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FEDERAL HEALTH UPDATE

May 16, 2008

Produced by Kate Connelly Theroux in collaboration with the U.S. Medicine Institute for Health Studies (USMI)

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Congressional Schedule

  • The House Armed Services Committee approved (61-0) H.R. 5658, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009.

    This legislation authorizes $531.4 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense (DoD) and the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DoE).  The bill also authorizes $70 billion to support ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan during fiscal year 2009. 

    The bill provides a 3.9 percent pay raise for all service members and extends the authority for the Defense Department to offer bonuses and incentive pay.  The bill also preserves important health benefits by prohibiting fee increases in TRICARE and the TRICARE pharmacy program and creates new preventive health care initiatives to improve force readiness, keep service members and their families healthy, and reduce the overall need for care.

    It also establishes a Career Intermission Pilot Program to allow a service member to be released from active duty for a maximum of three years to focus on personal or professional goals outside of the military.  The bill also provides tuition assistance to help military spouses establish their own careers; authorizes Impact Aid funding to assist schools with large enrollments of military children and establishes a DoD School of Nursing to address the critical nursing shortage in the military services. 

  • On May 15, 2008, Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) invoked his oversight authority as Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee to formally request data from VA on veterans' suicides that is not otherwise available to the Congress.  In a letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake, Akaka stressed the need for full and accurate data on the issue.

    In his letter, Akaka specifically requested the following from Secretary Peake:

    • The total number of veterans who have committed suicide or attempted to commit suicide
    • The number of veterans who have committed suicide or attempted to commit suicide while receiving care from VA
    • Information on VA's efforts to improve outreach and assistance for veterans between the ages of 30 and 64
    • All of VA's health care quality assurance reviews related to suicides and suicide attempts over the past three years

    As Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Akaka is empowered by federal law to review medical quality assurance records that are otherwise not provided outside of the Department.

Military Health Care News

  • According to the Navy Times, budgetary rules forced the House Armed Services Military Personnel subcommittee to take the unprecedented step of creating a new TRICARE preventive health care program that does not apply to 1.5 million Medicare-eligible retirees and their families in the TRICARE for Life (TFL) program.

    The preventive care plan would waive co-payments for certain treatments such as vaccinations, smoking cessation help, and breast and colorectal cancer screening. It would apply to TRICARE Standard, TRICARE Select and TRICARE Reserve beneficiaries but, because of budgetary procedures, not TFL beneficiaries.

    There are two areas in which TFL beneficiaries would be treated differently than other TRICARE beneficiaries: shingle vaccinations and MRIs for mammograms.

    Younger retirees would receive these services for free, but TFL beneficiaries would have to pay, either directly or by buying supplemental Medicare insurance.

    This would be the first instance of differences in what is covered under TRICARE for different categories of beneficiaries.  Rep. John McHugh of New York, the subcommittee’s ranking Republican, promised to work to try to find funding to offset that action.

    There are two kinds of spending in the defense budget: discretionary, which applies to personnel, operating and acquisitions costs and construction programs; and mandatory, also known as direct spending, for programs such as retired pay, GI Bill benefits for reservists, and some health care expenses, including TRICARE for Life.

    Because direct spending involves programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and federal civilian retired pay, it falls outside the jurisdiction of the armed services committee.

  • TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) published a release describing the impact post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has on service members and their families and outlined ways the spouse of a service member suffering from PTSD can help him or her recover. 

    PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after one experiences a traumatic event, such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incident, serious accident or violent personal assault. 

    For most people, PTSD starts within three months of the traumatic event. For others, signs don’t show up until years later. Acute PTSD lasts less than three months and chronic PTSD lasts more than three months. With delayed PTSD, symptoms first occur six or more months following the trauma. Some people get better within six months, while others may have the illness for much longer.

    People who suffer from PTSD often have nightmares and flashbacks reliving the experience.  Other symptoms include:

    • Feeling afraid
    • Feeling a loss of control
    • Difficulty sleeping
    • Feeling detached or withdrawn
    • Substance abuse
    • Memory problems

    PTSD symptoms can be complicated and occur with related disorders such as depression.  
      
    The symptoms can become severe enough to significantly impair daily life.  The person may lose the ability to function normally in society or family environments. But, there are numerous ways a spouse can help a member deal with PTSD.

    • Offer to go to doctor visits and volunteer to help keep track of medicine and therapy, to provide support.
    • Encourage him or her to talk about the trauma and be understanding if he or she doesn't feel like talking.
    • Give the individual space, but tell him or her that help is there when they need it. This is also critical in maintaining one’s own psychological health.
    • Plan activities together: take a walk, go for a bike ride, or do some other physical activity together. Exercise is important for health and helps clear the mind.
    • Encourage contact with family and close friends. A support system will help the family get through stressful times. 

    With proper treatment, PTSD effects can be minimized or eliminated. There are several treatments available for PTSD.  Medications may be effective; they are typically the same medications that are prescribed for depression.  More information about PTSD treatment is available from a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) or by contacting a local VA hospital or Vet Center.  Active duty military should seek help for PTSD from an MTF.

    All active duty service members must have a referral from their primary care manager for behavioral health care before calling the appointment assistance line.  
      
    TRICARE Prime active duty family members can receive the first eight outpatient behavioral health care visits per fiscal year (Oct. 1-Sept. 30) without a referral, but they must receive the care from TRICARE network providers to avoid point-of-service cost sharing charges.  http://www.tricare.mil/pressroom/news.aspx?fid=404

  • Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) signed an agreement with TRICARE to allow individuals covered by TRICARE insurance plans to receive in-network care at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. 

    Included in the agreement are services provided at Northeast Georgia Medical Center's two hospital campuses, services provided through The Rehabilitation Institute of Northeast Georgia Medical Center and care provided at Northeast Georgia Health System's two long term care facilities, New Horizons North and New Horizons West.  http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=209947

  • The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly constructed 50,000 square foot Academic Program Center on May 15, 2008. The event marks a historic day as the university celebrates its first major construction project on the USU campus since the completion of the original four buildings almost 30 years ago.

    The new Academic Program Center will address urgently required classroom space, as well as provide facilities for university-wide, mission-related and ever-expanding educational programs and support activities for the Military Health System (MHS).

    USU is the nation's federal school of medicine and graduate school of nursing. Students are active-duty uniformed officers in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Public Health Service. USU educates health care professionals dedicated to career service in the Department of Defense and the United States Public Health Service. The university provides military and public health-relevant education, research, service, and consultation to the nation and the world, pursuing excellence and innovation during times of peace and war.

  • The News Tribune reports that a group of mental health care providers in Washington is offering free help to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families who either can’t or don’t want to go through traditional channels for care. The Soldiers Project Northwest is modeled after a similar effort in Los Angeles, where volunteer therapists since 2004 have seen clients without charge for help with their war-related problems.

    Organizers say they’re offering help to people who might not be covered under the military’s health care system or who aren’t eligible for care through the Veterans Affairs Department.

    They also say they suspect many active-duty service members in the area might not seek care through the military because they’re afraid it will hurt their careers. This option may offer more peace of mind.

    A RAND Corp. study released last month said 1 in 5 service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan reports symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression, but only half have sought treatment.

    The report said there are too few treatment providers for returning service members, and that many service members still won’t seek help out of fear of repercussions from their commanders.

    The VA and the Department of Defense have also been under pressure from Congress to expand the availability and quality of mental health care for service members and veterans.

    The project in Los Angeles has developed a strong working relationship with the VA and veterans service organizations, with 135 volunteer providers who have seen more than 120 clients.

Veterans Health Care News  

  • The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it has established a new advisory committee to respond to issues for veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during 1990–1991. 

    The 14-member, independent panel will advise the VA Secretary James Peake on the full range of health care and benefits needs of those who served in the conflict. 

    Serving on the committee are Gulf War and other veterans, veterans service organizations’ representatives, medical experts, and the survivors of Gulf War veterans.  Members were selected to provide a variety of perspectives, experiences and expertise.

    The committee will be chaired by Charles Cragin, a retired Navy captain, who has had several senior level positions within the federal government, including acting under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness and chairman of VA’s Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

    In January 2002, the Department created an advisory committee to assist VA’s secretary on research into the medical problems of Gulf War veterans.  That older committee will retain responsibility for research involving veterans of the 1990-1991 conflict in the Middle East.

    This committee’s first meeting will be held in mid-June in Washington, D.C.  It is expected to complete its work within 18 months.  Committee meetings will be open to the public. 

  • The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded more than $1.8 million for improvements to the state veterans home in Boulder City, Nev. 

    The grant is for new construction and renovation at the home’s dining facility.  Estimated cost of the project is nearly $2.8 million, with VA’s grant covering up to 65 percent of the cost.

    Last year, VA spent nearly $880 million in Nevada for the state’s 245,000 veterans.  VA operates a major medical center in Reno, with another under construction in Las Vegas, nearly 20 outpatient clinics and two Vet Centers. http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1503

  • The 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games is scheduled to take place July 25–29 in Omaha, Neb. Officials expect more than 500 veterans with disabilities to participate.  It has become the largest annual wheelchair sports competition in the world.  Veterans from conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq will join their fellow veterans in 17 competitive events being offered in Omaha.

    The National Veterans Wheelchair Games, presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), are open to all U.S. military veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, certain neurological conditions, amputations or other mobility impairments.

    The VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System in Omaha and the Paralyzed Veterans of America Great Plains Chapter are hosting the 2008 Games.  Veterans competing in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games come from nearly every state as well as Puerto Rico and Great Britain.

    At the Games, veterans will compete in swimming, basketball, track, weightlifting, softball, air guns, quad rugby, nine-ball, field events, bowling, table tennis, archery, handcycling, wheelchair slalom, trapshooting, a motorized wheelchair relay and power soccer.  An exhibition event in sled hockey will also take place this year.  For the second year, several stand-up events will be held for athletes with amputations who choose to compete using prosthetic devices instead of competing in their wheelchairs.

    Sports are important in the therapy used to treat many disabilities.  VA is a recognized leader in rehabilitation, with therapeutic programs available at VA health care facilities across the nation.  For many injured veterans, the Wheelchair Games provide their first exposure to wheelchair athletics.

  • The Mercatus Center at George Mason University rated Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) performance and accountability reports third best among 24 federal departments and agencies. This is the ninth year in a row that the independent research center rated the VA.

    Since 2000, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University has examined the performance and accountability reports issued annually by federal agencies.  In addition to an overall good performance, VA tied for having the highest score in both transparency and leadership.

    VA published its latest performance and accountability report in November 2007.  It documents the Department's progress toward ensuring veterans and their families receive timely, high-quality care and benefits.

Health Care News

  • The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that Thomas Barker was named acting general counsel for HHS.

    Baker has served HHS in a variety of capacities for more than seven years. As general counsel, he will lead more than 400 attorneys who provide legal services within HHS.

    Jim Stansel, currently serving as acting general counsel, will move into the position of counselor to the Secretary for Health Policy.

  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new formulation of the genetically engineered version of Factor VIIa, a plasma protein essential for the clotting of blood.

    NovoSeven RT—the new formulation of NovoSeven Coagulation Factor VIIa (Recombinant)—contains sucrose and L-Methionine, which allow for storage at room temperature for up to two years. This is helpful for health care facilities with limited refrigerated space.  The original formula could be stored for three years at temperatures between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit.

    NovoSeven RT, manufactured by Novo Nordisk A/S of Denmark, shares the same uses as the earlier NovoSeven product.  These uses include the treatment of bleeding and the prevention of surgical bleeding in patients with hemophilia A or B, who have antibodies that neutralize the action of clotting Factors VIII or IX; the treatment of bleeding and the prevention of surgical bleeding in patients with congenital Factor VII deficiency; and the prevention of surgical bleeding in patients with acquired hemophilia. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01833.html

  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first generic versions of Requip (ropinirole hydrochloride) tablets for the treatment of moderate to severe restless leg syndrome.

    Ropinirole hydrochloride tablets have been approved in the following dosages: 0.25 milligram, 0.5 milligram, 1 milligram, 2 milligram, 3 milligram, and 4 milligram.

    The following companies have received approval to market ropinirole hydrochloride tablets: Roxane Laboratories Inc., Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Par Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.

    The labeling of the generic versions of ropinirole hydrochloride may differ from that of Requip because some uses of the drug are protected by patents. In addition to treating restless legs syndrome, Requip is also FDA-approved to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The generic products are not approved for treatment of Parkinson's disease because this indication is protected by patent. Manufacturers of the generic drugs may seek approval for that use once the patent for the Parkinson's disease indication expires later this month.

    The generic ropinirole hydrochloride tablets will have the same safety warnings as Requip, cautioning about patient reports of falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living, including while driving.  Although many of these patients reported sleepiness while on the drug, some patients perceived that they had no warning signs and believed that they were alert immediately prior to falling asleep.  Some of these events have been reported as late as one year after the start of treatment.  http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01832.html

  • Results from a new research report by Medco Health Solutions, Inc., a pharmacy benefit manager, found a majority of the insured population is being treated for a chronic medical condition. 

    The study shows that in 2007, 51 percent of insured Americans were taking prescription drugs to treat at least one chronic health problem. Not only is it now a majority, but many of these patients are on multiple medications.  According to the analysis, one-fifth of the population used three or more of these chronic drug treatments last year.

    While seniors show the highest prevalence of chronic medication use, younger adults are catching up.  Nearly half (48 percent) of women ages 20-44 are being treated for a chronic condition, as compared to one third of men their age. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medication among this group, with 16 percent of 20-44 year-old women taking them. This demographic also claimed the sharpest increase in the number of patients on chronic medications, rising more than 20 percent between 2001 and 2007.

    Treatments for high cholesterol and high blood pressure were the top medications used by the general population, with more than one-in-five people on anti-hypertensives and almost one-in-seven on cholesterol-lowering drugs, according to the research that reviewed prescription claims of some 2.5 million insured Americans.  These were also among the top four medications taken by 20-44 year-old men, whose use of cholesterol drugs surged more than 80 percent over a seven year period.

    In addition, the study found that nearly 30 percent of children ages 19 and under take a chronic medication; asthma and allergy drugs are most commonly prescribed, followed by medications to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and antidepressants. The number of girls taking ADHD medications rose 72 percent from 2001-2007.

  • The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed enhanced protections for beneficiaries who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) health plans and Medicare prescription drug plans.  CMS' actions will strengthen marketing standards and extend additional protections to all beneficiaries, including those receiving the low-income subsidy (LIS) and beneficiaries enrolled in special needs plans.

    This proposed regulation enhances compliance and oversight of the Medicare Advantage program. It would incorporate into regulation a number of requirements that CMS previously imposed through operational guidance.  It also would introduce several new MA and prescription drug plan requirements.  The new proposed prohibitions on door-to-door marketing and cold-calling, as well as new proposed requirements pertaining to broker/agent commissions, go beyond what the insurance industry recently endorsed as necessary regulatory changes to the program for improvement.

    The rule also would clarify one approach to calculating fines, or civil monetary penalties, against Medicare Advantage or Part D plans that violate Medicare rules in ways that adversely affect beneficiaries. Under the proposal, CMS would have greater flexibility in determining penalty amounts and would have clear authority to levy a penalty of up to $25,000 for each enrollee affected, or likely to be affected, by the violation.

    In addition, the rule proposes new protections for beneficiaries enrolled in special needs plans (SNPs).  SNPs are a type of MA plan that provides coordinated care to individuals in certain institutions such as nursing homes, and those who are eligible for both the Medicare and Medicaid programs and/or have certain severe or disabling chronic conditions. CMS NR 05-08-2008

  • The New York Times reports that the United States Court of Federal Claims began another hearing on May 12, 2008, to decide whether a vaccine additive led thousands of children to become autistic.

    The hearing is the second in a series of three in which the court is considering whether the government should pay millions of dollars to the parents of some 4,800 autistic children.  In this hearing, parents are claiming that thimerosal, a preservative that contains mercury, damaged their children’s brains. Thimerosal was removed from all routinely administered childhood vaccines by 2001.

    Every major study and scientific organization to examine the issue has found no link between vaccination and autism, but the parents and their advocates have persisted.

    The claims are being heard in a special court set up by Congress 20 years ago when a series of scares nearly crippled the vaccine industry.  The hearing is expected to last two to three weeks, and a decision is not expected until next year.

    Earlier this year, the government conceded that vaccinations may have injured an autistic girl from Athens, Ga. Vaccine critics say the concession gives strong evidence that vaccines cause autism, but government officials say the case proves nothing regarding the safety of vaccines.

    The current hearing focuses on the experiences of two 10-year-old boys from Portland, Ore. Their lawyer claims the boys were developing normally until they were vaccinated, but a buildup of mercury in their brains from vaccines containing thimerosal led the boys to regress.

    The claims for the two boys are test cases being heard to determine whether parents in thousands of similar cases should receive compensation.  Next summer, the court will hear a test case in which lawyers will argue that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which does not contain thimerosal, was the cause of autism.

  • On May 15, 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that people age 60 and older should be vaccinated against shingles or herpes zoster, a condition often marked by debilitating chronic pain.

    CDC recommends a single dose of the zoster vaccine, Zostavax, for adults 60 years of age and older even if they have had a prior episode of shingles. The new full recommendation replaces a provisional recommendation that the CDC made in 2006, after the vaccine was licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a committee of immunization experts who advise CDC on immunization policy.

    Researchers found that, overall, in those ages 60 and above the vaccine reduced the occurrence of shingles by about 50 percent. For individuals ages 60-69 it reduced occurrence by 64 percent. The most common side effects in people who received Zostavax were redness, pain and tenderness, swelling at the site of injection, itching and headache.

    More than 95 percent of people are infected by the varicella zoster virus (VZV) during their lifetime. The virus causes the common childhood disease chickenpox and then becomes dormant within nerves. If it reactivates later in life, the result can be shingles. Shingles is characterized by clusters of blisters which develop on one side of the body in a band-like pattern and can cause severe pain that may last for weeks, months or years. About one in three persons will develop shingles during their lifetimes, resulting in about one million cases of shingles per year.

    Chickenpox (also called varicella) is usually mild, but it can be serious, especially in young infants and adults. Children who have never had chickenpox should get two doses of chickenpox vaccine starting at 12 months of age. The risk of contracting shingles increases with age starting at around 50, and is highest in the elderly. Half of people living to age 85 have had or will get shingles. The risk of experiencing chronic pain also increases with age.

  • The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Indian Health Service (IHS), announced that they have established a pilot program to provide evaluation and surgical treatment for diabetic retinopathy within high-risk American Indian and Alaska Native populations that have limited access to such services. Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness.

    American Indians and Alaska Natives have almost three times the mortality rate for diabetes as the general U.S. population. However, fewer than 50 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives with diabetes receive an annual diabetic eye examination.

    The program will be administered in association with the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology and the North Dakota Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons for patients identified and referred by the pilot facilities in Cass Lake, and Red Lake, Minn. It will increase access to quality care by volunteer ophthalmologists, independent of the patients’ or referring facility’s capacity to pay for the services.  It is limited to appropriate treatments such as laser applications and intraocular injections in ophthalmoologists’ private offices. Volunteer physicians will complete an orientation that includes topics specific to American Indian and Alaska Native cultures, practices, and beliefs.

Reserve/Guard

  • The total number of Guard and Reserve currently on active duty has decreased by 1,290 from the last report to 99,181. The totals for each service are Army National Guard and Army Reserve, 76,758; Navy Reserve, 4,805; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 8,501; Marine Corps Reserve, 8,770; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 347. www.defenselink.mil

Reports/Policies

  • The Institute of Medicine (IOM) published “Improving the Quality of Cancer Clinical Trials. Workshop Summary,” on May 13, 2008.  The workshop explored the innovative paradigms for cancer clinical trials and other ways to improve their quality. The main goals of the workshop were to examine new approaches to clinical trial design and execution that would better inform decisions and plans of those responsible for developing new cancer therapies; more rapidly move new diagnostic tests and treatments toward regulatory approval and use in the clinic; and be less costly than current trials. http://www.iom.edu/CMS/26765/54352.aspx
  • The GAO published “Nursing Homes: Federal Monitoring Surveys Demonstrate Continued Understatement of Serious Care Problems and CMS Oversight Weaknesses,” (GAO-08-517) on May 9, 2008. This report evaluated the information federal monitoring surveys provide on understatement and the effectiveness of CMS management and oversight of the survey program. http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08517.pdf
  • The GAO published “Health Savings Accounts: Participation Grew, and Many HSA-Eligible Plan Enrollees Did Not Open HSAs while Individuals Who Did Had Higher Incomes,” (GAO-08-802T) on May 14, 2008.The report focused on participation in HSA-eligible high-deductible health plans and HSAs; the income characteristics of HSA account holders; and the funding and use of HSAs. http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08802t.pdf
  • The GAO published “Medical Devices: FDA Faces Challenges in Conducting Inspections of Foreign Manufacturing Establishments,”  (GAO-08-780T) on May 14, 2008. The GAO assessed FDA's program for inspecting foreign establishments that manufacture medical devices for the U.S. market and FDA's programs for third-party inspections of those establishments. http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08780t.pdf

Legislation

  • H.R.6011 (introduced May 8, 2008): To amend the Public Health Service Act to facilitate emergency medical services personnel training and certification curriculums for military veterans was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. 
    Sponsor: Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin [SD]
  • H.R.6018 (introduced May 8, 2008): To amend title 10, United States Code, to increase loan repayment limits for health professionals serving in the Armed Forces was referred to the House Committee on Armed Services. 
    Sponsor: Representative Niki Tsongas [MA-5]
  • H.R.6032 (introduced May 13, 2008): To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide wartime disability compensation for certain veterans with Parkinson's Disease was referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 
    Sponsor: Representative Bob Filner [CA-51]
  • H.R.6033 (introduced May 13, 2008): To promote training and employment for public housing residents in home-based health services so such residents can provide Medicaid covered home-based health services to elderly and disabled persons receiving public housing assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce, 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. 
    Sponsor: Representative Nydia M. Velazquez [NY-12]
  • H.R.6048 (introduced May 14, 2008): To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for the protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are members of the Armed Forces deployed in support of a contingency operation was referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 
    Sponsor: Representative Michael R. Turner [OH-3]
  • S.2993 (introduced May 8, 2008): A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to facilitate emergency medical services personnel training and certification curriculums for military veterans was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. 
    Sponsor: Senator Amy Klobuchar [MN]
  • S.2999 (introduced May 8, 2008): A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require group and individual health insurance coverage and group health plans to provide coverage for individuals participating in approved cancer clinical trials was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. 
    Sponsor: Senator Sherrod Brown [OH]
  • S.3000 (introduced May 8, 2008): A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to include federally recognized tribal organizations in certain grant programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the several States and territories, and for other purposes was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 
    Sponsor: Senator Daniel K. Akaka [HI]
  • S.3005 (introduced May 8, 2008): A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish procedures for the timely and effective delivery of medical and mental health care to all immigration detainees in custody, and for other purposes was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. 
    Sponsor: Senator Robert Menendez [NJ]
  • S.3008 (introduced May 8, 2008): A bill to improve and enhance the mental health care benefits available to members of the Armed Forces and veterans, to enhance counseling and other benefits available to survivors of members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and for other purposes was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 
    Sponsor: Senator Christopher S. Bond [MO]

Hill Hearings

  • The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on May 21, 2008, to examine pending health care legislation.
  • The House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on May 22, 2008, to examine the human resources challenges within VHA

Meetings / Conferences


If you need further information on any of the items in the Federal Health Update, please contact Kate Connelly Theroux at (703) 447-3257 or by e-mail at kate@usminstitute.org. To subscribe, please visit http://usminstitute.org/subscriber.cfm. To unsubscribe, please send an email to update@usminstitute.org with UNSUBSCRIBE as the subject.

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