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April 2004
prepared by SmithBucklin
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Meetings & Events Federal Legislative Tracking Federal Agencies State Regulatory Tracking In The News... | ||||
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New Items This Month! | ||||
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Legislation
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On The Calendar
American Occupational Therapy Association
May 20-23, 2004
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The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the nationally recognized professional association of approximately 40,000 occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and students of occupational therapy will hold its annual conference and expo May 20-23, 2004 in Minneapolis, MN.
Click here to be directed to the Conference and Expo page on ATOA's website to find registration and program information.
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Minneapolis, Minnesota
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May 21-23, 2004
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The American Association for Hand Surgery and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand are cosponsoring a symposium on work related disorders of the upper extremity. The course faculty hail from highly regarded centers providing a multi-disciplinary perspective. Ample opportunity will be available to discuss evaluation and treatment options and to debate controversy.
Click here to view a detailed agenda and to register for the Symposium.
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Chicago, Illinois | ||
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NATA's 55th Annual Meeting and Clincal Symposia June 15-19, 2004 |
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The
National Athletic Trainers
Association will hold its 55th Annual Meeting and Clinical
Symposia in Baltimore, Maryland in June.
Click here to view the 55th Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposia's website. |
Baltimore, Maryland | |
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APTA's Annual Conference and Expo
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The
American Physical Therapy
Association will hold its Annual Conference and Exposition in
Chicago from June 30-July 3, 2004.
Click here to view the Annual Conference and Exposition's website.
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Chicago, Illinois | |
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ASSH's 59th Annual Meeting
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The American Society for Surgery of the
Hand will hold its 59th Annual Meeting in New York City in
September. This year's title is "Connect! Science, Education,
Collegiality. Early registration with reduced rates ends July 5,
2004.
Click here to view the 59th Annual Meeting's website. |
New York City | |
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Federal Legislative Tracking
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P A S S E D
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T H E
H O U S E
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S E N A T E |
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
Introduced: July 25, 2003
Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) under which each individual who is entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplemental Medical Insurance) is entitled to obtain qualified prescription drug coverage. Authorizes the individual to elect to enroll: (1) in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan (replacing the current Medicare+Choice plans under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice)); (2) in an enhanced fee-for-service (EFFS) plan; or (3) in a prescription drug plan (PDP) if the individual is not enrolled in an MA-EFFS plan (a Medicare Advantage plan and an EFFS plan).
Public - Law No: 108 - 173 For complete text of this law, please click here. |
Sponsor: Rep Hastert, J. Dennis [IL-14]
Status:
11/22/2003: Passed in the House of Representatives by a voice vote of 220 - 215.
11/25/2003: Passed in the Senate by a voice vote of 54 - 44. | ||
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Medicare Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Act of 2003
Introduced: January 7, 2003
Amends Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish additional provisions to combat waste, fraud, and abuse within the Medicare Program, and for other purposes. Section 2 contains provisions regarding site inspections for DME suppliers, community mental health centers, and other provider groups, outlining the exceptions to the term "applicable provider."
Cosponsors: (1) For a complete list of co-sponsors, please click here. |
Sponsor: Representative Biggert, Judy [IL-13]
Status:
1/7/2003: Referred to House Energy and Commerce.
1/7/2003: Referred to House Judiciary.
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Medicare Payment Restoration and Benefits Improvement Act of 2003
Introduced: January, 7 2003
Amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to revise and improve payments to providers of services under the Medicare Program, and for other purposes. Provisions under Section 233 of H.R. 26 include: implementation of a 2-year extension of moratorium on therapy caps; charging the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to identify conditions or diseases that should justify conducting an assessment of the need to waive the therapy; and charging the Comptroller General to conduct a GAO study of patient access to physical therapy services in States authorizing such services without a physician referral and in states requiring physician referral.
Cosponsors: (0) |
Sponsor: Representative Cardin, Benjamin [MD-3]
Status:
1/7/2003: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
1/7/2003: Referred to House Energy and Commerce.
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U P D A T E D |
Treatment of Children's Deformities Act of 2003
Introduced: January 8, 2003
Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require that group and individual health insurance coverage and group health plans provide coverage for the treatment of a minor child's congenital or developmental deformity or disorder due to trauma, infection, tumor, or disease. The measure applies amendments to the requirements for reconstructive surgery.
The amendments apply with respect to group health plans for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2004.
Cosponsors: (58) For a complete list of co-sponsors, please click here. |
Sponsor: Representative Kelly, Sue W. [NY-19]
Status:
1/8/2003: Referred to House Energy and Commerce.
1/8/2003: Referred to House Ways and Means.
1/8/2003: Referred to House Education and the Workforce.
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U P D A T E D |
Medicare Patient Access to Physical
Therapists Act of 2003
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Sponsor: Representative Crane, Philip M. [IL-8]
Status:
2/13/2003: Introductory remarks on measure (CR E255-256).
2/13/2003: Referred to House Ways and Means.
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To establish the Commission on Medical
Malpractice Insurance
Cosponsors: (1) For a complete list of co-sponsors, please click here. |
Sponsor: Representative Wynn, Albert Russell [MD-4] Status:
2/27/2003: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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Medical Malpractice Insurance and
Litigation Reform Act
The measure aims to limit frivolous lawsuits by requiring that all medical malpractice liability action be accompanied by an affidavit of a qualified specialist substantiating there is a reasonable and meritorious cause for the filing of the action against the defendant. It also establishes sanctions for frivolous actions and pleadings.
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Sponsor: Representative Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] Status:
3/6/2003: Introductory remarks on measure (CR E392-393).
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Medical Malpractice Reform Act of 2003
Introduced: March 6, 2003
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Sponsor: Representative Dingell, John D. [MI-15] Status:
3/6/2003: Referred to House Energy and Commerce.
3/6/2003: Referred to House Judiciary Committee. | |||
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Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2003
Introduced: March 6, 2003
Amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to repeal the Medicare outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps.
Cosponsors: (244) For a complete list of co-sponsors, please click here. |
Sponsor: Representative English, Phil [PA-3]
Status:
3/6/2003: Referred to House Energy and Commerce.
3/6/2003: Referred to House Ways and Means.
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Medical Malpractice and Insurance Reform Act of 2003
Introduced: March 12, 2003
The measure is intended to reform the medical insurance industry. Provisions include: instituting qualifications for and limitations on medical malpractice lawsuits; prohibiting anti-competitive activities by medical malpractice insurers; establishing direct assistance to enhance patient access to medical care; and creating the "Independent Advisory Commission on Medical Malpractice Insurance" to investigate the causes for dramatic increases in medical malpractice insurance premiums, and to devise proposals that not only reduce premiums but also prevent future dramatic premium rate increases.
Cosponsors: (4) For a complete list of co-sponsors, please click here. |
Sponsor: Representative Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] Status:
3/12/2003: Referred to House Energy and Commerce.
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Stop Taking Our Health Privacy (STOHP) Act of 2003
Introduced: April 10, 2003
Restores the standards to protect the privacy of individually identifiable health information that were weakened in August 2002. The 2002 modifications to the comprehensive medical privacy regulations were issued by the Department of Health and Human Services in December 2000, as pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
Among the standards slated for reinstatement are: (1) requirements for health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses to obtain patient consent before using/disclosing patient health information for treatment, payment, or health care operations; (2) the December 2000 definition of 'marketing' to ensure that common conceptions of marketing fall under privacy protections governing marketing activities.
Cosponsors: (21) For a complete list of co-sponsors, please click here. |
Sponsor: Representative Markey, Edward J. [MA-7]
4/10/2003: Referred to House Energy and Commerce.
4/10/2003: Referred to House Ways and Means.
4/10/2003: Referred to House Education and the Workforce.
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Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act
Introduced: May 7, 2003
Enhances and advocates expanded National Institutes of Health research into paralysis; implements measures to improve rehabilitation and the quality of life for persons living with paralysis and other physical disabilities.
Cosponsors: (63) For a complete list of co-sponsors, please click here. |
Sponsor: Representative Bilirakis, Michael [FL-9]
Status:
5/7/2003: Referred to House Energy and Commerce.
5/7/2003: Referred to House Veterans' Affairs.
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U P D A T E D |
Medicaid Community-Based Attendant Services and Supports Act of 2003
Introduced: May 8, 2003
Amends Title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to community-based attendant services and supports.
Cosponsors: (96) For a complete list of co-sponsors, please click here. |
Sponsor: Representative Davis, Danny K. [IL-7]
Status:
5/8/2003: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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Access to Medical Treatment Act
Introduced: May 14, 2003
As yet, not related to S. 1410
A bill permitting an individual to be treated by a health care practitioner with any method of medical treatment such individual requests.
Cosponsors: (5) For a complete list of co-sponsors, please click here. |
Sponsor: Representative DeFazio, Peter A [OR-4]
Status:
5/14/2003: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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U P D A T E D |
Medicare Occupational Therapy Coverage Eligibility Act of 2003
Introduced: September 16, 2003
The measure amends Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the eligibility for coverage of home health services under the Medicare Program to include both occupational therapy and speech therapy.
Cosponsors: (8) For a complete list of co-sponsors, please click here.
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Sponsor: Representative Andrews, Robert E [NJ-1]
Status: 9/16/2003: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. | ||
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U P D A T E D |
Prevention, Awareness, and Research Auto-Immune Disease Act
Introduced: October 27, 2003
The measure is aimed at increasing awareness of and research on such autoimmune diseases as lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia.
Cosponsors: (21) For a complete list of co-sponsors, please click here.
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Sponsor: Representative Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1]
Status:
10/21/2003: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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The Allied Health Professions Reinvestment Act of 2004
Introduced: March 23, 2004
The Allied Health Professions Reinvestment Act of 2004 amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the education and training of allied health professionals in exchange for a service commitment.
Cosponsors: (7) For a complete list of co-sponsors, please click here.
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Sponsor: Representative Sterns, Cliff [FL-6]
Status:
3/23/2004: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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Medical Malpractice Relief Act of 2004
Introduced: April 1, 2004
The Medical Malpractice Relief Act of 2004 amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a business credit for qualified expenditure for medical professional malpractice insurance.
Cosponsors: (30) For a complete list of co-sponsors, please click here.
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Sponsor: Representative Sandlin, Max [TX-1]
Status:
4/1/2004: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
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P A S S E D
I N
T H E
H O U S E
&
S E N A T E |
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
Introduced: July 25, 2003
Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) under which each individual who is entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplemental Medical Insurance) is entitled to obtain qualified prescription drug coverage. Authorizes the individual to elect to enroll: (1) in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan (replacing the current Medicare+Choice plans under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice)); (2) in an enhanced fee-for-service (EFFS) plan; or (3) in a prescription drug plan (PDP) if the individual is not enrolled in an MA-EFFS plan (a Medicare Advantage plan and an EFFS plan).
Public - Law No: 108 - 173 For complete text of this law, please click here
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Sponsor: Rep Hastert, J. Dennis [IL-14]
Status:
11/22/2003: Passed in the House of Representatives by a voice vote of 220 - 215.
11/25/2003: Passed in the Senate by a voice vote of 54 - 44. | ||
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Physical Therapy and Occupational
Therapy Education Act of 2003
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Sponsor: Senator Inouye, Daniel K. [HI]
Status:
1/7/2003: Introductory remarks on measure (CR S60).
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Rural Preventive Health Care Training Act of 2003
Introduced: January 7, 2003
Provides grants and allows the Department of Health and Human Services to enter into contracts to provide preventive health care training to health care practitioners practicing in rural areas. Such training shall, to the extent practicable, include training in health care to prevent both physical and mental disorders before the initial occurrence of such disorders. To be eligible to receive training, a health care practitioner must be practicing, or desiring to practice, in a rural area.
The measure authorizes $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2006.
Cosponsors: (0) |
Sponsor: Senator Inouye, Daniel K. [HI]
Status:
1/7/2003: Introductory remarks on measure (CR S69-70).
(text of measure as introduced: CR S70). | |||
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National Academies of Practice Recognition Act of 2003
Introduced: January 7, 2003
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