h 565 6 60845 1256788800 true 1257653760 1258347600 438 3962 100174 This is the House health care bill that was <a href="http://www.opencongress.org/roll_call/show/6343">approved</a> by the House of Representatives on Nov. 7, 2009. Broadly, it seeks to expand health care coverage to the approximately 40 million Americans who are currently uninsured by lowering the cost of health care and making the system more efficient. To that end, it includes a new government-run insurance plan (a.k.a. a <a href="http://www.opencongress.org/articles/view/1174--What-is-the-Public-Option-">public option</a>) to compete with the private companies, a requirement that all Americans have health insurance, a ban on denying coverage because of a pre-existing condition and, to pay for it all, a surtax on individuals with incomes above $500,000.<br><br> 111 400110

10/29/2009--Introduced.Affordable Health Care for America Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish: (1) a temporary national high-risk pool program to provide health benefits to certain uninsured individuals who have a medical condition; and (2) a temporary reinsurance program to assist participating employment-based plans with the cost of providing health benefits to retirees and their beneficiaries. Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to set forth provisions governing health insurance plans and issuers, including to: (1) provide for rebates to enrollees based on a plan's medical loss ratio; (2) prohibit rescission of health insurance coverage without clear and convincing evidence of fraud; (3) require the option of extending coverage for children under 27 years of age; (4) limit preexisting condition exclusions; and (5) prohibit aggregate dollar lifetime limits on benefits. Extends COBRA coverage (health insurance continuation benefits) until an individual becomes eligible for health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Exchange under this Act. Provides for grandfathered health insurance coverage. Establishes standards for qualified health benefits plans, including standards to: (1) prohibit any preexisting condition exclusions; (2) require guaranteed availability and renewability of health insurance coverage; (3) limit premium variances, except for reasons of age, area, or family enrollment; (4) prohibit discrimination based on health status factors; and (5) require parity for mental health benefits. Requires qualified health benefits plans to provide coverage that meets the standards for the essential benefits package. Prohibits an essential benefits package from imposing any annual or lifetime limits on coverage. Lists required covered services, including hospitalization, prescription drugs, mental health services, maternity care, and children's oral health, vision, and hearing services. Prohibits cost-sharing for preventive items and services. Limits annual cost-sharing to $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for a family. Prohibits abortion services from being required under an essential benefits package or under a qualified health benefits plan. Establishes the Health Choices Administration as an independent agency to be headed by a Health Choices Commissioner. Establishes the Health Insurance Exchange within the Administration to facilitate access of individuals and employers to a variety of choices of affordable, quality health insurance coverage, including a public health insurance option. Requires the Commissioner to: (1) contract with entities to offer health benefit plans through the Exchange to eligible individuals; (2) coordinate the distribution of affordability premium and cost-sharing credits; and (3) establish a risk-pooling mechanism for Exchange-participating health plans. Authorizes state-based Health Insurance Exchanges to operate in a state or group of states instead of the Health Insurance Exchange, with approval of the Commissioner. Requires the Commissioner to establish a Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan program (CO-OP program) under which the Commissioner may make grants and loans for the establishment and initial operation of not-for-profit, member-run, health insurance cooperatives that provide insurance through the Health Insurance Exchange or a state-based Health Insurance Exchange. Requires the HHS Secretary to offer an Exchange-participating health benefits plan. Sets forth provisions regarding the operation of the Public Health Insurance Option. Provides for an affordability premium credit and an affordability cost-sharing credit for low-income individuals participating in the Exchange. Requires employers to offer health benefits coverage to employees and make specified contributions towards such coverage or make contributions to the Exchange for employees obtaining coverage through the Exchange. Exempts businesses with payrolls below $500,000 from such requirement. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose a surtax on the income of individuals who do not obtain health care coverage and on employers (other than small business employers) who fail to satisfy health coverage participation requirements; (2) allow a new tax credit for small business employers who provide health care coverage to their employees; (3) increase the penalty for distributions from health savings accounts not used for qualified medical expenses; (4) modify rules and contribution limits for certain employee benefit plans; (5) allow an exclusion from gross income for the value of certain medical care provided to members of Indian tribes; (6) impose a 5.4% surtax on individuals whose adjusted gross income exceeds $500,000 ($1 million for married couples filing joint returns); (7) impose a 2.5% excise tax on medical devices; (8) delay until 2020 tax rules applicable to the foreign tax credit for the worldwide allocation of interest; (9) set forth rules for the application of the economic substance doctrine and impose penalties for underpayments of tax due to transactions lacking economic substance; and (10) extend the tax exemption for employer-provided health care benefits to certain eligible beneficiaries of the taxpayer. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise provisions relating to payment, coverage, and access, including to: (1) permit physician assistants to order post-hospital extended care services, and to provide for recognition of attending physician assistants as attending physicians to serve hospice patients; (2) provide adjustment to Medicare payment localities for physician services; (3) modify the Medicare payment systems to address geographic inequities; (4) limit cost-sharing for individual health services under the Medicare Advantage program; (5) eliminate the coverage gap under Medicare Part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program); (6) eliminate Medicare part D cost-sharing for certain non-institutionalized full dual eligible individuals; (7) cover marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services; and (8) expand access to vaccines. Requires the HHS Secretary to establish within the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality a Center for Comparative Effective Research. Establishes accountability requirements for long-term care facilities and provides for transparency with respect to them. Provides enhanced penalties for fraud and abuse. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the SSA to: (1) expand Medicaid eligibility for low-income individuals and families; (2) require coverage of additional preventive services; and (3) increase payments for primary care services. Sets forth provisions to prevent health care fraud. Sets forth miscellaneous provisions relating to: (1) extension of the qualifying individual (QI) program; (2) the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission; (3) prohibitions against federal Medicaid and CHIP payments for undocumented aliens; (4) the repeal of the comparative cost adjustment program; (5) grants to states for quality home visitation programs for families with young children and families expecting children; (6) establishment of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation; and (7) application of emergency services laws. Amends the Public Health Service Act to set forth provisions related to: (1) community health centers; (2) health care provider scholarship and loan repayment programs; (3) training programs; (4) health care workforce diversity and data collection; and (5) the 340B drug discount program (a program limiting the cost of covered drugs to certain federal grantees). Requires the HHS Secretary to establish: (1) the Advisory Committee on Health Workforce Evaluation and Assessment; (2) a community-based overweight and obesity prevention program; (3) a demonstration project for medical-legal partnerships to assist patients navigating health-related programs and activities; (4) the Emergency Care Coordination Center; (5) the Council of Emergency Care; (6) the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee; (7) a national pain care education outreach and awareness campaign; and (8) a national medical device registry. Establishes: (1) a Prevention and Wellness Trust for carrying out prevention and wellness activities; (2) the Center for Quality Improvement to focus on quality improvement activities in the delivery of health care services; and (3) the position of Assistant Secretary for Health Information. Provides grants for: (1) school-based health clinics; (2) nurse-managed health centers; (3) federally qualified behavioral health centers; (4) influenza vaccinations to children in elementary and secondary schools; (5) evidence-based education programs to reduce teen pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases; (6) services to children and adults with autism and their families; (7) University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service; (8) medication management services; (9) infant mortality pilot programs; (10) community-based collaborative care networks; and (11) trauma centers and emergency medical care systems. Requires the HHS Secretary to make an incentive payment to each state that has an alternative medical liability law. Provides for: (1) nutrition labeling of standard menu items offered for sale in chain restaurants and vending machines; and (2) standards to make medical diagnostic equipment accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities. Prohibits certain practices related to patent infringement claims against generic drugs. Allows a person to submit an application for licensure of a biological product based on its similarity to a licensed biological product (the reference product). Establishes a national, voluntary disability insurance program to purchase community living assistance services and supports (CLASS program) under which: (1) all employees are automatically enrolled, but are allowed to waive enrollment; (2) payroll deductions pay monthly premiums; and (3) benefits are provided, based on the level of disability, to purchase nonmedical services and supports that the beneficiary needs to maintain independence. Makes states eligible for federal funds under the Public Health Service Act only if they agree to be subject as an employer to the obligations under this Act. Establishes Offices of Women's Health within the Department of Health and Human Services and its agencies. Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2009 - Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise requirements for health care programs and services for Indians, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations. Establishes the Indian Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund. Replaces the Urban Health Programs Branch with a Division of Urban Indian Health. Authorizes grants to urban Indian organizations for health information technology, telemedicine services development, and related infrastructure. Directs the HHS Secretary, acting through the Indian Health Service, to provide programs of comprehensive behavioral health, prevention, and treatment. Reauthorizes the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Amends the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to direct the HHS Secretary to establish the Native American Health and Wellness Foundation. Expands coverage for qualified Indians in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) under title XXI of the SSA, as well as under Medicare (SSA title XVIII) and Medicaid (SSA title XIX). Authorizes related payments to Indian Health Programs operating in the state.

1258347600 2009-11-16 Tue Nov 17 05:35:53 -0600 2009 passed house 60845 'act':6 'care':3 'afford':1 'health':2 'america':5 80724 false short introduced 60845 'act':5 '2009':8 'care':3 'amend':6 'health':2 'improv':4 'indian':1 80254 false short introduced 60845 'act':6 'care':3 'afford':1 'health':2 'america':5 80253 false short introduced 60845 'act':6 'care':3 'afford':1 'health':2 'america':5 79284 true popular introduced 60845 'care':6,16 'reduc':11 'spend':17 'afford':3 'growth':13 'health':5,15 'provid':2 'purpos':21 'qualiti':4 'american':9 79283 false official calendar 60845 Tue Nov 17 19:03:41 -0600 2009 1258347600 Mon Nov 16 00:00:00 -0600 2009 216686 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 210. D000355 1926-07-08 8525 2328 Rayburn House Office Building https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml 15 202-226-0371 John 'd':4 'mi':5 '-15':6 'rep':1 'john':2,7,9 'dingel':3,8,10 M 400110 Dingell John_D._Dingell D. Rep. John Dingell [D, MI-15] 5283 N00001783 12415 Democrat 202-225-4071 Roman Catholic MI John Dingell 3.06451612903226 http://www.house.gov/dingell/ A000210 1957-08-04 2567 2439 Rayburn House Building http://www.house.gov/andrews/contact_form_za.shtml 1 Robert 'd':4 '-1':6 'nj':5 'rep':1 'rob':9 'andrew':3,8,11 'robert':2,7,10 M 400008 Andrews Robert_E._Andrews E. Rep. Robert Andrews [D, NJ-1] 1143 Rob N00000826 8499 Democrat 202-225-6501 Episcopalian NJ Rob Robert Andrews 2.27777777777778 http://www.house.gov/andrews/ M000725 1945-05-17 8139 2205 Rayburn House Office Building http://georgemiller.house.gov/contactus/2007/08/post_1.html 7 202-225-5609 George 'd':4 '-7':6 'ca':5 'rep':1 'georg':2,7,9 'miller':3,8,10 M 400278 Miller George_Miller Rep. George Miller [D, CA-7] 4604 N00007390 9950 Democrat 202-225-2095 Catholic CA George Miller 2.1875 http://georgemiller.house.gov/ RepGeorgeMiller P000034 1951-10-30 3983 237 Cannon House Office Building http://www.house.gov/pallone/contact.shtml 6 202-225-9665 Frank 'd':4 '-6':6 'nj':5 'rep':1 'frank':2,7,9 'pallon':3,8,10 M 400308 Pallone Frank_Jr.Pallone J. Rep. Frank Pallone [D, NJ-6] 2273 N00000781 6737 Democrat 202-225-4671 Catholic NJ Frank Pallone 3.41666666666667 http://www.house.gov/pallone/ R000053 1930-06-11 9048 2354 Rayburn House Office Building https://forms.house.gov/rangel/forms/contact.shtml 15 202-225-0816 Charles 'd':4 'ny':5 '-15':6 'rep':1 'charl':2,7,9 'rangel':3,8,10 M 400333 Rangel Charles_B._Rangel B. Rep. Charles Rangel [D, NY-15] 4035 N00000964 13791 Democrat 202-225-4365 Roman Catholic NY Charlie Charles Rangel 1.24561403508772 http://www.house.gov/rangel/ RepRangel S000810 1931-11-11 2046 239 Cannon House Office Building http://www.house.gov/stark/contact/index.htm 13 202-226-3805 Fortney 'd':4 'ca':5 '-13':6 'rep':1 'pete':9 'stark':3,8,11 'fortney':2,7,10 M 400387 Stark Fortney_Pete_Stark H. Rep. Fortney Stark [D, CA-13] 618 Pete N00007397 6693 Democrat 202-225-5065 Unitarian CA Pete Fortney Stark 3.85714285714286 http://www.house.gov/stark/ repstark W000215 1939-09-12 14265 2204 Rayburn House Office Building http://www.house.gov/waxman/contact.htm 30 202-225-4099 Henry 'd':4 'ca':5 '-30':6 'rep':1 'henri':2,7,9 'waxman':3,8,10 M 400425 Waxman Henry_A._Waxman A. Rep. Henry Waxman [D, CA-30] 6541 N00001861 13928 Democrat 202-225-3976 Jewish CA Henry Waxman 1.96511627906977 http://www.house.gov/waxman/ calendar 60845 Tue Nov 17 19:03:41 -0600 2009 1258347600 Mon Nov 16 00:00:00 -0600 2009 216686 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 210. action 60845 Fri Nov 13 19:11:34 -0600 2009 1257829200 Tue Nov 10 00:00:00 -0600 2009 216514 Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. vote 60845 Tue Nov 10 19:11:39 -0600 2009 1257650100 Sat Nov 07 23:15:00 -0600 2009 roll 216351 pass 887 On passage Passed by recorded vote: 220 - 215 (Roll no. 887). vote h action 60845 Tue Nov 10 19:11:39 -0600 2009 1257649080 Sat Nov 07 22:58:00 -0600 2009 216350 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 187 - 247 (Roll no. 886). action 60845 Tue Nov 10 19:11:39 -0600 2009 1257648120 Sat Nov 07 22:42:00 -0600 2009 216349 The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. action 60845 Tue Nov 10 19:11:39 -0600 2009 1257647280 Sat Nov 07 22:28:00 -0600 2009 216347 Mr. Cantor moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce. action 60845 Tue Nov 10 19:11:39 -0600 2009 1257647280 Sat Nov 07 22:28:00 -0600 2009 216348 DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cantor motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to insert a new title with the heading "Seniors Protection and Medicare Regional Payment Equity Fund". action 60845 Tue Nov 10 19:11:39 -0600 2009 1257647280 Sat Nov 07 22:28:00 -0600 2009 216346 On ordering the previous question Agreed to by voice vote. action 60845 Tue Nov 10 19:11:39 -0600 2009 1257645360 Sat Nov 07 21:56:00 -0600 2009 216345 UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed. action 60845 Tue Nov 10 19:11:39 -0600 2009 1257645300 Sat Nov 07 21:55:00 -0600 2009 216344 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Boehner amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Camp (MI) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day. action 60845 Tue Nov 10 19:11:39 -0600 2009 1257639240 Sat Nov 07 20:14:00 -0600 2009 216343 DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 903, the House proceeded with 1 hour of debate on the Boehner amendment in the nature of a substitute. action 60845 Tue Nov 10 19:11:39 -0600 2009 1257639120 Sat Nov 07 20:12:00 -0600 2009 216342 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Stupak amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Stupak demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day. action 60845 Tue Nov 10 19:11:39 -0600 2009 1257637200 Sat Nov 07 19:40:00 -0600 2009 216341 DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 903, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Stupak amendment. action 60845 Tue Nov 10 19:11:39 -0600 2009 1257616680 Sat Nov 07 13:58:00 -0600 2009 216340 DEBATE - The House proceeded with four hours of debate on H.R. 3962. action 60845 Tue Nov 10 19:11:38 -0600 2009 1257616620 Sat Nov 07 13:57:00 -0600 2009 216338 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 903. action 60845 Tue Nov 10 19:11:38 -0600 2009 1257616620 Sat Nov 07 13:57:00 -0600 2009 216339 Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3962 and H.R. 3961 with 4 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. action 60845 Tue Nov 10 19:11:38 -0600 2009 1257575100 Sat Nov 07 02:25:00 -0600 2009 216337 Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 903 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3962 and H.R. 3961 with 4 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. action 60845 Sun Nov 08 18:55:36 -0600 2009 1257575100 Sat Nov 07 02:25:00 -0600 2009 216116 Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged. introduced 60845 Thu Oct 29 10:31:50 -0500 2009 1256828700 Thu Oct 29 10:05:00 -0500 2009 213367 action 60845 Fri Oct 30 07:02:37 -0500 2009 1256788800 Thu Oct 29 00:00:00 -0500 2009 214167 Referred to House Natural Resources action 60845 Fri Oct 30 07:02:37 -0500 2009 1256788800 Thu Oct 29 00:00:00 -0500 2009 214166 Referred to House Rules action 60845 Fri Oct 30 07:02:37 -0500 2009 1256788800 Thu Oct 29 00:00:00 -0500 2009 214165 Referred to House Budget action 60845 Fri Oct 30 07:02:37 -0500 2009 1256788800 Thu Oct 29 00:00:00 -0500 2009 214164 Referred to House Oversight and Government Reform action 60845 Fri Oct 30 07:02:37 -0500 2009 1256788800 Thu Oct 29 00:00:00 -0500 2009 214163 Referred to House Ways and Means action 60845 Fri Oct 30 07:02:37 -0500 2009 1256788800 Thu Oct 29 00:00:00 -0500 2009 214162 Referred to House Education and Labor action 60845 Fri Oct 30 07:02:37 -0500 2009 1256788800 Thu Oct 29 00:00:00 -0500 2009 214161 Referred to House Energy and Commerce action 60845 Fri Oct 30 07:02:37 -0500 2009 1256788800 Thu Oct 29 00:00:00 -0500 2009 214160 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, the Budget, Rules, Natural Resources, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. introduced 60845 Fri Oct 30 07:02:37 -0500 2009 1256788800 Thu Oct 29 00:00:00 -0500 2009 214159 action 60845 Fri Oct 30 07:02:37 -0500 2009 1256788800 Thu Oct 29 00:00:00 -0500 2009 214168 Referred to House Judiciary 0 220 60845 Sat Nov 07 22:16:00 -0600 2009 true 6343 false 215 887 7311 0 On Passage: H R 3962 Affordable Health Care for America Act false 1/2 Passed On Passage Sat Nov 07 22:32:38 -0600 2009 house 0 187 60845 Sat Nov 07 21:59:00 -0600 2009 false 6345 false 247 886 614 0 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions: H R 3962 Affordable Health Care for America Act true 1/2 Failed On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Sat Nov 07 22:32:10 -0600 2009 house 0 176 60845 Sat Nov 07 21:28:00 -0600 2009 false 6344 false 258 885 364 0 On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 2 to H R 3962 true 1/2 Failed On Agreeing to the Amendment Sat Nov 07 21:56:02 -0600 2009 house 0 240 60845 Sat Nov 07 21:20:00 -0600 2009 false Tue Nov 10 12:33:17 -0600 2009 6342 true 194 884 727 1 On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 1 to H R 3962 true 1/2 Agreed to On Agreeing to the Amendment Sat Nov 07 21:55:38 -0600 2009 house