HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

Amendments

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: make certain improvements in insurance and health care programs (H.R. 3219), S7640, S7649, S7665 [28SE], H7321 [29SE]

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies: making appropriations for military construction and veterans' services (H.R. 5822), H6235, H6236, H6237, H6238, H6241, H6242, H6243, H6245 [28JY]

Medicare: reform payments and coverage for hospice care (H.R. 3454), S7639 [28SE], S10308 [15DE]

Articles and editorials

Early Disaster Response in Haiti—The Israeli Field Hospital Experience, H5591 [14JY]

Hospital Infection Deaths Caused by Ignorance and Neglect, Survey Finds, S5769 [13JY]

Obama' Illusions of Cost-Control, S1492 [15MR]

Will the New ESRD Bundle Cause the Death of Rural Hospital-Based Dialysis Unite?, S5909 [15JY]

Bills and resolutions

Armed Forces: enable State homes to furnish nursing home care to parents whose children died while serving in the Armed Forces (see H.R. 4505), H386 [26JA]

Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program (organization): recognize contributions to community health and fight against racial health disparities (see H. Res. 1591), H6572 [30JY]

Charities: encourage pharmaceutical manufacturers and health care providers to donate prescription medications to nonprofit organizations that fill prescriptions for low-income individuals (see H. Res. 1311), H3078 [29AP]

Contraceptives: establish a public education and awareness program relative to emergency contraception (see S. 3504), S5112 [17JN] (see H.R. 5561), H4635 [17JN]

Culture of Safety Hospital Accountability Study and Demonstration Program: establish (see S. 3596), S5964 [15JY]

Dept. of Defense: establish an office responsible for implementing all recommendations and requirements regarding military medical facilities in the National Capital Region (see H.R. 4949), H2457 [25MR]

———temporarily adjust reimbursement rates for TRICARE claims in Alaska (see H.R. 5403), H3869 [26MY]

Dept. of Energy: establish pilot program to award grants and loan guarantees to hospitals to reduce energy costs and increase resilience to improve security (see H.R. 6553), H8785 [17DE]

Dept. of HHS: establish and implement a Pancreatic Cancer Initiative (see S. 3320), S3358 [6MY]

———increase access to health care for disabled individuals and increase awareness of the need for health care facilities and examination rooms to be accessible for disabled individuals (see S. 3907), S7788 [29SE]

———integrate mental health services for older adults into primary care settings and provide grants for geriatric mental health treatment outreach teams (see S. 3698), S6736 [4AU]

———prohibit precluding of patients from entering into any contract with their health care providers (see H.R. 6170), H6879 [22SE]

———provide grants for community-based mental health infrastructure improvements (see S. 4035), S10410 [16DE]

———provide grants to eligible medical schools for constructing, renovating, or improving facilities to increase the supply of physicians (see S. 3133), S1670 [17MR] (see H.R. 4875), H1595 [17MR]

———reauthorize and extend the fetal alcohol syndrome prevention and services program (see S. 3154), S1873 [23MR]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: acquire and utilize the Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette, LA, as a full-service hospital to better serve veterans throughout the Acadiana region (see H. Res. 1647), H6880 [22SE]

———allow for increased flexibility in payments for State veterans homes (see S. 3583), S5849 [14JY]

———authorize waiver of collection of copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans (see S. 3325), S3358 [6MY] (see H.R. 5768), H5675 [15JY]

———clarify eligibility of certain veterans who serve in Iraq following the end of U.S. military combat operations for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care (see H.R. 6154), H6803 [16SE]

———designate certain medical facilities as health professional shortage areas (see S. 3179), S2115 [25MR] (see H.R. 4654), H754 [23FE]

———display in each facility a Women Veterans Bill of Rights (see H.R. 5953), H6404 (see H.R. 5953), H6455 [29JY]

———educate staff and inform veterans about the Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights (see H.R. 5428), H4021 (see H.R. 5428), H4083 [27MY]

———establish child-care centers for children of veterans receiving treatment and other individuals (see H.R. 4656), H754 [23FE]

———establish public-private partnerships for the treatment and research of post-traumatic stress disorder (see H.R. 5841), H5984 [22JY]

———furnish hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC, when the well water was contaminated (see H.R. 4555), H470 [2FE]

———make certain improvements in administration of medical facilities (see S. 3330), S3407 [7MY]

———provide veterans with information on service-connected disabilities at health care facilities (see H.R. 6220), H7153 (see H.R. 6220), H7211 [28SE]

———report on establishment of a Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center or Polytrauma Network Site in the northern Rockies or Dakotas (see S. 3035), S742 [24FE]

———take into account each child a veteran has when determining the veteran's financial status when receiving hospital care or medical services (see H.R. 4465), H193 [19JA]

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies: making appropriations for military construction and veterans' services (see S. 3615), S5993 [19JY] (see H.R. 5822), H5983 [22JY]

———making appropriations for military construction and veterans' services (H.R. 5822), consideration (see H. Res. 1559), H6162 [27JY]

Diseases: provide grants and assistance to improve services for individuals with autism and their families and expand the number of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education (see H.R. 5756), H5675 [15JY]

Drugs: restore application of the 340B drug discount program to orphan drugs for children's hospitals (see S. 11), S7618 [28SE]

Education: establish a medical education trust fund and reform graduate medical education system (see S. 3957), S7968 [17NO]

FEMA: establish a grant program to improve the ability of trauma center hospitals and airports to withstand earthquakes (see H.R. 4852), H1517 [16MR]

Haiti: express condolences and support to citizens in aftermath of earthquake, support relief efforts, and commend crews of USNS Comfort and other naval vessels for medical relief efforts (see H. Res. 1048), H423 [27JA]

Health: allow the resell or transfer of covered outpatient drugs to individuals with HIV/AIDS in connection with medication regimen adherence services being provided by a licensed health care professional (see H.R. 6176), H6879 [22SE]

———encourage use of medical checklists through research (see H.R. 5742), H5674 [15JY]

———extend health information technology assistance eligibility to behavioral health, mental health, and substance abuse professionals and facilities (see S. 3709), S6882 [5AU] (see H.R. 5025), H2578 [14AP] (see H.R. 5040), H2640 [15AP]

———improve understanding and coordination of critical care health services (see H.R. 6306), H7391 [29SE]

———make the provision of technical services for medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy treatments safer, more accurate, and less costly (see S. 3737), S6883 [5AU]

———prohibit misleading and deceptive advertising or representation in the provision of health care services and require identification of the license of health care professionals (see H.R. 5295), H3482 [13MY]

———provide for criminal liability for the denial of health care coverage of a treatment or an individual (see H.R. 6000), H6568 [30JY]

———provide for transparency in health care pricing (see H.R. 4700), H932 [25FE]

———provide that, if comprehensive health care reform legislation is not enacted by a certain date, then Members of Congress may not participate or be enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (see S. 3130), S1619 [16MR]

Health care professionals: increase number of primary care physicians and medical residents serving health professional shortage areas (see H.R. 5889), H6163 [27JY]

Major William Edward Adams Dept. of Veterans Affairs Clinic, Craig, CO: designate (see H.R. 5798), H5818 [20JY]

Medicaid: clarify treatment of electronic health record incentive payments for federally qualified health centers (see H.R. 6348), H7392 [29SE]

———enhance quality through nursing facility survey system improvements (see H.R. 6074), H6571 [30JY]

———revise regulations implementing statutory reporting and auditing requirements for the disproportionate share hospital payment program to be consistent statutorily and avoid policy changes (see S. 2984), S481 [4FE]

Medicare: allow individuals to opt out of certain benefits (see S. 3094), S1311 [9MR]

———clarify policy relative to physician supervision of therapeutic hospital outpatient services (see H.R. 6376), H7393 [29SE]

———count period of observation in a hospital exceeding 24 hours toward satisfying the 3-day inpatient hospital requirement for coverage of skilled nursing facility services (see H.R. 5950), H6404 (see H.R. 5950), H6455 [29JY]

———eliminate contributing factors to disparities in breast cancer treatment through development of a uniform set of consensus-based treatment performance measures for reporting and purchasing system (see S. 3318), S3164 [5MY]

———eliminate lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services (see S. 3028), S742 [24FE] (see H.R. 6143), H6763 [15SE]

———establish a cancer center construction loan program (see H.R. 5861), H6042 [26JY]

———exempt blood glucose self-testing equipment and supplies furnished by small retail community pharmacies from competitive acquisition programs (see H.R. 5235), H3272 [6MY]

———preserve integrated care for durable medical equipment under the competitive bidding program for qualified hospital-related durable medical equipment entities (see H.R. 6095), H6627 [10AU]

———prevent the catastrophic loss of wage index reclassification (see H.R. 6512), H8286 [9DE]

———provide a transition period for reductions in relative value units for certain newly bundled services to allow physicians time to adjust to new payment rates (see H.R. 6459), H7757 [30NO]

———provide coverage of comprehensive Alzheimer's disease and other dementia diagnosis and services to improve care and outcomes by increasing detection, diagnosis, care, and planning (see S. 3674), S6520 [29JY] (see H.R. 5926), H6402 (see H.R. 5926), H6454 [29JY]

———provide for patient protection by establishing safe nurse staffing levels at certain Medicare providers (see S. 3491), S4938 [15JN] (see H.R. 5527), H4505 [15JN]

———provide that hospitals located in territories are eligible for electronic health record incentive payments in the same manner as hospitals located in one of the 50 States (see H.R. 4669), H754 [23FE]

———reclassification of hospitals as rural referral centers (see H.R. 5474), H4214 [28MY]

———treat certain provider taxes as allowable costs for purposes of reimbursements to critical access hospitals (see H.R. 6346), H7392 [29SE]

———update physician fee schedule (see H.R. 6427), H7613 [18NO]

———update physician fee schedule and sunset application of sustainable growth rate formula (see S. 2997), S481 [4FE]

Medicare/Medicaid: amend disproportionate share hospital payment program (see H.R. 5417), H3870 [26MY]

———clarify application of electronic health record payment incentives in cases of multi-campus hospitals (see S. 3708), S6882 [5AU] (see H.R. 6072), H6571 [30JY]

———improve oversight of nursing facilities by ensuring adequate, trained surveyors (see H.R. 6261), H7389 [29SE]

———provide supplemental payments to nursing facilities serving beneficiaries and ensure adequate payment levels for services (see H.R. 5457), H4214 [28MY]

Mental health: establish federally qualified behavioral health centers and require Medicaid coverage for services provided by such centers (see H.R. 5636), H4974 (see H.R. 5636), H5203 [29JN]

———increase access to community behavioral health services and improve Medicaid reimbursement for such services (see S. 4038), S10410 [16DE]

National Autism Awareness Month: designate (see H. Res. 1033), H327 [21JA]

National Convenient Care Clinic Week: designate (see S. Res. 585), S5993 [19JY]

National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day: designate (see S. Res. 612), S6884 [5AU]

National Influenza Vaccination Week: designate (see H. Res. 1003), H40 [12JA]

National Lock Your Meds Day: designate (see H. Res. 1580), H6405 (see H. Res. 1580), H6457 [29JY]

National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Week: designate (see S. Res. 643), S7421 [23SE]

National Nursing Home Week: designate (see S. Res. 518), S3407 [7MY] (see H. Res. 1291), H2843 [22AP]

Ogden, UT: anniversary of McKay-Dee Hospital Center (see H. Res. 1136), H1103 [3MR]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: delay cut-off date relative to self-referrals to physician-owned hospitals (see H.R. 5271), H3310 [11MY]

———eliminate certain provisions pertaining to special Medicaid and Medicare funding for certain States (see H.R. 4960), H2457 [25MR]

———protect rights of conscience relative to requirements for coverage of specific items and services (see H.R. 6570), H8990 [22DE]

———repeal certain provisions relative to physician referrals for hospitals and physician ownership or investment interests transparency (see H.R. 5433), H4021 (see H.R. 5433), H4083 [27MY]

———repeal provision providing funds for a certain health care facility and rescind such funds (see H.R. 5802), H5818 [20JY]

Pennsylvania State University: tribute to IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) to raise money for the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital Four Diamonds Fund (see S. Res. 488), S2424 [19AP] (see H. Res. 1112), H932 [25FE]

Public Health Service Act: ensure a national, coordinated approach to improving maternal and infant health (see H.R. 6318), H7391 [29SE]

Senior citizens: improve quality of care in nursing homes and help families make informed decisions (see S. 3407), S4211 [25MY]

Social Security: establish a procedure to safeguard the surpluses of the Social Security and Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Funds (see H.R. 4939), H2456 [25MR]

———expand permissive exclusion from participation in Federal health care programs to individuals and entities affiliated with sanctioned entities (see H.R. 6130), H6762 [15SE]

———require citizenship and immigration verification of eligibility for Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program (see H.R. 4708), H932 [25FE]

Taxation: provide for active qualified public safety employees to elect to be covered under the hospital insurance tax (see H.R. 5279), H3440 [12MY]

Veterans: deem references to Operation Iraqi Freedom in provisions of Federal law providing benefits for service to include references to Operation New Dawn (see S. 3902), S7788 [29SE]

Women: reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (see S. 3906), S7788 [29SE]

Cost Estimates

Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide (TRAIN) Act (H.R. 5756): CBO, E1737 [23SE]

Descriptions

DEA Authorization of Certain Health Care Professionals in Nursing Homes To Transmit DEA-licensed Practitioners' Orders To Deliver Pain Medications, S11026 [22DE]

Explanations

Veterans' Benefits Act (H.R. 3219), S7657-S7665 [28SE], H7332-H7340 [29SE]

Letters

Allow refunds of Federal motor fuel excise taxes on fuels used in mobile mammography vehicles: Anthony Vavasis and Darien DeLorenzo, Mobile Health Clinics Network, S2011 [24MR]

———Jerry W. McLarty, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, S2011 [24MR]

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies appropriations for military construction and veterans' services: several veterans organizations, H6226 [28JY]

Express condolences and support to Haitian citizens in aftermath of earthquake, support relief efforts, and commend crews of naval vessels for medical relief efforts: Representative Berman, Committee on Foreign Affairs (House), H680 [23FE]

———Representative Skelton, Committee on Armed Services (House), H680 [23FE]

HIV vaccine development: Senator Coburn, S3904 [18MY]

Improve the provision of items and services to beneficiaries in rural areas: several Representatives, H905 [25FE]

Massachusetts expansion of health care coverage to uninsured residents: Lynn Nicholas, Massachusetts Hospital, S8007 [18NO]

Restore application of the 340B drug discount program to orphan drugs for children's hospitals: James Mandell and Robert K. Coughlin, S7621 [28SE]

———several Senators, S7621 [28SE]

Veterans' Benefits Act: Carl Blake, Paralyzed Veterans of America (organization), H7331 [29SE]

———Clayton Jones, Military Order of the Purple Heart, H7332 [29SE]

———Gerald T. Manar, VFW, H7331 [29SE]

———Jimmie L. Foster, American Legion, H7331 [29SE]

———Joseph A. Violante, DAV, H7331 [29SE]

———Kathryn A. Witt, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., H7331 [29SE]

———Raymond C. Kelley, AMVETS (organization), H7330 [29SE]

———Thomas Zampieri, Blinded Veterans Association, H7331 [29SE]

Lists

Health organizations supporting H. Res. 1003, National Influenza Vaccination Week, H347 [26JA]

Proclamations

Union Hospital Recipient of Health Grades, Inc., Emergency Medicine Award: Representative Space, E1203 [24JN]

Remarks in House

Abarbanel, Gail: tribute to founding of Rape Treatment Center at the Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and creating the Fast Track Forensics Program to speed up DNA processing (H. Res. 716), H7405, H7406 [15NO]

Abington, PA: Abington Memorial Hospital recipient of Keystone Alliance for Performance Excellence award, E1888 [15NO]

Alejandro Renteria Ruiz Dept. of Veterans Affairs Clinic, Artesia, NM: designate (H.R. 4307), H4919-H4921 [29JN]

Alexander, John: Maryland 2d Congressional District Veterans Advisory Council Congressional Volunteer Recognition Award recipient, E802 [11MY]

Armed Forces: enable State homes to furnish nursing home care to parents whose children died while serving in the Armed Forces (H.R. 4505), H4916 [29JN]

———provide vouchers for postal benefits for personal correspondence and small parcels to members serving or hospitalized overseas, and make such vouchers transferable (H.R. 707), E345 [10MR]

Ballard, IA: tribute to Ballard Junior and Senior High School for efforts to provide relief in aftermath of Haitian earthquake, E486 [25MR]

Beach, Diane: HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona Personal Achievement Award recipient, E1690 [22SE]

Big Spring, TX: anniversary of Big Spring VA Medical Center, E1322 [14JY]

Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program (organization): recognize contributions to community health and fight against racial health disparities (H. Res. 1591), E1518 [30JY]

Boley Centers of St. Petersburg (organization): anniversary, E757 [5MY]

Boonville, MO: anniversary of Cooper County Memorial Hospital Home Health Agency, E410 [18MR]

Camden, NJ: tribute to Cooper University Hospital team for taking part in Haiti relief effort, E141 [3FE]

Central California Veterans Home Support Foundation: tribute to groundbreaking ceremony of the Veterans Home of California, Fresno, E922 [24MY]

Cianelli, Robert T.: Maryland 2d Congressional District Veterans Advisory Council Congressional Volunteer Recognition Award recipient, E799 [11MY]

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act: impact on facilities, H742 [23FE]

———impact on patient care, H1312 [10MR]

Collins, Diane: Maryland 2d Congressional District Veterans Advisory Council Congressional Volunteer Recognition Award recipient, E798 [11MY]

Community Health Care, Inc.: tribute, E741 [4MY]

Copeland, Tim: Scottsdale Healthcare (organization) ``Salute to Military'' honoree, E183 [22FE]

Coudersport, PA: Charles Cole Memorial Hospital recipient of Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania Achievement Award, H4229 [8JN]

Dallas, TX: tribute to University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center team for taking part in Haiti relief effort, E314 [4MR]

———University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center recipient of National Cancer Institute designation, E1556 [10AU]

Daly City, CA: anniversary of Daly City Youth Health Center, E711 [29AP]

Denver, CO: tribute to Denver Health & Hospital Authority, E639 [22AP]

Dept. of Defense: furnish the Dept. of HHS Toxic Substances and Disease Registry with information pertaining to the Camp Lejeune, NC, well water contamination, H4029, H4031 [27MY]

———military medical hospital infrastructure improvements funding, H7376 [29SE]

———prohibit funding for military construction project earmarks, H6239-H6241 [28JY]

———tribute to Walter Reed Medical Center MusicCorps program, E1563 [10AU]

Dept. of HHS: establish a loan program for eligible hospitals to establish residency training programs (H.R. 914), H912 [25FE]

Dept. of Homeland Security: include medical readiness and community resiliency for health care critical infrastructure in criteria for Homeland Security Centers of Excellence Program, H5774 [20JY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: display in each facility a Women Veterans Bill of Rights (H.R. 5953), H7735-H7739 [30NO]

———establish Committee on Care of Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury, H2670 [20AP]

———implement program to re-label prescription drugs used in VA hospitals to be sent home with discharged patients for outpatient use, H6245 [28JY]

———long-term care residential brain injury medical facilities construction funding, H6243-H6245 [28JY]

———major health care facility construction projects funding through reductions in general operating expense account, H6243 [28JY]

———make certain improvements in administration of medical facilities (H.R. 4062), E156 [4FE]

———make certain improvements in insurance and health care programs (H.R. 3219), Senate amendments, H7321-H7342 [29SE]

———prohibit collection of certain copayments from catastrophically disabled veterans, H2728 [21AP]

———provide medical care to family members of disabled veterans who serve as caregivers to such veterans, H2728 [21AP]

———renewable energy projects at VA medical facility campuses funding, H6237 [28JY]

———require provision of chiropractic care and services to veterans at all departmental medical centers (H.R. 1017), H3718 [24MY], E1035 [8JN]

———revise certain requirements relative to the pilot program of enhanced contract care authority for health care needs of veterans in highly rural areas, H2725 [21AP]

———VA inpatient hospital constuction funding for the Bellevue/Omaha, NE, region, H6212 [28JY]

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies: making appropriations for military construction and veterans' services (H.R. 5822), H6216, H6245-H6249 [28JY], E1465 [29JY]

———making appropriations for military construction and veterans' services (H.R. 5822), consideration (H. Res. 1559), H6206-H6214 [28JY]

Diseases: provide grants and assistance to improve services for individuals with autism and their families and expand the number of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education (H.R. 5756), H6843-H6846 [22SE], E1752 [28SE], E1768 [29SE]

District of Columbia: tribute to Children's National Medical Center for inauguration of the Ikaria Distinguished Professorship of Critical Care, E453 [23MR]

Economy: national objectives priority assignments, H480 [3FE]

Erie, PA: inclusion of Hamot Medical Center in U.S. News & World Report (publication) ``Best Hosptals'' list, H6287 [29JY]

Fairfax, VA: anniversary of Auxiliary of Inova Fairfax Hospital, E598 [20AP]

Faisal Amyra: Shriners Hospitals for Children Iowa Shrine Bowl Queen designee, E1465 [29JY]

Federal-State relations: State and local costs due to unfunded Federal mandates, H1465 [16MR], H1567 [17MR], H1720 [19MR], H1856 [21MR]

Ferraro Medical Associates, P.A.: anniversary, E2238 [22DE]

Galveston, TX: University of Texas Medical Branch designation as institution of Texas Medical Center, E288 [2MR]

Haiti: establish refugee status for injured orphaned Haitian children to be airlifted for surgeries in the U.S., H169 [19JA]

———express condolences and support to citizens in aftermath of earthquake, support relief efforts, and commend crews of USNS Comfort and other naval vessels for medical relief efforts (H. Res. 1048), H679-H683 [23FE], E210 [23FE], E226 [24FE], E291 [3MR]

Harbor Health Services Inc.: anniversary, E1904 [15NO]

Health: encourage use of electronic medical records, H1542 [17MR]

———prohibit Federal funding of abortions, H6868 [22SE], H7738 [30NO]

———prohibit Federal funding of abortions under any national health care plan, H825 [24FE], H928 [25FE], H1310, H1311 [10MR], H1346 [11MR], H1433, H1434 [15MR], H1467, H1471, H1516 [16MR], H1604, H1605 [18MR], H1710, H1725, H1741 [19MR], H1749 [20MR], H1820, H1830, H1844, H1845, H1859-H1861, H1892, H1910, H2167, H2168 [21MR], H2210-H2213 [22MR], H2441, H2450 [25MR]

———provide discounts on covered inpatient drugs when patients do not have prescription drug insurance coverage, H4170 [28MY]

———reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform, H760, H772, H778-H781, H783, H785, H795, H824 [24FE], H1353 [11MR], H1362 [12MR], H1431 [15MR], H1599 [18MR], H3624 [19MY], H4863 [24JN], E367 [12MR]

———urge Members of Congress favoring a public, federally-run health insurance option to forgo participation in Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and agree to enroll in such option (H. Res. 615), H1034 [3MR]

Health care professionals: address health workforce shortages, H3732 [24MY]

———prohibit physician ownership in new hospitals and limit the growth of existing physician-owned hospitals, H3111 [4MY]

———support physician-owned hospitals, H1795 [20MR]

Iannitti, Joseph A.: Scottsdale Healthcare (organization) ``Salute to Military'' honoree, E63 [21JA]

Israel: tribute to Israeli Defense Forces Medical Corps Field Hospital for early disaster response in Haiti following earthquake, H5591 [14JY]

John Wesley Community Health Institute: anniversary, E1756 [28SE]

Jones, Representative: visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, H2857 [26AP]

Kentucky: Appalachian Regional Healthcare recipient of National Rural Health Association Outstanding Rural Health Organization award, E944 [26MY]

Kidney Dialysis Seminars (organization): tribute to KDS Kick-Off event, E772 [6MY]

Las Vegas, NV: construction of VA inpatient hospital, H7340 [29SE]

Legere, Bill: Maine Hospital Association Caregiver of the Year award recipient, E1457 [28JY]

Los Angeles, CA: anniversary of Good Samaritan Hospital, E1787 [29SE]

Madisonville, KY: inclusion of Trover Health System on Thomson Reuters (company) 100 Top Hospitals list, E804 [11MY]

Major Charles R. Soltes, Jr., O.D. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Blind Rehabilitation Center, Long Beach, CA: designate (H.R. 4360), H2182, H2183 [22MR], H2267, H2268 [24MR]

———designate (H.R. 4360), corrections in engrossment, H2441 [25MR]

Manistique, MI: anniversary of Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, E1056 [9JN]

Meadowbrook, PA: anniversary of Holy Redeemer Health System, E1762 [28SE]

Medicaid: increase price transparency of hospital information and provide for additional research on consumer information on charges and out-of-pocket costs (H.R. 2249), H912 [25FE]

Medicare: count period of observation in a hospital exceeding 24 hours toward satisfying the 3-day inpatient hospital requirement for coverage of skilled nursing facility services (H.R. 5950), E1486 [29JY]

———eliminate gap in coverage of prescription drug benefit, H1365 [12MR], H1575 [17MR], H2255 [23MR], H2264 [24MR], H4250 [9JN]

———exclude Independent Payment Advisory Board recommendations that would reduce payment rates for providers that receive an additional market basket cut on top of the productivity adjustment, E473 [24MR]

———improve the provision of items and services to beneficiaries in rural areas, H905 [25FE]

———provide coverage of comprehensive Alzheimer's disease and other dementia diagnosis and services to improve care and outcomes by increasing detection, diagnosis, care, and planning (H.R. 5926), E1477 [29JY]

———update physician fee schedule (H.R. 6427), H7621 [29NO]

Memphis, TN: tribute to opening of Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, E1110 [15JN]

Miami, FL: accountability of Miami VA Medical Center management for not properly sterilizing equipment for colonoscopies, H5594 [14JY]

———anniversary of Miami Children's Hospital Ventilator Assisted Children's Center Camp, H7627 [29NO]

Minnesota: Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota named Leapfrog Group (organization) ``Top Children's Hospital'', H8332 [14DE]

Mobile, AL: anniversary of Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, E1868 [29SE]

Molina Healthcare, Inc.: inclusion in Hispanic Business (publication) list of largest Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S., E1828 [29SE]

Morrissey, Willard: HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona Personal Achievement Award recipient, E1708 [22SE]

Nashville, TN: tribute to Hope Clinic for Women, E865 [18MY]

National Autism Awareness Month: designate (H. Res. 1033), H2855 [26AP], H2887, H2920-H2924 [27AP]

———observance, H2822 [22AP]

National Convenient Care Clinic Week: observance, E1449 [28JY]

National Health Center Week: observance, E1505 [30JY]

National Hospice Awareness Month: observance, E2015 [30NO]

National Influenza Vaccination Week: designate (H. Res. 1003), H345-H348 [26JA]

Newark, NJ: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center recipient of American Heart Association Gold Performance Achievement Award, E310 [4MR]

Newtown, PA: anniversary of Pennswood Village retirement community, E1032 [8JN]

Norbie, Ken: St. Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud, MN, Volunteer of the Year award recipient, E1782 [29SE]

Norwich, CT: tribute to William W. Backus Hospital, E1359 [19JY]

Oakland County Hospital Association: anniversary, E623 [22AP]

Obama, President: Executive order to ensure enforcement and implementation of abortion restrictions, H1831, H1906, H1908, H1910 [21MR], H2450, H2451 [25MR], H2834 [22AP]

Ocean County, NJ: tribute to Ocean County Chamber of Commerce honorees, E514 [13AP]

Ogden, UT: anniversary of McKay-Dee Hospital Center, H2768 [21AP]

Parma, OH: anniversary of Parma Community General Hospital Elder Day Center, E83 [26JA]

Parsippany, NJ: anniversary of Community Hope (organization), E945 [26MY]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: eliminate certain provisions pertaining to special Medicaid and Medicare funding for certain States, H2835 [22AP]

———eliminate certain provisions pertaining to special Medicaid and Medicare funding for certain States (H.R. 4960), H2804 [22AP]

———impact on health care facilities profitability, H2888 [27AP]

Pennsylvania State University: tribute to IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) to raise money for the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital Four Diamonds Fund (H. Res. 1112), H994, H995 [2MR]

Pikeville, KY: Pikeville Medical Center recipient of American Alliance of Healthcare Providers Hospital of the Year award, E125 [2FE]

Plattsburgh, NY: anniversary of Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, E1177 [23JN]

Putnam, CT: tribute to Day Kimball Hospital, E1359 [19JY]

Quakertown, PA: St. Luke's Quakertown Hospital recipient of Bucks County Boy Scouts Council Distinguished Community Service Award, E519 [13AP]

Richards, Stuart A.: Scottsdale Healthcare (organization) ``Salute to Military'' honoree, E1124 [16JN]

Ridley, PA: anniversary of Taylor Hospital, E1560 [10AU]

Rihel, Joseph: Maryland 2d Congressional District Veterans Advisory Council Congressional Volunteer Recognition Award recipient, E809 [11MY]

Salud Para La Gente (organization): anniversary, E1912 [16NO]

Self Regional Healthcare (company): South Carolina Governor's Quality Award recipient, E2160 [16DE]

Social Security: disregard, for purposes of eligibility for SSI and Medicaid, compensation for participation in clinical trials for rare diseases or conditions (S. 1674), H6891-H6896 [23SE], E1830 [29SE]

———expand permissive exclusion from participation in Federal health care programs to individuals and entities affiliated with sanctioned entities (H.R. 6130), H6837-H6839 [22SE], E1637 [15SE]

Spectrum Health, Inc.: inclusion in Thomson Reuters (company) ``Best Hospitals'' list, E1431 [27JY]

Spirit of Women (organization): tribute to HeartCaring Meeting, E758 [5MY]

Sweeny, TX: anniversary of Sweeny Community Hospital, E399 [17MR]

Tacoma, WA: Northwest Physicians Network recipient of Pierce County Health Care Champions Business Award, E1521 [30JY]

Tennessee: State policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures, H1888 [21MR]

Thousand Oaks, CA: Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center designation as Level II Trauma Center by Ventura County Board of Supervisors, E1256 [30JN]

United Kingdom: effects of government-run health care, H1175 [9MR]

University of Maryland: tribute to Shock Trauma Center team for taking part in Haiti relief effort, H682 [23FE]

University of Miami: tribute to Global Institute for Community Health and Development Project Medishare and Miller School of Medicine teams for taking part in Haiti relief effort, H1086 [3MR]

Urban areas: support community health center system, H1904 [21MR]

Veterans: provide travel expenses for family caregivers accompanying veterans to medical treatment facilities, H2728 [21AP]

Warrington, PA: Neshaminy Manor Long Term Care Facility recipient of My InnerView (company) National Excellence in Action Award, E1035 [8JN]

Waterville, ME: anniversary of Kennebec Behavioral Health, E1802 [29SE]

West Palm Beach, FL: Foundcare Health Center designation as the first federally qualified health center look-alike in Florida, E2052 [2DE]

William C. Tallent Dept. of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, Knoxville, TN: designate, H2725 [21AP]

Worcester, MA: anniversary of AdCare Hospital, E1769 [29SE]

Remarks in Senate

Arkansas: tribute to health care facilities earning trauma care designations, S7750 [29SE]

Armed Forces: enable State homes to furnish nursing home care to parents whose children died while serving in the Armed Forces (H.R. 4505), S7224 [20SE]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: impact of End Renal Stage Disease dialysis services bundled payment system implementation on rural low-volume hospitals, S5908 [15JY]

Culture of Safety Hospital Accountability Study and Demonstration Program: establish (S. 3596), S5968 [15JY]

DEA: authorize certain health care professionals in nursing homes to transmit DEA-licensed practitioners' orders to deliver pain medications, S10925 [21DE], S11026 [22DE]

Dept. of HHS: establish and implement a Pancreatic Cancer Initiative (S. 3320), S6383 [28JY]

———establish Office of the Deputy Sec. for Health Care Fraud Prevention (S. 2128), S767 [25FE], S1333 [10MR], S1508 [15MR]

———increase access to health care for disabled individuals and increase awareness of the need for health care facilities and examination rooms to be accessible for disabled individuals (S. 3907), S7810 [29SE]

———integrate mental health services for older adults into primary care settings and provide grants for geriatric mental health treatment outreach teams (S. 3698), S6738 [4AU]

———provide grants for community-based mental health infrastructure improvements (S. 4035), S10411 [16DE]

———reauthorize and extend the fetal alcohol syndrome prevention and services program (S. 3154), S1875 [23MR], S3533 [11MY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: authorize waiver of collection of copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans (S. 3325), S3363 [6MY]

———ensure any savings realized on the bid process on major construction projects be used to fund other authorized construction projects, S4488-S4491, S4502 [27MY]

———make certain improvements in insurance and health care programs (H.R. 3219), S7656-S7665 [28SE]

Diseases: development of an HIV vaccine, S3904 [18MY]

Drugs: restore application of the 340B drug discount program to orphan drugs for children's hospitals (S. 11), S7620 [28SE], S8343 [1DE]

Education: establish a medical education trust fund and reform graduate medical education system (S. 3957), S7972 [17NO]

Federal-State relations: State and local costs due to unfunded Federal mandates, S1760-S1763 [19MR], S1971 [24MR]

Haiti: establish refugee status for injured orphaned Haitian children to be airlifted for surgeries in the U.S., S137 [22JA]

Hawaii: anniversary of Kuakini Health System, S5108 [17JN]

Health: reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform, S1132 [4MR], S1276 [9MR], S1506 [15MR]

———require citizenship and immigration verification of eligibility for any national health care plan, S2071, S2072 [25MR]

Health care professionals: address critical shortages of primary care physicians, S3579 [12MY]

———improve access to pro bono health care for medically underserved or indigent individuals by providing limited medical liability protections, S2070 [25MR]

———reduce cost of health care and ensure patient access to doctors by ending excessive malpractice verdicts through common-sense lawsuit reform, S1935 [24MR]

Heartland Health (company): Dept. of Commerce Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient, S10927 [21DE]

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day: observance, S3904 [18MY]

Indian Health Care Improvement Act: reauthorize and extend, S6179 [22JY]

Kotzebue, AK: Maniilaq Association funding, S10288 [15DE]

Major Charles R. Soltes, Jr., O.D. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Blind Rehabilitation Center, Long Beach, CA: designate (H.R. 4360), S2431 [19AP]

Medicare: eliminate gap in coverage of prescription drug benefit, S4572 [28MY], S7932 [17NO]

———eliminate lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services (S. 3028), S744 [24FE]

———protect beneficiary access to hospital care in rural areas from recommendations by the Independent Payment Advisory Board, S2004 [24MR]

———reform hospital wage index classification system, S2012 [24MR]

National Convenient Care Clinic Week: designate (S. Res. 585), S5996 [19JY], S6225 [22JY]

National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day: designate (S. Res. 612), S6981 [5AU]

National Home Care & Hospice Month: observance, S7952 [17NO], S10299 [15DE]

National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Week: designate (S. Res. 643), S7426 [23SE]

National Nursing Home Week: designate (S. Res. 518), S3433 [7MY]

Palestinian Authority: anniversary of Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, S7746 [29SE]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: eliminate certain provisions pertaining to special Medicaid and Medicare funding for certain States, S1831-S1837, S1845 [23MR], S1993, S1994 [24MR], S2074 [25MR]

———provide inflation adjustment for additional hospital insurance tax on high-income taxpayers, S2077 [25MR]

Patients: Presidential Memorandum on respecting rights of hospital patients to receive visitors and to designate surrogate decisions makers for medical emergencies, S2417 [19AP]

Pennsylvania State University: tribute to IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) to raise money for the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital Four Diamonds Fund (S. Res. 488), S2427 [19AP]

Prematurity Awareness Day: observance, S7954 [17NO]

Prematurity Awareness Month: observance, S7954 [17NO]

Project C.U.R.E. (Commission on Urgent Relief & Equipment): tribute, S247 [26JA]

Rockport, ME: tribute to Penobscot Bay Medical Center staff for assisting relief efforts in Haiti in aftermath of earthquake, S334 [28JA]

Social Security: disregard, for purposes of eligibility for SSI and Medicaid, compensation for participation in clinical trials for rare diseases or conditions (S. 1674), S6979 [5AU]

———State Children's Health Insurance Program reauthorization, S6864 [5AU]

Taxation: allow refunds of Federal motor fuel excise taxes on fuels used in mobile mammography vehicles, S2011 [24MR]

Women: reduce preterm labor, delivery, and risk of pregnancy-related deaths and complications due to pregnancy, and reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity (S. 3906), S7809 [29SE], S7954 [17NO]

Reports filed

Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (House) (H.R. 1017) (H. Rept. 111-488), H3701 [20MY]

Consideration of H.R. 5822, Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Military Construction and Veterans' Services: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 1559) (H. Rept. 111-570), H6162 [27JY]

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations for Military Construction and Veterans' Services: Committee on Appropriations (House) (H.R. 5822) (H. Rept. 111-559), H5983 [22JY]

———Committee on Appropriations (Senate) (S. 3615) (S. Rept. 111-226), S5993 [19JY]

Military Medical Accountability Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 1478) (H. Rept. 111-466), H2876 [26AP]

Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide (TRAIN) Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 5756) (H. Rept. 111-617), H6878 [22SE]

Veterans Telehealth and Other Care Improvements Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Senate) (S. 3325) (S. Rept. 111-286), S7033 [13SE]

Rulings of the Chair

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies: making appropriations for military construction and veterans' services (H.R. 5822), consideration (H. Res. 1559), H6206 [28JY]

Summaries

Accomplishments of the 111th Congress, E2250 [22DE]

Tables

Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies appropriations for military construction and veterans' services (H.R. 5822), H6218-H6221 [28JY]

Pay-as-you-go effects of H.R. 3219, Veterans' Benefits Act, S7665 [28SE]

Pay-as-you-go effects of H.R. 6130, Strengthening Medicare Anti-Fraud Measures Act, H6876 [22SE]

Texts of

H. Res. 716, tribute to Gail Abarbanel founding of Rape Treatment Center at the Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and creating the Fast Track Forensics Program to speed up DNA processing, H7405 [15NO]

H. Res. 1003, National Influenza Vaccination Week, H345 [26JA]

H. Res. 1033, National Autism Awareness Month, H2920 [27AP]

H. Res. 1048, express condolences and support to citizens of Haiti in aftermath of earthquake, support relief efforts, and commend crews of USNS Comfort and other naval vessels for medical relief efforts, H679 [23FE]

H. Res. 1112, tribute to Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) to raise money for the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital Four Diamonds Fund, H994 [2MR]

H. Res. 1559, consideration of H.R. 5822, Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies appropriations for military construction and veterans' services, H6206 [28JY]

H.R. 1017, Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act, H3718 [24MY]

H.R. 3219, Veterans' Benefits Act, H7321-H7330 [29SE]

H.R. 4307, Alejandro Renteria Ruiz Dept. of Veterans Affairs Clinic, Artesia, NM, H4920 [29JN]

H.R. 4360, Major Charles R. Soltes, Jr., O.D. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Blind Rehabilitation Center, Long Beach, CA, H2267 [24MR]

H.R. 4505, enable State homes to furnish nursing home care to parents whose children died while serving in the Armed Forces, H4916 [29JN]

H.R. 5756, Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide (TRAIN) Act, H6843 [22SE]

H.R. 5822, Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies appropriations for military construction and veterans' services, H6228-H6235 [28JY]

H.R. 5953, display in each Dept. of Veterans Affairs facility a Women Veterans Bill of Rights, H7735 [30NO]

H.R. 6130, Strengthening Medicare Anti-Fraud Measures Act, H6837 [22SE]

S. 11, restore application of the 340B drug discount program to orphan drugs for children's hospitals, S7621 [28SE]

S. 1674, Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act, S6979 [5AU], H6892 [23SE]

S. 3957, Graduate Medical Education Reform Act, S7973 [17NO]

S. 4035, Community-Based Mental Health Infrastructure Improvements Act, S10411 [16DE]

S. Res. 488, tribute to Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) to raise money for the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital Four Diamonds Fund, S2427 [19AP]

S. Res. 518, National Nursing Home Week, S3410, S3434 [7MY]

S. Res. 585, National Convenient Care Clinic Week, S5996 [19JY], S6225 [22JY]

S. Res. 612, National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day, S6907, S6981 [5AU]

S. Res. 643, National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Week, S7424, S7427 [23SE]