Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Plus Act or the PACE Plus Act This bill modifies requirements and establishes programs regarding Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). PACE is a program under Medicare and Medicaid that provides in-home and community services for certain individuals as an alternative to nursing home care. The bill allows Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in a PACE program at any time and provides states with the option to allow Medicaid beneficiaries to do the same. Entities may also apply to become PACE providers at any time, upon specified assurances relating to staffing and other requirements. States that provide Medicaid coverage of long-term care may also choose to expand PACE eligibility for Medicaid beneficiaries who are unable to perform at least two activities of daily living and who meet other specified criteria. Additionally, the bill establishes and provides funds for grant programs for (1) public or nonprofit PACE providers in rural or underserved urban areas for planning, administrative, capital, and other expenses that are necessary for site development; and (2) states that do not have PACE providers for expenses deemed necessary for program establishment. The bill also allows the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a model for expanded PACE eligibility that targets high-need and high-cost populations.
National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Future Act of 2021 This bill reauthorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) through FY2026 and establishes programs and activities. The bill sets forth requirements for supporting basic measurement science, technology research for engineering biology, biomanufacturing, and biometrology; developing standards to measure greenhouse gas emissions; carrying out research on identity management, cybersecurity, biometric identification, and communications measurement; assessing identified vulnerabilities with open-source software; operating the National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test Network; a strategic plan concerning the Center for Neutron Research; establishing in NIST an organization to facilitate the development of forensic science standards; activities in support of green and sustainable chemistry (i.e., clean, safe, and economic alternatives, technologies, and methodologies to traditional chemical products and processes); information exchange and coordination among federal agencies and with the private sector to ensure federal engagement in the development and use of international technical standards; and establishing a five-year pilot program to award grants to support increased participation by small business and academic interests in international standards organizations. The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study of NIST's policies and protocols to protect its research and combat undue foreign influence. NIST shall establish, as a part of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a pilot program of expansion awards among manufacturing extension centers or a consortium of centers to develop and support training and job placement services. NIST shall establish a National Supply Chain Database to assist the federal government and industry sectors in minimizing disruptions to the United States' supply chain.
This concurrent resolution recognizes that people with disabilities experience barriers to access every day and pledges to make universal and inclusive design a guiding principle for all infrastructure bills and projects.
Improving Social Security's Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act This bill requires the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. The single point of contact must track the individual's case to completion and coordinate with other specialized units to resolve case issues as quickly as possible.
Affordable Insulin Now Act This bill limits cost-sharing for insulin under private health insurance and the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Specifically, the bill caps cost-sharing under private health insurance for a month's supply of selected insulin products at $35 or 25% of a plan's negotiated price (after any price concessions), whichever is less, beginning in 2023. The bill caps cost-sharing under the Medicare prescription drug benefit for a month's supply of covered insulin products at (1) $35 between October 1, 2022, and January 1, 2024; and (2) $35 or 25% of a plan's negotiated price, whichever is less, beginning in 2024. The bill provides funds for FY2022 for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement the bill. Currently, the CMS is testing a voluntary model under the Medicare prescription drug benefit (the Part D Senior Savings Model) in which the copayment for a month's supply of insulin is capped at $35 through participating plans. The model is set to expire on December 31, 2025.
No Facial Recognition at the IRS Act This bill prohibits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from using, or contracting to use, biometric recognition technology for tax administration purposes. The bill defines biometric recognition technology as any technology that measures a biological (anatomical and physiological) or behavioral characteristic for automated recognition. The bill requires the IRS to delete all biometric data collected for purposes of tax administration not later than 60 days after the enactment of this bill.
Transportation Equity Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to reestablish the Transportation Equity Committee. The committee must study, advise DOT about, and develop a strategic plan concerning transportation equity issues. The committee must also evaluate the work of DOT in connecting people to economic and related forms of opportunity; revitalizing communities through strategic, research, technological, regulatory, community engagement, and economic policy activities related to transportation and opportunity; and ensuring equal access to transportation for all residents. In addition, DOT must appoint a full-time federal employee to serve as coordinator and act as the designated federal officer for the committee.
Bolstering Long-term Understanding and Exploration of the Great Lakes, Oceans, Bays, and Estuaries Act or the BLUE GLOBE Act This bill addresses data collection and monitoring of the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts. Specifically, it expands requirements related to a study of the scientific workforce in areas of oceanic and atmospheric research and development. For example, the bill requires the study to include an investigation on whether there is a workforce shortage in the number of individuals with technical or trade-based skillsets or credentials suited to a career in oceanic and atmospheric data collection, processing, satellite production, or satellite operations. The study must also investigate actions the federal government can take to increase diversity in the scientific workforce and shorten the hiring backlog for such workforce. The bill also directs the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create an Electronic Monitoring Innovation Prize, which may be awarded for the development of advanced electronic fisheries monitoring equipment and data analysis tools. NOAA must also seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate whether there is a need for an Advanced Research Projects Agency-Oceans within NOAA. Additionally, NOAA must establish a program to improve the collection, aggregation, and analysis of data to measure the value and impact of industries related to the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts on the U.S. economy.
Clean Slate through Repayment Act of 2022 This bill provides for the removal of any adverse credit history related to a defaulted federal student loan from a borrower's credit history once the borrower has repaid in full the amount due on the loan.
Schedules That Work Act This bill provides employees with the right to request changes to their work schedules related to the number of hours they are required to work or be on call, the location of the work, the amount of notification about work schedule assignments, and fluctuations in work hours. Employers must negotiate in good faith with employees who make such requests and comply with certain work schedule notice and split shift pay requirements for retail, food service, cleaning, hospitality, or warehouse employees.
This resolution calls on the Senate to remove the name of Richard B. Russell from the Russell Senate Office Building and revert to the building's original name—the Old Senate Office Building.
Keep STEM Talent Act of 2022 This bill exempts certain aliens with advanced degrees in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field from direct limitations on the number of immigrant visas granted per year. Specifically, the alien must (1) have earned a master's level or higher degree in certain STEM fields while in the United States attending an accredited higher education institution, (2) be employed (or have a job offer) in a field related to the degree and earn at least the median wage for that occupation, and (3) meet certain labor certification requirements. The bill also allows an alien seeking a nonimmigrant F-1 (student) visa to obtain an advanced STEM degree to have dual intent. Specifically, such an alien may obtain the nonimmigrant visa or change nonimmigrant status even if the alien intends to seek lawful permanent resident status. (Generally, an alien may be denied a nonimmigrant visa if the alien actually intends to seek immigrant status, unless dual intent is allowed for that type of visa.)
