Health Care Freedom of Choice Act

Health care, employee benefit and LTC insurance reform issues. HR 241, HR 324, HR 1012, S. 555, HR 2047, S. 334, HR 3163, s 1019, s 783, HR 3343, HR 506, HR 749, HR 991, HR 2302, HR 2948, HR 3234, S. 1899, S. 558, HR 2132, S. 158, S 504, HR 46, HR 2582, S. 1809, HR 3088, HR 3363, S 2337S 95, HR 1111, S 397, HR 2626, HR 2737, S. 1875, S 99, S 158, HR 1802, S 1753, HR 227, HR 636, S. 1356, HR 1820, HR 298, HR 3306, HR 15, HR 676, HR 1200, HR 2034, S 1218, HR 2357, S 1758

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

H.R.914, Tax Equity and Affordability Act of 2007 H.R.847, Healthcare Disclosure Act H.R.2737, Health Care Relief Act of 2007 H.R.2639, Promoting Health for Future Generations Act of 2007 H.R.2633, Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention (HeLP) America Act H.R.2412, Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 2007 H.R.2351, Health Coverage, Affordability, Responsibility, and Equity (Health CARE) Act of 2007 H.R.2302, Health Insurance Affordability Act of 2007 H.R.227, Health Care Tax deduction Act of 2007 H.R.2184, Enhanced Health Care Value for All Act of 2007 H.R.2132, Small Business Health Plans Act of 2007 H.R.2089, Securing Access, Value, and Equality in Health Care Act H.R.2047, Health Insurance for Life Act of 2007 H.R.1952, National Health Information Act of 2007 H.R.1820, Tax Equity for Health Plan Beneficiaries Act of 2007 H.R.1666, Health Care Price Transparency Promotion Act of 2007 H.R.1542, Healthy Families Act H.R.1489, A bill to eliminate the remainder of the funding shortfalls in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for fiscal year 2007 H.R.1368, Personalized Health Information Act of 2007 H.R.1367, Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 H.R.1329, Guaranteed Access for SCHIP’s Target Population Act of 2007 H.R.1012, Small Business Growth Act of 2007 H.R.015, National Health Insurance Act H.R.4511, Flexible Health Savings Account Act H.R.4505, Health Care Incentive Act H.R.298, Flexible Spending Accounts Growth and Opportunities Act of 2007 H.R.636, HC Freedom of Choice Act S.2300, Lower PRICED Drugs Act S.1893/H.R.976, Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 S.358, Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act S.910, Healthy Families Act S.885, Community Pharmacy Fairness Act of 2007 S.628, Critical Access to Health Information Technology Correction Act S.558, Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 S.495, Personal Data Privacy and Security Act of 2007 S.400, Michelle’s Law S.397, Tax Equity and Affordability Act of 2007 S.3585, HSA Improvement and Expansion Ac of 2006 S.358, Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 S.3488, Tax-free Healthcare Savings, Access, and Portability Act S.334, Healthy Americans Act S.325/H.R. 506, Health Partnership Act of 2007 S.273, Prescription Drug Health Improvement Act of 2007 S.2601/H.R.4551, Health Care Choices for Seniors Act S.2549, Health Savings Account Affordability Act S.1753, Healthy Workforce Act of 2007 S.1739, TAA Health Coverage Improvement Act of 2007 S.1693, Wired for Health Care Quality Act S.1690, Small Business Health Insurance Options Act of 2007 S.158, Access to Affordable Health Care Act S.1576, Minority Health Improvement and Health Disparity Elimination Act of 2007 S.1556, Tax Equity for Domestic Partner and Health Plan Beneficiaries Act S.1507, Access to Medicare Data Act of 2007 S.1503, Healthy America Act of 2005 S.1455, National Health Information Technology and Privacy Advancement Act of 2007 S.1408, Health Information Technology Act of 2007 S.1342, Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention (HeLP) America Act S.1224, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2007 S.1223.IS, Information Technology for Health Care Quality Act S.1221, Countdown to Coverage Act of 2007 S.1178, Securing Access, Value, and Equality in Health Care Act S.1169, State-Based Health Care Reform Act S.1082, Prescription Drug User Fee Amendments of 2007 S.1067, Healthy Places Act of 2007 S.1050, Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2007 S.1023, A bill to eliminate the remainder of funding shortfalls for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for fiscal 2007 S.1022, A bill to eliminate the remainder of funding shortfalls for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for fiscal 2007 S.1019, Universal Health Care Choice and Access Act S.099, Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Act S.004, Healthy America Act 2005 S.1218, Medicare for All Act See attached list

Client expense: $460,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Congressional Budget Office (CBO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Economic Council (NEC), SENATE, Transportation, Dept of (DOT), White House Office

H.RES.13: Encouraging increased public awareness of eating disorders and expanded research for treatment and cures. H.R.15: To provide a program of national health insurance, and for other purposes. H.R.20: To provide for research on, and services for individuals with, postpartum depression and psychosis. H.R.63: To provide that the approved application under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for the drug commonly known as RU-486 is deemed to have been withdrawn, to provide for the review by the Comptroller General of the United States of the process by which the Food and Drug Administration approved such drug, and for other purposes. H.R.113: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require group health plans to provide coverage for reconstructive surgery following mastectomy, consistent with the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998. H.R.119: To require that health plans provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations. H.R.152: To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act and title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require that group and individual health insurance coverage and group health plans provide comprehensive coverage for childhood immunization. H.R.282: To amend the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require that group and individual health insurance coverage and group health plans provide coverage for second opinions. H.R.283: To amend the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require that group and individual health insurance coverage and group health plans permit enrollees direct access to services of obstetrical and gynecological physician services directly and without a referral. H.R.324: To increase the minimum wage, to provide access to health care coverage to employees of small businesses, and to preserve American jobs. H.R.506: To provide for innovation in health care through State initiatives that expand coverage and access. H.R.636: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve health care choice by providing for the tax deductibility of medical expenses by individuals. H.R.676: To provide for comprehensive health insurance coverage for all United States residents, and for other purposes. H.R.914: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals a refundable credit against income tax for the purchase of private health insurance, and for other purposes. H.R.971: To ensure and foster continued patient safety and quality of care by making the antitrust laws apply to negotiations between groups of independent pharmacies and health plans and health insurance issuers (including health plans under parts C and D of the Medicare Program) in the same manner as such laws apply to protected activities under the National Labor Relations Act. H.R.979: To amend title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to protect consumers in managed care plans and other health coverage. H.R.1076: To promote health care coverage parity for individuals participating in legal recreational activities or legal transportation activities. H.R.1368: To establish a program to provide financial incentives to encourage the adoption and use of interactive personal health records. H.R.1424: To amend section 712 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, section 2705 of the Public Health Service Act, and section 9812 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require equity in the provision of mental health and substance-related disorder benefits under group health plans. H.R.1535: To amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to ensure that every child in the United States has access to affordable, quality health insurance coverage, and for other purposes. H.R.1666: To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for increased price transparency of hospital information and to provide for additional research on consumer information on charges and out-of-pocket costs. H.R.1669: To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for integration of mental health services and mental health treatment outreach teams, and for other purposes. H.R.1802: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a refundable tax credit to small businesses for the costs of qualified health insurance. H.R.1820: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the exclusion from gross income for employer-provided health coverage for employees' spouses and dependent children to coverage provided to other eligible designated beneficiaries of employees. H.R.1841: To amend the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for an AmeriCare that assures the provision of health insurance coverage to all residents, and for other purposes. H.R. 2034, to provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans. H.R. 2132: to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a small business health benefits program. H.R. 2302: to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a deduction for premiums for high deductible health plans required with respect to health savings accounts. H.R. 2633: to improve the health of Americans and reduce health care costs by reorienting the nation's health care system toward prevention, wellness, and self care. H.R. 2626: to provide for incentives to encourage health insurance coverage, and for other purposes. H.R. 2737: to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow previously uninsured individuals a refundable credit for health insurance costs and to provide tax incentives to encourage small business health plans. H.R. 2842: To amend title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prohibit preexisting condition exclusions for children in group health plans and health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets. H.R. 2892: to amend the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, chapter 89 of title 5, U.S. Code, and title 10, U.S. Code, to require coverage for the treatment of infertility. H.R.1111: To amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to ensure that every uninsured child in America has health insurance coverage, and for other purposes. H.R.1367: To amend section 712 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, section 2705 of the Public Health Service Act, and section 9812 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require equity in the provision of mental health and substance-related disorder benefits under group health plans. S.46: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the permissible use of health savings accounts to include premiums for non-group high deductible health plan coverage. S.95: A bill to amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to ensure that every uninsured child in America has health insurance coverage, and for other purposes. S.99: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a refundable credit for small business employee health insurance expenses. S.158: A bill to expand access to affordable health care and to strengthen the health care safety net and make health care services more available in rural and underserved areas. S.244: A bill to improve women's access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the delivery of obstetrical and gynecological services. S.325: A bill to provide for innovation in health care through State initiatives that expand coverage and access and improve quality and efficiency in the health care system. S.334: A bill to provide affordable, guaranteed private health coverage that will make Americans healthier and can never be taken away. S.397: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals a refundable credit against income tax for the purchase of private health insurance, and for other purposes. S.400: A bill to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that dependent students who take a medically necessary leave of absence do not lose health insurance coverage, and for other purposes. S.459: A bill to require that health plans provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations. S.558: A bill to provide parity between health insurance coverage of mental health benefits and benefits for medical and surgical services. S.616: A bill to promote health care coverage parity for individuals participating in legal recreational activities or legal transportation activities. S.651: A bill to help promote the national recommendation of physical activity to kids, families, and communities across the United States. S.655: A bill to amend the Congressional Charter of The American National Red Cross to modernize its governance structure, to enhance the ability of the board of governors of The American National Red Cross to support the critical mission of The American Red Cross in the 21st century, and for other purposes. S.733: A bill to promote the development of health care cooperatives that will help businesses to pool the health care purchasing power of employers, and for other purposes. S.895: A bill to amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to ensure that every child in the United States has access to affordable, quality health insurance coverage, and for other purposes. S.982: A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for integration of mental health services and mental health treatment outreach teams, and for other purposes. S.1019: A bill to provide comprehensive reform of the health care system of the United States, and for other purposes. S.1050: A bill to amend the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Public Health Service Act to set standards for medical diagnostic equipment and to establish a program for promoting good health, disease prevention, and wellness and for the prevention of secondary conditions for individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes. S. 1198: to determine successful methods to provide protection from catastrophic health expenses for individuals who have exceeded health insurance lifetime limits, to provide catastrophic health insurance coverage for uninsured individuals, and for other purposes. S. 1218: to provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans. S. 1298: to amend the Social Security Act to establish a federal reinsurance program for catastrophic health care costs. S.1342: A bill to improve the health of Americans and reduce health care costs by reorienting the Nation's health care system toward prevention, wellness, and self care. S.1693: A bill to enhance the adoption of a nationwide interoperable health information technology system and to improve the quality and reduce the costs of health care in the United States.

Client expense: $895,459 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE