Summary: National Health Care Quality Act - Establishes within the Executive Office of the President the Office of National Health Care Quality Improvement, headed by a Director of National Health Care Quality. Sets forth the duties of the Director, including: (1) advising the President on the quality of health care in the United States; (2) determining national priorities for improving health care quality; (3) establishing annual benchmarks for federal agencies to achieve national priorities for health care quality improvement; (4) developing an annual report card on the nation's health; and (5) posting on a website public information relating to national priorities for health care quality improvement and other information relating to health care quality. Establishes within the Office the Quality Interagency Coordinating Council to coordinate health care quality improvement efforts across all federal agencies. Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) make the position of Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality a presidential appointment; and (2) require the Agency to incorporate health care quality improvement priorities into research conducted under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), apply health care quality measures to HHS health programs, and conduct a public education campaign to educate health care providers and consumers about health care quality improvement. Establishes a National Quality Resource Center to assist health care providers in understanding and implementing health care quality improvement initiatives. Requires the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to award National Quality Support Extension grants to support and facilitate local health care quality improvement efforts throughout the United States.

national health_care quality act establishes executive_office president office national health_care quality improvement headed director national health_care quality sets forth duties director including advising president quality health_care united_states determining national priorities improving health_care quality establishing annual benchmarks federal agencies achieve national priorities health_care quality improvement developing annual report card nation health posting website public information relating national priorities health_care quality improvement information relating health_care quality establishes office quality interagency coordinating council coordinate health_care quality improvement efforts federal agencies amends public_health_service_act position director agency healthcare_research_and_quality presidential appointment require agency incorporate health_care quality improvement priorities research conducted department_of_health_and_human_services hhs apply health_care quality measures hhs health programs conduct public education campaign educate health_care providers consumers health_care quality improvement establishes national quality resource center assist health_care providers understanding implementing health_care quality improvement initiatives requires director agency healthcare_research_and_quality award national quality support extension grants support facilitate local health_care quality improvement efforts united_states


Summary: Informed Consumer Choices in Health Care Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) develop standards for health insurance issuers in providing information to group health plans, for forms used in connection with group health insurance coverage, for quality assurance, for marketing of group health insurance coverage, and for the accuracy and clarity of coverage for out-of-network providers; (2) undertake activities to promote accountability of health insurance issuers in meeting federal health insurance requirements; (3) provide grants to Departments of Insurance in states to assist in enforcement of federal health insurance requirements governing health insurance issuers operating in such states; (4) undertake activities to promote transparency in costs, market practices, and other factors for health insurance coverage; and (5) establish within HHS an Office of Health Insurance Oversight to promote accountability and transparency in health insurance and provide for assistance to consumers in selecting health care coverage. Directs the Secretaries of Labor and the Treasury to establish standards and accountability and transparency initiatives for group health plans comparable to the standards established by the HHS Secretary under this Act.

informed consumer choices health_care act amends public_health_service_act direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs develop standards health insurance issuers providing information group health plans forms connection group health insurance coverage quality assurance marketing group health insurance coverage accuracy clarity coverage network providers undertake activities promote accountability health insurance issuers meeting federal health insurance requirements provide grants departments insurance states assist enforcement federal health insurance requirements governing health insurance issuers operating states undertake activities promote transparency costs market practices factors health insurance coverage establish hhs office health insurance oversight promote accountability transparency health insurance provide assistance consumers selecting health_care coverage directs secretaries labor treasury establish standards accountability transparency initiatives group health plans comparable standards established hhs secretary act


Summary: Medicare Cost Contract Extension and Refinement Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to reasonable cost reimbursement contracts with qualified health maintenance organizations (HMOs) or competitive medical plans for Medicare reimbursement of hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Extends until January 1, 2013, the period during which such reasonable cost reimbursement contracts can remain in the market. Revises conditions for approval of an application for a modification to a reasonable cost contract to expand the contract's service area. Applies to extended or renewed reasonable cost contracts certain requirements under Medicare part C (Medicare Advantage).

medicare cost contract extension refinement act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act ssa respect reasonable cost reimbursement contracts qualified health maintenance organizations competitive medical plans medicare reimbursement hospitals skilled nursing facilities snfs extends january period reasonable cost reimbursement contracts remain market revises conditions approval application modification reasonable cost contract expand contract service area applies extended renewed reasonable cost contracts certain requirements medicare medicare_advantage


Summary: Patients' Choice Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convene an interagency coordinating committee to develop a national strategic plan for prevention. Provides for health promotion and disease prevention activities consistent with such plan. Sets forth provisions governing the establishment and operation of state-based health care exchanges to facilitate the individual purchase of private health insurance and the creation of a market where private health plans compete for enrolles based on price and quality. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable tax credit for qualified health care insurance coverage. Replaces title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act with a program to provide grants to states for: (1) acute medical care assistance to otherwise qualified blind or disabled individuals, foster care children, low-income women with breast or cervical cancer, certain tuberculosis-infected individuals, and certain individuals currently covered; and (2) long-term care services and supports for qualified disabled and elderly populations. Repeals title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to supplement the costs of private health insurance for eligible low-income families through the distribution of supplemental debit cards, which may be used for costs associated with health care and provide direct support in accessing health care. Requires the Secretary to establish and implement a competitive bidding mechanism to promote competition among Medicare Advantage plans and to increase the quality of care furnished under the plans. Requires benchmarks for such plans to be established solely through competitive bids. Sets forth programs to prevent Medicare fraud and abuse, including ending the use of social security numbers to identify Medicare beneficiaries. Allows the Secretary to award grants for the development, implementation, and evaluation of alternatives to current tort litigation for the resolution of disputes concerning injuries allegedly caused by health care providers or health care organizations. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations to provide for the certification and auditing of the banking of electronic medical records. Establishes: (1) a Health Care Services Commission to enhance the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of health care services and access to such services; and (2) the Office of the Forum for Quality and Effectiveness in Health Care. Terminates the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Independent Health Record Trust Act of 2009 - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe standards for the establishment, certification, operation, and interoperability of independent health record trusts. Requires the Secretary to: (1) permit Indians to receive health care through providers outside of the Indian Health Service; and (2) make payments for such care. Terminates the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research.

patients choice act_-_requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs convene interagency_coordinating_committee develop national strategic plan prevention provides health promotion disease prevention activities consistent plan sets forth provisions governing establishment operation state based health_care exchanges facilitate individual purchase private health insurance creation market private health plans compete based price quality amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow refundable tax credit qualified health_care insurance coverage replaces title xix medicaid social_security_act program provide grants states acute medical care assistance qualified blind disabled individuals foster care children low income women breast cervical cancer certain tuberculosis infected individuals certain individuals currently covered long-term_care services supports qualified disabled elderly populations repeals title xxi state children health insurance program chip known schip social_security_act amends public_health_service_act require secretary supplement costs private health insurance eligible low income families distribution supplemental debit cards costs associated health_care provide direct support accessing health_care requires secretary establish implement competitive bidding mechanism promote competition medicare_advantage plans increase quality care furnished plans requires benchmarks plans established solely competitive bids sets forth programs prevent medicare fraud abuse including ending use social_security numbers identify medicare beneficiaries allows secretary award grants development implementation evaluation alternatives current tort litigation resolution disputes concerning injuries allegedly caused health_care providers health_care organizations requires secretary promulgate regulations provide certification auditing banking electronic medical records establishes health_care services commission enhance quality appropriateness effectiveness health_care services access services office forum quality effectiveness health_care terminates agency healthcare_research_and_quality independent health record trust act directs federal_trade_commission ftc prescribe standards establishment certification operation interoperability independent health record trusts requires secretary permit indians receive health_care providers outside indian_health_service payments care terminates federal coordinating council comparative effectiveness research


Summary: Special Disability Workload Liability Resolution Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to work with each state to reach an agreement on the amount of a payment for the state related to the Medicare program liability under title XVIII of the Social Security Act as a result of the Special Disability Workload project. (The special workload was the result of discovering a substantial number of recipients of Supplemental Security Income [SSI] benefits whose disability insured status under the title II [OASDI] Disability Insurance program was not previously recognized.) Prohibits any such payment to a state unless it: (1) waives the right to file a civil action (or to be a party to any action) in federal or state court in which the relief sought includes a payment to the state from the United States related to such Medicare liability; and (2) releases the United States from any further claims for reimbursement of state expenditures as a result of the Special Disability Workload project.

special disability workload liability resolution act directs secretary health_and_human_services work state reach agreement payment state related medicare program liability title xviii social_security_act result special disability workload project special workload result discovering substantial number recipients supplemental security income ssi benefits disability insured status title oasdi disability_insurance program previously recognized prohibits payment state waives right file civil action party action federal state court relief sought includes payment state united_states related medicare liability releases united_states claims reimbursement state expenditures result special disability workload project


Summary: Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish and operate directly, or by grant, contract, or interagency agreement, a 24-hour toll free telephone hotline to provide consumer information regarding advance care planning. Directs the Secretary to develop an online clearinghouse to provide comprehensive information regarding: (1) advance care planning; and (2) pediatric advance care planning. Directs the Secretary to develop an online advance care planning toolkit for availability on specified websites. Directs the Secretary, acting through the CDC Director, directly or through grants, contracts, or interagency agreements, to develop a national campaign to inform the public of the importance of advance care planning and of an individual's right to direct and participate in his or her health care decisions. Directs the Secretary to update the online version of the "Planning Ahead" section of the Medicare & You Handbook to include information about advanced care planning and advance directives. Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to update the online version of the Social Security Handbook for beneficiaries to include such information, as well as all paper and online versions subsequently published. Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to authorize financial and legal assistance for advanced care planning. Directs the Secretary to award grants to states for certain state health insurance assistance programs to provide advance care planning services to Medicare beneficiaries, their personal representatives, and their families. Authorizes Medicaid transformation grants for advance care planning and advanced care planning community training grants. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to establish new or expand existing programs for orders regarding life sustaining treatment in states or localities. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to establish a website for providers under the Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program, the Indian Health Service, and other public health providers on each individual's right to make decisions concerning medical care, including the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment, and the existence of advance directives. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of Health Resources and Services Administration, to develop a curriculum for continuing education that states may adopt for physicians and nurses on advanced care planning and end-of-life care. Amends titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act with respect to the portability of advance directives. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary, acting through the CDC Director, to award competitive grants to eligible entities to establish and operate state advance directive registries. Requires various specified studies and reports to Congress by the Comptroller General and by the Secretary. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to establish within the National Health Service Corps a National Geriatric and Palliative Care Services Corps. Exempts palliative medicine fellowship training from Medicare graduate medical education caps. Directs the Secretary to establish guidelines for the imposition by medical schools of a minimum amount of end-of-life training as a requirement for obtaining a Doctor of Medicine degree in the field of allopathic or osteopathic medicine. Authorizes coverage of advance care planning under Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. Revises Medicare requirements for hospice payments and related matters. Makes hospice care a required Medicaid and CHIP benefit. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to designate an entity to develop requirements, standards, and procedures for accreditation of hospital-based palliative care programs. Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish, within the National Institutes of Health, a National Center on Palliative and End-of-Life Care. Directs the Secretary to establish a demonstration program for the use of telemedicine services in advance care planning.

advance planning compassionate care act directs secretary health_and_human_services acting director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc establish operate directly grant contract interagency agreement hour toll free telephone hotline provide consumer information advance care planning directs secretary develop online clearinghouse provide comprehensive information advance care planning pediatric advance care planning directs secretary develop online advance care planning availability specified websites directs secretary acting cdc director directly grants contracts interagency agreements develop national campaign inform public importance advance care planning individual right direct participate health_care decisions directs secretary update online version planning ahead section medicare handbook include information advanced care planning advance directives directs commissioner_of_social_security update online version social_security handbook beneficiaries include information paper online versions subsequently published amends legal_services_corporation act authorize financial legal assistance advanced care planning directs secretary award grants states certain state health insurance assistance programs provide advance care planning services medicare beneficiaries personal representatives families authorizes medicaid transformation grants advance care planning advanced care planning community training grants directs secretary grants eligible entities establish new expand existing programs orders life sustaining treatment states localities directs secretary acting administrator centers medicare medicaid_services director agency healthcare_research_and_quality establish website providers medicare medicaid children health insurance program indian_health_service public health providers individual right decisions concerning medical care including right accept refuse medical surgical treatment existence advance directives directs secretary acting director health_resources_and_services_administration develop curriculum continuing education states adopt physicians nurses advanced care planning end life care amends titles xviii medicare xix medicaid xxi children health insurance chip known schip social_security_act respect portability advance directives amends public_health_service_act direct secretary acting cdc director award competitive grants eligible entities establish operate state advance directive registries requires specified studies reports congress comptroller_general secretary amends public_health_service_act direct secretary establish national_health_service_corps national geriatric palliative care services corps exempts palliative medicine fellowship training medicare graduate medical education caps directs secretary establish guidelines imposition medical schools minimum end life training requirement obtaining doctor medicine degree field allopathic osteopathic medicine authorizes coverage advance care planning medicare medicaid chip revises medicare requirements hospice payments related matters makes hospice care required medicaid chip benefit directs secretary acting administrator agency healthcare_research_and_quality designate entity develop requirements standards procedures accreditation hospital based palliative care programs amends public_health_service_act establish national_institutes_of_health national center palliative end life care directs secretary establish demonstration program use telemedicine services advance care planning


Summary: Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to: (1) the Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) adjustment for rural hospitals; (2) revision of the temporary increase in payments to certain rural hospitals (Medicare hold harmless provision); (3) the definition of low-volume hospital for purposes of the Medicare inpatient hospital payment adjustment (MIHPA); (4) Medicare wage index reclassifications for certain hospitals; (5) Medicare reasonable costs payments for certain clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished to hospitals in certain rural areas; (6) critical access hospitals; (7) the capital infrastructure revolving loan program; (8) the Medicare incentive payment program for physician scarcity areas; (9) the 1.00 floor on Medicare work geographic adjustment to payments for physician services; (10) permission for physician assistants to order post-hospital extended care services or hospice care; (11) Medicare home health care planning; (12) rural health clinics; (13) community health center collaborative access; (14) the temporary Medicare payment increase for home health services furnished in a rural area; (15) increased Medicare payments for rural ground ambulance services; and (16) coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 to provide for the extension of treatment of certain physician pathology services under Medicare. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct pilot projects to provide incentives to home health agencies to utilize remote home monitoring and communications technologies; and (2) facilitate the provision of telehealth services across state lines. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) coverage and payment, on a reasonable cost basis, to anesthesia services furnished by a physician anesthesiologist in certain rural hospitals in the same manner as payment is made for anesthesia services furnished by a certified registered nurse anesthetists in such hospitals. Establishes the floor at 1.00 on: (1) the practice expense geographic index for services furnished during a specified period in certain rural areas under the Medicare physician fee schedule; and (2) the Medicare hospital area wage index for certain hospitals for discharges during the same period. Revises the standard for designation of sole community hospitals.

thomas rural hospital provider equity act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act respect medicare disproportionate share hospital dsh adjustment rural hospitals revision temporary increase payments certain rural hospitals medicare hold harmless provision definition low volume hospital purposes medicare inpatient hospital payment adjustment medicare wage index reclassifications certain hospitals medicare reasonable costs payments certain clinical diagnostic laboratory tests furnished hospitals certain rural areas critical access hospitals capital infrastructure revolving loan program medicare incentive payment program physician scarcity areas floor medicare work geographic adjustment payments physician services permission physician assistants order post hospital extended care services hospice care medicare_home_health care planning rural health clinics community health center collaborative access temporary medicare payment increase home health services furnished rural area increased medicare payments rural ground ambulance services coverage marriage family therapist services mental health counselor services medicare supplementary_medical_insurance amends medicare medicaid schip benefits improvement protection act provide extension treatment certain physician_pathology_services medicare directs secretary health_and_human_services conduct pilot projects provide incentives home health agencies utilize remote home monitoring communications technologies facilitate provision telehealth services state lines amends title xviii medicare social_security_act extend medicare hospital insurance coverage payment reasonable cost basis anesthesia services furnished physician anesthesiologist certain rural hospitals manner payment anesthesia services furnished certified registered nurse anesthetists hospitals establishes floor practice expense geographic index services furnished specified period certain rural areas medicare physician fee schedule medicare hospital area wage index certain hospitals discharges period revises standard designation sole community hospitals


Summary: Preserving Access to Targeted, Individualized, and Effective New Treatments and Services (PATIENTS) Act of 2009 or the PATIENTS Act of 2009 - Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from using data obtained from the conduct of comparative effectiveness research, including such research that is conducted or supported using funds appropriated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to deny coverage of an item or service under a federal health care program. Requires the Secretary to ensure that comparative effectiveness research conducted or supported by the federal government accounts for factors contributing to differences in the treatment response and preferences of patients, including patient-reported outcomes, genomics and personalized medicine, the unique needs of health disparity populations, and indirect patient benefits.

preserving access targeted individualized effective new treatments services patients act patients act prohibits secretary health_and_human_services hhs data obtained conduct comparative effectiveness research including research conducted supported funds appropriated american_recovery_and_reinvestment_act deny coverage item service federal health_care program requires secretary ensure comparative effectiveness research conducted supported federal_government accounts factors contributing differences treatment response preferences patients including patient reported outcomes personalized medicine unique needs health disparity populations indirect patient benefits


Summary: Health Care Freedom Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for qualified health insurance costs. Allows a health savings account or an Archer medical savings account to be used to purchase a high deductible health plan. Medical Care Access Protection Act of 2009 or the MCAP Act - Sets forth provisions regulating lawsuits for health care liability claims related to the provision of health care services, including limiting noneconomic and punitive damages. Health Care Choice Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide that the laws of the state designated by a health insurance issuer (primary state) shall apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer in the primary state and in any other state (secondary state), but only if the coverage and issuer comply with specified conditions. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award block grants to states to provide for the development of innovative models that ensure affordable health insurance coverage for Americans with preexisting health conditions. Sets forth disclosure requirements, including requiring: (1) the provision of price information to Medicare or Medicaid patients; and (2) the provision of allowable payment information to enrollees of group health plans. Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from making any payment or obligation under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Provides for collection of revenues relating to such Act. Rescinds any funds available under such Act that have not been obligated and makes such funds available to carry out this Act.

health_care freedom act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow tax credit qualified health insurance costs allows health savings account archer medical savings account purchase high deductible health plan medical care access protection act act sets forth provisions regulating lawsuits health_care liability claims related provision health_care services including limiting noneconomic punitive damages health_care choice act amends public_health_service_act provide laws state designated health insurance issuer primary state shall apply individual health insurance coverage offered issuer primary state state secondary state coverage issuer comply specified conditions requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs award block grants states provide development innovative models ensure affordable health insurance coverage americans preexisting health conditions sets forth disclosure requirements including requiring provision price information medicare medicaid patients provision allowable payment information enrollees group health plans prohibits secretary treasury making payment obligation emergency_economic_stabilization_act provides collection revenues relating act rescinds funds available act obligated makes funds available carry act


Summary: Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to authorize an automatic increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for any eligible state during periods of national economic downturn. Directs the Comptroller General to analyze and report to Congress on previous periods of national economic downturn, including the most recent one, and the past and projected effects of temporary increases in the Medicaid FMAP with respect to them.

amends title xix medicaid social_security_act authorize automatic increase federal medical assistance percentage fmap eligible state periods national economic directs comptroller_general analyze report congress previous periods national economic including recent past projected effects temporary increases medicaid fmap respect


Summary: Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital Quality Report Card Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and implement a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative to report on health care quality in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers. Requires the Secretary, at least semiannually, to make available to the public and to submit to the congressional Veterans' Committees reports on the quality of each VA medical center.

department_of_veterans_affairs hospital quality report card act directs secretary veterans_affairs establish implement hospital quality report card initiative report health_care quality department_of_veterans_affairs medical centers requires secretary semiannually available public submit congressional veterans committees reports quality medical center


Summary: Health Care Choice Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide that the laws of the state designated by a health insurance issuer (primary state) shall apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer in the primary state and in any other state (secondary state), but only if the coverage and issuer comply with the conditions of this Act. Exempts issuers from any secondary state's laws that would prohibit or regulate the operation of the issuer in such state, subject to certain restrictions imposed by such state.Specifies the notice that an issuer must provide in any insurance coverage offered in a secondary state and at renewal of the policy. Requires each issuer issuing individual health insurance coverage in both primary and secondary states to submit to the insurance commissioners of such states: (1) a copy of the plan of operation or feasibility study; (2) written notice of any change in its designation of its primary state and of its compliance with all the laws of the primary state; and (3) a quarterly financial statement. Prohibits an issuer from offering, selling, or issuing individual health insurance coverage in a secondary state if the state insurance commissioner does not use a risk-based capital formula for the determination of capital and surplus requirements for all issuers.Gives sole jurisdiction to the primary state to enforce the primary state's covered laws in the primary state and any secondary state. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the effect of this Act on specified health insurance issues.

health_care choice act amends public_health_service_act provide laws state designated health insurance issuer primary state shall apply individual health insurance coverage offered issuer primary state state secondary state coverage issuer comply conditions act exempts issuers secondary state laws prohibit regulate operation issuer state subject certain restrictions imposed state specifies notice issuer provide insurance coverage offered secondary state renewal policy requires issuer issuing individual health insurance coverage primary secondary states submit insurance commissioners states copy plan operation feasibility study written notice change designation primary state compliance laws primary state quarterly financial statement prohibits issuer offering selling issuing individual health insurance coverage secondary state state insurance commissioner use risk based capital formula determination capital surplus requirements issuers gives sole jurisdiction primary state enforce primary state covered laws primary state secondary state requires comptroller_general study report congress effect act specified health insurance issues


Summary: Better Health in the Arctic Act - Directs the Arctic Research Commission, in collaboration with federal health agencies, to prepare and submit to Congress a two-year study to examine the science base, gaps in knowledge, and strategies for the prevention and treatment of mental, behavioral, and physical health problems faced by populations in the Arctic, with a focus on Alaska. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH): (1) in collaboration with other governmental agencies and private and nonprofit entities involved in Arctic health issues, to develop a national Arctic health science policy; and (2) in developing the policy, to review and take into consideration the National Arctic Health Science Policy developed by the American Public Health Association Task Force in 1984. Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a Desk for Arctic Health within the Office of the Director's Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives, which shall: (1) work with the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee to ensure adequate health representation from federal agencies; (2) collaborate and consult with governmental entities and U.S. nongovernmental organizations involved in Arctic health issues; and (3) collaborate with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research on indigenous Arctic people health issues. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish a program at CDC's National Center of Environmental Health to foster advances and help provide technical support in the field of Arctic health impact assessments.

better health arctic act_-_directs arctic research commission collaboration federal health agencies prepare submit congress year study examine science base gaps knowledge strategies prevention treatment mental behavioral physical health problems faced populations arctic focus alaska requires director national_institutes_of_health nih collaboration governmental agencies private nonprofit entities involved arctic health issues develop national arctic health science policy developing policy review consideration national arctic health science policy developed american public health association task_force amends public_health_service_act establish arctic health office_of_the_director division program coordination planning strategic initiatives shall work interagency arctic research policy committee ensure adequate health representation federal agencies collaborate consult governmental entities nongovernmental organizations involved arctic health issues collaborate canadian institutes health research indigenous arctic people health issues directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs acting director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc establish program cdc national center environmental health foster advances help provide technical support field arctic health impact assessments


Summary: Makes it out of order in the Senate to consider legislation that: (1) eliminates or reduces the ability of Americans to keep their health plan or their choice of doctor; or (2) decreases the number of Americans enrolled in private health insurance, while increasing the number of Americans enrolled in government-managed health care. Suspends such point of order upon certification by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that the legislation does not cause such actions. Permits waiver or suspension of such prohibition, or successful appeals from rulings of the Chair, only by an affirmative vote of three-fifths (60) of the Senate.

makes order senate consider legislation eliminates reduces ability americans health plan choice doctor decreases number americans enrolled private health insurance increasing number americans enrolled government managed health_care suspends point order certification congressional_budget_office cbo legislation cause actions permits waiver suspension prohibition successful appeals rulings chair affirmative vote fifths senate


Summary: Equal Access to Medicare Options Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide all Medicare beneficiaries, regardless of whether they have enrolled in Medicare part B, as well as Medicare Advantage and Medicaid enrollees with the right to guaranteed issue of a supplemental insurance (Medigap) policy. Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of SSA title XVIII to permit enrollment of individuals with end stage renal disease (ESRD) in Medicare Advantage.

equal_access medicare options act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act provide medicare beneficiaries regardless enrolled medicare medicare_advantage medicaid enrollees right guaranteed issue supplemental insurance medigap policy amends ssa title xviii permit enrollment individuals end stage renal disease esrd medicare_advantage