Floor and Hearing Schedule Week of May 9
The Senate and House of Representatives are both in session this week. Among other things, both chambers continue to focus on the budget for FY 2012. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Conrad is expected to "mark up" or produce a Senate budget resolution sometime this week. Subcommittees in both houses are continually working toward final appropriations bills that would coincide with the budgets that are passed or proposed. The House is thought to finish this process sometime in May while the Senate would continue into June. Neither chamber of Congress is currently scheduled to dedicate specific floor time to any health specific legislation at this time. Legislative items and hearings of interest for this week include:
10 a.m. May 11, 124 Dirksen Bldg.
Subcommittee Hearing Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee (Chairman Harkin, D-Iowa) of Senate Appropriations Committee will hold hearings on proposed fiscal 2012 appropriations for programs under its jurisdiction.
Topic: National Institutes of Health
Information on the hearing and access to notes or video of the proceedings is available at http://appropriations.senate.gov/news.cfm?method=news.view&id=ac0af017-a9fd-4cc0-86cb-f856db0270d7
10 a.m. May 11, 430 Dirksen Bldg.
Subcommittee Hearing Primary Health and Aging Subcommittee (Chairman Sanders, I-Vt.) of Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will hold a hearing on efforts to divert non-urgent emergency room use to an alternate provider, focusing on how it might provide better care and lower costs.
Information on the hearing and access to notes or video of the proceedings is available at http://help.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=c4d004ce-5056-9502-5d46-58410b00ed72
S 525
Positive Aging Act of 2011
Would provide grants to public and private nonprofit entities to: (1) demonstrate ways of integrating mental health services for older adults into primary care settings, and (2) support the establishment and maintenance of interdisciplinary geriatric mental health outreach teams in community settings where older adults reside or receive social services.
Requires state plans for community mental health services grants to describe: (1) the state's outreach to, and services for, older individuals, individuals who are homeless, and individuals living in rural areas; and (2) how community-based services will be provided to these individuals.
S 501
Fostering Independence Through Technology Act of 2011
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct pilot projects under Medicare for the purpose of providing incentives to home health agencies to utilize home monitoring and communications technology.
S. 227
Allows payment for home health services to Medicare beneficiaries by: (1) a nurse practitioner; (2) a clinical nurse specialist working in collaboration with a physician in accordance with state law; (3) a certified nurse-midwife; or (4) a physician assistant under a physician's supervision.