvement act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs develop implement plan hire highly qualified directors medical center lacks permanent director prioritize hiring medical centers permanent director periods plan shall include hiring deadline identification possible hiring impediments identification opportunities promote train candidates senior executive positions including medical center directors sec shall ensure director medical facility annually certifies facility compliance provisions law regulations relating scheduling appointments veterans hospital care medical services waive applicable provision laws regulations unable certification director shall provide explanation noncompliance description compliance actions taken director certification year covered official receive specified awards bonuses subsequent year covered official director chief staff associate director associate director patient care deputy chief staff sec shall ensure directives policies apply uniformly office facility


Summary:
Rural Health Care Connectivity Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to include skilled nursing facilities among the types of health care providers who may request from a telecommunications carrier under the Universal Service Fund the necessary telecommunications and information services to serve persons who reside in rural areas at rates that are reasonably comparable to rates charged for similar services in urban areas.

rural health_care connectivity act sec bill amends communications act include skilled nursing facilities types health_care providers request telecommunications carrier universal service fund necessary telecommunications information services serve persons reside rural areas rates reasonably comparable rates charged similar services urban areas


Summary:
Fiscal Year 2016 Department of Veterans Affairs Seismic Safety and Construction Authorization Act

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the following major medical facility projects (each with specified maximum authorized funds):

 seismic corrections to buildings, including retrofitting and replacement of high-risk buildings, in San Francisco, California; seismic corrections to facilities, including facilities to support homeless veterans, at the medical center in West Los Angeles, California; seismic corrections to the mental health and community living center in Long Beach, California; construction of an outpatient clinic, administrative space, cemetery, and columbarium in Alameda, California; realignment of medical facilities in Livermore, California; construction of a medical center in Louisville, Kentucky; construction of a replacement community living center in Perry Point, Maryland; and seismic corrections and other renovations to several buildings and construction of a specialty care building in American Lake, Washington. A specified amount is authorized to be appropriated to the VA for such projects for FY2016 or the year in which funds are appropriated for the Construction, Major Projects, account.

Such projects may only be carried out using specified funds.

fiscal year department_of_veterans_affairs seismic safety construction authorization act bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs carry following major medical facility projects specified maximum authorized funds seismic corrections buildings including retrofitting replacement high risk buildings san_francisco california seismic corrections facilities including facilities support homeless veterans medical center west los_angeles california seismic corrections mental health community living center long_beach california construction outpatient clinic administrative space cemetery california realignment medical facilities california construction medical center kentucky construction replacement community living center perry point maryland seismic corrections renovations buildings construction specialty care building american lake washington specified authorized appropriated projects fy2016 year funds appropriated construction major projects account projects carried specified funds


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on December 6, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Faster Care for Veterans Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to begin an 18-month pilot program in at least three Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) under which veterans use an Internet website or mobile application to schedule and confirm appointments at VA medical facilities.The program's duration may be extended and the number of VISNs may be increased if the VA determines that the program is reducing the wait times of veterans seeking medical care and ensuring that more available appointment times are filled.

The VA shall seek to enter into a contract using competitive procedures with one or more contractors to provide the scheduling capability. The VA's request for proposals shall be open to any contractor that has an existing commercially available, off-the-shelf online patient self-scheduling system that includes the capabilities to:

 schedule, modify, and cancel appointments for primary care, specialty care, and mental health; support appointments for the provision of health care regardless of whether such care is provided in person or through telehealth services; view appointment availability in real time; make available, in real time, appointments that were previously filled but later cancelled by other patients; provide prompts or reminders to veterans to schedule follow-up appointments; be used 24 hours per day, 7 days per week; and integrate with the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture of the VA. The VA shall seek to enter into an agreement with an appropriate non-governmental, not-for-profit entity with expertise in health information technology to independently validate and verify that the system used in the program and any other patient self-scheduling appointment system developed or used by the VA includes such capabilities. The bill sets deadlines for the validation and verification of such systems. The Government Accountability Office shall evaluate and report to specified congressional committees on each validation and verification conducted. By December 31, 2017, the VA shall certify to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs that such systems include such capabilities.

If the VA develops or begins using a new patient self-scheduling appointment system that is not covered by such certification, it shall: (1) certify that such new system includes such capabilities by 30 days after it makes the determination to replace the previous system, or (2) replace any such system developed that is in use with a commercially available, off-the-shelf online patient self-scheduling system that includes the specified capabilities.

measure amended passed house december summary version repeated faster care veterans act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs begin month pilot program veterans_integrated_service_networks visns veterans use internet website mobile application schedule confirm appointments medical facilities program duration extended number visns increased determines program reducing wait times veterans seeking medical care ensuring available appointment times filled shall seek enter contract competitive procedures contractors provide scheduling capability request proposals shall open contractor existing commercially available shelf online patient self scheduling system includes capabilities schedule modify cancel appointments primary care specialty care mental health support appointments provision health_care regardless care provided person telehealth services view appointment availability real time available real time appointments previously filled later cancelled patients provide veterans schedule follow appointments hours day days week integrate veterans health information systems technology architecture shall seek enter agreement appropriate non governmental profit entity expertise health information technology independently validate verify system program patient self scheduling appointment system developed includes capabilities bill sets deadlines validation verification systems government_accountability_office shall evaluate report specified congressional committees validation verification conducted december shall certify committees veterans affairs systems include capabilities develops begins new patient self scheduling appointment system covered certification shall certify new system includes capabilities days makes determination replace previous system replace system developed use commercially available shelf online patient self scheduling system includes specified capabilities


Summary:
Fair Medicare Hospital Payments Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish, with respect to hospitals not located in a frontier state, a floor on the area wage adjustment factor for hospital inpatient and outpatient services covered under Medicare. (Such a floor already applies with respect to hospitals located in frontier states.)

fair medicare hospital payments act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act establish respect hospitals located frontier state floor area wage adjustment factor hospital inpatient outpatient services covered medicare floor applies respect hospitals located frontier states


Summary:
Promoting Responsible Opioid Prescribing Act of 2016 or the PROP Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exclude certain pain-related measures for purposes of calculating incentive payments under the value-based purchasing program (VBP). (VBP is a program that links hospital payments to the quality of care provided.)

Specifically, VPB measures shall not include measures based on a patient's assessment of: (1) the patient's need for pain medicine during a hospital stay; (2) how often, during the stay, the patient's pain was well controlled; or (3) how often, during the stay, hospital staff did everything they could to help manage the patient's pain.

promoting responsible opioid prescribing act act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act exclude certain pain related measures purposes calculating incentive payments value based purchasing program program links hospital payments quality care provided specifically measures shall include measures based patient assessment patient need pain medicine hospital stay stay patient pain controlled stay hospital staff help manage patient pain


Summary:
Critical Access and Rural Equity Act of 2016 or the CARE Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to specify that, for purposes of determining Medicare payment and reasonable costs for both inpatient and outpatient critical access hospital (CAH) services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall recognize as allowable costs those related to specified emergency, diagnostic, anesthetist, community health, and off-campus clinical services.

Furthermore, in determining payment and reasonable costs for both inpatient and outpatient CAH services, CMS shall not disallow payment to a CAH on the basis that such payment offsets the cost of a current permissible health care-related tax imposed on and paid by the CAH. CMS must make specified payment adjustments to account for such a tax.

Generally, under current law, a facility must be located beyond a specified driving distance from another hospital or facility in order to be designated as a CAH. The bill specifies that this requirement does not apply with respect to a CAH's off-campus provider-based clinic.

Current law further requires a facility to provide certain 24-hour emergency care services as a condition of designation as a CAH. The bill allows CMS to waive this requirement with respect to a facility that coordinates with a nearby facility or hospital that provides such services.

critical access rural equity act care act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act specify purposes determining medicare payment reasonable costs inpatient outpatient critical access hospital services centers medicare medicaid_services cms shall recognize allowable costs related specified emergency diagnostic anesthetist community health campus clinical services furthermore determining payment reasonable costs inpatient outpatient services cms shall disallow payment basis payment offsets cost current permissible health_care related tax imposed paid cms specified payment adjustments account tax generally current law facility located specified driving distance hospital facility order designated bill specifies requirement apply respect campus provider based clinic current law requires facility provide certain hour emergency care services condition designation bill allows cms waive requirement respect facility coordinates nearby facility hospital provides services


Summary:
Fiscal Year 2016 Department of Veterans Affairs Seismic Safety and Constructions Authorization Act

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the following major medical facility projects (each with specified maximum authorized funds):

 seismic corrections to buildings, including retrofitting and replacement of high-risk buildings, in San Francisco, California; seismic corrections to facilities, including facilities to support homeless veterans, at the medical center in West Los Angeles, California; seismic corrections to the mental health and community living center in Long Beach, California; construction of an outpatient clinic, administrative space, cemetery, and columbarium in Alameda, California; realignment of medical facilities in Livermore, California; construction of a replacement community living center in Perry Point, Maryland; and seismic corrections and other renovations to several buildings and construction of a specialty care building in American Lake, Washington. The bill authorizes appropriations for such projects for FY2016 or the year in which funds are appropriated for the Construction, Major Projects, account. Only specified funds may be used to carry out such projects.

(Sec. 3) The VA shall submit the following information for each project:

 a line item accounting of construction management expenditures, future amounts budgeted for construction management, a justification for expenditures and future amounts, and any agreement entered into by the VA regarding the Army Corps of Engineers providing project services.

fiscal year department_of_veterans_affairs seismic safety authorization act sec bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs carry following major medical facility projects specified maximum authorized funds seismic corrections buildings including retrofitting replacement high risk buildings san_francisco california seismic corrections facilities including facilities support homeless veterans medical center west los_angeles california seismic corrections mental health community living center long_beach california construction outpatient clinic administrative space cemetery california realignment medical facilities california construction replacement community living center perry point maryland seismic corrections renovations buildings construction specialty care building american lake washington bill authorizes appropriations projects fy2016 year funds appropriated construction major projects account specified funds carry projects sec shall submit following information project line item accounting construction management expenditures future amounts budgeted construction management justification expenditures future amounts agreement entered army_corps_of_engineers providing project services


Summary:
Access to Substance Abuse Treatment Act of 2016

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to award grants to federally qualified health centers, substance abuse treatment centers, rehabilitation treatment centers, and residential treatment centers to expand access to evidence-based and cost-effective substance abuse treatment services.

Priority for grants must be given to centers and programs: (1) serving communities with a greater incidence of substance abuse; or (2) providing, or proposing to incorporate, medication-assisted treatment. Services must be delivered in a manner reflecting person-centered care.

access substance abuse treatment act bill amends public_health_service_act require center_for_substance_abuse_treatment award grants federally qualified health centers substance abuse treatment centers rehabilitation treatment centers residential treatment centers expand access evidence based cost effective substance abuse treatment services priority grants given centers programs serving communities greater incidence substance abuse providing proposing incorporate medication assisted treatment services delivered manner reflecting person centered care


Summary:
VA Scheduling Accountability Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that the director of each VA medical facility annually certifies to the VA that the facility is in full compliance with all provisions of law and regulations relating to scheduling appointments for veterans hospital care and medical services, including pursuant to Veterans Health Administration Directive 2010-027 (regarding scheduling of outpatient clinic appointments and ensuring staff competency). The VA may not waive any applicable provision of such laws or regulations.

If unable to make such certification, a director shall provide the VA with an explanation of noncompliance and a description of compliance actions being taken.

The VA shall ensure that its directives and policies apply uniformly to each VA office or facility.

scheduling accountability_act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs ensure director medical facility annually certifies facility compliance provisions law regulations relating scheduling appointments veterans hospital care medical services including pursuant veterans_health_administration directive scheduling outpatient clinic appointments ensuring staff competency waive applicable provision laws regulations unable certification director shall provide explanation noncompliance description compliance actions taken shall ensure directives policies apply uniformly office facility


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

Vet Connect Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to disclose to non-VA entities that provide hospital care or medical treatment to veterans (including private entities and other federal agencies) records of the identity, diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment of any patient in connection with a program relating to drug abuse, alcoholism or alcohol abuse, infection with the human immunodeficiency virus, or sickle cell anemia.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure vet connect act sec bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs disclose non-va entities provide hospital care medical treatment veterans including private entities federal agencies records identity diagnosis treatment patient connection program relating drug abuse alcohol abuse infection human immunodeficiency virus cell


Summary:
Rural Hospital Regulatory Relief Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permanently extend the application by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of an instruction against the enforcement of certain physician supervision requirements with respect to outpatient therapeutic services in critical access hospitals and small rural hospitals.

rural hospital regulatory relief_act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act permanently extend application centers medicare medicaid_services instruction enforcement certain physician supervision requirements respect outpatient therapeutic services critical access hospitals small rural hospitals


Summary:
Requiring Accountability and Inspections for Dining Service Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide for annual inspections to ensure that VA medical facility kitchens and food service areas meet private hospital kitchen and food service area standards.

The VA shall seek to enter into an agreement with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations to conduct such inspections. If the VA is unable to enter into an agreement with the Commission, the VA shall seek such an agreement with a non-federal, not-for-profit entity with comparable expertise and objectivity.

If a VA facility kitchen or food service area fails such inspection, the VA shall implement a remediation plan within 48 hours and conduct a second inspection within 7 days. A facility kitchen or food service area that fails the second inspection shall be closed until: (1) remediation is completed, and (2) all kitchens and food service areas at that facility meet the standards.

The Veterans Integrated Service Network of a facility in which a kitchen or food service area is closed shall enter into a food service contract with a General Services Administration-approved vendor to provide food at such facility.

requiring accountability inspections service act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs provide annual inspections ensure medical facility food service areas meet private hospital kitchen food service area standards shall seek enter agreement joint commission accreditation hospital organizations conduct inspections unable enter agreement commission shall seek agreement non federal profit entity comparable expertise objectivity facility kitchen food service area fails inspection shall implement remediation plan hours conduct second inspection days facility kitchen food service area fails second inspection shall closed remediation completed food service areas facility meet standards veterans_integrated_service_network facility kitchen food service area closed shall enter food service contract general_services_administration approved vendor provide food facility


Summary:
Care Veterans Deserve Act of 2016

This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to make the Veterans Choice Program permanent.

Program eligibility is expanded to include veterans with a 50% service-connected disability.

The VA shall contract with a national chain of walk-in clinics to provide hospital care and medical services in such clinics to veterans who are in the annual patient enrollment system.

A veteran shall not be required to: (1) obtain pre-authorization for such care, or (2) pay a copayment to the clinic or to the VA.

Such national chain shall establish an automated system to provide the VA with weekly information on veterans receiving hospital care or medical services.

A covered health care professional may practice his or her health care profession at any location in any state, regardless of where such health care professional or the patient is located, if the health care professional is using telemedicine to treat an individual.

Such treatment is permitted regardless of whether the professional or patient is located in a federally-owned facility.

"Covered health care professional" means a health care professional who is: (1) authorized by the VA to provide health care, including a private health care professional who provides such care under a VA contract or agreement; and (2) licensed, registered, or certified in a state to practice his or her health care profession.

The VA shall:

 extend the operating hours for each VA pharmacy to include weekday evenings until until 8:00 p.m., weekends, and federal holidays; and contract with qualifying physicians and nurses to work at VA medical facilities during nights and weekends. The VA may: (1) hire support staff in connection with such extended operating hours, and (2) provide for a a nongovernmental hospital organization best-practices peer review of each VA medical center.

care veterans deserve act bill amends veterans access choice accountability_act veterans_choice_program permanent program eligibility expanded include veterans service connected disability shall contract national chain walk clinics provide hospital care medical services clinics veterans annual patient enrollment system veteran shall required obtain pre authorization care pay copayment clinic national chain shall establish automated system provide weekly information veterans receiving hospital care medical services covered health_care professional practice health_care profession location state regardless health_care professional patient located health_care professional telemedicine treat individual treatment permitted regardless professional patient located federally owned facility covered health_care professional means health_care professional authorized provide health_care including private health_care professional provides care contract agreement licensed registered certified state practice health_care profession shall extend operating hours pharmacy include weekends federal holidays contract qualifying physicians nurses work medical facilities weekends hire support staff connection extended operating hours provide nongovernmental hospital organization best practices peer_review medical center


Summary:
Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016

TITLE I--PROVISIONS RELATING TO MEDICARE PART A

(Sec. 101) The bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop, with respect to claims for hospital services, codes under the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) for similar inpatient and outpatient hospital services.

(Sec. 102) The bill establishes processes for adjusting a hospital's Medicare payments based on the hospital's overall proportion of inpatients who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

(Sec. 103) The bill extends for five years the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program, through which Medicare pays certain rural hospitals on the basis of reasonable incurred costs rather than under the standard prospective payment system.

(Sec. 104) With respect to long-term care hospitals, the bill lifts a moratorium on bed increases. The bill reduces rates for high-cost outlier payments, which are additional Medicare payments made in extraordinarily high-cost cases.

(Sec. 105) The bill reduces the amount by which hospital payment rates for inpatient services increase in FY2018.

TITLE II--PROVISIONS RELATING TO MEDICARE PART B

(Sec. 201) The bill excludes certain off-campus outpatient departments (OPDs) from specified rules that mandate lower Medicare payments. Specifically, the exclusion applies to: (1) cancer hospitals in off-campus OPDs, and (2) mid-build OPDs. A "mid-build" OPD is one for which the provider had, before a certain date, a binding written agreement with an outside party for construction.

(Sec. 203) With respect to payment reductions for failing to meet requirements for the meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs), the bill exempts eligible professionals who are based in ambulatory surgical centers.

TITLE III--OTHER MEDICARE PROVISIONS

(Sec. 301) Until plan year 2019, CMS may not terminate an MA plan solely because the plan failed to achieve a specified minimum quality rating.

(Sec. 302) CMS must annually report on Medicare enrollment data, as specified by the bill.

(Sec. 303) CMS shall: (1) request information and recommendations from stakeholders on information included in the Welcome to Medicare package, and (2) update the information included in the package accordingly.

helping hospitals improve patient care act title provisions relating medicare sec bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act require centers medicare medicaid_services cms develop respect claims hospital services codes healthcare common procedure coding system hcpcs similar inpatient outpatient hospital services sec bill establishes processes adjusting hospital medicare payments based hospital overall proportion dually eligible medicare medicaid sec bill extends years rural community hospital demonstration program medicare pays certain rural hospitals basis reasonable incurred costs standard prospective payment system sec respect long-term_care hospitals bill lifts moratorium bed increases bill reduces rates high cost outlier payments additional medicare payments high cost cases sec bill reduces hospital payment rates inpatient services increase fy2018 title provisions relating medicare sec bill excludes certain campus outpatient departments specified rules mandate lower medicare payments specifically exclusion applies cancer hospitals campus mid build mid build opd provider certain date binding written agreement outside party construction sec respect payment reductions failing meet requirements meaningful use electronic health records bill exempts eligible professionals based ambulatory surgical centers title iii medicare provisions sec plan year cms terminate plan solely plan failed achieve specified minimum quality rating sec cms annually report medicare enrollment data specified bill sec cms shall request information recommendations stakeholders information included welcome medicare package update information included package accordingly


Summary:
Behavioral Health Infrastructure Improvement Act

This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to temporarily increase the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for behavioral health infrastructure and systems improvements under a state medical assistance program. For a period of five years, a state's FMAP for such improvements shall equal 90%. (Generally, a state's FMAP under Medicaid may range from 50% to 83%.)

The bill also establishes a grant program for states to establish or support a behavioral health assistance office or ombudsman to coordinate behavioral health and other assistance for Medicaid beneficiaries. The office or ombudsman shall: (1) track, quantify, and report on problems and inquiries encountered by Medicaid beneficiaries with respect to access to behavioral health services; (2) educate Medicaid beneficiaries on their rights and responsibilities to such access; and (3) assist Medicaid beneficiaries in the enforcement of those rights and in accessing services.

behavioral health infrastructure improvement act bill amends title xix medicaid social_security_act temporarily increase federal medical assistance percentage fmap behavioral health infrastructure systems improvements state medical assistance program period years state fmap improvements shall equal generally state fmap medicaid range bill establishes grant program states establish support behavioral health assistance office ombudsman coordinate behavioral health assistance medicaid beneficiaries office ombudsman shall track quantify report problems inquiries encountered medicaid beneficiaries respect access behavioral health services educate medicaid beneficiaries rights responsibilities access assist medicaid beneficiaries enforcement rights accessing services


Summary:
VA Transparency Enhancement Act of 2016

This bill requires the director of each Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility to report quarterly to the VA on:

 the number of patients who contracted an infection as result of surgery at such medical facility, including a brief summary of each case; and the number of, and reasons for, scheduled surgeries that were cancelled or transferred to another facility and the subsequent number of days that each patient had to wait for surgery. The VA shall submit such reports and a summary of such reports to Congress and publish them on its website.

transparency enhancement_act bill requires director department_of_veterans_affairs medical facility report quarterly number patients contracted infection result surgery medical facility including brief summary case number reasons scheduled cancelled transferred facility subsequent number days patient wait surgery shall submit reports summary reports congress publish website


Summary:
Expanding Care for Female Veterans Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a three-year pilot program to award grants to health care entities to lease, purchase, or build health care facilities for female patients in order to provide hospital care and medical services to female veterans enrolled in the VA's patient enrollment system.

For purposes of providing such care and services, a facility leased, purchased, or built under the program shall be deemed to be: (1) a non-VA entity that may provide veterans hospital care and medical services as specified in the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014; or (2) if the authority to carry out the program is terminated, an entity otherwise authorized to provide hospital care and medical services pursuant to an agreement entered into by the VA.

expanding care female veterans act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs establish year pilot program award grants health_care entities lease purchase build health_care facilities female patients order provide hospital care medical services female veterans enrolled patient enrollment system purposes providing care services facility leased purchased built program shall deemed non-va entity provide veterans hospital care medical services specified veterans access choice accountability_act authority carry program terminated entity authorized provide hospital care medical services pursuant agreement entered


Summary: This bill amends the Pathway for SGR Reform Act of 2013 to specify that certain provisions of current law regarding the calculation of hospital length of stay apply to certain long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) that are permitted, under Medicare, to establish new LTCHs or increase LTCH beds. Specifically, with respect to such LTCHs, two types of patients shall be excluded from the calculation of LTCH length of stay under Medicare: (1) those for whom payment is made under a Medicare Advantage plan, and (2) those for whom payment is made at the site-neutral payment rate.

bill amends pathway sgr reform_act specify certain provisions current law calculation hospital length stay apply certain long-term_care hospitals ltchs permitted medicare establish new ltchs increase ltch beds specifically respect ltchs types patients shall excluded calculation ltch length stay medicare payment medicare_advantage plan payment site neutral payment rate


Summary:
Continuing Access to Hospitals Act of 2016 or the CAH Act of 2016

This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to continue to instruct Medicare contractors not to enforce requirements for direct physician supervision of outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals through 2016.

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission must report on the effect of extending this instruction on: (1) Medicare beneficiaries, and (2) hospital staffing needs.

continuing access hospitals act act bill requires centers medicare medicaid_services continue instruct medicare contractors enforce requirements direct physician supervision outpatient therapeutic services critical access small rural hospitals medicare_payment_advisory_commission report effect extending instruction medicare beneficiaries hospital staffing needs


Summary: This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove certain hospitals specializing in neoplastic disease from their classification as long-term care hospitals for purposes of Medicare payment. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall make payments to these hospitals under reasonable cost-based reimbursement rules rather than under the prospective payment system.

bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act remove certain hospitals specializing disease classification long-term_care hospitals purposes medicare payment centers medicare medicaid_services shall payments hospitals reasonable cost based reimbursement rules prospective payment system


Summary:
Sustaining Healthcare Integrity and Fair Treatment Act of 2016

This bill amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, among other Acts, to modify provisions related to long-term care hospital (LTCH) payments under Medicare.

(Sec. 101) The bill amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 to revise the applicability of certain Medicare payment rules exempting LTCHs from negative payment adjustments for admissions from certain co-located hospitals beyond specified thresholds. These rules shall apply for an additional period beginning on October 1, 2016.

(Sec. 102) In addition, the bill amends the Pathway for SGR Reform Act of 2013 to expand to all LTCHs the application of a payment rule that requires the exclusion of certain patients for purposes of calculating length of stay. Under current law, the payment rule applies only to a hospital that was classified as an LTCH as of a specified date.

(Sec. 103) The bill removes certain hospitals specializing in neoplastic disease from their classification as LTCHs for purposes of Medicare payment.

(Sec. 104) With specified exceptions, current law applies certain payment limits to inpatient services for LTCHs that do not meet specified discharge requirements. The bill: (1) establishes a new temporary exception to these limits for certain spinal cord specialty hospitals, and (2) expands an existing temporary exception with respect to certain discharges involving severe wounds.

(Sec. 201) Current law allows the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to impose a temporary moratorium on the enrollment of new providers under Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) if necessary to combat fraud, waste, or abuse. With specified exceptions, the bill prohibits payment under these programs to new providers in areas subject to such temporary moratorium.

sustaining healthcare integrity fair treatment act bill amends titles xviii medicare xix medicaid social_security_act acts modify provisions related long-term_care hospital ltch payments medicare sec bill amends medicare medicaid schip extension act revise applicability certain medicare payment rules exempting ltchs negative payment adjustments admissions certain located hospitals specified thresholds rules shall apply additional period beginning october sec addition bill amends pathway sgr reform_act expand ltchs application payment rule requires exclusion certain patients purposes calculating length stay current law payment rule applies hospital classified ltch specified date sec bill removes certain hospitals specializing disease classification ltchs purposes medicare payment sec specified exceptions current law applies certain payment limits inpatient services ltchs meet specified discharge requirements bill establishes new temporary exception limits certain spinal cord specialty hospitals expands existing temporary exception respect certain discharges involving severe wounds sec current law allows centers medicare medicaid_services impose temporary moratorium enrollment new providers medicare medicaid children health insurance program chip necessary combat fraud waste abuse specified exceptions bill prohibits payment programs new providers areas subject temporary moratorium


Summary:
Better Informing Veterans' Healthcare Decisions Act

This bill urges the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that preventing veteran suicide and providing veterans access to mental health care is its top reform priority.

The VA shall, every 30 days, determine and provide to the Department of Defense, with respect to the previous year:

 the average national wait times (in days) for veterans enrolled in the VA health care system to receive appointments for mental health care and primary health care at VA medical facilities, the average time for the VA to process a claim for disability compensation, and the average time for the VA to decide an appeal of such a claim. The VA shall place a sign displaying the most current such times in a conspicuous location at each career counselor or career assistance advisor office.

better informing veterans healthcare decisions act bill urges department_of_veterans_affairs ensure preventing veteran suicide providing veterans access mental health_care reform priority shall days determine provide department_of_defense respect previous year average national wait times days veterans enrolled health_care system receive appointments mental health_care primary health_care medical facilities average time process claim disability compensation average time decide appeal claim shall place sign displaying current times conspicuous location career counselor career assistance advisor office


Summary:
Fairness for Our Hospitals Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow a hospital that meets specified criteria and is located in a state with no rural areas to be considered a Medicare-dependent hospital. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall establish and implement a process for reimbursing impacted hospitals for any underpayments resulting from this bill's implementation.

fairness hospitals act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act allow hospital meets specified criteria located state rural areas considered medicare dependent hospital centers medicare medicaid_services shall establish implement process reimbursing impacted hospitals underpayments resulting bill implementation


Summary:
Improving Standards in VA Contracting Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop uniform policy guidelines for officials, including contracting officers, of the VA's Real Property Service of the Office of Construction and Facilities Management for evaluating potential lessors of property on which to build medical facilities.

Such guidelines shall include evaluating the potential lessor's: (1) past performance on federal contracts, (2) ability to control the property, and (3) conduct of proper due diligence prior to submitting an offer to enter a lease with the VA.

improving standards contracting act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs develop uniform policy guidelines officials including contracting officers real property service office construction facilities management evaluating potential lessors property build medical facilities guidelines shall include evaluating potential lessor past performance federal contracts ability control property conduct proper diligence prior submitting offer enter lease


Summary:
Hospital Quality Rating Transparency Act of 2016

This bill delays the date upon which the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may make Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings for hospitals publicly available.

With respect to such ratings, HHS shall: (1) make publicly available detailed information on the methodology used, (2) have the validity and accuracy of such methodology independently confirmed, and (3) provide a public comment period of specified duration.

HHS may not make the ratings publicly available until the later of July 31, 2017, or the date upon which the bill's requirements are satisfied.

In the event that such ratings have already been published on a specified website, HHS shall remove them and not republish them until the bill's requirements have been satisfied.

hospital quality rating transparency_act bill delays date department_of_health_and_human_services hhs overall hospital quality star ratings hospitals publicly available respect ratings hhs shall publicly available detailed information methodology validity accuracy methodology independently confirmed provide public comment period specified duration hhs ratings publicly available later july date bill requirements satisfied event ratings published specified website hhs shall remove bill requirements satisfied


Summary:
ACO Improvement Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow an accountable care organization (ACO) to: (1) reduce or eliminate certain cost-sharing for primary care services provided within the ACO's network; (2) develop incentives to encourage patient engagement; (3) elect prospective assignment of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries; and (4) if specified requirements are met, distribute internal cost savings.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall waive specified regulatory requirements for ACOs that have elected to share in both savings and losses under a "two-sided risk model."

In addition, the bill: (1) requires CMS to waive, with respect to certain ACOs, specified limitations regarding telehealth services; (2) allows certain ACOs to depart slightly from specified minimum enrollment requirements; (3) requires CMS to establish a demonstration project for allowing growth of certain prospective risk scores; (4) and allows CMS to make permanent certain ACO-related pilot programs that have been successful.

aco improvement act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act allow accountable care organization aco reduce eliminate certain cost sharing primary care services provided aco network develop incentives encourage patient engagement elect prospective assignment medicare fee service beneficiaries specified requirements met distribute internal cost savings centers medicare medicaid_services cms shall waive specified regulatory requirements elected share savings losses risk model addition bill requires cms waive respect certain specified limitations telehealth services allows certain depart specified minimum enrollment requirements requires cms establish demonstration project allowing growth certain prospective risk scores allows cms permanent certain aco related pilot programs successful


Summary:
National Trauma Care System Act

This bill establishes the Task Force on Eliminating Preventable Deaths or Disabilities due to Traumatic Injuries, which shall: (1) develop a plan to establish a national trauma care system to facilitate the U.S. ability to eliminate preventable deaths related to injuries, eliminate trauma-related disabilities, and respond to mass trauma incidents; and (2) establish specific goals and milestones, and federal responsibilities, to carry out the plan.

The task force shall ensure that each budget of the President submitted to Congress requests sufficient funding to develop and support the system, and that the system:

 includes mechanisms for accountability and a data-driven research agenda, ensures military and civilian trauma systems collect and share common data, is developed and carried out in a manner that reduces regulatory and legal barriers to the full integration of the trauma continuum of care, and is capable of responding domestically to any mass casualty incident. The task force shall develop and implement a national trauma research action plan.

The Department of Health and Human Services shall:

 develop and publish standards for trauma care in pre-hospital and hospital settings; identify, evaluate, and implement policies to ensure coordination between pre-hospital and hospital trauma care; work to facilitate the collection and sharing of data among federal and non-governmental trauma systems; revise and clarify existing regulations to minimize barriers to the use and disclosure of protected health information with respect to trauma care; and ensure the civilian trauma systems participate in a structured trauma quality improvement process. The Department of Defense (DOD) shall:

 submit and implement a plan to establish a Joint Trauma System within the Defense Health Agency that promotes improved trauma care, seek to contract with a non-governmental entity to conduct a system-wide review of the military trauma system, establish a Joint Trauma Education and Training Directorate to ensure that the military trauma care providers maintain readiness and are able to be rapidly deployed for future armed conflicts, partner with civilian trauma centers, determine the number of military trauma care providers that must be maintained within DOD to meet the requirements of the combatant commands, and report on the activities of the Secretarial Designee Program.

national trauma care system act bill establishes task_force eliminating preventable deaths disabilities traumatic injuries shall develop plan establish national trauma care system facilitate ability eliminate preventable deaths related injuries eliminate trauma related disabilities respond mass trauma incidents establish specific goals milestones federal responsibilities carry plan task_force shall ensure budget president submitted congress requests sufficient funding develop support system system includes mechanisms accountability data driven research agenda ensures military civilian trauma systems collect share common data developed carried manner reduces regulatory legal barriers integration trauma continuum care capable responding domestically mass casualty incident task_force shall develop implement national trauma research action plan department_of_health_and_human_services shall develop publish standards trauma care pre hospital hospital settings identify evaluate implement policies ensure coordination pre hospital hospital trauma care work facilitate collection sharing data federal non governmental trauma systems revise clarify existing regulations minimize barriers use disclosure protected health information respect trauma care ensure civilian trauma systems participate structured trauma quality improvement process department_of_defense dod shall submit implement plan establish joint trauma system defense health agency promotes improved trauma care seek contract non governmental entity conduct system wide review military trauma system establish joint trauma education training directorate ensure military trauma care providers maintain readiness able rapidly deployed future armed conflicts partner civilian trauma centers determine number military trauma care providers maintained dod meet requirements combatant commands report activities secretarial designee program


Summary:
ACT to Improve VA Timing and Efficiency or the ACTivate Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) seek to award contracts to private entities to assist with scheduling and managing appointments for veterans enrolled in the VA health care system, and (2) ensure that such private entity assistance augments the VA's scheduling and appointment process.

act improve timing efficiency activate act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs seek award contracts private entities assist scheduling managing appointments veterans enrolled health_care system ensure private entity assistance scheduling appointment process


Summary:
Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act of 2016

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out major medical facility leases in specified amounts for:

 outpatient clinics in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Daytona Beach, Gainesville, and Ocala, Florida; Hampton Roads, Virginia; Missoula, Montana; Northern Colorado, Colorado; Oxnard and Santa Rosa, California; Pike County, Georgia; Portland, Maine; and Raleigh, North Carolina; an outpatient mental health clinic and an outpatient specialty clinic in Birmingham, Alabama; research space in Boston, Massachusetts; Charleston, South Carolina; and Mission Bay, California; Chief Business Office Purchased Care office space in Denver, Colorado; and replacement outpatient clinics in Corpus Christi, Texas; Jacksonville and Tampa, Florida; Pontiac, Michigan; Rochester, New York (phase II); and Terre Haute, Indiana.

providing veterans overdue care act bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs carry major medical facility leases specified amounts outpatient clinics michigan beach gainesville florida roads virginia montana northern colorado colorado santa rosa california county georgia portland maine north_carolina outpatient mental health clinic outpatient specialty clinic alabama research space boston massachusetts charleston south_carolina mission bay california chief business office purchased care office space denver colorado replacement outpatient clinics corpus texas florida michigan rochester new_york phase_ii indiana


Summary:
Fixing Medicare Hospital Payments Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish, with respect to calculating payment for inpatient hospital services under Medicare's prospective payment system, a minimum area wage index for hospitals located in metropolitan areas. (Under a prospective payment system, payment is made according to a predetermined, fixed amount.)

fixing medicare hospital payments act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act establish respect calculating payment inpatient hospital services medicare prospective payment system minimum area wage index hospitals located metropolitan areas prospective payment system payment according predetermined fixed


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

(Sec. 1) This bill authorizes the Director of a Veterans Integrated Service Network of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to contract with an entity specializing in civilian accreditation or health care evaluation to investigate any medical center within the network to assess deficiencies of the facilities at such medical center.

 Before entering into any contract, the director shall notify the VA, the VA Inspector General, and the Government Accountability Office in order to coordinate any investigation pursuant to a contract with any ongoing investigations or accreditations.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill authorizes director veterans_integrated_service_network department_of_veterans_affairs contract entity specializing civilian accreditation health_care evaluation investigate medical center network assess deficiencies facilities medical center entering contract director shall notify inspector_general government_accountability_office order coordinate investigation pursuant contract ongoing investigations


Summary:
Increasing New recruit Focus On Receiving Mental healthcare Act or the INFORM Act

This bill urges the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that preventing veteran suicide and providing veterans access to mental health care is its top reform priority.

The VA shall, every 30 days, determine and provide to the Department of Defense, with respect to the previous year:

 the average national wait times (in days) for veterans enrolled in the VA health care system to receive appointments for mental health care and primary health care at VA medical facilities, the average time for the VA to process a claim for disability compensation, and the average time for the VA to decide an appeal of such a claim. The VA shall place a sign displaying the most current such times in a conspicuous location at each military entrance processing station.

increasing new recruit focus receiving mental healthcare act inform act bill urges department_of_veterans_affairs ensure preventing veteran suicide providing veterans access mental health_care reform priority shall days determine provide department_of_defense respect previous year average national wait times days veterans enrolled health_care system receive appointments mental health_care primary health_care medical facilities average time process claim disability compensation average time decide appeal claim shall place sign displaying current times conspicuous location military entrance processing station


Summary:
Steve Gleason Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to make permanent the elimination of a specified payment cap under the Medicare program with respect to speech generating devices.

act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act permanent elimination specified payment cap medicare program respect speech generating devices


Summary:
Aurora Veterans Affairs Hospital Financing and Construction Reform Act of 2015

Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the Aurora medical facility project to replace the VA Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado.

Requires VA to enter into an agreement with the Chief of Engineers giving the Chief the authority to perform the project, design, contract, and construction management necessary to complete such project.

aurora veterans_affairs hospital financing construction reform_act authorizes secretary veterans_affairs carry aurora medical facility project replace medical center aurora colorado requires_va enter agreement chief_of_engineers giving chief authority perform project design contract construction management necessary complete project


Summary:
Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to make permanent the Medicare-dependent, small rural subsection (d) hospital program and increased payments under the Medicare low-volume hospital program.

 (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.)

rural hospital access act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act permanent medicare dependent small rural subsection hospital program increased payments medicare low volume hospital program generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system ipps providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries


Summary:
Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Extension Act of 2015

This bill amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, as amended by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to extend the period of the Medicare rural community hospital demonstration program from 5 to 10 years.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall allow certain rural community hospitals participating in the demonstration program as of December 30, 2014, to continue during the second five years of the 10-year extension period.

HHS shall solicit applications to select up to the maximum number of additional rural community hospitals located in any state to participate in this demonstration program for the second five years of the ten-year extension period without exceeding the applicable limitation (30).

 In determining which applicant rural community hospitals to select for participation in the demonstration program, HHS:

 shall give priority to hospitals located in one of the 20 states with the lowest population densities; and may consider closures of hospitals located in rural areas in the state in which the hospital is located during the 5-year period immediately preceding the enactment of this Act, as well as the population density of the state.

rural community hospital demonstration extension act bill amends medicare_prescription_drug improvement modernization act amended patient_protection affordable care act extend period medicare rural community hospital demonstration program years department_of_health_and_human_services hhs shall allow certain rural community hospitals participating demonstration program december continue second years year extension period hhs shall solicit applications select maximum number additional rural community hospitals located state participate demonstration program second years year extension period exceeding applicable limitation determining applicant rural community hospitals select participation demonstration program hhs shall priority hospitals located states lowest population consider closures hospitals located rural areas state hospital located year period immediately preceding enactment act population density state


Summary:
Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) with respect to the hospital readmissions reduction program under the inpatient (hospital) prospective payment system (IPPS).

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in determining a hospital's excess readmission ratio for purposes of making payments for discharges occurring during FY2016-FY2017, is required to make a risk adjustment to the ratio that takes into account both: (1) a hospital's proportion of inpatients who are full-benefit dual eligible individuals (eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid under SSAct title XIX), and (2) the socioeconomic status of patients served by the hospital.

The Secretary must base the risk adjustment under the readmission program for subsequent fiscal years on specified reports required by the Improving Medicare Post Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014 as well as a report the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission shall submit on the appropriateness of using a threshold of 30 days for readmissions under the program. The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must then incorporate report recommendations in carrying out risk adjustments for discharges occurring in such fiscal years in order to ensure that the most vulnerable populations are not unfairly penalized by the program.

The Secretary shall consider the use of V or other International Classification of Diseases-related codes for potential exclusion of noncompliant patient cases when promulgating related regulations for FY2017.

The Secretary must: (1) assess whether to exclude from the calculation of excess readmissions any patients whose clinical conditions or diagnoses may require frequent hospitalizations; then (2) exclude, starting in FY2018, any relevant clinical conditions identified in the assessment recommendations when determining a hospital's publicly reported readmission rate and excess readmissions ratio.

The Secretary is directed to make a payment adjustment to subsection (d) hospitals necessary to ensure that the implementation of this Act does not result in any increase in aggregate expenditures under the IPPS.

(Generally, a subsection (d) hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payment under the IPPS when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.)

establishing beneficiary equity hospital program act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act ssact respect hospital reduction program inpatient hospital prospective payment system ipps secretary health_and_human_services determining hospital excess ratio purposes making payments discharges occurring fy2016 fy2017 required risk adjustment ratio takes account hospital proportion benefit dual eligible individuals eligible medicare medicaid ssact title xix socioeconomic status patients served hospital secretary base risk adjustment program subsequent fiscal years specified reports required improving medicare post acute care transformation act report medicare_payment_advisory_commission shall submit appropriateness threshold days program administrator centers medicare medicaid_services incorporate report recommendations carrying risk adjustments discharges occurring fiscal years order ensure vulnerable populations unfairly penalized program secretary shall consider use international classification diseases related codes potential exclusion noncompliant patient cases promulgating related regulations fy2017 secretary assess exclude calculation excess patients clinical conditions diagnoses require frequent hospitalizations exclude starting fy2018 relevant clinical conditions identified assessment recommendations determining hospital publicly reported rate excess ratio secretary directed payment adjustment subsection hospitals necessary ensure implementation act result increase aggregate expenditures ipps generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payment ipps providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries


Summary:
National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act

Amends the Public Health Service Act to require hospitals to implement and submit to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a staffing plan that complies with specified minimum nurse-to-patient ratios by unit. Requires HHS to develop a transparent method for establishing nurse staffing requirements above minimum ratios.

Directs HHS to adjust Medicare payments to hospitals to cover additional costs incurred in providing services to Medicare beneficiaries that are attributable to compliance with such ratios.

Gives nurses the right to act as the patient's advocate by initiating action to improve health care and by giving the patient an opportunity to make informed health care decisions. Allows a nurse to object to, or refuse to participate in, any assignment if it would violate minimum ratios or if the nurse is not prepared by education or experience to fulfill the assignment without compromising the safety of a patient or jeopardizing the nurse's license. Prohibits a hospital from: (1) taking specified actions against a nurse based on the nurse's refusal to accept an assignment for such a reason; or (2) discriminating against any individual for good faith complaints relating to the care, services, or conditions of the hospital or of any related facilities.

Adds stipends to the nurse workforce loan repayment and scholarship program. Expands the nurse retention grant program to authorize programs to implement nurse preceptorship and mentorship projects.

national nursing shortage reform patient advocacy act amends public_health_service_act require hospitals implement submit department_of_health_and_human_services hhs staffing plan complies specified minimum nurse patient ratios unit requires hhs develop transparent method establishing nurse staffing requirements minimum ratios directs hhs adjust medicare payments hospitals cover additional costs incurred providing services medicare beneficiaries attributable compliance ratios gives nurses right act patient advocate initiating action improve health_care giving patient opportunity informed health_care decisions allows nurse object refuse participate assignment violate minimum ratios nurse prepared education experience fulfill assignment compromising safety patient jeopardizing nurse license prohibits hospital taking specified actions nurse based nurse refusal accept assignment reason discriminating individual good faith complaints relating care services conditions hospital related facilities adds stipends nurse workforce loan repayment scholarship program expands nurse retention grant program authorize programs implement nurse mentorship projects


Summary:
Health Care Safety Net Enhancement Act of 2015

Amends the Public Health Service Act to deem a hospital or an emergency department and a physician or physician group of a hospital or emergency department to be an employee of the Public Health Service with liability protection provided by the United States for purposes of any civil action that may arise due to providing emergency and post-stabilization services on or after January 1, 2016.

health_care safety net enhancement_act amends public_health_service_act deem hospital emergency department physician physician group hospital emergency department employee public_health_service liability protection provided united_states purposes civil action arise providing emergency post stabilization services january


Summary:
Department of Veterans Affairs Construction, Accountability, and Reform Act

This bill authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the Aurora medical facility project to replace the VA Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado.

 The Secretary may not pay any bonus during FY2015-FY2016.

If the project to replace the VA Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado, is not completed by September 30, 2016, the Secretary may not pay any bonus until the date on which the Secretary certifies to Congress that such major medical facility project is fully operational. The aggregate amount of subsequent fiscal year bonuses is capped through FY2024.

The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary of the Army for the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out the design, contract, construction management, and other similar services for the Aurora project.

The Secretary is prohibited from carrying out any major medical facility project.

The Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, shall carry out all major medical facility projects for the Department.

The Government Accountability Office shall review the Secretary's management of the Aurora project.

The Secretary must notify Congress at least 120 days (currently at least 30 days) before obligating funds for major medical facility projects that exceed authorized amounts.

department_of_veterans_affairs construction accountability reform_act bill authorizes secretary veterans_affairs carry aurora medical facility project replace medical center aurora colorado secretary pay bonus fy2015 fy2016 project replace medical center aurora colorado completed september secretary pay bonus date secretary certifies congress major medical facility project fully operational aggregate subsequent fiscal year bonuses capped fy2024 secretary shall enter agreement secretary army army_corps_of_engineers carry design contract construction management similar services aurora project secretary prohibited carrying major medical facility project secretary army chief_of_engineers shall carry major medical facility projects department government_accountability_office shall review secretary management aurora project secretary notify congress days currently days obligating funds major medical facility projects exceed authorized amounts


Summary:
Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2015

 Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require each Medicare participating hospital to implement a hospital-wide staffing plan for nursing services furnished in the hospital.

Requires the plan to require that an appropriate number of registered nurses provide direct patient care in each unit and on each shift of the hospital to ensure staffing levels that: (1) address the unique characteristics of the patients and hospital units; and (2) result in the delivery of safe, quality patient care consistent with specified requirements.

Requires each participating hospital to establish a hospital nurse staffing committee which shall implement such plan.

Specifies civil monetary and other penalties for violation of the requirements of this Act.

Sets forth whistleblower protections against discrimination and retaliation involving patients or employees of the hospital for their grievances, complaints, or involvement in investigations relating to such plan.

registered nurse safe staffing act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act require medicare participating hospital implement hospital wide staffing plan nursing services furnished hospital requires plan require appropriate number registered nurses provide direct patient care unit shift hospital ensure staffing levels address unique characteristics patients hospital units result delivery safe quality patient care consistent specified requirements requires participating hospital establish hospital nurse staffing committee shall implement plan specifies civil monetary penalties violation requirements act sets forth whistleblower protections discrimination retaliation involving patients employees hospital grievances complaints involvement investigations relating plan


Summary:
Hospital Payment Fairness Act of 2015

 Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to sunset on October 1, 2015, the application of budget neutrality on a national basis in the calculation of the Medicare hospital wage index floor.

(PPACA requires application of the budget neutrality requirement associated with the effect of the imputed rural floor on the area wage index under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 through a uniform national, instead of state-by-state, adjustment to the area hospital wage index floor.)

hospital payment fairness act amends patient_protection affordable care act ppaca sunset october application budget neutrality national basis calculation medicare hospital wage index floor ppaca requires application budget neutrality requirement associated effect imputed rural floor area wage index balanced_budget act uniform national instead state state adjustment area hospital wage index floor


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on July 30, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Electronic Health Fairness Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit, for a payment year after 2015, any patient encounter of an eligible professional occurring at an ambulatory surgical center from being treated as such an encounter in determining whether an eligible professional qualifies as a meaningful electronic health record (EHR) user.

Terminates this prohibition three years after the Department of Health and Human Services determines, through notice and comment rulemaking, that certified EHR technology is applicable to the ambulatory surgical center setting.

measure amended reported senate july summary version repeated electronic health fairness act sec bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act prohibit payment year patient encounter eligible professional occurring ambulatory surgical center treated encounter determining eligible professional qualifies meaningful electronic health record ehr user terminates prohibition years department_of_health_and_human_services determines notice comment rulemaking certified ehr technology applicable ambulatory surgical center setting


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

Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility Act or the NOTICE Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require a hospital or critical access hospital with an agreement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to give each individual who receives observation services as an outpatient for more than 24 hours an adequate oral and written notification within 36 hours after beginning to receive them which:

 explains the individual's status as an outpatient and not as an inpatient and the reasons why; explains the implications of that status on services furnished (including those furnished as an inpatient), in particular the implications for cost-sharing requirements and subsequent coverage eligibility for services furnished by a skilled nursing facility; includes appropriate additional information; is written and formatted using plain language and made available in appropriate languages; and is signed by the individual or a person acting on the individual's behalf (representative) to acknowledge receipt of the notification, or if the individual or representative refuses to sign, the written notification is signed by the hospital staff who presented it.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure notice observation treatment care eligibility act notice act sec bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act require hospital critical access hospital agreement secretary health_and_human_services individual receives observation services outpatient hours adequate oral written notification hours beginning receive explains individual status outpatient inpatient reasons explains implications status services furnished including furnished inpatient particular implications cost sharing requirements subsequent coverage eligibility services furnished skilled nursing facility includes appropriate additional information written plain language available appropriate languages signed individual person acting individual behalf representative acknowledge receipt notification individual representative refuses sign written notification signed hospital staff presented


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on July 30, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to continue to instruct Medicare contractors not to enforce requirements for direct physician supervision of outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals through 2015.

measure amended reported senate july summary version repeated sec bill requires department_of_health_and_human_services continue instruct medicare contractors enforce requirements direct physician supervision outpatient therapeutic services critical access small rural hospitals


Summary:
Ensuring Equal Access to Treatments Act of 2015

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create certain additional groups of covered OPD services that classify separately, from those that do not utilize such a drug, procedures that utilize a drug (other than contrast agents, diagnostic radiopharmaceutical, or anesthesia drugs) that both has a cost above the drug packaging threshold and functions as a supply when used in a diagnostic test or procedure.

ensuring equal_access treatments act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act respect prospective payment system hospital outpatient department opd services direct secretary health_and_human_services create certain additional groups covered opd services classify separately utilize drug procedures utilize drug agents diagnostic anesthesia drugs cost drug packaging threshold functions supply diagnostic test procedure


Summary:
Treto Garza South Texas Veterans Inpatient Care Act of 2015

 Designates the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) located in Harlingen, Texas, as the "Treto Garza South Texas Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Center."

Directs the VA to: (1) ensure that such Center includes a full-service inpatient health care facility; (2) modify the existing facility to meet such requirement; and (3) include in the annual VA strategic capital investment plan a project to expand the Center's capabilities to provide increased inpatient capacity, an urgent care center, and a full range of services to meet the health care needs of women veterans.

south texas veterans inpatient care act designates medical center department_of_veterans_affairs located texas south texas department_of_veterans_affairs health_care center directs ensure center includes service inpatient health_care facility modify existing facility meet requirement include annual strategic capital investment plan project expand center capabilities provide increased inpatient capacity urgent care center range services meet health_care needs women veterans