Congressional Research Service Reports - 388 Matching Results

Search Results

prev Results: 73 - 96 next
open access

The 2009 Influenza A(H1N1) "Swine Flu" Outbreak: U.S. Responses to Global Human Cases

Description: This report discusses the April 2009 outbreak of the influenza strain known as H1N1, or swine influenza. This report describes the distribution of the virus and the statistics of affected areas, as well as international and U.S. efforts to treat infected persons, respond to outbreaks in various countries, and prepare for a possible influenza pandemic.
Date: May 26, 2008
Creator: Salaam-Blyther, Tiaji
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Military Medical Care: Questions and Answers

Description: This report answers several frequently asked questions about military health care, including: how the system is structured, a TRICARE summary, TRICARE eligibility and plan options, cost of military health care to beneficiaries, relationship of TRICARE to MEDICARE, how the Affordable Care Act affects TRICARE, long-term trends of defense health care costs, and a summary of the fund which funds TRICARE - the Medicare Eligible Retiree Health Care fund.
Date: May 20, 2008
Creator: Best, Richard A., Jr.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Coal Excise Tax Refunds: United States v. Clintwood Elkhorn Mining Co.

Description: In 1998, a U.S. district court held that the imposition of the coal excise tax, or black lung excise tax, on coal destined for export was unconstitutional. The process of refunding the tax has been controversial. This is because some coal producers and exporters have attempted to bypass the limitations in the Internal Revenue Code's refund scheme for bringing suit under the Export Clause in the Court of Federal Claims, seeking damages from the United States in the amount of coal excise taxes pa… more
Date: May 16, 2008
Creator: Lunder, Erika
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Iraqi Civilian Casualties Estimates

Description: This report presents various governmental and nongovernmental estimates of Iraqi civilian dead and wounded. The Department of Defense (DOD) regularly updates total U.S. military death and wounded statistics from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). However, no Iraqi or U.S. government office regularly releases publicly available statistics on Iraqi civilian deaths or civilians who have been wounded. Statistics on Iraqi civilian dead and wounded are sometimes available through alternative sources, suc… more
Date: May 16, 2008
Creator: Fischer, Hannah
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Avian Flu Pandemic: Potential Impact of Trade Disruptions

Description: Concerns about potential disruptions in U.S. trade flows due to a global health or security crisis are not new. The possibility of an avian flu pandemic with consequences for global trade is a concern that has received attention recently, although some experts believe there is little cause for alarm. This report considers possible trade disruptions, including possible impacts on trade between the United States and countries and regions that have reported avian influenza infections.
Date: May 8, 2008
Creator: Langton, Danielle
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Former NFL Players: Disabilities, Benefits, and Related Issues

Description: This report discusses professional football players' injuries and health conditions that might have long-term consequences for their health.
Date: April 8, 2008
Creator: Halchin, L. Elaine
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Genetic Ancestry Testing

Description: From Summary: This report describes genetic ancestry testing, outlines the basic scientific limitations of the testing currently, and provides an overview of the policy issues this testing may raise.
Date: March 12, 2008
Creator: Sarata, Amanda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Genetic Exceptionalism: Genetic Information and Public Policy

Description: This report provides an overview of the nature of genetic information and its implications for individuals, family, and society. Individuals utilize genetic information to guide health care and other decisions, when possible, and may experience anxiety as a result of genetic test results. Genetic test results for an individual may often be informative for other close family members and thus influence their care decisions. Society must grapple with the effect genetic information may have on our … more
Date: February 14, 2008
Creator: Sarata, Amanda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Legal Issues Related to Prescription Drug Sales on the Internet

Description: This report provides a legal analysis of issues related to prescription drug sales on the Internet, including issues involving online pharmacies and physicians who prescribe medications over the Internet. This report also provides an overview of the various federal and state laws that regulate this field, including laws and regulations covering prescription drugs, controlled substances, doctors, and pharmacies.
Date: September 19, 2007
Creator: Burrows, Vanessa K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Health Insurance: A Primer

Description: This report provides information about Health Insurance where people buy insurance to protect themselves against the possibility of financial loss in the future. Americans obtain insurance in different settings and a variety of methods.
Date: September 5, 2007
Creator: Bernadette, Fernandez
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Influenza Antiviral Drugs and Patent Law Issues

Description: This report examines the role that intellectual property rights play in affecting the availability of a patented drug such as Tamiflu during public health crises. The report also explains one legal mechanism for increasing a patented drug’s production without the patent holder’s consent: governments may abrogate a pharmaceutical company’s patent rights by issuing compulsory licenses to other drug companies to manufacture generic versions of the drug.
Date: August 16, 2007
Creator: Yeh, Brian T.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Walter Reed Army Medical Center: Realignment Under BRAC 2005 and Options for Congress

Description: This report details the BRAC Commission recommendation to create the WRNMMC, and the concomitant realignment of the WRAMC. It describes the concerns raised by the community before the BRAC Commission regarding the closure of the WRAMC main post and explains each of the 13 parts of the overall recommendation.
Date: July 9, 2007
Creator: Else, Daniel H. & O'Bryant, JoAnne
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Pandemic Flu and Medical Biodefense Countermeasure Liability Limitation

Description: This report analyzes Division C of the Department of Defense Emergency Supplemental Appropriations, P.L. 109-148, which was signed into law on December 30, 2005, and which limits liability with respect to pandemic flu and other public health countermeasures.
Date: April 5, 2007
Creator: Cohen, Henry & Burrows, Vanessa
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Federal Food Safety System: A Primer

Description: Numerous federal, state, and local agencies share responsibilities for regulating the safety of the U.S. food supply, which many experts say is among the safest in the world. Nevertheless, critics view this system as lacking the organization and resources to adequately combat foodborne illness, which sickens an estimated 76 million people and kills an estimated 5,000 each year in this country. The 110th Congress may face calls for a review of federal food safety agencies and authorities, and pr… more
Date: February 7, 2007
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S. & Porter, Donna V.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Influenza Antiviral Drugs and Patent Law Issues

Description: This report identifies and analyzes the patent law aspects of the avian influenza drug situation.
Date: December 22, 2006
Creator: Yeh, Brian T.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Pandemic Flu and Medical Biodefense Countermeasure Liability Limitation

Description: This report analyzes Division C of the Department of Defense Emergency Supplemental Appropriations, P.L. 109-148, which was signed into law on December 30, 2005, and which limits liability with respect to pandemic flu and other public health countermeasures.
Date: December 5, 2006
Creator: Cohen, Henry
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Critical Infrastructure: The National Asset Database

Description: The purpose of this report is to discuss the National Asset Database: what is in it, how it is populated, what the Database apparently is, what it is not, and how it is intended to be used. The report also discusses some of the issues on which Congress could focus its oversight, including appropriation bill language.
Date: September 14, 2006
Creator: Moteff, John D.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Military Construction, Military Quality of Life and Veterans' Affairs, FY2007 Appropriations

Description: This report is a guide to one of the regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittees. It summarizes the status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as events warrant.
Date: September 13, 2006
Creator: Else, Daniel H.; Graney, Paul J. & Panangala, Sidath Viranga
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Federal and State Quarantine and Isolation Authority

Description: This report provides an overview of federal and state public health laws as they relate to the quarantine and isolation of individuals, a discussion of constitutional issues that may be raised should individual liberties be restricted in a quarantine situation, and federalism questions that may arise where federal and state authorities overlap. In addition, the possible role of the armed forces in enforcing public health measures is discussed, specifically whether the Posse Comitatus Act would … more
Date: August 16, 2006
Creator: Swendiman, Kathleen S. & Elsea, Jennifer K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Authorized Generic Pharmaceuticals: Effects on Innovation

Description: The practice of “authorized generics” has recently been the subject of considerable attention by the pharmaceutical industry, regulators, and members of Congress alike. An “authorized generic”–sometimes termed a “branded,” “flanking,” or “pseudo” generic–is a pharmaceutical that is marketed by or on behalf of a brand name drug company, but is sold under a generic name. Although the availability of an additional competitor in the generic drug market would appear to be favorable to consumers, aut… more
Date: August 8, 2006
Creator: Thomas, John R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Military Construction, Military Quality of Life and Veterans' Affairs, FY2007 Appropriations

Description: This report is a guide to one of the regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittees. It summarizes the status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as events warrant.
Date: August 4, 2006
Creator: Else, Daniel H.; Graney, Paul J. & Panangala, Sidath Viranga
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Back to Top of Screen