Session Ends with Flurry of Accomplishments

Session Ends with Flurry of Accomplishments

* H.R. 6111, the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, takes step to improve how Medicare reimburses physicians. The bill will prevent physicians from a reduction in payments in 2007, which could have reduced the number of doctors willing to see Medicare patients.

"It is important to fix the problems with physician payment once and for all. I believe the legislation today provides an important stabilizing period for physicians," Barton said. "It fills the hole in payments for next year and provides a bonus for those physicians that report data on quality measures. It helps ensure beneficiary access to quality health care. It helps physicians work with us to develop a better payment system, one that provides the right incentives for care rather than the wrong incentives for overuse, and one that recognizes that there are savings accrued when chronic care is managed effectively."

* H.R. 6164, National Institutes of Health Reform Act of 2006, authorizes more money for NIH and includes reforms such as increased transparency and improved strategic planning on how research funds are allocated.

"This legislation will strengthen the research efforts of the NIH and will provide the foundation for future scientific and medical advancement," Barton added. "For 13 years, this program has remained unauthorized despite a Republican-led effort to double the NIH budget. Meanwhile, the science has sped past. We can help the NIH catch up by providing it with not just twice the money, but the tools it needs to reorganize and revitalize.

* S. 843, the Combating Autism Act of 2006, authorizes $945 million in grants to expand research into autism.

"Today, little is understood about the causes and mechanisms of autism. Many studies have been conducted into researching possible genetic and environmental causes of autism, and scientists are learning more about this disorder and how its effects can be lessened or eliminated. But without question, more work needs to be done to pinpoint the true causes of autism and to come up with a cure," Barton said. "This legislation contains provisions designed to intensify and coordinate the federal response to autism."

* S. 1608, the Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers beyond Borders Act or U.S. Safe Web Act, expands the Federal Trade Commission's ability to prosecute "cross-border" fraud. The bill allows more cooperation with foreign enforcement agencies to help protect U.S. consumers and Internet users from foreign-based fraud.

"The issue is important because fraud perpetrated against our citizens increasingly originates or is committed outside the U.S: the Federal Trade Commission reports 20 percent of the complaints it received are ‘cross-border' fraud complaints. Under current law, there is little the FTC can do to stop or prosecute a perpetrator outside the U.S.," Barton said. "This is good consumer protection legislation and will help law enforcement agencies find and prosecute criminals outside our borders committing fraud against our citizens."

* H.R. 6143, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act, provides better access to HIV/AIDS treatment and begins the process of more fairly distributing funds across the states. Under the current system, many areas that have seen cases of HIV/AIDS rise haven't gotten the needed increases in funding for care.
* S. 3678, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, bolsters response to a public health emergency by creating a clear line of authority from local to state to federal officials. It also accelerates advanced research and development of drugs and vaccines to protect the U.S. from health emergencies like bird flu.
* H.R. 864, the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act, requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national strategy to reduce underage drinking, including an annual report card on each state's enforcement of drinking laws.
* H.R. 1245, the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act, also called Johanna's Law, directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national campaign informing women about gynecologic cancers.
* H.R. 4583, the Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act, prevents clothing from being labeled wool if it doesn't meet certain quality standards.
* H.R. 5646 requires the EPA, through the Energy Star program, to study and report on the growth and energy consumption of computer data centers.
* H.R. 3248, the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006, allows the Health and Human Services Department to develop state and local services that will give full-time family caregivers a temporary break. This "respite care" can be planned or an emergency.
* H.R. 5782, the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2006, will prevent pipeline leaks and breaks by expanding safety rules to certain low-flow oil pipelines. The bill also establishes a new "call before you dig" system to prevent pipeline breaks.
* H.R. 6344 reauthorizes the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
* S. 707, the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Act or PREEMIE Act, expands National Institute of Health research into the cause of preterm and low birth weight infants.
* S. 4092 clarifies certain land-use regulations to facilitate the digital television transition in Jefferson County, Colo.
* S. 2653, the Call Home Act of 2006, instructs the Federal Communications Commission to find ways to reduce telephone charges for military personnel stationed outside the United States.
* S. 3546, the Dietary Supplement and Nonprescription Drug Consumer Protection Act, requires makers of drug and dietary supplement to report to the FDA serious reactions that occur after taking the product and to report any related medical information related to that reaction. These records would be publicly available.

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