Legislative Action
Women's Health
The Pregnancy and Trauma Care Access Protection Act of 2004 has been introduced by Sen. Judd Gregg, R-NH. The proposed legislation (S. 2207) is intended to improve women's access to health care services and provide access for all individuals to emergency and trauma care services. S. 2207 would encourage the speedy resolution of claims to "reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the delivery of such services."
National Program
The Universal Access to Affordable Insurance for all Americans Act of 2004 has been introduced by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-CA. The proposed legislation would establish a national health care program administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to offer federal health care plans to individuals who are not federal employees. The bill, S. 2161, has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee. S. 2161 would direct the OPM to enter into a contract in each calendar year with one or more carriers to make available to eligible individuals one or more federal health care plans. An "eligible individual" would be defined as any nonfederal employee who is younger than age 65, not enrolled or eligible to enroll for coverage under a public health insurance program, and not a member of the uniformed services.
Drug Imports
A bipartisan group of senators has introduced a bill that would allow re-importation of lower-cost prescription drugs—that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—from other industrialized countries. Under the proposed legislation, pharmacists, drug wholesalers, and qualifying individuals could import FDA-approved drugs if they are packaged and shipped using counterfeit-resistant technologies approved by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
'Family Friendly'
Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-CA, has introduced the Family and Workplace Balancing Act of 2004 (H.R. 3780). The proposed bill, which has 20 co-sponsors, is intended to encourage the establishment of "family-friendly" workplaces.
H.R. 3780 proposes to establish a program to support the states in providing partial or full wage replacement to new parents. It would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to states or political subdivisions to pay part of the cost of wage replacements for employees with caregiving needs resulting from the birth or adoption of a child, or other family caregiving needs. The bill would also amend the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by providing additional leave for "parental involvement."
|
 |
