Summary: Hospital Price Transparency and Disclosure Act of 2011 [sic] - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require a hospital or ambulatory surgical center to report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding: (1) the frequency of occurrence of certain treatment episodes for the most frequently treated conditions or diseases in each setting, (2) the total number of treatment episodes for which care was furnished by the hospital or center, and (3) the insured and uninsured average charge by the hospital or center for such treatment episode.  Requires the Secretary to promptly post such information on the HHS website in a manner that promotes charge comparisons among hospitals and among ambulatory surgical centers. Requires a hospital and an ambulatory surgical center to prominently post at each admission site a notice of the availability of such data.  Authorizes civil penalties for violations of this Act.

hospital price transparency disclosure act sic amends public_health_service_act require hospital ambulatory surgical center report secretary health_and_human_services hhs frequency occurrence certain treatment frequently treated conditions diseases setting total number treatment care furnished hospital center insured uninsured average charge hospital center treatment episode requires secretary promptly post information hhs website manner promotes charge comparisons hospitals ambulatory surgical centers requires hospital ambulatory surgical center prominently post admission site notice availability data authorizes civil penalties violations act


Summary: Rural Hospital Access Act of 2012 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend through FY2013: (1) the current methodology for payment to subsection (d) hospitals for inpatient hospital services furnished to individuals under the Medicare-dependent, small rural hospital (MDH) program, and (2) increased payments under the Medicare program for low-volume hospitals (with under 1,600 annual discharges). (Generally, a subsection [d] hospital is an acute hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system [IPPS] when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.) Directs the Comptroller General to study such programs.

rural hospital access act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act extend fy2013 current methodology payment subsection hospitals inpatient hospital services furnished individuals medicare dependent small rural hospital program increased payments medicare program low volume hospitals annual discharges generally subsection hospital acute hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system ipps providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries directs comptroller_general study programs


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

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


Summary: National Pediatric Research Network Act of 2012 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in carrying out the Pediatric Research Initiative, to act through the Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to provide for the establishment of a National Pediatric Research Network. Authorizes the Director of the Institute to award funding to public or private nonprofit entities for: (1) planning, establishing, or strengthening pediatric research consortia; and (2) providing basic operating support for such consortia, including to meet unmet needs for pediatric research and train researchers in pediatric research techniques. Authorizes the Director of NIH to make awards for not more than 20 pediatric research consortia, which are to be formed from a collaboration of cooperating institutions, coordinated by a lead institution, and meet requirements prescribed by the Director of NIH. Allows such support to be for a period of five years with additional extensions by the Director of NIH. Requires the Director of NIH to provide for the coordination of activities among the consortia and to require the periodic preparation and submission of reports on their activities. Requires the Director of NIH to ensure that an appropriate number of such awards are awarded to consortia that agree to: (1) focus primarily on pediatric rare diseases or conditions; (2) conduct or coordinate multi-site clinical trials of therapies for, or approaches to, the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of pediatric rare diseases or conditions; and (3) rapidly and efficiently disseminate scientific findings from such trials. Requires the Director of NIH to establish a data coordinating center to: (1) distribute such findings; (2) provide assistance in the design and conduct of collaborative research projects and the management, analysis, and storage of data associated with such projects; (3) organize and conduct multi-site monitoring activities; and (4) provide assistance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the establishment or expansion of patient registries and other surveillance systems. Requires the Director of NIH to: (1) require the data coordinating center to provide regular reports to the Director of NIH and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA) on research conducted by consortia, including information on enrollment in clinical trials and the allocation of resources with respect to such research; and (2) incorporate such information into NIH's biennial reports.

national pediatric research network act amends public_health_service_act authorize director national_institutes_of_health nih carrying pediatric research initiative act director eunice kennedy shriver national institute child health human development provide establishment national pediatric research network authorizes director institute award funding public private nonprofit entities planning establishing strengthening pediatric research consortia providing basic operating support consortia including meet unmet needs pediatric research train researchers pediatric research techniques authorizes director nih awards pediatric research consortia formed collaboration cooperating institutions coordinated lead institution meet requirements prescribed director nih allows support period years additional extensions director nih requires director nih provide coordination activities consortia require periodic preparation submission reports activities requires director nih ensure appropriate number awards awarded consortia agree focus primarily pediatric rare diseases conditions conduct coordinate multi site clinical trials therapies approaches prevention diagnosis treatment pediatric rare diseases conditions rapidly efficiently disseminate scientific findings trials requires director nih establish data coordinating center distribute findings provide assistance design conduct collaborative research projects management analysis storage data associated projects organize conduct multi site monitoring activities provide assistance centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc establishment expansion patient registries surveillance systems requires director nih require data coordinating center provide regular reports director nih commissioner food_and_drugs fda research conducted consortia including information enrollment clinical trials allocation resources respect research incorporate information nih biennial reports


Summary: Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Internal Revenue Code to repeal establishment of the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP) program through which the Secretary provides loans and grants to foster the creation of qualified nonprofit health insurance issuers to offer qualified health plans in the individual and small group markets. Rescinds unobligated funds made available for the program. Requires repayment of loans provided under the program within two years of their making and sets the interest rate on such loans at the bank prime rate. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of association health plans (AHPs), which are group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations, and which meet certain ERISA certification requirements. Allows qualified nonprofit health insurance issuers participating in the CO-OP to sponsor an AHP, if certain requirements are satisfied. Prescribes rules governing AHPs, including requirements relating to certification, sponsors and boards of trustees, participation and coverage, nondiscrimination, contribution rates, notice of voluntary termination, correction actions, and mandatory termination. Establishes the Association Health Plan Fund to be used by the Secretary of Labor to make payments to an insurer to maintain coverage for a plan if there is a reasonable expectation that, without such payments, claims would not be satisfied by reason of termination of coverage. Requires the Secretary to establish a Solvency Standards Working Group. Allows a state to impose a contribution tax on an association health plan that commenced operations in such state after the enactment of this Act. Preempts any state law that may preclude a health insurance issuer from: (1) offering health insurance coverage in connection with a certified AHP; or (2) offering health insurance coverage of the same policy type to other employers operating in the state that are eligible for coverage under such AHPs, whether or not such other employers are participating employers in such plan. Subjects to criminal penalties a person who willfully makes false representations with respect to an AHP.

amends patient_protection affordable care act internal_revenue_code repeal establishment consumer operated oriented plan program secretary provides loans grants foster creation qualified nonprofit health insurance issuers offer qualified health plans individual small group markets rescinds unobligated funds available program requires repayment loans provided program years making sets interest rate loans bank prime rate amends employee retirement income security act erisa provide establishment governance association health plans ahps group health plans sponsors trade industry professional chamber commerce similar business associations meet certain erisa certification requirements allows qualified nonprofit health insurance issuers participating sponsor ahp certain requirements satisfied prescribes rules governing ahps including requirements relating certification sponsors boards trustees participation coverage nondiscrimination contribution rates notice voluntary termination correction actions mandatory termination establishes_the_association_health_plan_fund secretary labor payments insurer maintain coverage plan reasonable expectation payments claims satisfied reason termination coverage requires secretary establish solvency standards working_group allows state impose contribution tax association health plan commenced operations state enactment act preempts state law preclude health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage connection certified ahp offering health insurance coverage policy type employers operating state eligible coverage ahps employers participating employers plan subjects criminal penalties person willfully makes false representations respect ahp


Summary: Improving Diagnostic Innovations Act of 2012 - Sets forth additional factors for the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consider in determining the payment amount for new clinical diagnostic laboratory tests under gap filling procedures which are used when no comparable existing test is available. Directs the Secretary to convene an independent advisory panel to inform and make recommendations to the Secretary regarding any new test. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a process for application for the assignment of a temporary national HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) code to uniquely identify a diagnostic test until a permanent national HCPCS code is available for assignment to that test, (2) analyze the process used for the gapfilling procedures used in determining payment amounts for new clinical diagnostic laboratory tests, and (3) implement improvements in the process after public notice and opportunity for comment.

improving diagnostic innovations act sets forth additional factors secretary health_and_human_services hhs consider determining payment new clinical diagnostic laboratory tests gap filling procedures comparable existing test available directs secretary convene independent advisory_panel inform recommendations secretary new test directs secretary establish process application assignment temporary national hcpcs healthcare common procedure coding system code uniquely identify diagnostic test permanent national hcpcs code available assignment test analyze process procedures determining payment amounts new clinical diagnostic laboratory tests implement improvements process public notice opportunity comment


Summary: Nursing School Clinics Act of 2011 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of nursing school clinic services.

nursing school clinics act amends title xix medicaid social_security_act provide coverage nursing school clinic services


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain support organizations for tax-exempt teaching hospitals to acquire debt secured by income-producing real property used to provide financial support for such hospitals.

amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow certain support organizations tax exempt teaching hospitals acquire debt secured income producing real property provide financial support hospitals


Summary: Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) telehealth clinic in Craig, Colorado, as the "Major William Edward Adams Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic."

designates_the_department_of_veterans_affairs telehealth clinic colorado major william edward adams department_of_veterans_affairs clinic


Summary: Meeting the Inpatient Health Care Needs of Far South Texas Veterans Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) ensure that the South Texas Veterans Affairs Health Care Center in Harlingen, Texas, includes a full-service VA inpatient health care facility; and (2) if needed, modify the existing facility to meet this requirement. Requires the Secretary to report on specific actions to be taken to satisfy such requirement.

meeting inpatient health_care needs far south texas veterans act directs secretary veterans_affairs ensure south texas veterans_affairs health_care center texas includes service inpatient health_care facility needed modify existing facility meet requirement requires secretary report specific actions taken satisfy requirement


Summary: Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to prohibit any federal or state requirement to increase energy efficient lighting in public buildings from requiring a hospital, school, day care center, mental health facility, or nursing home to install or use energy efficient lighting that contains mercury.

amends energy_independence_and_security_act prohibit federal state requirement increase energy efficient lighting public buildings requiring hospital school day care center mental health facility nursing home install use energy efficient lighting contains mercury


Summary: Community Hospital Jobs Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to deem to meet the criteria for a sole community hospital (SCH), with respect to discharges during FY2011-FY2013, any hospital with Medicare provider number 51-0047. (An SCH is one which: (1) is more than 50 miles from any similar hospital, (2) is the exclusive provider of services to at least 75% of its service area populations, or (3) has been designated as an SCH under previous rules. An SCH is allowed special payment options under the Medicare Diagnostic Related Group [DRG] program.)

community hospital jobs_act directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs deem meet criteria sole community hospital respect discharges fy2011 fy2013 hospital medicare provider number miles similar hospital exclusive provider services service area populations designated previous rules allowed special payment options medicare diagnostic related group program


Summary: Clinical Social Work Medicare Equity Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under the Medicare skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (thus permitting direct payment under the Medicare program for clinical social worker services provided to SNF residents).

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


Summary: Fix HIT Act of 2011 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require direct Medicaid electronic health record (EHR) incentive payments to federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics.

fix hit act amends title xix medicaid social_security_act require direct medicaid electronic health record ehr incentive payments federally qualified health centers rural health clinics


Summary: Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Care Improvement Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to report to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of establishing a Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center or Polytrauma Network Site for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the northern Rockies or the Dakotas. Requires the Fort Harrison Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, to be evaluated as a potential location for such a Center or Site.

veterans traumatic brain injury care improvement act directs secretary veterans_affairs report congress feasibility advisability establishing polytrauma rehabilitation center polytrauma network site department_of_veterans_affairs northern rockies requires fort harrison department_of_veterans_affairs hospital lewis clark_county montana evaluated potential location center site


Summary: Puerto Rico Hospital HITECH Amendments of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to apply Medicare HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act ) payments to subsection (d) hospitals in Puerto Rico. (Generally, a subsection [d] hospital is an acute hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system [IPPS] when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.)

puerto_rico hospital amendments amends title xviii medicare social_security_act apply medicare health information technology economic clinical health act payments subsection hospitals puerto_rico generally subsection hospital acute hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system ipps providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries


Summary: Title X Transparency and Verification Act - Requires the  Secretary of Health and Human Services to disclose on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website the results of audits of entities that receive funds for activities under title X (Population Research and Voluntary Family Planning Programs) of the Public Health Service Act.

title transparency verification act_-_requires secretary health_and_human_services disclose department_of_health_and_human_services hhs website results audits entities receive funds activities title population research voluntary family planning programs public_health_service_act


Summary: Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to deem an individual receiving outpatient observation services in a hospital to be an inpatient with respect to satisfying the three-day inpatient hospital requirement in order to entitle the individual to Medicare coverage of any post-hospital extended care services in a skilled nursing facility (SNF).

improving access medicare coverage act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act deem individual receiving outpatient observation services hospital inpatient respect satisfying day inpatient hospital requirement order entitle individual medicare coverage post hospital extended care services skilled nursing facility snf


Summary: Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from using bid savings on a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility project to expand or change the scope of a project unless the Secretary submits to the congressional veterans and appropriations committees a description of such expansion or change, along with notification of: (1) the project that is the source of the bid savings, (2) the project for which the expansion or change is to be used, and (3) the amounts which the Secretary intends to obligate for the expansion or change.

prohibits secretary veterans_affairs bid savings department_of_veterans_affairs major medical facility project expand change scope project secretary submits congressional veterans appropriations committees description expansion change notification project source bid savings project expansion change amounts secretary intends obligate expansion change


Summary: National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require hospitals to implement a staffing plan that includes a minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratio by unit, adjustments above the minimum ratio under appropriate circumstances, and compliance with minimum licensed practical nurse staffing requirements. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop a national acuity tool to establish nurse staffing requirements above minimum ratios. Directs the Secretary 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 a nurse the right to act as the patient's advocate, including by initiating action to improve health care or to change decisions or activities that are against the interests and wishes of the patient and by giving the patient an opportunity to make informed decision about health care before it is provided. Authorizes a nurse to refuse to accept an assignment if it would violate minimum ratios under this Act or if the nurse is not prepared by education, training, or experience to fulfill the assignment without compromising the safety of any patient or jeopardizing the license of the nurse. 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 patient, employee, or any other individual for good faith complaints or grievances relating to the care, services, or conditions of the hospital or of any affiliated or related facilities. Prohibits actions by hospitals to restrain such rights. Includes stipends in 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 staffing plan includes minimum direct care registered nurse patient ratio unit adjustments minimum ratio appropriate circumstances compliance minimum licensed practical nurse staffing requirements requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs develop national acuity tool establish nurse staffing requirements minimum ratios directs secretary adjust medicare payments hospitals cover additional costs incurred providing services medicare beneficiaries attributable compliance ratios gives nurse right act patient advocate including initiating action improve health_care change decisions activities interests wishes patient giving patient opportunity informed decision health_care provided authorizes nurse refuse accept assignment violate minimum ratios act nurse prepared education training experience fulfill assignment compromising safety patient jeopardizing license nurse prohibits hospital taking specified actions nurse based nurse refusal accept assignment reason discriminating patient employee individual good faith complaints grievances relating care services conditions hospital affiliated related facilities prohibits actions hospitals restrain rights includes stipends nurse workforce loan repayment scholarship program expands nurse retention grant program authorize programs implement nurse mentorship projects


Summary: Pharmacy Competition and Consumer Choice Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirements Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code, and part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit a group or individual health plan from entering into a contract with any pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) to manage the prescription drug coverage provided under such plan or to control the costs of such coverage, unless the PBM satisfies the requirements of this Act. Directs a PBM to provide at least annually a report to each plan sponsor that includes information on the number and total costs of prescriptions under the contract, payments to pharmacies, payments from pharmaceutical manufacturers, and generic drugs and brand name drugs dispensed. Sets forth provisions governing the interaction between a PBM and pharmacies that contract with the PBM, including requiring a PBM to: (1) include in contracts drug pricing information and agree to provide timely updates on pricing, (2) agree to pay pharmacies promptly for clean claims, (3) not exclude qualifying pharmacies willing to accept terms and conditions of PBM, and (4) require each pharmacy to sign a contract before assuming responsibility to fill prescriptions for a PBM. Prohibits a PBM from mandating or providing incentives to beneficiaries for use of a pharmacy in which the PBM has an ownership interest. Sets forth limits on audits of pharmacy providers by PBM, including with respect to record keeping, appeals, and recoupment. Establishes limits and notice requirements related to PBM's selling claims or utilization data.

pharmacy competition consumer choice act amends public_health_service_act employee income security act erisa internal_revenue_code voluntary prescription drug benefit program title xviii medicare social_security_act prohibit group individual health plan entering contract pharmacy benefits manager pbm manage prescription drug coverage provided plan control costs coverage pbm satisfies requirements act directs pbm provide annually report plan sponsor includes information number total costs prescriptions contract payments pharmacies payments pharmaceutical manufacturers generic drugs brand drugs dispensed sets forth provisions governing interaction pbm pharmacies contract pbm including requiring pbm include contracts drug pricing information agree provide timely updates pricing agree pay pharmacies promptly clean claims exclude qualifying pharmacies willing accept terms conditions pbm require pharmacy sign contract assuming responsibility fill prescriptions pbm prohibits pbm mandating providing incentives beneficiaries use pharmacy pbm ownership interest sets forth limits audits pharmacy providers pbm including respect record keeping appeals recoupment establishes limits notice requirements related pbm selling claims utilization data


Summary: Alaska Hero's Card Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a two-year pilot program assessing the feasibility and advisability of carrying out a program by which certain veterans entitled to VA services residing in communities in the state of Alaska that are inaccessible by motor vehicle can, subject to exceptions, receive necessary hospital care or medical services at any hospital or medical facility or from any medical provider eligible to receive payments under: (1) titles XVIII (Medicare) or XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, (2) the TRICARE program (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care program), or (3) the Indian health program. Requires the cost of any hospital care or medical service provided under the pilot program to be borne by the United States from amounts other than amounts appropriated or otherwise made available for an Indian health program. Directs the Secretary to take measures ensuring that covered veterans are not billed for hospital care and medical services received under the pilot program. Requires the Secretary, in carrying out the pilot program, to issue to each covered veteran a card to be known as an "Alaska Hero Card" that such veteran may present to an authorized provider to establish the covered veteran's eligibility for hospital care and medical services under the pilot program. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a list of authorized providers from whom a covered veteran may receive hospital care and medical services under the pilot program.

alaska hero card act directs secretary veterans_affairs establish year pilot program assessing feasibility advisability carrying program certain veterans entitled services residing communities state alaska inaccessible motor vehicle subject exceptions receive necessary hospital care medical services hospital medical facility medical provider eligible receive payments titles xviii medicare xix medicaid social_security_act tricare program department_of_defense dod managed health_care program indian health program requires cost hospital care medical service provided pilot program borne united_states amounts amounts appropriated available indian health program directs secretary measures ensuring covered veterans billed hospital care medical services received pilot program requires secretary carrying pilot program issue covered veteran card known alaska hero card veteran present authorized provider establish covered veteran eligibility hospital care medical services pilot program authorizes secretary establish list authorized providers covered veteran receive hospital care medical services pilot program


Summary: Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality and Access Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require alignment of updates for ambulatory surgical center (ASC) services under a revised prospective payment system (PPS) with updates for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services. Revises requirements for the reporting of quality measure data by ASCs and hospital OPDs. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish an ASC value-based purchasing program under which each ASC that the Secretary determines meets (or exceeds) performance standards established, with respect to selected quality measures, for the performance period for a calendar year is eligible for shared savings in the form of a payment increase determined according to a specified formula. Revises requirements for the composition of the expert outside advisory panel the Secretary of HHS is required to consult during the annual review of the clinical integrity of the groups and payment weights in the PPS for hospital OPD services. Requires the panel to include suppliers subject to the PPS as well as at least one ASC representative. States that the conditions for coverage of ASC services specified by the Secretary shall not prohibit ASCs from providing individuals with any notice of rights or other required notice on the date of a procedure if more advanced notice is not feasible under the circumstances, including when a procedure is scheduled and performed on the same day.

ambulatory surgical center quality access act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act require alignment updates ambulatory surgical center services revised prospective payment system pps updates hospital outpatient department opd services revises requirements reporting quality measure data hospital directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish value based purchasing program secretary determines meets exceeds performance standards established respect selected quality measures performance period calendar year eligible shared savings form payment increase determined according specified formula revises requirements composition expert outside advisory_panel secretary hhs required consult annual review clinical integrity groups payment weights pps hospital opd services requires panel include suppliers subject pps representative states conditions coverage services specified secretary shall prohibit providing individuals notice rights required notice date procedure advanced notice feasible circumstances including procedure scheduled performed day


Summary: Fair Competition for Hospitals Act of 2011 - Requires the wage index applying to a certain kind of subsection (d) hospital under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to be the highest wage index assigned to hospitals in the core-based statistical area in which the hospital is located (regardless of which state the hospital is located in) as a result of the requirement of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 that the area wage index applicable to any hospital which is not located in a rural area be not less than the area wage index applicable to hospitals located in rural areas in the state in which the hospital is located. (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.) Limits the application of this Act to a subsection (d) hospital: (1) located in a core-based statistical area comprising counties from more than one state, but (2) not located in a core-based statistical area in which one or more hospitals are subject to a specified minimum wage index, and (3) not located in a core-based statistical area in which the highest wage index applies to hospitals covered by this Act under a state Medicare reimbursement system.

fair competition hospitals act requires wage index applying certain kind subsection hospital title xviii medicare social_security_act highest wage index assigned hospitals core based statistical area hospital located regardless state hospital located result requirement balanced_budget act area wage index applicable hospital located rural area area wage index applicable hospitals located rural areas state hospital located generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system ipps providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries limits application act subsection hospital located core based statistical area comprising counties state located core based statistical area hospitals subject specified minimum wage index located core based statistical area highest wage index applies hospitals covered act state medicare reimbursement system


Summary: Southern New Mexico and El Paso, Texas, Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Care Improvement Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to report to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of establishing a Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center or Polytrauma Network Site of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the southern New Mexico and El Paso, Texas, region that is within a reasonable driving distance of Fort Bliss, White Sands Missile Range, and Holloman Air Force Base. Requires the Fort Bayard Medical Center in Grant County, New Mexico, to be evaluated as a potential location for such a Center or Site.

southern new_mexico el_paso texas veterans traumatic brain injury care improvement act directs secretary veterans_affairs report congress feasibility advisability establishing polytrauma rehabilitation center polytrauma network site department_of_veterans_affairs southern new_mexico el_paso texas region reasonable driving distance fort white sands missile range air_force base requires fort medical center grant county new_mexico evaluated potential location center site


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) a center for technical assistance to assist non-VA health providers who furnish care to veterans in rural areas. Makes the head of such center the Director of the Rural Veterans Health Care Technical Assistance Center. Requires the Secretary, in selecting the center's location, to give preference to a location that, among other things: (1) has a high number of veterans in rural and highly rural areas, and (2) is near one or more entities carrying out programs and activities relating to health care for rural populations.

authorizes secretary veterans_affairs establish department_of_veterans_affairs center technical assistance assist non-va health providers furnish care veterans rural areas makes head center director rural veterans health_care technical assistance center requires secretary selecting center location preference location things high number veterans rural highly rural areas near entities carrying programs activities relating health_care rural populations


Summary: National Disaster Medical System Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) authorize appropriations for providing for the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and the operations of the National Disaster Medical System for FY2012-FY2016, and (2) authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to determine and pay claims for reimbursement for health-related social services, other human services, and auxiliary services to respond to the needs of victims of a a public health emergency directly or by contract providing for payment in advance or by way of reimbursement.

national disaster medical system act_-_amends public_health_service_act authorize appropriations providing assistant secretary preparedness response operations national disaster medical system fy2012-fy2016 authorize secretary health_and_human_services hhs determine pay claims reimbursement health related social_services human services auxiliary services respond needs victims public health emergency directly contract providing payment advance way reimbursement


Summary: Medical Surge Capacity Act - Amends title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to waive or modify certain requirements with respect to health care items and services furnished by a health care provider in a geographical area in which, and in a period during which, one (current law requires both) of the following exists: (1) an emergency or disaster declared by the President pursuant to the National Emergencies Act or the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, or (2) a public health emergency declared by the Secretary. Allows the Secretary to deem an emergency area to include a geographical area into which individuals from the emergency area are evacuated and receiving care. Extends the limitation on the duration of waivers of certain actions under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act and certain sanctions and penalties under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) from 72 to 96 hours beginning upon implementation of a hospital disaster protocol.

medical surge capacity act_-_amends title general_provisions social_security_act authorize secretary health_and_human_services hhs waive modify certain requirements respect health_care items services furnished health_care provider geographical area period current law requires following exists emergency disaster declared president pursuant national emergencies act robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act public health emergency declared secretary allows secretary deem emergency area include geographical area individuals emergency area evacuated receiving care extends limitation duration waivers certain actions emergency medical treatment active labor act certain sanctions penalties health_insurance_portability_and_accountability_act hipaa hours beginning implementation hospital disaster protocol


Summary: Urban Medicare-Dependent Hospitals Preservation Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2011, and before October 1, 2014, to revise the criteria and payment formula for "subsection (d) hospitals" which are urban Medicare-dependent hospitals. (Generally a subsection (d) hospital is an acute care hospital particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.)

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


Summary: Conrad State 30 Improvement Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to make the J-1 visa waiver (Conrad state 30/medical services in underserved areas) program permanent. Includes in the priority worker preference allocation for employment-based immigrants alien physicians who have completed service requirements of a state waiver or exemption, plus an additional two years at the waiver-identified location or in a health care shortage area (including alien physicians who completed such service prior to enactment of this Act). Exempts H-1B nonimmigrant aliens seeking to enter the United States to pursue graduate medical education or training from specified entry limitations (including permitting extension of the six-year authorized period of admission under specified circumstances). Increases the number of alien physicians that a state may be allocated from 30 to 35 per fiscal year under specified circumstances. Permits an alien physician, after fulfilling a three-year service period with a health care employer, to apply for employment with a new health care employer in a health care shortage area.

conrad state improvement act_-_amends immigration nationality technical corrections act j-1 visa waiver conrad state medical services underserved areas program permanent includes priority worker preference allocation employment based immigrants alien physicians completed service requirements state waiver exemption plus additional years waiver identified location health_care shortage area including alien physicians completed service prior enactment act exempts h-1b nonimmigrant aliens seeking enter united_states pursue graduate medical education training specified entry limitations including permitting extension year authorized period admission specified circumstances increases number alien physicians state allocated fiscal year specified circumstances permits alien physician fulfilling year service period health_care employer apply employment new health_care employer health_care shortage area


Summary: Community Integrated Nursing Care Homes Demonstration Program Act or the CINCH Demonstration Program Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the CINCH demonstration program to test the viability of multiple small-house nursing care homes that are embedded within residential neighborhoods and collectively certified to provide services through a single eligible operating entity in order to reduce administrative costs and provide cost savings to Medicare and Medicaid programs. Sets forth requirements a small-house nursing care home must meet to be eligible to participate, including requirements to: (1) be certified by a government entity to operate a nursing home; (2) operate in compliance with any direct care and certified nurse assistant staffing requirements under federal, state, and local law; (3) provide nursing home services that shall not be less comprehensive or high-acuity than services provided by the eligible operating entity within the immediate surrounding community; (4) provide for meals cooked in the nursing home; (5) meet specified staffing, care, service, and training levels; and (6) consist of a specified physical environment that is designed to look and feel like a home, rather than an institution. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct the program for a five-year period; (2) select up to six sites to participate, each to be operated by a different entity, with not less than two sites located in rural areas; (3) develop a process to allow a site, after the demonstration program, to continue operation through a single entity and to receive certification as a single provider for purposes of Medicare and Medicaid; and (4) select a technical assistance provider responsible for selecting, assisting, and evaluating the performance of eligible operating entities and ensuring that small-house nursing care homes satisfy this Act's requirements.

community integrated nursing care homes demonstration program act demonstration program act_-_directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish demonstration program test viability multiple small house nursing care homes embedded residential neighborhoods collectively certified provide services single eligible operating entity order reduce administrative costs provide cost savings medicare medicaid programs sets forth requirements small house nursing care home meet eligible participate including requirements certified government entity operate nursing home operate compliance direct care certified nurse assistant staffing requirements federal state local law provide nursing home services shall comprehensive high acuity services provided eligible operating entity immediate surrounding community provide meals nursing home meet specified staffing care service training levels consist specified physical environment designed look like home institution directs secretary conduct program year period select sites participate operated different entity sites located rural areas develop process allow site demonstration program continue operation single entity receive certification single provider purposes medicare medicaid select technical assistance provider responsible selecting assisting evaluating performance eligible operating entities ensuring small house nursing care homes satisfy act requirements


Summary: Rural Hospital Access Act of 2012 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend through FY2013: (1) the Medicare-dependent hospital (MDH) program; and (2) increased payments under the Medicare low-volume hospital program.

rural hospital access act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act extend fy2013 medicare dependent hospital program increased payments medicare low volume hospital program


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a major medical facility lease for a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinic at Ewa Plain, Oahu, Hawaii. Designates such clinic as the "Daniel Kahikina Akaka Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic."

authorizes secretary veterans_affairs carry major medical facility lease department_of_veterans_affairs outpatient clinic plain oahu hawaii designates clinic department_of_veterans_affairs clinic


Summary: Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility, and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act of 2012 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require personnel who perform or plan the technical component of either medical imaging examinations or radiation therapy procedures for medical purposes to possess, effective 42 months after enactment of this Act: (1) certification in each medical imaging or radiation therapy modality and service they plan or perform from a certification organization designated under this Act; and (2) state licensure or certification where such services and modalities are within the scope of practice as defined by the state for such profession, if the state requires licensure, certification, or registration. Exempts physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants from the requirements of this Act. Gives individuals who are enrolled in specified training or certification programs when the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) publishes the list of approved certification organizations an additional six months from the date of completion of the training program to become fully qualified under this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program for designating certification organizations after consideration of specified criteria; (2) provide a process for individuals whose training or experience is determined to be equal to, or in excess of, that of a graduate of an accredited educational program in that specialty to demonstrate that their experience meets the educational standards for qualified personnel in their imaging modality or radiation therapy procedures; and (3) publish a list of designated certification organizations. Authorizes the Secretary to waive standards under this Act or to develop alternative standards for rural or health professional shortage areas as appropriate. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow Medicare payment for medical imaging and radiation therapy services furnished on or after 42 months after enactment of this Act, only if the examination or procedure is planned or performed by an individual who meets this Act's requirements.

consistency accuracy responsibility excellence medical imaging radiation therapy act amends public_health_service_act require personnel perform plan technical component medical imaging examinations radiation therapy procedures medical purposes possess effective months enactment act certification medical imaging radiation therapy modality service plan perform certification organization designated act state licensure certification services modalities scope practice defined state profession state requires licensure certification registration exempts physicians nurse practitioners physician assistants requirements act gives individuals enrolled specified training certification programs secretary health_and_human_services hhs publishes list approved certification organizations additional months date completion training program fully qualified act directs secretary establish program designating certification organizations consideration specified criteria provide process individuals training experience determined equal excess graduate accredited educational program specialty demonstrate experience meets educational standards qualified personnel imaging modality radiation therapy procedures publish list designated certification organizations authorizes secretary waive standards act develop alternative standards rural health professional shortage areas appropriate amends title xviii medicare social_security_act allow medicare payment medical imaging radiation therapy services furnished months enactment act examination procedure planned performed individual meets act requirements


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transport individuals to and from facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in connection with vocational rehabilitation, counseling, examination, treatment, or care.

authorizes secretary veterans_affairs transport individuals facilities department_of_veterans_affairs connection vocational rehabilitation counseling examination treatment care


Summary: Improving Dementia Care Treatment for Older Adults Act of 2012 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to establish and implement prescriber education programs to promote high quality evidence-based treatment through the development and dissemination of objective, educational, and informational materials to physicians and other prescribing practitioners, including such a program developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Amends SSA titles XVIII and XIX (Medicaid) with respect to the review and reporting of antipsychotics prescribed to skilled nursing facility (SNF) and nursing facility residents with dementia. Directs the Secretary to develop a standardized protocol for such facilities to obtain informed consent from an older adult with dementia before prescribing an antipsychotic to him or her for a use not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Directs the Comptroller General to study state laws and regulations concerning informed consent with respect to the administration of a psychoactive medication with regard to the effectiveness of such laws and practices in changing the frequency of prescribing of such medications to older adults with dementia. Directs the Secretary to include a measure of the utilization of antipsychotics for each such facility for inclusion on the Nursing Home Compare Website as part of the quality measures or health inspection measures, or both such measures, under the Five-Star Quality Rating System. Directs the Comptroller General to study the impact of the standardized protocol for obtaining informed consent under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies to study appropriate prescribing of antipsychotics for hospital inpatients and whether documentation of antipsychotic use in patients with dementia is provided during transitions of care from hospitals to other care settings.

improving dementia care treatment older adults act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act ssa direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs acting centers medicare medicaid_services establish implement prescriber education programs promote high quality evidence based treatment development dissemination objective educational informational materials physicians prescribing practitioners including program developed agency healthcare_research_and_quality amends ssa titles xviii xix medicaid respect review reporting prescribed skilled nursing facility snf nursing facility residents dementia directs secretary develop standardized protocol facilities obtain informed consent older adult dementia prescribing use approved food_and_drug_administration fda directs comptroller_general study state laws regulations concerning informed consent respect administration medication regard effectiveness laws practices changing frequency prescribing medications older adults dementia directs secretary include measure utilization facility inclusion nursing home compare website quality measures health inspection measures measures star quality rating system directs comptroller_general study impact standardized protocol obtaining informed consent medicare medicaid programs directs secretary enter agreement institute_of_medicine_of_the_national_academies study appropriate prescribing hospital documentation use patients dementia provided transitions care hospitals care settings


Summary:
Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that the standard for access to care for a veteran seeking hospital care and medical services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is 30 days from the date the veteran contacts the VA.

Directs the Secretary to periodically review the performance of VA medical facilities in meeting such standard.

Requires quarterly reports from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees on the VA's experience with respect to appointment waiting times.

veterans timely access health_care act_-_directs secretary veterans_affairs ensure standard access care veteran seeking hospital care medical services department_of_veterans_affairs days date veteran contacts directs secretary periodically review performance medical facilities meeting standard requires quarterly reports secretary congressional veterans committees experience respect appointment waiting times


Summary:
Physician Availability Act of 2013 - Requires each covered hospital to have a qualified physician available in the hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to attend to the needs of the hospital's inpatients. Defines a "covered hospital" to: (1) include hospitals participating in Medicare or Medicaid or receiving federal funds, and (2) exclude hospitals in a federal facility or hospitals that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) determines have fewer than 100 licensed beds.

 Considers a physician to be available if: (1) the physician is physically present in the hospital; (2) the physician's primary responsibility is to be in attendance to serve the needs of the hospital's inpatients without delay; and (3) the physician is not physically present in, assigned to, serving in, or expected to cover the hospital's emergency room or emergency department.

Sets forth penalties for violations.

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


Summary: Safe Food for Seniors Act of 2013 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require the full-time director of food services at a Medicare skilled nursing facility or a Medicaid nursing facility, if not a qualified dietitian, to be a Certified Dietary Manager meeting the requirements of the Certifying Board for Dietary Managers or have equivalent military or academic qualifications.

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


Summary:
Meeting the Inpatient Health Care Needs of Far South Texas Veterans Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) ensure that the South Texas Veterans Affairs Health Care Center in Harlingen, Texas, includes a full-service VA inpatient health care facility; and (2) if needed, modify the existing facility to meet this requirement.

Requires the Secretary to report on specific actions to be taken to satisfy such requirement.

meeting inpatient health_care needs far south texas veterans act directs secretary veterans_affairs ensure south texas veterans_affairs health_care center texas includes service inpatient health_care facility needed modify existing facility meet requirement requires secretary report specific actions taken satisfy requirement


Summary: Veterans' Efficiencies Through Savings Act of 2013 or VETS Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the provision of medical care by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for: (1) any 75 square mile area where three or more VA outpatient clinics are located, and (2) any 100 square mile area where two or more VA hospitals are located.

veterans efficiencies savings act vets act directs secretary veterans_affairs conduct cost benefit analysis provision medical care department_of_veterans_affairs square mile area outpatient clinics located square mile area hospitals located


Summary:
Rural Health Clinic Fairness Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend Medicare: (1) electronic health record (EHR) incentives to eligible professionals practicing in rural health clinics, and (2) electronic prescribing (eRx) and quality reporting incentives to such clinics.

Revises requirements for incentive payments to such professionals who are meaningful EHR users or who submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) satisfactory quality data reports. Directs the Secretary to reduce the applicable incentive payments that would otherwise be determined by a budget-neutral amount calculated according to a specified formula to ensure that estimated aggregate payments are not increased as a result of this Act.

rural health clinic fairness act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act extend medicare electronic health record ehr incentives eligible professionals practicing rural health clinics electronic prescribing quality reporting incentives clinics revises requirements incentive payments professionals meaningful ehr users submit secretary health_and_human_services hhs satisfactory quality data reports directs secretary reduce applicable incentive payments determined budget neutral calculated according specified formula ensure estimated aggregate payments increased result act


Summary: Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to deem an individual receiving outpatient observation services in a hospital to be an inpatient with respect to satisfying the three-day inpatient hospital requirement in order to entitle the individual to Medicare coverage of any post-hospital extended care services in a skilled nursing facility (SNF).

improving access medicare coverage act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act deem individual receiving outpatient observation services hospital inpatient respect satisfying day inpatient hospital requirement order entitle individual medicare coverage post hospital extended care services skilled nursing facility snf


Summary:
Health Care Price Transparency Promotion Act of 2013 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require state Medicaid plans to provide that the state will establish and maintain laws to require disclosure of information on hospital charges, to make such information available to the public, and to provide individuals with information about estimated out-of-pocket costs for health care services.

Directs the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to research and report to Congress on: (1) the types of information on the charges and out-of-pocket costs for health care services that individuals find useful in making decisions about where, when, and from whom to receive care; (2) how such types of information vary by whether they have health benefits coverage, and what kinds; and (3) ways in which such information may be available on a timely basis and in easy-to-understand form to individuals facing such decisions.

health_care price transparency promotion act amends title xix medicaid social_security_act require state medicaid plans provide state establish maintain laws require disclosure information hospital charges information available public provide individuals information estimated pocket costs health_care services directs director agency healthcare_research_and_quality research report congress types information charges pocket costs health_care services individuals find useful making decisions receive care types information vary health benefits coverage kinds ways information available timely basis easy understand form individuals facing decisions


Summary:
Electronic Health Records Improvement Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exempt certain eligible physicians in solo practice and physicians near early retirement age from the application of the Medicare payment adjustment for not demonstrating electronic health record (EHR) meaningful use for certain payment years.

Establishes a special rebate for eligible professionals who receive a negative adjustment to their payments for failure to establish an EHR process but subsequently do establish a process meeting the criteria for establishing meaningful use of certified EHR technology.

Creates specified additional exceptions to the application of the Medicare negative payment adjustment for certain Medicaid providers participating in the Medicaid EHR incentive program and hospital-based eligible professionals not demonstrating EHR meaningful use.

Adds as a criterion for meaningful EHR user that an eligible professional satisfactorily uses a qualified national specialty registry system that measures quality improvement or improves patient safety.

Directs the Secretary to specify criteria for determining: (1) if a national specialty registry system is qualified under this Act, and (2) if an eligible professional has demonstrated satisfactory use of such a system for a period.

Extends: (1) Medicare EHR incentives (increased payments and adjustments) to eligible professionals practicing in rural health clinics, and (2) Medicare Electronic Prescribing (ERx) and quality reporting incentives to rural health clinics.

Disqualifies claims for items or services furnished by an eligible professional at an ambulatory surgical center during performance years for the 2015, 2016, or 2017 payment determinations from inclusion in data used to determine if the eligible professional is a meaningful EHR user.

Exempts certain eligible professionals from certain EHR meaningful use requirements for purposes of the Medicare payment adjustment.

Creates a process for eligible professionals to appeal a determination that they did not qualify as a meaningful EHR user.

Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to make certain requirements of this Act inapplicable to eligible professional Medicaid provider incentives to encourage the adoption and use of certified EHR technology.

electronic health records improvement act_-_amends title xviii medicare social_security_act exempt certain eligible physicians practice physicians near early retirement age application medicare payment adjustment demonstrating electronic health record ehr meaningful use certain payment years establishes special rebate eligible professionals receive negative adjustment payments failure establish ehr process subsequently establish process meeting criteria establishing meaningful use certified ehr technology creates specified additional exceptions application medicare negative payment adjustment certain medicaid providers participating medicaid ehr incentive program hospital based eligible professionals demonstrating ehr meaningful use adds criterion meaningful ehr user eligible professional satisfactorily uses qualified national specialty registry system measures quality improvement improves patient safety directs secretary specify criteria determining national specialty registry system qualified act eligible professional demonstrated satisfactory use system period extends medicare ehr incentives increased payments adjustments eligible professionals practicing rural health clinics medicare electronic prescribing quality reporting incentives rural health clinics disqualifies claims items services furnished eligible professional ambulatory surgical center performance years payment determinations inclusion data determine eligible professional meaningful ehr user exempts certain eligible professionals certain ehr meaningful use requirements purposes medicare payment adjustment creates process eligible professionals appeal determination qualify meaningful ehr user amends ssa title xix medicaid certain requirements act inapplicable eligible professional medicaid provider incentives encourage adoption use certified ehr technology


Summary:
Puerto Rico Hospital HITECH Amendments Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to apply Medicare HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act) payments to subsection (d) hospitals in Puerto Rico to allow them to qualify for incentives for adoption and meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) Technology.

(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.)

puerto_rico hospital amendments act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act apply medicare health information technology economic clinical health act payments subsection hospitals puerto_rico allow qualify incentives adoption meaningful use certified electronic health record ehr technology generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system ipps providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries


Summary:
Urban Medicare-Dependent Hospitals Preservation Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2013, and before October 1, 2016, to revise the criteria and payment formula for "subsection (d) hospitals" which are urban Medicare-dependent hospitals.

(Generally a subsection (d) hospital is an acute care hospital particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.)

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


Summary:
Medicare Payment Rate Disclosure Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make publicly available on the official Medicare Internet site during a specified initial period: (1) Medicare payment rates for frequently reimbursed hospital inpatient and outpatient procedures and services, as well as for physicians' services; and (2) the period for which payment rates are applicable. Requires posting also after the initial period of an expanded selection of such items.

Directs the Secretary to select at least 30 procedures and services for the basic posting and at least 100 procedures and services for the expanded posting.

medicare payment rate disclosure act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs publicly available official medicare internet site specified initial period medicare payment rates frequently reimbursed hospital inpatient outpatient procedures services physicians services period payment rates applicable requires posting initial period expanded selection items directs secretary select procedures services basic posting procedures services expanded posting


Summary:
Veterans' Privacy Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prescribe regulations to ensure that any visual recording made of a patient during the course of furnishing care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is carried out only with the full and informed consent of that patient or, in appropriate cases, a representative thereof.

Allows the Secretary to waive such requirement if the recording is made: (1) upon a determination by a physician or psychologist that the recording is medically necessary, (2) pursuant to a warrant or order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or (3) in a public setting where a person would not have a reasonable expectation to privacy (such as a waiting room or hallway) and the recording is for general security purposes not particularized to the patient.

veterans privacy act_-_directs secretary veterans_affairs prescribe regulations ensure visual recording patient course furnishing care department_of_veterans_affairs carried informed consent patient appropriate cases representative thereof allows secretary waive requirement recording determination physician psychologist recording medically necessary pursuant warrant order court competent jurisdiction public setting person reasonable expectation privacy waiting room recording general security purposes patient


Summary: Rural Hospital Access Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend through FY2014: (1) the Medicare-dependent hospital program, and (2) increased payments under the Medicare low-volume hospital program.

rural hospital access act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act extend fy2014 medicare dependent hospital program increased payments medicare low volume hospital program


Summary:
Infectious Disease Reporting Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to report each case of reportable infectious disease (a disease that a state requires to be reported) that occurs at a medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to the appropriate state entity, as well as to the accrediting organization of such facility.

Requires the Secretary, upon a failure to report, to pay to a state the same penalty that a non-federal facility of such state would pay for a failure to report. Allows a state to file a civil action against the VA for the recovery of such amount.

infectious disease reporting act_-_directs secretary veterans_affairs report case reportable infectious disease disease state requires reported occurs medical facility department_of_veterans_affairs appropriate state entity accrediting organization facility requires secretary failure report pay state penalty non federal facility state pay failure report allows state file civil action recovery


Summary:
Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2013 - 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:
Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require hospitals to implement a staffing plan that includes a minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratio by unit, adjustments above the minimum ratio under appropriate circumstances, and compliance with minimum licensed practical nurse staffing requirements. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop a national acuity tool to establish nurse staffing requirements above minimum ratios.

Directs the Secretary 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.

Authorizes a nurse to object to, or refuse to participate in, any activity, policy, practice, assignment or task if in good faith it would violate minimum ratios under this Act or if the nurse is not prepared by education, training, or experience to fulfill the assignment without compromising the safety of any patient or jeopardizing the license of the nurse. 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 patient, employee, or any other individual for good faith complaints or grievances relating to the care, services, or conditions of the hospital or of any affiliated or related facilities. Prohibits actions by hospitals to restrain such rights. Sets forth enforcement provisions.

Applies provisions of this Act through federal health programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits programs.

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

nurse staffing standards patient safety quality care act amends public_health_service_act require hospitals implement staffing plan includes minimum direct care registered nurse patient ratio unit adjustments minimum ratio appropriate circumstances compliance minimum licensed practical nurse staffing requirements requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs develop national acuity tool establish nurse staffing requirements minimum ratios directs secretary adjust medicare payments hospitals cover additional costs incurred providing services medicare beneficiaries attributable compliance ratios authorizes nurse object refuse participate activity policy practice assignment task good faith violate minimum ratios act nurse prepared education training experience fulfill assignment compromising safety patient jeopardizing license nurse prohibits hospital taking specified actions nurse based nurse refusal accept assignment reason discriminating patient employee individual good faith complaints grievances relating care services conditions hospital affiliated related facilities prohibits actions hospitals restrain rights sets forth enforcement provisions applies provisions act federal health programs including medicare medicaid department_of_veterans_affairs health benefits programs includes stipends nurse workforce loan repayment scholarship program expands nurse retention grant program authorize programs implement nurse mentorship projects


Summary:
DSH Reduction Relief Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to delay from FY2014 to FY2016 commencement of the period during which the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is required to pay to any "subsection (d) hospital": (1) 25% of the amount of the disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment that would otherwise be made to it for the fiscal year, plus (2) an additional payment amount according to a specified formula.

(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.)

Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to delay from the beginning of FY2014 until the beginning of FY2016 (and so eliminate for FY2014 and FY2015) aggregate reductions in DSH allotments for all states.

dsh reduction relief_act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act ssa delay fy2014 fy2016 commencement period secretary health_and_human_services hhs required pay subsection hospital disproportionate share hospital dsh payment fiscal year plus additional payment according specified formula generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system ipps providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries amends ssa title xix medicaid delay beginning fy2014 beginning fy2016 eliminate fy2014 fy2015 aggregate reductions dsh allotments states


Summary:
Expanding Patients' Access to Quality Care Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to: (1) the limitation on certain physician referrals to hospitals in which the physician or an immediate family member has an ownership or investment interest exceeding a specified amount; and (2) the rural provider and hospital exception to the physician ownership or investment prohibition.

Extends the rural provider and hospital exception to hospitals that were under construction or development as of December 30, 2010, and hospitals in financial distress.

Defines "financial distress" for a cost reporting period as one in which a hospital has had an overall negative combined Medicare inpatient prospective payment system and outpatient prospective payment system operating margin for the most recent three consecutive cost reporting periods for which data are available.

Eliminates the process for applying for such an exception for expansions of hospital facility capacity. Limits increases in facility capacity to those hospitals that have had a previous increase.

expanding patients access quality care act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act respect limitation certain physician referrals hospitals physician immediate family member ownership investment interest exceeding specified rural provider hospital exception physician ownership investment prohibition extends rural provider hospital exception hospitals construction development december hospitals financial distress defines financial distress cost reporting period hospital overall negative combined medicare inpatient prospective payment system outpatient prospective payment system operating margin recent consecutive cost reporting periods data available eliminates process applying exception expansions hospital facility capacity limits increases facility capacity hospitals previous increase


Summary:
Revises requirements for the non-rural area wage index floor in the formula for the national adjusted diagnosis-related group (DRG) prospective payment rate used in calculating payments under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for each inpatient hospital discharge in a fiscal year involving inpatient hospital services of a subsection (d) hospital.

(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.)

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in the case of discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2013, to apply budget neutrality, under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and related regulations, on a state-specific rather than national basis in the calculation of the Medicare hospital wage index floor, including a minimum wage index, for each non-rural area, using a specified methodology as if it had been fully implemented for FY2011 using a 100% state-specific adjustment to the area wage index.

Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed as preventing the Secretary, for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2014, from modifying related regulations in carrying out budget neutrality requirements.

Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to end the application of budget neutrality on a national basis in the calculation of the Medicare hospital wage index floor as of October 1, 2013.

revises requirements non rural area wage index floor formula national adjusted diagnosis related group prospective payment rate calculating payments title xviii medicare social_security_act inpatient hospital discharge fiscal year involving inpatient hospital services subsection hospital generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system ipps providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs case discharges occurring october apply budget neutrality balanced_budget act related regulations state specific national basis calculation medicare hospital wage index floor including minimum wage index non rural area specified methodology fully implemented fy2011 state specific adjustment area wage index declares act shall construed preventing secretary discharges occurring october modifying related regulations carrying budget neutrality requirements amends patient_protection affordable care act end application budget neutrality national basis calculation medicare hospital wage index floor october


Summary:
Department of Veterans Affairs Disease Reporting and Oversight Act of 2013 - Requires the director of a Veterans Integrated Service Network, within 24 hours after confirming the presence of a notifiable infectious disease (any infectious disease that is either on a specified published list of nationally notifiable diseases or that is covered by a provision of law of a state that requires the reporting of infectious diseases) at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility under that director's jurisdiction, to notify: (1) the Central Office of the VA; (2) the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (3) the state and county in which the facility is located; (4) each individual at the facility who has contracted the disease or is at risk of doing so, as well as the individual's next of kin, the individual's primary health care provider, and the county in which the individual resides; and (5) each VA employee of such facility. Requires such director to comply with any earlier notification required by the state concerned.

Requires such director to: (1) confirm receipt of such notification, (2) develop and implement an action plan to manage and control the potential spread of the disease, and (3) keep records of any such notifications for at least 10 years. Requires an annual report from the VA Inspector General to Congress on directors' compliance with the requirements of this Act. Provides for Inspector General enforcement and appropriate director disciplinary action with respect to such requirements.

Directs the Under Secretary for Health of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to issue a directive to the VHA's pathology team, infection prevention team, facilities management team, and other appropriate VHA groups on the actions to be taken when a notifiable infectious disease is discovered in a VHA facility.

department_of_veterans_affairs disease reporting oversight act requires director veterans_integrated_service_network hours confirming presence infectious disease infectious disease specified published list nationally diseases covered provision law state requires reporting infectious diseases department_of_veterans_affairs facility director jurisdiction notify central office director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention state county facility located individual facility contracted disease risk individual kin individual primary health_care provider county individual resides employee facility requires director comply earlier notification required state concerned requires director confirm receipt notification develop implement action plan manage control potential spread disease records notifications years requires annual report inspector_general congress directors compliance requirements act provides inspector_general enforcement appropriate director disciplinary action respect requirements directs secretary health veterans_health_administration vha issue directive vha pathology team infection prevention team facilities management team appropriate vha groups actions taken infectious disease discovered vha facility


Summary: Safe Food for Seniors Act of 2013 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, for a Medicare skilled nursing facility or a Medicaid nursing facility without a full-time qualified dietitian, to require its director of food services to be: (1) a Certified Dietary Manager meeting the requirements of the Certifying Board for Dietary Managers; (2) a Dietetic Technician, Registered meeting with the requirements published by the Commission on Dietetic Registration; or (3) an individual with equivalent military or academic qualifications.

safe food seniors act amends titles xviii medicare xix medicaid social_security_act medicare skilled nursing facility medicaid nursing facility time qualified require director food services certified dietary manager meeting requirements certifying board dietary managers technician registered meeting requirements published commission registration individual equivalent military academic qualifications


Summary:
Administrative Relief and Accurate Medicare Payments Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish a maximum period of: (1) 2 years for submission of Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) claims originally submitted by hospitals as Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) claims, and (2) 60 days for certain such submissions for one-day stays.

Reduces from 4 to 3 fiscal years the maximum look-back period under the Medicare Integrity Program for the audit and recovery activities of recovery audit contractors.

administrative relief accurate medicare payments act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act establish maximum period years submission medicare supplementary_medical_insurance claims originally submitted hospitals medicare hospital insurance claims days certain submissions day stays reduces fiscal years maximum look period medicare_integrity_program audit recovery activities recovery audit contractors


Summary:
Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality and Access Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require alignment of updates for ambulatory surgical center (ASC) services under a revised prospective payment system (PPS) with updates for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services.

Revises requirements for the reporting and applying of quality measure data by ASCs and hospital OPDs.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish an ASC value-based purchasing program under which each ASC that the Secretary determines meets (or exceeds) performance standards established, with respect to selected quality measures, for the performance period for a calendar year is eligible for shared savings in the form of a payment increase determined according to a specified formula.

Revises requirements for the composition of the expert outside advisory panel the Secretary is required to consult during the annual review of the clinical integrity of the groups and payment weights in the PPS for hospital OPD services. Requires the panel to include suppliers subject to the PPS as well as at least one ASC representative.

Requires the Secretary, when excluding from a final rule updating ASC lists a procedure whose inclusion was requested during the public comment period, to cite in the final rule specific criteria based on which the procedure was excluded. Requires the Secretary also to identify the peer reviewed research or the evidence upon which the exclusion is based if certain of those criteria are cited for it. Prohibits the Secretary from using or citing as a criterion or a basis for an exclusion that the procedure can only be reported using a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) unlisted surgical procedure code.

ambulatory surgical center quality access act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act require alignment updates ambulatory surgical center services revised prospective payment system pps updates hospital outpatient department opd services revises requirements reporting applying quality measure data hospital directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish value based purchasing program secretary determines meets exceeds performance standards established respect selected quality measures performance period calendar year eligible shared savings form payment increase determined according specified formula revises requirements composition expert outside advisory_panel secretary required consult annual review clinical integrity groups payment weights pps hospital opd services requires panel include suppliers subject pps representative requires secretary excluding final rule updating lists procedure inclusion requested public comment period cite final rule specific criteria based procedure excluded requires secretary identify peer reviewed research evidence exclusion based certain criteria cited prohibits secretary criterion basis exclusion procedure reported current procedural terminology cpt surgical procedure code


Summary: Rural Hospital Fairness Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, to extend from January 1, 2013 to January 1, 2014, specified "hold harmless" payments for small rural hospitals and sole community hospitals under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services.

rural hospital fairness act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act amended middle class tax relief job creation act extend january january specified hold harmless payments small rural hospitals sole community hospitals medicare prospective payment system hospital outpatient department services


Summary:
Critical Care Assessment and Improvement Act of 2013 - Requires studies on critical care health services in the United States by the Institute of Medicine and the Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Directs the HHS Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to establish the Critical Care Coordinating Council to coordinate the collection and analysis of information on current NIH research relating to the care of the critically ill and injured, identify gaps in such research, and make recommendations to the Director of NIH on how to improve such research.

Directs the Secretary, acting through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, to carry out a demonstration project to improve the quality and efficiency of care provided to critically ill and injured patients receiving care in acute care hospitals.

critical care assessment improvement act requires studies critical care health services united_states institute_of_medicine health_resources_and_services_administration department_of_health_and_human_services hhs directs hhs secretary acting director national_institutes_of_health nih establish critical care coordinating council coordinate collection analysis information current nih research relating care critically ill injured identify gaps research recommendations director nih improve research directs secretary acting center medicare medicaid_innovation carry demonstration project improve quality efficiency care provided critically ill injured patients receiving care acute care hospitals


Summary: Trauma Relief Access for Universal Medical Assistance Act - Appropriates to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) $100 million, for FY2014-FY2018, for the program of grants to states to promote universal access to trauma care services provided by trauma centers and trauma-related physician specialties.

trauma relief access universal medical assistance_act appropriates department_of_health_and_human_services hhs million fy2014-fy2018 program grants states promote universal access trauma care services provided trauma centers trauma related physician specialties


Summary:
Medicaid Information Technology to Enhance Community Health Act of 2013 or MITECH Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to extend payments to encourage the adoption and use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology to qualified safety net clinics (QSNCs).

Defines a QSNC as a clinic or network of clinics operated by a private non-profit or public entity at least 30% percent of whose patient volume is attributable to needy individuals.

Defines a "QSNC-based" individual as one who furnishes substantially all of his or her professional services in a QSNC and through use of the clinic's facilities and equipment, including qualified EHRs.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a procedure through which a QSNC may demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology in order to receive incentive payments.

medicaid information technology enhance community health act act_-_amends title xix medicaid social_security_act extend payments encourage adoption use certified electronic health record ehr technology qualified safety net clinics defines clinic network clinics operated private non profit public entity percent patient volume attributable needy individuals defines based individual furnishes substantially professional services use clinic facilities equipment including qualified directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish procedure demonstrate meaningful use certified ehr technology order receive incentive payments