Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Save American Workers Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to change the definition of "full-time employee" for purposes of the employer mandate to provide minimum essential health care coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act from an employee who is employed on average at least 30 hours of service a week to an employee who is employed on average at least 40 hours of service a week.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated save american workers act bill amends internal revenue code change definition time employee purposes employer mandate provide minimum essential health_care coverage patient_protection affordable care act employee employed average hours service week employee employed average hours service week


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on February 27, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

This bill amends the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 to extend the continuing FY2015 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at the current annual rate until the earlier of March 6, 2015, or enactment of DHS appropriations legislation for FY2015. The bill prevents a shutdown of DHS when funding under current law expires on February 27, 2015.

measure amended passed senate february summary version repeated bill amends continuing_appropriations_resolution extend continuing fy2015 appropriations department_of_homeland_security dhs current annual rate earlier march enactment dhs appropriations legislation fy2015 bill prevents shutdown dhs funding current law expires february


Summary:
Quality Health Care Coalition Act of 2015

Exempts health care professionals, including individuals and entities, from federal and state antitrust laws in connection with negotiations with a health plan regarding contract terms under which the professionals provide health care items or services for which plan benefits are provided.

Declares that this Act: (1) applies only to health care professionals excluded from the National Labor Relations Act; and (2) does not apply to negotiations relating to Medicare or Medicaid programs, the Children's Health Insurance Program, medical and dental care for members of the uniformed services, veterans' medical care, the federal employees health benefits program, or the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

quality health_care coalition act exempts health_care professionals including individuals entities federal state antitrust laws connection negotiations health plan contract terms professionals provide health_care items services plan benefits provided declares act applies health_care professionals excluded national_labor_relations_act apply negotiations relating medicare medicaid programs children health insurance program medical dental care members uniformed_services veterans medical care federal_employees_health_benefits_program indian_health_care_improvement_act


Summary:
Reclaiming Individual Liberty Act

This bill repeals the provision in the Internal Revenue Code, as added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, that requires individual taxpayers to purchase and maintain minimum essential health care coverage.

reclaiming individual liberty act bill repeals provision internal_revenue_code added patient_protection affordable care act requires individual taxpayers purchase maintain minimum essential health_care coverage


Summary:
ObamaCare Repeal Act

Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, effective as of their enactment. Restores provisions of law amended by such Acts.

obamacare repeal act repeals patient_protection affordable care act health_care_and_education reconciliation act effective enactment restores provisions law amended acts


Summary:
Access to Insurance for All Americans Act

Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, effective as of the enactment of such Act and provisions. Restores provisions of law amended by such Act and provisions.

Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to administer a health insurance program for non-federal employees and to apply to such program the provisions governing the federal employee health insurance program to the greatest extent practicable.

Requires OPM, for each calendar year, to enter into a contract with one or more carriers to make health benefits plans available to eligible individuals. Allows any individual to enroll in such a plan unless the individual: (1) is enrolled or eligible to enroll for coverage under a public health insurance program (including Medicaid or Medicare) or under the federal employee health insurance program, or (2) is a member of the uniformed services.

Allows rates and premiums for such a plan to differ among geographic regions. Makes such premiums tax deductible.

Provides that no government contribution shall be made for any individual enrolled in such a plan. Directs OPM to ensure that covered individuals are in a risk pool separate from that maintained for federal employees.

Requires the Director of OPM to submit a comprehensive plan to Congress that provides for the orderly implementation of the amendments made by this Act, including a schedule of actions to be taken to provide for that implementation.

access insurance americans act repeals patient_protection affordable care act health_care provisions health_care_and_education reconciliation act effective enactment act provisions restores provisions law amended act provisions directs office_of_personnel_management opm administer health insurance program non federal employees apply program provisions governing federal employee health insurance program greatest extent practicable requires opm calendar year enter contract carriers health benefits plans available eligible individuals allows individual enroll plan individual enrolled eligible enroll coverage public health insurance program including medicaid medicare federal employee health insurance program member uniformed_services allows rates premiums plan differ geographic regions makes premiums tax deductible provides government contribution shall individual enrolled plan directs opm ensure covered individuals risk pool separate maintained federal employees requires director opm submit comprehensive plan congress provides orderly implementation amendments act including schedule actions taken provide implementation


Summary:
Patient Freedom Act of 2014 [sic]

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal, after 2013, the requirement that individuals maintain minimum essential health care coverage.

patient freedom act sic amends_the_internal_revenue_code repeal requirement individuals maintain minimum essential health_care coverage


Summary:
Student Worker Exemption Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude students who are employed by an institution of higher education (IHE) and carrying a full-time academic workload at the IHE from being counted as full-time employees in calculating the IHE's shared responsibility regarding health care coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

student worker exemption act sec bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude students employed institution higher education ihe carrying time academic workload ihe counted time employees calculating ihe shared responsibility health_care coverage patient_protection affordable care act


Summary:
Obamacare Taxpayer Bailout Prevention Act

Repeals the provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and administer a program of risk corridors for calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016 under which a qualified health plan offered in the individual or small group market is required to participate in a payment adjustment system based on the ratio of the allowable costs of the plan to the plan's aggregate premiums.

obamacare taxpayer bailout prevention act repeals provision patient_protection affordable care act directs secretary health_and_human_services establish administer program risk corridors calendar years qualified health plan offered individual small group market required participate payment adjustment system based ratio allowable costs plan plan aggregate premiums


Summary:
Public Option Deficit Reduction Act

Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to offer a public health insurance option, which is a health benefits plan available through Exchanges that ensures choice, competition, and stability of affordable, high-quality coverage throughout the United States. Declares that HHS's primary responsibility is to create a low-cost plan without compromising quality or access to care.

Sets forth provisions related to the establishment and governance of the public health insurance option, including that such plan: (1) may be made available only through Exchanges; (2) must comply with requirements applicable to other health benefits plans offered through Exchanges, including requirements related to benefits, benefit levels, provider networks, notices, consumer protections, and cost sharing; and (3) must offer bronze, silver, and gold plan levels.

Requires HHS to: (1) establish an office of the ombudsman for the public health insurance option, (2) collect data as may be required to establish premiums and payment rates, (3) establish geographically adjusted premiums at a level sufficient to fully finance the costs of the health benefits provided and administrative costs related to the operation of the plan, and (4) establish payment rates and provide for greater payment rates for the first three years.

Requires repayment of start-up costs for the public health insurance option.

Authorizes HHS to use innovative payment mechanisms and policies to determine payments for items and services under the public health insurance option.

public option deficit reduction act amends patient_protection affordable care act require department_of_health_and_human_services hhs offer public health insurance option health benefits plan available exchanges ensures choice competition stability affordable high quality coverage united_states declares hhs primary responsibility create low cost plan compromising quality access care sets forth provisions related establishment governance public health insurance option including plan available exchanges comply requirements applicable health benefits plans offered exchanges including requirements related benefits benefit levels provider networks notices consumer protections cost sharing offer bronze silver gold plan levels requires hhs establish office_of_the_ombudsman public health insurance option collect data required establish premiums payment rates establish geographically adjusted premiums level sufficient fully finance costs health benefits provided administrative costs related operation plan establish payment rates provide greater payment rates years requires repayment start costs public health insurance option authorizes hhs use innovative payment mechanisms policies determine payments items services public health insurance option


Summary:
Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, effective as of its enactment. Restores provisions of law amended by such Act.

 Repeals the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education and Reconciliation Act of 2010, effective as of the Act's enactment. Restores provisions of law amended by the Act's health care provisions.

repeals patient_protection affordable care act effective enactment restores provisions law amended act repeals health_care provisions health_care_and_education reconciliation act effective act enactment restores provisions law amended act health_care provisions


Summary:
Obamacare Opt-Out Act of 2015

Exempts from the minimum essential coverage requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act individuals who request an exemption through a health care marketplace or on their federal income tax return.

obamacare opt act exempts minimum essential coverage requirements patient_protection affordable care act individuals request exemption health_care marketplace federal income tax return


Summary:
Helping Individuals Regain Employment Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the definition of "full-time employee," for purposes of the employer mandate to provide minimum essential health care coverage, any individual who is a long-term unemployed individual. Defines "long-term unemployed individual" as an individual who begins employment after enactment of this Act and has been unemployed for 27 weeks or longer.

helping individuals employment act amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude definition time employee purposes employer mandate provide minimum essential health_care coverage individual long term unemployed individual defines long term unemployed individual individual begins employment enactment act unemployed weeks longer


Summary:
Healthcare Tax Relief and Mandate Repeal Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the requirements added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that: (1)  individuals purchase and maintain minimum essential health care coverage, and (2) employers who have a workforce of 50 or more full-time employees provide health insurance coverage for their employees.

healthcare tax relief mandate repeal act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code repeal requirements added patient_protection affordable care act individuals purchase maintain minimum essential health_care coverage employers workforce time employees provide health insurance coverage employees


Summary:
Student Job Protection Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude students who are employed by an institution of higher education (IHE) and carrying what the school considers a full-time academic workload at the IHE from being counted as full-time employees in calculating the IHE's shared responsibility regarding health care coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

student job protection act amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude students employed institution higher education ihe carrying school considers time academic workload ihe counted time employees calculating ihe shared responsibility health_care coverage patient_protection affordable care act


Summary:
Provider Tax Administrative Simplification Act of 2015

 Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to approve a waiver of the uniform tax requirement (whether or not the tax is broad based), regardless of whether the state concerned satisfies certain requirements, for any state with a provider tax that does not apply to continuing care retirement communities or life care communities that: (1) have no beds certified to provide medical assistance under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, or (2) do not provide services for which Medicaid payment may be made.

provider tax administrative simplification act requires secretary health_and_human_services approve waiver uniform tax requirement tax broad based regardless state concerned satisfies certain requirements state provider tax apply continuing care retirement communities life care communities beds certified provide medical assistance title xix medicaid social_security_act provide services medicaid payment


Summary:
Truth in Obamacare Advertising Act of 2015

Requires each communication that is federally funded, directly or indirectly, to advertise or educate the public on provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 or any programs, activities, requirements, or regulations established, funded, or authorized by such provisions to include a statement that such communication is printed and published, or produced and disseminated, at taxpayer expense.

Sets forth requirements for the format and readability of such communications that are conveyed in print, by audio and video means, or by e-mail.

truth obamacare advertising act requires communication federally funded directly indirectly advertise educate public provisions patient_protection affordable care act health_care_and_education reconciliation act programs activities requirements regulations established funded authorized provisions include statement communication printed published produced disseminated taxpayer expense sets forth requirements format readability communications conveyed print audio video means mail


Summary:
Federal Exchange Data Breach Notification Act of 2015

This bill requires a health insurance exchange to notify each individual whose personal information is known to have been acquired or accessed as a result of a breach of security of any system maintained by the exchange as soon as possible but not later than 60 days after discovery of the breach.

A violation of this requirement is an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

federal exchange data breach notification act bill requires health insurance exchange notify individual personal information known acquired accessed result breach security system maintained exchange soon possible later days discovery breach violation requirement unfair deceptive act practice federal_trade_commission_act


Summary:
(Sec. 1) This bill repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. The repeal is effective 180 days after enactment of this Act. Provisions of law amended by the repealed provisions are restored.

(Sec. 2) The budgetary effects of this bill must not be entered on the PAYGO scorecards maintained by the Office of Management and Budget.

(Sec. 3) The Committees on Education and the Workforce, Energy and Commerce, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means of the House of Representatives must report legislation within each committee's jurisdiction with provisions that:

 foster economic growth and private sector job creation; lower health care premiums; preserve a patient's ability to keep their health plan; provide people with preexisting conditions access to affordable health coverage; reform the medical liability system to reduce unnecessary health care spending; increase the number of insured Americans; protect the doctor-patient relationship; provide states greater flexibility to administer Medicaid programs while reducing costs; expand incentives to encourage personal responsibility for health care coverage and costs; prohibit taxpayer funding of abortions and provide conscience protections for health care providers; eliminate duplicative government programs and wasteful spending; or do not accelerate the growth of entitlement programs or increase the tax burden on Americans.

sec bill repeals patient_protection affordable care act health_care provisions health_care_and_education reconciliation act repeal effective days enactment act provisions law amended repealed provisions restored sec budgetary effects bill entered paygo scorecards maintained office_of_management_and_budget sec committees education workforce energy commerce judiciary ways_and_means house_of_representatives report legislation committee jurisdiction provisions foster economic growth private sector job creation lower health_care premiums preserve patient ability health plan provide people preexisting conditions access affordable health coverage reform medical liability system reduce unnecessary health_care spending increase number insured americans protect doctor patient relationship provide states greater flexibility administer medicaid programs reducing costs expand incentives encourage personal responsibility health_care coverage costs prohibit taxpayer funding abortions provide conscience protections health_care providers eliminate duplicative government programs wasteful spending accelerate growth entitlement programs increase tax burden americans


Summary:
Expanded & Improved Medicare for All Act

Establishes the Medicare for All Program to provide all individuals residing in the United States and U.S. territories with free health care that includes all medically necessary care, such as primary care and prevention, dietary and nutritional therapies, prescription drugs, emergency care, long-term care, mental health services, dental services, and vision care.

Prohibits an institution from participating unless it is a public or nonprofit institution. Allows nonprofit health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that deliver care in their own facilities to participate.

Allows patients to choose from participating physicians and institutions.

Prohibits a private health insurer from selling health insurance coverage that duplicates the benefits provided under this Act. Allows insurers to sell benefits that are not medically necessary, such as cosmetic surgery benefits.

Sets forth methods to pay institutional providers of care and health professionals for services. Prohibits financial incentives between HMOs and physicians based on utilization.

Establishes the Medicare for All Trust Fund to finance the Program with amounts deposited: (1) from existing sources of government revenues for health care, (2) by increasing personal income taxes on the top 5% of income earners, (3) by instituting a progressive excise tax on payroll and self-employment income, (4) by instituting a tax on unearned income, and (5) by instituting a tax on stock and bond transactions. Transfers and appropriates to carry out this Act amounts that would have been appropriated for federal public health care programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Requires the Medicare for All Program to give employment transition benefits and first priority in retraining and job placement to individuals whose jobs are eliminated due to reduced clerical and administrative work.

Requires creation of a confidential electronic patient record system.

Establishes a National Board of Universal Quality and Access to provide advice on quality, access, and affordability.

Requires the eventual integration of the Indian Health Service into the Program, and an evaluation of the continued independence of Department of Veterans Affairs health programs.

expanded improved medicare act establishes medicare program provide individuals residing united_states territories free health_care includes medically necessary care primary care prevention dietary nutritional therapies prescription drugs emergency care long-term_care mental health services dental services vision care prohibits institution participating public nonprofit institution allows nonprofit health maintenance organizations deliver care facilities participate allows patients choose participating physicians institutions prohibits private health insurer selling health insurance coverage duplicates benefits provided act allows insurers sell benefits medically necessary cosmetic surgery benefits sets forth methods pay institutional providers care health professionals services prohibits financial incentives physicians based utilization establishes medicare trust_fund finance program amounts deposited existing sources government revenues health_care increasing personal income taxes income earners instituting progressive excise tax payroll self employment income instituting tax unearned income instituting tax stock bond transactions transfers appropriates carry act amounts appropriated federal public health_care programs including medicare medicaid children health insurance program chip requires medicare program employment transition benefits priority retraining job placement individuals jobs eliminated reduced clerical administrative work requires creation confidential electronic patient record system establishes national board universal quality access provide advice quality access affordability requires eventual integration indian_health_service program evaluation continued independence department_of_veterans_affairs health programs


Summary:
Prevent IRS Overreach Act of 2015

Prohibits the Internal Revenue Service from filling any position, by transfer or any other appointment taking effect on or after the enactment of this Act, if the duties and responsibilities of such position include the enforcement of any provision of, or amendment made by, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.

prevent irs overreach act prohibits internal_revenue_service filling position transfer appointment taking effect enactment act duties responsibilities position include enforcement provision amendment patient_protection affordable care act health_care_and_education reconciliation act


Summary:
Telehealth Modernization Act of 2015

Calls for states to authorize health care professionals to deliver health care to individuals through telehealth and consider adopting conditions under which a health care professional delivering care through telehealth should:

 have access to the individual's medical history and should review it with the individual as if delivering the health care in person; attempt to identify any conditions underlying the symptoms reported by the individual before providing any diagnosis or treatment and, if recommending a treatment, should review with the individual the contraindications; have a conversation with the individual adequate to establish any diagnosis rendered; document any evaluation and treatment delivered to the individual to generate a medical record of the encounter; provide to the individual information regarding the professional's health care education, certification, and credentials; offer no assurance to the individual that any item or service will be issued or provided in exchange for the payment of the consultation fee or solely in response to the individual completing a form or questionnaire; and only issue a prescription if it is issued by a health care professional who has obtained a medical history and conducted an evaluation of the individual adequate to establish a diagnosis, not for certain controlled substances, and filled by a licensed dispensing entity.

telehealth modernization act calls states authorize health_care professionals deliver health_care individuals telehealth consider adopting conditions health_care professional delivering care telehealth access individual medical history review individual delivering health_care person attempt identify conditions underlying symptoms reported individual providing diagnosis treatment recommending treatment review individual contraindications individual adequate establish diagnosis rendered document evaluation treatment delivered individual generate medical record encounter provide individual information professional health_care education certification credentials offer assurance individual item service issued provided exchange payment consultation fee solely response individual completing form questionnaire issue prescription issued health_care professional obtained medical history conducted evaluation individual adequate establish diagnosis certain controlled substances filled licensed dispensing entity


Summary:
Taxpayer Bailout Protection Act

This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that payments to plans do not exceed payments to HHS under the risk corridors program (under which a qualified health plan is required to participate in a payment adjustment system based on the ratio of the allowable costs of the plan to the plan's aggregate premiums) for a plan year.

HHS must proportionately decrease payments to plans in order to ensure that this requirement is satisfied each year.

taxpayer bailout protection act bill amends patient_protection affordable care act require department_of_health_and_human_services hhs ensure payments plans exceed payments hhs risk corridors program qualified health plan required participate payment adjustment system based ratio allowable costs plan plan aggregate premiums plan year hhs proportionately decrease payments plans order ensure requirement satisfied year


Summary:
Small Business Tax Credit Accessibility Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the small employer health care insurance tax credit, to: (1) revise the definition of "eligible small employer" to mean an employer with not more than 50 (currently, 25) full-time employees; (2) modify the phaseout formula for such credit to base such phaseout on number of employees and average annual wages; (3) extend from two to three consecutive taxable years the period during which an employer may claim such credit; and (4) eliminate the requirement that employers contribute the same percentage of cost of each employee's health insurance and the cap limiting eligible employer contributions to average premiums paid to a state health insurance exchange.

small business tax credit accessibility act amends_the_internal_revenue_code respect small employer health_care insurance tax credit revise definition eligible small employer mean employer currently time employees modify phaseout formula credit base phaseout number employees average annual wages extend consecutive taxable years period employer claim credit eliminate requirement employers contribute percentage cost employee health insurance cap limiting eligible employer contributions average premiums paid state health insurance exchange


Summary:
Safeguarding Classrooms Hurt by ObamaCare's Obligatory Levies

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude any elementary or secondary school, state or local educational agency, and institution of higher education from the definition of "applicable large employer" for purposes of the employer mandate to provide health care coverage for employees.

Directs the Secretary of Education to study and report on the impact of the employer health insurance mandate on educational agencies and institutions before and after the enactment of this Act.

safeguarding classrooms obamacare levies amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude elementary secondary school state local educational agency institution higher education definition applicable large employer purposes employer mandate provide health_care coverage employees directs secretary education study report impact employer health insurance mandate educational agencies institutions enactment act


Summary:
Medicaid Expansion Incentive Act of 2015

 Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to entitle to an increase (bonus) in payments under its state medical assistance plan any state electing to meet Medicaid expansion requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Requires such bonuses to be in amounts made available from a net reduction in federal payments to other states not electing to meet those requirements.

medicaid expansion incentive act amends title xix medicaid social_security_act entitle increase bonus payments state medical assistance plan state electing meet medicaid expansion requirements patient_protection affordable care act requires bonuses amounts available net reduction federal payments states electing meet requirements


Summary:
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with respect to air ambulance services furnished during 2017 or any subsequent year, to reduce the mandatory percentage increase (inflation adjustment) for payments under the fee schedule by 2.0% for any supplier or provider that fails to submit to the Secretary specified data.

The Secretary is required to select at least two quality measures with respect to which such providers and suppliers may voluntarily submit such data.

The Government Accountability Office is required to report to Congress on all such data, together with a recommendation on the adequate amount of Medicare reimbursement to providers and suppliers that would reflect their operational costs and preserve access to critical air medical services.

The Secretary is required, in the case of air ambulance services furnished during calendar 2016 through 2019 to make a percentage increase in the base rate of the fee schedule: (1) by 20% during 2016, and (2) by 5% during 2017-2019.

bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act direct secretary health_and_human_services respect air ambulance services furnished subsequent year reduce mandatory percentage increase inflation adjustment payments fee schedule supplier provider fails submit secretary specified data secretary required select quality measures respect providers suppliers voluntarily submit data government_accountability_office required report congress data recommendation adequate medicare reimbursement providers suppliers reflect operational costs preserve access critical air medical services secretary required case air ambulance services furnished calendar percentage increase base rate fee schedule


Summary:
Medicare Residential Care Coordination Act of 2015

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and implement a demonstration project under titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to evaluate the use of capitated payments made to eligible continuing care retirement communities for residential care coordination programs.

medicare residential care coordination act directs secretary health_and_human_services establish implement demonstration project titles xviii medicare xix medicaid social_security_act evaluate use capitated payments eligible continuing care retirement communities residential care coordination programs


Summary:
Simplifying Technical Aspects Regarding Seasonality Act of 2015 or the STARS Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt seasonal employees from the definition of "full-time employee" for purposes of the employer mandate to provide employees with minimum essential health care coverage. Defines "seasonal employee" as an employee who is employed in a position for which the customary annual employment is not more than six months and which requires performing labor or services that are ordinarily performed at certain seasons or periods of the year.

simplifying technical aspects act stars act amends_the_internal_revenue_code exempt seasonal employees definition time employee purposes employer mandate provide employees minimum essential health_care coverage defines seasonal employee employee employed position customary annual employment months requires performing labor services ordinarily performed certain periods year


Summary:
Ax the Tax on Middle Class Americans' Health Plans Act

This bill repeals, effective for taxable years beginning after 2017, the excise tax on the excess benefit portion of high-cost employer-sponsored health care plans (known as Cadillac plans). The reporting requirement for such plans is also repealed for calendar years beginning after 2014.

tax middle class americans health plans act bill repeals effective taxable years beginning excise tax excess benefit portion high cost employer sponsored health_care plans known plans reporting requirement plans repealed calendar years beginning


Summary:
Medicare Employer Relief Act of 2015

 Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to Medicare as secondary payer to repeal requirements for identification of secondary payer situations.

medicare employer relief_act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act respect medicare secondary payer repeal requirements identification secondary payer situations


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 22, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

CO-OP Consumer Protection Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to temporarily exempt from penalties for failing to purchase and maintain minimum essential health care coverage individuals whose coverage under a plan offered by a qualified nonprofit health insurance issuer receiving funds through the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan program was terminated. The exemption applies as of the first month for which the coverage was terminated and continues for the remaining months of the calendar year.

measure amended reported house september summary version repeated consumer protection act sec bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code temporarily exempt penalties failing purchase maintain minimum essential health_care coverage individuals coverage plan offered qualified nonprofit health insurance issuer receiving funds consumer operated oriented plan program terminated exemption applies month coverage terminated continues remaining months calendar year


Summary:
Show Your Exemption Act

This bill requires the House of Representatives and the Senate to make publicly available the determinations of each Member of the House of Representatives and each Senator regarding the designation of their employees (including leadership and committee staff) as congressional staff for purposes of requiring those employees to enroll in health insurance coverage offered through a health benefit exchange as required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

exemption act bill requires house_of_representatives senate publicly available determinations member house_of_representatives senator designation employees including leadership committee staff congressional staff purposes requiring employees enroll health insurance coverage offered health benefit exchange required patient_protection affordable care act


Summary:
MediFair Act of 2015

 Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a system for making adjustments to the amount of payment made to entities and individuals for items and services provided under the original Medicare fee-for-service program under Medicare parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Requires such adjustments in order to make the state average per beneficiary amount equal to the national average per beneficiary amount.

Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to develop recommendations on policies and practices that would encourage: (1) healthy outcomes and quality care under the Medicare program in states with respect to which payments are reduced under such system, and (2) the efficient use of payments made under the Medicare program in such states.

act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act direct secretary health_and_human_services establish system making adjustments payment entities individuals items services provided original medicare fee service program medicare parts hospital insurance supplementary_medical_insurance requires adjustments order state average beneficiary equal national average beneficiary directs medicare_payment_advisory_commission develop recommendations policies practices encourage healthy outcomes quality care medicare program states respect payments reduced system efficient use payments medicare program states


Summary: This bill extends through December 31, 2019, the eligibility of Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation pension recipients for the health care tax credit.

bill extends december eligibility pension_benefit_guaranty_corporation pension recipients health_care tax credit


Summary:
Responsible Additions and Increases to Sustain Employee Health Benefits Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax exclusion for distributions from health flexible spending arrangements, to: (1) increase to $5,000, with an additional $500 for each additional employee dependent above two dependents, the maximum annual amount of funding for such plans, and (2) allow a carryforward into the next year for unused amounts in such plans.

responsible additions increases sustain employee health benefits act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code respect tax exclusion distributions health flexible spending arrangements increase additional additional employee dependent dependents maximum annual funding plans allow year unused amounts plans


Summary:
Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Repeals sections of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (and restores provisions of law amended by those sections) related to the establishment of an Independent Payment Advisory Board to develop proposals to reduce the per capita rate of growth in spending under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act.

(Sec. 3) Rescinds specified appropriations to the Prevention and Public Health Fund for FY2017-FY2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.

protecting seniors access medicare_act sec repeals sections patient_protection affordable care act restores provisions law amended sections related establishment independent_payment_advisory_board develop proposals reduce capita rate growth spending title xviii medicare social_security_act sec rescinds specified appropriations prevention_and_public_health_fund fy2017 fy2026 fiscal year


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on May 7, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to direct the President, within five days after reaching an agreement with Iran regarding Iran's nuclear program, to transmit to Congress:

 the text of the agreement and all related materials and annexes; a related verification assessment report of the Secretary of State; a certification that the agreement includes the appropriate terms, conditions, and duration of the agreement's requirements concerning Iran's nuclear activities, and provisions describing any sanctions to be waived, suspended, or otherwise reduced by the United States and any other nation or entity, including the United Nations; and a certification that the agreement meets U.S. non-proliferation objectives, does not jeopardize the common defense and security, provides a framework to ensure that Iran's nuclear activities will not constitute an unreasonable defense and security risk, and ensures that Iran's permitted nuclear activities will not be used to further any nuclear-related military or nuclear explosive purpose, including any related research. The Secretary is directed to prepare a report assessing:

 the Secretary's capacity to verify Iran's compliance with the agreement, the adequacy of the agreement's safeguards to ensure that Iran's permitted activities will not be used to further any nuclear-related military or nuclear explosive purpose, including research; and the International Atomic Energy Agency's capacity to implement the required verification regime. In preparing a report the Secretary shall assume that Iran could:

 use all measures not expressly prohibited by the agreement to conceal activities that violate its obligations under the agreement; and alter or deviate from standard practices in order to impede verification efforts. The foreign relations committees shall hold hearings and briefings to review an agreement during the 30-day period following the President's transmittal of such agreement.

 The congressional review period shall be 60 days for an agreement, including all materials required to be transmitted to Congress, that is transmitted between July 10, 2015, and September 7, 2015.

 The President may not waive, suspend, reduce, provide relief from, or otherwise limit the application of statutory sanctions with respect to Iran or refrain from applying sanctions pursuant to an agreement prior to and during the transmission period and during the congressional review period.

 The President may not waive, suspend, reduce, provide relief from, or otherwise limit the application of statutory sanctions with respect to Iran or refrain from applying sanctions pursuant to an agreement for:

 12 days after the date of passage by both Houses of Congress of a congressional joint resolution of disapproval, and 10 days after the date of a presidential veto of a congressional joint resolution of disapproval passed by both Houses of Congress. Specified deferrals, waivers, or other suspensions of statutory sanctions are excepted from such prohibitions.

 It is the sense of Congress that:

 the sanctions regime imposed on Iran by Congress is primarily responsible for bringing Iran to the table to negotiate on its nuclear program; these negotiations are a critically important matter of national security and foreign policy for the United States and its closest allies; this Act does not require a vote by Congress for the agreement to commence; this Act provides for congressional review, including for approval, disapproval, or no action on statutory sanctions relief under an agreement; and even though the agreement may commence, because the sanctions regime was imposed by Congress and only Congress can permanently modify or eliminate that regime, it is critically important that Congress have the opportunity to consider and take action affecting the statutory sanctions regime. An action involving statutory sanctions relief by the United States pursuant to an agreement or the Joint Plan of Action:

 may be taken if, during the review period, Congress enacts a joint resolution stating that Congress favors the agreement; may not be taken if, during the review period, Congress enacts a joint resolution stating that Congress does not favor the agreement; or may be taken if, following the review period, there is not enacted any such joint resolution. The President shall keep Congress fully and currently informed of all aspects of Iranian compliance with respect to an agreement.

The President shall:

 within 10 days of receiving information relating to a potentially significant breach or compliance incident by Iran submit it to Congress; within 30 days after submitting such information determine whether it constitutes a material breach or compliance incident and report that determination to Congress as well as Iran's action or failure to act that led to the material breach, actions necessary for Iran to cure the breach, and the status of Iran's efforts to cure the breach; and at least every 180 days thereafter report to Congress on Iran's nuclear program and compliance with the agreement. The President shall keep Congress fully informed of any initiative or negotiations with Iran concerning its nuclear program, including any new or amended agreement.

The President shall, at least every 90 days, determine whether the President is able to certify that:

 Iran is fully implementing the agreement, Iran has not committed a material breach of the agreement, Iran has not taken any action that could significantly advance its nuclear weapons program, and suspension of sanctions against Iran is appropriate and proportionate to measures taken by Iran with respect to terminating its illicit nuclear program and vital to U.S. national security interests. It is the sense of Congress that:

 U.S. sanctions on Iran for terrorism, human rights abuses, and ballistic missiles will remain in place under an agreement; issues not addressed by an agreement on Iran's nuclear program, including compensation for Americans held in captivity after the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran, in 1979, the freedom of Americans held in Iran, the human rights abuses of the government of Iran against its own people, and the continued support of terrorism by the government of Iran, are matters critical to ensure justice and U.S. national security, and should be addressed; the President should determine the agreement in no way compromises the U.S. commitment to Israel's security, nor its support for Israel's right to exist; and in order to implement any long-term agreement reached between the P5+1 countries and Iran, it is critically important that Congress have the opportunity to review any agreement and take action to modify the statutory sanctions regime imposed by Congress. If the President does not submit such 90-day compliance certification or has determined that Iran has materially breached an agreement and not cured it legislation reinstating statutory sanctions against Iran introduced within 60 calendar days of such event shall be entitled to expedited consideration.

Sets forth provisions regarding such expedited consideration.

 Nothing in this Act shall be construed as:

 modifying the President's authority to negotiate, enter into, or implement executive agreements, other than the restrictions on implementation of the agreements specifically covered by this Act; allowing any new waiver, suspension, reduction, or other relief from statutory sanctions with respect to Iran under any provision of law, or allowing the President to refrain from applying any such sanctions pursuant to an agreement during the period for congressional review; revoking or terminating any statutory sanctions imposed on Iran; or authorizing the use of military force against Iran.

measure amended passed senate summary version repeated iran nuclear agreement review act sec bill amends atomic energy act direct president days reaching agreement iran iran nuclear program transmit congress text agreement related materials annexes related verification assessment report secretary state certification agreement includes appropriate terms conditions duration agreement requirements concerning iran nuclear activities provisions describing sanctions waived suspended reduced united_states nation entity including united_nations certification agreement meets non proliferation objectives jeopardize common defense security provides framework ensure iran nuclear activities constitute unreasonable defense security risk ensures iran permitted nuclear activities nuclear related military nuclear explosive purpose including related research secretary directed prepare report assessing secretary capacity verify iran compliance agreement adequacy agreement safeguards ensure iran permitted activities nuclear related military nuclear explosive purpose including research international_atomic_energy_agency capacity implement required verification regime preparing report secretary shall assume iran use measures expressly prohibited agreement conceal activities violate obligations agreement alter standard practices order impede verification efforts foreign relations committees shall hold hearings briefings review agreement day period following president transmittal agreement congressional review period shall days agreement including materials required transmitted congress transmitted july september president waive suspend reduce provide relief limit application statutory sanctions respect iran refrain applying sanctions pursuant agreement prior transmission period congressional review period president waive suspend reduce provide relief limit application statutory sanctions respect iran refrain applying sanctions pursuant agreement days date passage houses congress congressional joint resolution disapproval days date presidential veto congressional joint resolution disapproval passed houses congress specified deferrals waivers suspensions statutory sanctions excepted prohibitions sense congress sanctions regime imposed iran congress primarily responsible bringing iran table negotiate nuclear program negotiations critically important matter national security foreign policy united_states closest allies act require vote congress agreement commence act provides congressional review including approval disapproval action statutory sanctions relief agreement agreement commence sanctions regime imposed congress congress permanently modify eliminate regime critically important congress opportunity consider action affecting statutory sanctions regime action involving statutory sanctions relief united_states pursuant agreement joint_plan_of_action taken review period congress enacts joint resolution stating congress favors agreement taken review period congress enacts joint resolution stating congress favor agreement taken following review period enacted joint resolution president shall congress fully currently informed aspects iranian compliance respect agreement president shall days receiving information relating potentially significant breach compliance incident iran submit congress days submitting information determine constitutes material breach compliance incident report determination congress iran action failure act led material breach actions necessary iran cure breach status iran efforts cure breach days report congress iran nuclear program compliance agreement president shall congress fully informed initiative negotiations iran concerning nuclear program including new amended agreement president shall days determine president able certify iran fully implementing agreement iran committed material breach agreement iran taken action significantly advance nuclear weapons program suspension sanctions iran appropriate proportionate measures taken iran respect terminating illicit nuclear program vital national security interests sense congress sanctions iran terrorism human rights abuses ballistic missiles remain place agreement issues addressed agreement iran nuclear program including compensation americans held captivity seizure embassy tehran iran freedom americans held iran human rights abuses government iran people continued support terrorism government iran matters critical ensure justice national security addressed president determine agreement way compromises commitment israel security support israel right exist order implement long term agreement reached countries iran critically important congress opportunity review agreement action modify statutory sanctions regime imposed congress president submit day compliance certification determined iran materially breached agreement legislation reinstating statutory sanctions iran introduced calendar days event shall entitled expedited consideration sets forth provisions expedited consideration act shall construed modifying president authority negotiate enter implement executive agreements restrictions implementation agreements specifically covered act allowing new waiver suspension reduction relief statutory sanctions respect iran provision law allowing president refrain applying sanctions pursuant agreement period congressional review revoking terminating statutory sanctions imposed iran authorizing use military force iran


Summary:
American Health Security Act of 2015

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives concerning recognition of health care as a human right.

Establishes the State-Based American Health Security Program to provide every U.S. resident who is a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful resident alien with health care services. Requires each participating state to establish a state health security program.

Eliminates benefits under: (1) titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP) of the Social Security Act; (2) the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program; and (3) TRICARE.

Repeals requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) related to health insurance coverage, including requirements concerning state health insurance exchanges.

Requires each state health security program to prohibit the sale of health insurance in that state that duplicates benefits provided under the program.

Establishes the American Health Security Standards Board to: (1) develop policies, procedures, guidelines and requirements to carry out this Act; (2) establish uniform reporting requirements and quality performance standards; (3) provide for an American Health Security Advisory Council and an Advisory Committee on Health Professional Education; and (4) establish a national health security budget specifying the total federal and state expenditures to be made for covered health care services.

Establishes the American Health Security Quality Council to: (1) review and evaluate practice guidelines, standards of quality, performance measures, and medical review criteria; and (2) develop minimum competence criteria.

Establishes the Office of Primary Care and Prevention Research within the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health.

Creates the American Health Security Trust Fund and appropriates to it specified tax liabilities and current health program receipts, including premium assistance credit amounts under PPACA.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose on individuals: (1) a health care income tax, and (2) an income tax surcharge on amounts of modified adjusted gross income exceeding $1 million. Imposes an excise tax on securities transactions and allows an income tax credit for such taxes.

american health security act expresses sense house_of_representatives concerning recognition health_care human right establishes state based american health security program provide resident citizen national lawful resident alien health_care services requires participating state establish state health security program eliminates benefits titles xviii medicare xix medicaid xxi children health insurance chip social_security_act federal_employees_health_benefits_program tricare repeals requirements patient_protection affordable care act ppaca related health insurance coverage including requirements concerning state health insurance exchanges requires state health security program prohibit sale health insurance state duplicates benefits provided program establishes american health security standards board develop policies procedures guidelines requirements carry act establish uniform reporting requirements quality performance standards provide american health security advisory_council advisory_committee health professional education establish national health security budget specifying total federal state expenditures covered health_care services establishes american health security quality council review evaluate practice guidelines standards quality performance measures medical review criteria develop minimum competence criteria establishes office primary care prevention research office_of_the_director national_institutes_of_health creates american health security trust_fund appropriates specified tax liabilities current health program receipts including premium assistance credit amounts ppaca amends_the_internal_revenue_code impose individuals health_care income tax income tax surcharge amounts modified adjusted gross income exceeding million imposes excise tax securities transactions allows income tax credit taxes


Summary:
Fair Access to Health Care Act of 2015

 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the health care insurance premium assistance tax credit, to adjust by a specified percentage the poverty line cap used to determine the eligibility of low-income taxpayers whose principal residence is located in a high cost area for such credit. The bill defines "specified percentage" as the product of 400% (the current poverty line cap) and the Supplemental Poverty Measure for high cost areas as determined by the Bureau of the Census.

fair access health_care act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code respect health_care insurance premium assistance tax credit adjust specified percentage poverty line cap determine eligibility low income taxpayers principal residence located high cost area credit bill defines specified percentage product current poverty line cap supplemental poverty measure high cost areas determined bureau_of_the_census


Summary:
Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act of 2015

Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) establish standards to ensure that all VA medical facilities have the structural characteristics necessary to adequately meet the gender-specific health care needs of veterans at such facilities, including privacy, safety, and dignity; (2) integrate such standards into its prioritization methodology with respect to requests for funding major medical facility projects and major medical facility leases; and (3) report on such standards, including regarding the facilities that fail to meet such standards and the costs of projects and leases required to meet them.

Requires the VA to: (1) use health outcomes for women veterans furnished health care by the the VA in evaluating the performance of VA medical center directors, (2) publish on its website information on such performance and on health outcomes for women veterans for each VA medical facility, (3) ensure that every VA medical center has a full-time obstetrician or gynecologist, and (4) carry out a pilot program to increase the number of residency program positions and graduate medical education positions for obstetricians and gynecologists at VA medical facilities in not less than three Veterans Integrated Service Networks.

Directs the VA to develop procedures to share information that includes military service and separation data, personal email addresses and telephone numbers, and mailing addresses of veterans with state veterans agencies in electronic format as a means of facilitating the furnishing of assistance and benefits to such veterans. Allows a veteran to elect to prevent their information from being shared.

Directs the Government Accountability Office to carry out an examination of whether VA medical centers are able to meet the health care needs of women veterans.

women veterans access quality care act directs department_of_veterans_affairs establish standards ensure medical facilities structural characteristics necessary adequately meet gender specific health_care needs veterans facilities including privacy safety dignity integrate standards prioritization methodology respect requests funding major medical facility projects major medical facility leases report standards including facilities fail meet standards costs projects leases required meet requires use health outcomes women veterans furnished health_care evaluating performance medical center directors publish website information performance health outcomes women veterans medical facility ensure medical center time carry pilot program increase number residency program positions graduate medical education positions medical facilities veterans_integrated_service_networks directs develop procedures share information includes military service separation data personal email addresses telephone numbers mailing addresses veterans state veterans agencies electronic format means facilitating furnishing assistance benefits veterans allows veteran elect prevent information shared directs government_accountability_office carry examination medical centers able meet health_care needs women veterans


Summary:
Retirement Health Savings Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, for income tax purposes, distributions from certain tax-exempt retirement plans to a heath savings account in which an individual who is covered by a high deductible health care plan is participating (qualified HSA funding distribution). The bill also exempts such distributions from the 10% penalty for premature retirement plan distributions.

retirement health savings act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude gross income income tax purposes distributions certain tax exempt retirement plans heath savings account individual covered high deductible health_care plan participating qualified hsa funding distribution bill exempts distributions penalty premature retirement plan distributions


Summary:
Family Health Care Flexibility Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal provisions added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that: (1) restrict payments from health savings accounts, Archer medical savings accounts, and health flexible spending and reimbursement arrangements for medications to prescription drugs and insulin only (thus allowing payments for over-the-counter medications); and (2) impose a $2,500 limitation on salary reduction contributions to a health flexible spending arrangement under a cafeteria plan.

family health_care flexibility act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code repeal provisions added patient_protection affordable care act restrict payments health savings_accounts archer_medical_savings_accounts health flexible spending reimbursement arrangements medications prescription drugs insulin allowing payments counter medications impose limitation salary reduction contributions health flexible spending arrangement cafeteria plan


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 28, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and Public Health Service Act to include employers with 51 to 100 employees as large employers for purposes of health insurance markets. States have the option to treat these employers as small employers. Currently under PPACA, employers with 51 to 100 employees are small employers, but before January 1, 2016, states have the option to treat them as large employers. (Under PPACA, health insurance offered in the small group market must meet certain requirements that do not apply to the large group market, including the requirement to cover the essential health benefits.)

Funds are made available to the Medicare Improvement Fund for services provided during and after FY2020.

measure amended passed house september summary version repeated protecting affordable coverage employees act sec bill amends patient_protection affordable care act ppaca public_health_service_act include employers employees large employers purposes health insurance markets states option treat employers small employers currently ppaca employers employees small employers january states option treat large employers ppaca health insurance offered small group market meet certain requirements apply large group market including requirement cover essential health benefits funds available medicare_improvement_fund services provided fy2020


Summary:
Telehealth Enhancement Act of 2015

 Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in order to provide a positive incentive for certain hospitals to lower their excess readmission ratios for inpatient services, to make an additional payment to a hospital in such proportion that provides for a sharing of the savings from better-than-expected performance between the hospital and the Medicare program.

Authorizes the Secretary, in the case of a state that has amended its Medicaid plan to provide coordinated care through a health home for individuals with chronic conditions, to contract with the state medical assistance agency to serve eligible individuals with chronic conditions who select a designated provider, a team of health care professionals operating with such a provider, or a health team as the individual's health home.

Authorizes the Secretary to contract with a national or multi-state regional center of excellence with a network of affiliated local providers to provide through one or more medical homes for targeted, accessible, continuous, and coordinated care to individuals under Medicare and Medicaid with a long-term illness or medical condition that requires regular medical treatment, advising, and monitoring.

Authorizes an Accountable Care Organization to include coverage of telehealth and remote patient monitoring services as supplemental health care benefits to the same extent as a Medicare Advantage plan is permitted to provide such coverage of such services as supplemental health care.

Recognizes telehealth services and remote patient monitoring in the national pilot program on payment bundling.

Includes among originating sites (at which an eligible telehealth individual is located at the time a service is furnished via a telecommunications system), but without receiving payment of a facility fee, any critical access hospitals, sole community hospitals, home telehealth sites, as well as specified others.

Amends SSAct title XIX (Medicaid) to give states the option to provide coordinated care for enrollees with high-risk pregnancies and births.

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to specify additional health care providers to which universal telecommunications service support must be provided.

Requires Federal Communications Commission rules for enhancing health care provider access to advanced telecommunications and information services to disregard provider location.

telehealth enhancement_act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act ssact direct secretary health_and_human_services order provide positive incentive certain hospitals lower excess ratios inpatient services additional payment hospital proportion provides sharing savings better expected performance hospital medicare program authorizes secretary case state amended medicaid plan provide coordinated care health home individuals chronic conditions contract state medical assistance agency serve eligible individuals chronic conditions select designated provider team health_care professionals operating provider health team individual health home authorizes secretary contract national multi state regional center_of_excellence network affiliated local providers provide medical homes targeted accessible continuous coordinated care individuals medicare medicaid long term illness medical condition requires regular medical treatment advising monitoring authorizes accountable care organization include coverage telehealth remote patient monitoring services supplemental health_care benefits extent medicare_advantage plan permitted provide coverage services supplemental health_care recognizes telehealth services remote patient monitoring national pilot program payment bundling includes originating sites eligible telehealth individual located time service furnished telecommunications system receiving payment facility fee critical access hospitals sole community hospitals home telehealth sites specified amends ssact title xix medicaid states option provide coordinated care enrollees high risk pregnancies amends communications act specify additional health_care providers universal telecommunications service support provided requires federal_communications_commission rules enhancing health_care provider access advanced telecommunications information services disregard provider location


Summary: Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as a condition of approval of a demonstration project undertaken to promote the objectives of SSAct title XIX (Medicaid) in a state, to require that the project be budget neutral.

amends title social_security_act ssact require secretary health_and_human_services condition approval demonstration project undertaken promote objectives ssact title xix medicaid state require project budget neutral


Summary:
Special Inspector General for Monitoring the ACA Act of 2015 or the SIGMA Act of 2015

Establishes the Office of the Special Inspector General for Monitoring the Affordable Care Act to conduct, supervise, and coordinate audits and investigations of the implementation and administration of programs and activities established under, and payment system changes made by, the Affordable Care Act (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010). Requires the Special Inspector General to be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Requires the Special Inspector General to appoint an Assistant Inspector General for Auditing and an Assistant Inspector General for Investigations.

Places the Special Inspector General under the supervision of the Department of Health and Human Services, but prohibits federal agencies involved in implementing or administering the Affordable Care Act from preventing or prohibiting the Special Inspector General from initiating, carrying out, or completing any audit or investigation.

special inspector_general monitoring act act establishes office special inspector_general monitoring affordable care act conduct supervise coordinate audits investigations implementation administration programs activities established payment system changes affordable care act patient_protection affordable care act health_care provisions health_care_and_education reconciliation act requires special inspector_general appointed president advice consent senate requires special inspector_general appoint assistant inspector_general auditing assistant inspector_general investigations places special inspector_general supervision department_of_health_and_human_services prohibits federal agencies involved implementing administering affordable care act preventing prohibiting special inspector_general initiating carrying completing audit investigation


Summary:
Veterans E-Health & Telemedicine Support Act of 2015 or VETS Act of 2015

Allows a health care professional who is authorized to provide health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs and who is a licensed, nationally registered, or certified professional to practice at any location in any state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. commonwealth, territory, or possession, regardless of where the professional or patient is located, if the professional is using telemedicine to provide treatment. Allows such treatment regardless of whether such professional or patient is located in a facility owned by the federal government.

veterans health telemedicine support act vets act allows health_care professional authorized provide health_care department_of_veterans_affairs licensed nationally registered certified professional practice location state district_of_columbia commonwealth territory possession regardless professional patient located professional telemedicine provide treatment allows treatment regardless professional patient located facility owned federal_government


Summary:
American Health Care Reform Act of 2015

This bill repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, effective January 1, 2016. Provisions amended by repealed provisions are restored.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax standard deduction for health insurance.

Provisions regarding health savings accounts (HSAs) are revised, including to raise contribution limits and to expand the products and services that may be paid for using an HSA.

Group health plans may vary premiums and cost-sharing based on participation in a wellness program.

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants to states for high risk health insurance pools.

Individual health insurance coverage is governed by the laws of the state designated by the health insurance issuer.

This bill amends title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to publish Medicare claims and payment data.

This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for association health plans, which are group health plans sponsored by certain business associations.

Veterans with certain service-related disabilities or who have been awarded a medal of honor must be provided access to medical services though specified entities other than the Department of Veterans Affairs.

HHS must publish clinical practice guidelines. Independent medical review panels must review health care lawsuits in which the defendant alleges adherence to clinical practice guidelines.

Federal courts have jurisdiction over health care lawsuits.

This bill amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to revise non-security discretionary spending limits.

american health_care reform_act bill repeals patient_protection affordable care act health_care provisions health_care_and_education reconciliation act effective january provisions amended repealed provisions restored bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow income tax standard deduction health insurance provisions health savings_accounts hsas revised including raise contribution limits expand products services paid hsa group health plans vary premiums cost sharing based participation wellness program bill amends public_health_service_act require department_of_health_and_human_services hhs provide grants states high risk health insurance pools individual health insurance coverage governed laws state designated health insurance issuer bill amends title general_provisions social_security_act require center medicare medicaid_services publish medicare claims payment data bill amends employee retirement income security act erisa provide association health plans group health plans sponsored certain business associations veterans certain service related disabilities awarded medal honor provided access medical services specified entities department_of_veterans_affairs hhs publish clinical practice guidelines independent medical review panels review health_care lawsuits defendant alleges adherence clinical practice guidelines federal courts jurisdiction health_care lawsuits bill amends balanced_budget emergency deficit control act revise non security discretionary spending limits


Summary:
Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude services rendered by bona-fide volunteers providing firefighting and prevention services, emergency medical services, or ambulance services to a state or local government or a tax-exempt charitable organization from the category of services usually rendered by an employee of an applicable large employer subject to the mandate to provide minimum essential health care coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), thus exempting such employers from PPACA requirements with respect to such volunteers.

The bill defines "bona fide volunteer" as an employee of any government entity and any tax-exempt charitable organization whose only compensation is in the form of: (1) reimbursement for (or reasonable allowance for) reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of volunteer services, or (2) reasonable benefits (including length-of-service awards) and nominal fees customarily paid by similar entities for the services of volunteers.

protecting volunteer firefighters emergency responders act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude services rendered bona fide volunteers providing firefighting prevention services emergency medical services ambulance services state local government tax exempt charitable organization category services usually rendered employee applicable large employer subject mandate provide minimum essential health_care coverage patient_protection affordable care act ppaca exempting employers ppaca requirements respect volunteers bill defines bona fide volunteer employee government entity tax exempt charitable organization compensation form reimbursement reasonable allowance reasonable expenses incurred performance volunteer services reasonable benefits including length service awards nominal fees customarily paid similar entities services volunteers


Summary:
Prevention of Bureaucratic Workarounds Act

This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from entering into a contract with a state or awarding assistance to a state to provide the state with technology from the federal health insurance exchange.

prevention bureaucratic act bill prohibits department_of_health_and_human_services entering contract state awarding assistance state provide state technology federal health insurance exchange


Summary:
No Subsidies Without Verification Act of 2015

This bill disallows the health plan premium assistance tax credit or cost-sharing reduction under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act before an individual's eligibility and the accurate amount of the credit or reduction is verified. Verification requires a review of the information provided by an applicant and resolution of any inconsistency between the information and the records of the Departments of the Treasury or Homeland Security or the Social Security Administration.

Individuals are exempt from the penalty for not maintaining minimum essential coverage for any month for which a premium tax credit is being claimed and that begins before verification is completed.

The premium tax credit and reduced cost-sharing are suspended for an individual for whom a subsidy was allowed before enactment of this Act until the individual's eligibility is verified. A special enrollment period is provided for an individual who terminated enrollment in a qualified plan during the period of suspension.

subsidies verification act bill disallows health plan premium assistance tax credit cost sharing reduction patient_protection affordable care act individual eligibility accurate credit reduction verified verification requires review information provided applicant resolution inconsistency information records departments treasury homeland_security social_security_administration individuals exempt penalty maintaining minimum essential coverage month premium tax credit claimed begins verification completed premium tax credit reduced cost sharing suspended individual subsidy allowed enactment act individual eligibility verified special enrollment period provided individual terminated enrollment qualified plan period suspension


Summary:
21st Century Care for Military and Veterans Act

Permits the use of a telecommunications system to provide an item or service to current and former members of the uniformed services and their dependents under the TRICARE plan of health care benefits administered by the Department of Defense and to veterans receiving health care benefits under plans administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

21st century care military veterans act permits use telecommunications system provide item service current members uniformed_services dependents tricare plan health_care benefits administered department_of_defense veterans receiving health_care benefits plans administered department_of_veterans_affairs


Summary:
Premium Reduction and Insurance Market Reform Act of 2015

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to revise requirements for private health insurance plans in a state with a federal health insurance exchange. Specifically, it exempts health plans from the requirement to cover preventive services without cost-sharing and the requirement to comply with annual out-of-pocket spending limits. It also exempts health plans in the individual and small group markets from the requirement to cover essential health benefits and the requirement to limit age-related premium variation.

premium reduction insurance market reform_act bill amends public_health_service_act revise requirements private health insurance plans state federal health insurance exchange specifically exempts health plans requirement cover preventive services cost sharing requirement comply annual pocket spending limits exempts health plans individual small group markets requirement cover essential health benefits requirement limit age related premium variation


Summary:
Free Market Healthcare Restoration and Coverage Act of 2015

This bill repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, effective May 31, 2017. Provisions amended by the repealed provisions are restored.

PPACA and the Internal Revenue Code are amended to repeal the requirements for individuals to maintain minimum essential coverage and for large employers to pay penalties if a full-time employee: (1) must wait longer than 60 days to enroll in an employer-sponsored health plan, or (2) receives a premium assistance tax credit or reduced cost-sharing. Coverage reporting requirements for providers and large employers are also repealed. These amendments are applied as if the repealed provisions had not been enacted.

Individuals enrolled in a health plan purchased through the federal health insurance exchange at the time of enactment of this Act who are ineligible for a premium assistance tax credit solely as a result of a determination by the Supreme Court in King v. Burwell are eligible for the tax credit. This applies to coverage months beginning after December 2013.

Group health coverage in which an individual was enrolled for any period after enactment of PPACA (March 23, 2010) is a grandfathered health plan under PPACA and is exempt from some coverage requirements.

Essential health benefits are defined by states. This amendment takes effect as if included in PPACA.

The budgetary effects of this bill must not be entered on the PAYGO scorecards maintained by the Office of Management and Budget.

free market healthcare restoration coverage act bill repeals patient_protection affordable care act ppaca health_care provisions health_care_and_education reconciliation act effective provisions amended repealed provisions restored ppaca internal_revenue_code amended repeal requirements individuals maintain minimum essential coverage large employers pay penalties time employee wait longer days enroll employer sponsored health plan receives premium assistance tax credit reduced cost sharing coverage reporting requirements providers large employers repealed amendments applied repealed provisions enacted individuals enrolled health plan purchased federal health insurance exchange time enactment act ineligible premium assistance tax credit solely result determination supreme_court king eligible tax credit applies coverage months beginning december group health coverage individual enrolled period enactment ppaca march grandfathered health plan ppaca exempt coverage requirements essential health benefits defined states amendment takes effect included ppaca budgetary effects bill entered paygo scorecards maintained office_of_management_and_budget


Summary:
Local and Municipal Health Care Choice Act of 2015

Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize a local government in a secondary state to provide group health coverage to its officers, employees, or retirees (and their dependents) through a local government employee health benefits pool or program authorized under the laws of a primary state.

Defines: (1) "primary state" to mean the state designated by a local government employee health benefits pool or program as the state whose covered laws shall govern the pool or program in the issuance of group health coverage, and (2) "secondary state" to mean any state that is not the primary state.

Makes a local government employee health benefits pool or program eligible to offer group health coverage to officials, employees, and retirees (and their dependents) of a local government located in a secondary state through an interlocal agreement with such local government, or as approved by an applicable state authority in such secondary state, unless objections are made within a specified time frame by the municipal league or association or county association located in the secondary state.

Requires the covered laws of the primary state to apply to group health coverage offered by a local government employee health benefits pool or program in the primary state and in any secondary state, but only if the coverage and the pool or program comply with conditions set forth in this Act with respect to the offering of coverage in any secondary state.

Defines "covered laws" as the laws, rules, regulations, agreements, and orders pertaining to:

 group health coverage issued by a local government employee health benefits pool or program; the offer, sale, rating, renewal, and issuance of group health coverage to local government officials, employees, and retirees or their dependents; the management, operations, and investment activities of such a pool or program; loss control and claims administration for such a pool or program with respect to liability for which the pool or program provides coverage; or the payment of applicable premium and other taxes that are levied on health insurance issuers, brokers, or policyholders under the laws of the state. Excludes from such term any law, rule, regulation, agreement, or order governing the use of care or cost management techniques.

Exempts a local government pool or program that offers group health coverage in a secondary state to the officers, employees, or retirees of a local government located in such secondary state from any covered laws of the secondary state. Permits a secondary state to require such a pool or program to register with an applicable authority in such state and to comply with any state law regarding fraud and abuse or unfair claims settlement practices.

local municipal health_care choice act amends public_health_service_act authorize local government secondary state provide group health coverage officers employees retirees dependents local government employee health benefits pool program authorized laws primary state defines primary state mean state designated local government employee health benefits pool program state covered laws shall govern pool program issuance group health coverage secondary state mean state primary state makes local government employee health benefits pool program eligible offer group health coverage officials employees retirees dependents local government located secondary state agreement local government approved applicable state authority secondary state objections specified time frame municipal league association county association located secondary state requires covered laws primary state apply group health coverage offered local government employee health benefits pool program primary state secondary state coverage pool program comply conditions set forth act respect offering coverage secondary state defines covered laws laws rules regulations agreements orders pertaining group health coverage issued local government employee health benefits pool program offer sale rating renewal issuance group health coverage local government officials employees retirees dependents management operations investment activities pool program loss control claims administration pool program respect liability pool program provides coverage payment applicable premium taxes levied health insurance issuers brokers policyholders laws state excludes term law rule regulation agreement order governing use care cost management techniques exempts local government pool program offers group health coverage secondary state officers employees retirees local government located secondary state covered laws secondary state permits secondary state require pool program register applicable authority state comply state law fraud abuse unfair claims settlement practices


Summary:
Small Business Job Protection Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, as amended by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to redefine "applicable large employer," for purposes of the mandate requiring employers to provide health insurance for their employees, to mean an employer with at least 100 full-time employees (currently, 50).

small business job protection act amends_the_internal_revenue_code amended patient_protection affordable care act redefine applicable large employer purposes mandate requiring employers provide health insurance employees mean employer time employees currently


Summary:
SCOTUScare Act of 2015

This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to limit the health plans the federal government may make available to Supreme Court Justices and Supreme Court employees to those that are created under PPACA or offered through a health insurance exchange.

act bill amends patient_protection affordable care act ppaca limit health plans federal_government available supreme_court justices supreme_court employees created ppaca offered health insurance exchange


Summary:
Veterans Health Care Freedom Act

This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to make the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Choice Program permanent.

Eligibility requirements under the Program are revised.

The VA shall submit an annual report to Congress that includes the following: (1) any increase or decrease in the number of veterans seeking hospital care or medical services at each VA medical facility, and (2) facility budget recommendations based upon such increase or decrease.

veterans health_care freedom act bill amends veterans access choice accountability_act department_of_veterans_affairs choice program permanent eligibility requirements program revised shall submit annual report congress includes following increase decrease number veterans seeking hospital care medical services medical facility facility budget recommendations based increase decrease


Summary:
Medicare Common Access Card Act of 2015

This bill establishes a pilot program under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for the purpose of utilizing smart card technology for Medicare beneficiary identification cards. A “smart card” is a secure, electronic, machine readable, fraud-resistant, tamper-resistant card that includes an embedded integrated circuit chip with a secure micro-controller.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must conduct the pilot program in at least three areas in which there is a high risk for waste and abuse, and must give priority in the provision of cards to Medicare beneficiaries who self-identify as individuals whose personal identity and health information has previously been compromised.

In designing the program, CMS must include, among other provisions: (1) regular monitoring and review of Medicare billings and records in order to identify and address inaccurate changes and instances of waste, fraud, or abuse; and (2) reporting mechanisms for measuring Medicare cost savings attributable to the pilot program.

CMS must report to Congress on issues and recommendations related the pilot program within two years of program implementation.

medicare common access card act bill establishes pilot program title xviii medicare social_security_act purpose utilizing smart card technology medicare beneficiary identification cards smart card secure electronic machine readable fraud resistant tamper resistant card includes embedded integrated circuit chip secure micro controller centers medicare medicaid_services cms conduct pilot program areas high risk waste abuse priority provision cards medicare beneficiaries self identify individuals personal identity health information previously compromised designing program cms include provisions regular monitoring review medicare billings records order identify address inaccurate changes instances waste fraud abuse reporting mechanisms measuring medicare cost savings attributable pilot program cms report congress issues recommendations related pilot program years program implementation


Summary:
Save Rural Hospitals Act

This bill amends titles XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to increase payments to, and modify various requirements regarding, rural health care providers under the Medicare program. Among other provisions, the bill: (1) reverses cuts to reimbursement of bad debt for critical access hospitals (CAHs) and rural hospitals, as well as alters certain requirements with regard to CAHs; (2) extends payment levels for low-volume hospitals and Medicare-dependent hospitals (MDHs); (3) reinstates revised diagnosis-related group payments to MDHs and sole community hospitals (SCHs), as well as reinstates hold harmless treatment for hospital outpatient services for SCHs; (4) delays the application of penalties for a rural hospital's failure to become a meaningful electronic health record user; (5) makes permanent increased Medicare payments for ground ambulance services in rural areas; (6) alters certain supervision requirements for therapeutic hospital outpatient services; (7) modifies requirements related to the use and payment of recovery audit contractors; and (8) establishes a program under which rural hospitals meeting specified requirements may be eligible for enhanced payment for qualified outpatient services.

In addition, the bill amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to eliminate Medicare sequestration for rural hospitals.

The bill also amends title XIX (Medicaid) of SSAct to extend Medicaid primary care payments.

With respect to both the Medicare and Medicaid programs, the bill eliminates disproportionate share hospital payment reductions for rural hospitals.

The bill also amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize several competitive grant programs to assist eligible rural hospitals.

save rural hospitals act bill amends titles xviii medicare social_security_act ssact increase payments modify requirements rural health_care providers medicare program provisions bill reverses cuts reimbursement bad debt critical access hospitals rural hospitals alters certain requirements regard extends payment levels low volume hospitals medicare dependent hospitals reinstates revised diagnosis related group payments sole community hospitals reinstates hold harmless treatment hospital outpatient services delays application penalties rural hospital failure meaningful electronic health record user makes permanent increased medicare payments ground ambulance services rural areas alters certain supervision requirements therapeutic hospital outpatient services modifies requirements related use payment recovery audit contractors establishes program rural hospitals meeting specified requirements eligible enhanced payment qualified outpatient services addition bill amends balanced_budget emergency deficit control act eliminate medicare sequestration rural hospitals bill amends title xix medicaid ssact extend medicaid primary care payments respect medicare medicaid programs bill eliminates disproportionate share hospital payment reductions rural hospitals bill amends public_health_service_act authorize competitive grant programs assist eligible rural hospitals