Congressional Research Service Reports - 556 Matching Results
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- Health Savings Accounts: Overview of Rules for 2012
- This report provides a summary of the principal rules governing Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), covering such matters as eligibility, qualifying health insurance, contributions, and withdrawals.
- Health Savings Accounts: Some Current Policy Issues
- This report discusses the Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), which are one way that people can pay for their unreimbursed medical expenses (deductibles, copayments, and services not covered by insurance) on a tax-advantaged basis
- Hospital-Based Emergency Departments: Background and Policy Considerations
- This report describes Emergency departments (EDs), the role they play in the health care delivery system, and current federal involvement in supporting EDs. It then discusses the causes and consequences of three commonly identified and interrelated challenges that EDs face: (1) crowding, (2) providing repeat care to a subset of patients who are frequent users, and (3) providing care to a large population who have behavioral health conditions when an ED lacks the appropriate resources to provide such treatment. The report concludes with policy options that Congress may consider to potentially improve ED functioning and reduce payer costs.
- Hospital Reimbursement
- This report discusses the process of hospital reimbursement by health insurers and regulations governing the process.
- How Medicaid Works: Program Basics
- Medicaid is a means-tested entitlement program that has been in existence for over 35 years. It provides primary and acute care as well as long-term care to over 40 million Americans at a cost to federal and state governments of approximately $258.2 billion in FY2002. Of all federally supported social programs, only Medicare comes close to this level of spending, and only Social Security costs more.
- How Medicaid Works - Program Basics
- Medicaid is a means-tested entitlement program that has been in existence for over 35 years. It provides primary and acute care as well as long-term care to over 50 million Americans at a cost to federal and state governments of approximately $276.1 billion in FY2003. Of all federally supported social programs, only Medicare comes close to this level of spending, and only Social Security costs more.
- How Medicare Pays for Doctor's Services
- This report discusses the method used to pay doctor's through Medicare.
- How Medicare Pays Hospitals
- This report discusses the process of paying hospitals through Medicare.
- Hurricane Katrina: Medicaid Issues
- This report discusses the following: Medicaid’s rules on eligibility, benefits, and financing in the context of current questions and issues raised by Hurricane Katrina. Recent state actions in response to Medicaid issues raised by the hurricane. Federal Medicaid waiver authority, including information on current activity in this area and the New York Disaster Relief Medicaid waiver granted in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks. Current federal legislation related to Medicaid and Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
- Hurricane Katrina: Medicaid Issues
- This report discusses the following: Medicaid’s rules on eligibility, benefits, and financing in the context of current questions and issues raised by Hurricane Katrina. Recent state actions in response to Medicaid issues raised by the hurricane. Federal Medicaid waiver authority, including information on current activity in this area and the New York Disaster Relief Medicaid waiver granted in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks. Current federal legislation related to Medicaid and Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
- Hurricane Katrina: The Public Health and Medical Response
- Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in late August 2005, causing catastrophic wind damage and flooding in several states, and a massive dislocation of victims across the country. The storm is one of the worst natural disasters in the nation’s history. Early estimates are that hundreds of people were killed and about one million displaced.
- Hypertensive Disease and Control Programs in the United States
- This report discusses the prevalence of hypertensive disease (high blood pressure) in the United States and federal programs aimed at controlling and reducing hypertensive disease.
- The Impact of Medicare Premiums on Social Security Beneficiaries
- This report shows how the deduction of Medicare Part B and Part D premiums affects Social Security beneficiaries.
- Impact on States of Revised Redistribution of Unspent FY2002 SCHIP Allotments
- No Description Available.
- Implications of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit for Dual Eligibles and State Medicaid Programs
- This report discusses the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA, P.L. 108-173), which added a new Medicare prescription drug benefit, implemented in January 2006. This report focuses on MMA provisions that added a voluntary prescription drug benefit under a new Medicare Part D, and the effect of this new benefit both on individuals who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare, and on state Medicaid programs.
- Implications of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit for State Budgets
- No Description Available.
- Increases in Tricare Costs: Background and Options for Congress
- This report discusses budgetary matters for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), specifically regarding past instances of debate regarding the Tricare system. The dollar amounts allocated to health care in the budget of the DOD have more than doubled since FY2001, growing from about $17 billion to over $44.8 billion in FY2009.
- Increases in Tricare Costs: Background and Options for Congress
- In its FY2007, FY2008, and FY2009 budget submissions, the Department of Defense (DOD) proposed increases in Tricare enrollment fees, deductibles, and pharmacy co-payments for retired beneficiaries not yet eligible for Medicare. In passing the FY2009 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress included measures establishing demonstration projects intended to find ways to contain costs through increased use of preventive care services by TRICARE beneficiaries. The scope of these measures are limited. Defense health care spending will likely remain an issue for the DOD in the next Administration, and Congress can anticipate being asked to consider new proposals to constrain costs.
- Increases in Tricare Costs: Background and Options for Congress
- In its FY2007, FY2008, and FY2009 budget submissions, the Department of Defense (DOD) proposed increases in Tricare enrollment fees, deductibles, and pharmacy co-payments for retired beneficiaries not yet eligible for Medicare. In passing the FY2009 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress included measures establishing demonstration projects intended to find ways to contain costs through increased use of preventive care services by TRICARE beneficiaries. The scope of these measures are limited. Defense health care spending will likely remain an issue for the DOD in the next Administration, and Congress can anticipate being asked to consider new proposals to constrain costs.
- Increases in Tricare Costs: Background and Options for Congress
- In its FY2007 budget submission, the Department of Defense (DOD) proposed increases in Tricare enrollment fees, deductibles, and pharmacy co-payments for retired beneficiaries not yet eligible for Medicare. The raises were justified by DOD as necessary to constrain the growth of health care spending as a proportion of the overall defense budget in the next decade. Many beneficiaries argued that the proposed hikes were unfair and unnecessary. The FY2007 Defense Authorization Act prohibited increases in premiums, deductibles, and co-payments prior to September 30, 2007. The FY2008 National Defense Authoriztion Act extended the prohibition of increases in co-payments and enrollment fees until October 2008 and Congress may move to extend them further.
- Increases in Tricare Costs: Background and Options for Congress
- In its FY2007, FY2008, and FY2009 budget submissions, the Department of Defense (DOD) proposed increases in Tricare enrollment fees, deductibles, and pharmacy co-payments for retired beneficiaries not yet eligible for Medicare. In passing the FY2009 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress included measures establishing demonstration projects intended to find ways to contain costs through increased use of preventive care services by TRICARE beneficiaries. The scope of these measures are limited. Defense health care spending will likely remain an issue for the DOD in the next Administration, and Congress can anticipate being asked to consider new proposals to constrain costs.
- Increasing Choice, Access, and Quality in Health Care for Americans Act (Division C of P.L. 114-255)
- This report summarizes the Increasing Choice, Access, and Quality in Health Care for Americans Act, enacted December 13, 2016, as Division C of the 21st Century Cures Act (P.L. 114-255). It includes an overview and a breakdown of provisions by section.
- The Independent Payment Advisory Board
- This report, which provides an overview of the Payment Advisory Board, begins with a discussion of the rationale behind the creation of an independent Medicare board and briefly reviews prior proposals for similar boards and commissions. The report then describes the structure of the Board, the calculations and determinations required to be made by the Office of the Chief Actuary (the Chief Actuary) in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that trigger a Board proposal, and the content of and constraints on Board proposals--including the Medicare productivity exemptions under Section 3401 of the The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
- The Independent Payment Advisory Board
- In response, in part, to overall growth in Medicare program expenditures and growth in expenditures per Medicare beneficiary, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act created the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB, or the Board) and charged the Board with developing proposals to "reduce the per capita rate of growth in Medicare spending." This report discusses the responsibilities and duties.
- The Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB): Frequently Asked Questions
- This report responds to frequently asked questions about the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), including the board's background, current status, controversial issues including legal challenges, and recent legislative efforts to repeal the IPAB.
- Individual Mandate and Related Information Requirements under ACA
- Report that describes the individual mandate under Section 1501 and Section 10106 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA, P.L. 111-148, as amended).
- The Individual Mandate for Health Insurance Coverage: In Brief
- This report provides an overview of the individual mandate for health insurance, its associated penalty, and the exemptions from the mandate.
- Individual Mandate Under ACA
- This report describes the individual mandate as established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA, P.L. 111-148, as amended). The report also discusses the ACA reporting requirements designed, in part, to assist individuals in providing evidence of having met the mandate.
- Individual Mandate Under ACA
- This report describes the individual mandate as established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA, P.L. 111-148, as amended). The report also discusses the ACA reporting requirements designed, in part, to assist individuals in providing evidence of having met the mandate.
- Individual Mandate Under ACA
- Report describing the individual mandate requirements of the Afordable Care Act, as well as penalties for not meeting these requirements and exemptions granted for hardships.
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Medicaid
- This report begins with an overview of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It then discusses the distinction made in IDEA between medical services and health services. The report then summarizes the provisions in law that link Medicaid funding to IDEA. Next the report provides an overview of the complexities of Medicaid eligibility and covered services. Following that discussion, the report analyzes possible reasons why Medicaid appears to cover relatively little of IDEA health-related costs. Finally the report outlines possible legislative approaches with respect to Medicaid and IDEA.
- Influenza Antiviral Drugs and Patent Law Issues
- This report identifies and analyzes the patent law aspects of the current avian influenza drug situation. First, the report explains the role that patent rights have played in affecting the availability of Tamiflu. Second, the report examines options for increasing the drug’s production, including the possibility of governments abrogating Roche’s patent rights by issuing compulsory licenses to other drug companies to manufacture generic versions of Tamiflu without Roche’s consent.
- International Efforts to Control the Spread of Avian Influenza (H5N1) Virus: Affected Countries' Responses
- This report examines the efforts of overseas governments to combat the spread of avian influenza H5N1 which first appeared in birds and humans in Hong Kong in 1997, causing 100 reported human deaths from Vietnam to Turkey and appearing in birds in Africa and Europe.
- An Introduction to Health Insurance: What Should a Consumer Know?
- This report provides an overview of private-sector (as opposed to government-provided) health insurance. It serves as an introduction to health insurance from the point of view of many consumers under the age of 65. No background in health insurance is assumed, and all terms are defined in the body of the report.
- The Japanese Health Care System
- This report provides (1) a description of the coverage, benefits, financing and administration of the Japanese health insurance plans; (2) a discussion of the way in which reimbursement levels for health care providers are determined; and (3) an analysis of the way in which the provision of health care system is organized in Japan.
- Key Facts on Alcohol and Alcoholism
- This report provides statistics and facts about the drinking of alcohol and alcoholism.
- Legal Implications of the Contagious Disease or Infections Amendment to the Civil Rights Restoration Act, S.557
- This report discusses the civil rights restoration act, S. 557, as it passed the House and Senate. This provision would most likely be interpreted as codifying the existing standards relating to section 504 interpretation concerning discrimination against individuals with handicaps.
- Legal Issues Relating to State Health Care Regulation: ERISA Preemption and Fair Share Laws
- This report provides an overview of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) preemption, discusses legal challenges to fair share laws, and analyzes the fair share requirements included as part of the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Act.
- Legislative Actions in the 112th, 113th, and 114th Congresses to Repeal, Defund, or Delay the Affordable Care Act
- This report a brief overview of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and discusses the legislative process known as budget reconciliation in an effort to repeal parts of the ACA.
- Legislative Actions to Repeal, Defund, or Delay the Affordable Care Act
- This report a brief overview of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and discusses the legislative process known as budget reconciliation in an effort to repeal parts of the ACA.
- The Link Between Medicaid and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Recent History and Current Issues
- Congressional Research Service (CRS) report entailing, the recent history and current issues regarding the link between Medicaid and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Topics include, free and public education (FAPE), individualized education plans (IEP), individualized family service plans (IFSP), etc..
- The Link Between Medicaid and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Recent History and Current Issues
- Congressional Research Service (CRS) report entailing, the recent history and current issues regarding the link between Medicaid and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Topics include, free and public education (FAPE), individualized education plans (IEP), individualized family service plans (IFSP), etc..
- Long-Term Care Chart Book: Persons Served, Payors and Spending
- No Description Available.
- Long-Term Care (LTC): Financing Overview and Issues for Congress
- This report provides an overview of long-term care (LTC) and an explanation of the nation’s complex financing system of public and private payers. It also describes some of the major challenges facing Congress as it contemplates LTC reform and whether and how to include LTC in health reform legislation.
- Long-Term Care: The President's FY2001 Budget Proposals and Related Legislation
- No Description Available.
- Long-Term Care: What Direction for Public Policy?
- No Description Available.
- Long-Term Care: What Direction for Public Policy?
- No Description Available.
- Long-Term Services and Supports: Overview and Financing
- This report provides an overview of Long-term services and supports (LTSS), including who needs LTSS, how need for LTSS is determined, and how much LTSS costs. The report also provides information on who the primary LTSS payers are, how much they spend, and what types of services are purchased.
- Major Provisions of the Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act of 2002, H.R. 4954, as Passed by the House
- No Description Available.
- Managed Care and State External Review Statutes
- No Description Available.