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About This Legislation:
To provide for a portion of the economic recovery package
relating to revenue measures, unemployment, and health.

HR 598 RH
Union Calendar No. 2
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 598
[Report No. 111-8, Part I]
To provide for a portion of the
economic recovery package relating to revenue
measures, unemployment, and health.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 16, 2009
Mr. RANGEL (for himself, Mr. STARK, and Mr.
MCDERMOTT) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means,
and in addition to the Committees on Energy and
Commerce, Science and Technology, Education and
Labor, and Financial Services, for a period to
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provisions
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
January 27, 2009
Reported from the Committee on Ways and Means
with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting
clause and insert the part printed in italic]
January 27, 2009
Committees on Energy and Commerce, Science
and Technology, Education and Labor, and
Financial Services discharged; committed to the
Committee of the Whole House on the State of the
Union and ordered to be printed
[For text of introduced bill, see copy
of bill as introduced on January 16, 2009]
A BILL
To provide for a portion of the
economic recovery package relating to revenue
measures, unemployment, and health.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
TITLE I--TAX PROVISIONS
SECTION 1000. SHORT TITLE, ETC.
(a) Short Title- This title may be cited
as the `American Recovery and Reinvestment
Tax Act of 2009'.
(b) Reference- Except as otherwise
expressly provided, whenever in this title
an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms
of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section
or other provision, the reference shall be
considered to be made to a section or other
provision of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986.
(c) Table of Contents- The table of
contents for this title is as follows:
Sec. 1000. Short title, etc.
Subtitle A--Making Work Pay
Sec. 1001. Making work pay credit.
Subtitle B--Additional Tax Relief for
Families With Children
Sec. 1101. Increase in earned income
tax credit.
Sec. 1102. Increase of refundable
portion of child credit.
Subtitle C--American Opportunity Tax
Credit
Sec. 1201. American opportunity tax
credit.
Subtitle D--Housing Incentives
Sec. 1301. Waiver of requirement to
repay first-time homebuyer credit.
Sec. 1302. Coordination of
low-income housing credit and low-income
housing grants.
Subtitle E--Tax Incentives for Business
Part I--Temporary Investment Incentives
Sec. 1401. Special allowance for
certain property acquired during 2009.
Sec. 1402. Temporary increase in
limitations on expensing of certain
depreciable business assets.
Part II--5-Year Carryback of Operating
Losses
Sec. 1411. 5-year carryback of
operating losses.
Sec. 1412. Exception for TARP
recipients.
Part III--Incentives for New Jobs
Sec. 1421. Incentives to hire
unemployed veterans and disconnected
youth.
Part IV--Clarification of Regulations
Related to Limitations on Certain Built-In
Losses Following an Ownership Change
Sec. 1431. Clarification of
regulations related to limitations on
certain built-in losses following an
ownership change.
Subtitle F--Fiscal Relief for State and
Local Governments
Part I--Improved Marketability for
Tax-Exempt Bonds
Sec. 1501. De minimis safe harbor
exception for tax-exempt interest
expense of financial institutions.
Sec. 1502. Modification of small
issuer exception to tax-exempt interest
expense allocation rules for financial
institutions.
Sec. 1503. Temporary modification of
alternative minimum tax limitations on
tax-exempt bonds.
Part II--Tax Credit Bonds for Schools
Sec. 1511. Qualified school
construction bonds.
Sec. 1512. Extension and expansion
of qualified zone academy bonds.
Part III--Taxable Bond Option for
Governmental Bonds
Sec. 1521. Taxable bond option for
governmental bonds.
Part IV--Recovery Zone Bonds
Sec. 1531. Recovery zone bonds.
Sec. 1532. Tribal economic
development bonds.
Part V--Repeal of Withholding Tax on
Government Contractors
Sec. 1541. Repeal of withholding tax
on government contractors.
Subtitle G--Energy Incentives
Part I--Renewable Energy Incentives
Sec. 1601. Extension of credit for
electricity produced from certain
renewable resources.
Sec. 1602. Election of investment
credit in lieu of production credit.
Sec. 1603. Repeal of certain
limitations on credit for renewable
energy property.
Sec. 1604. Coordination with
renewable energy grants.
Part II--Increased Allocations of New
Clean Renewable Energy Bonds and Qualified
Energy Conservation Bonds
Sec. 1611. Increased limitation on
issuance of new clean renewable energy
bonds.
Sec. 1612. Increased limitation and
expansion of qualified energy
conservation bonds.
Part III--Energy Conservation Incentives
Sec. 1621. Extension and
modification of credit for nonbusiness
energy property.
Sec. 1622. Modification of credit
for residential energy efficient
property.
Sec. 1623. Temporary increase in
credit for alternative fuel vehicle
refueling property.
Part IV--Energy Research Incentives
Sec. 1631. Increased research credit
for energy research.
Subtitle H--Other Provisions
Part I--Application of Certain Labor
Standards to Projects Financed With Certain
Tax-Favored Bonds
Sec. 1701. Application of certain
labor standards to projects financed
with certain tax-favored bonds.
Part II--Grants To Provide Financing for
Low-Income Housing
Sec. 1711. Grants to States for
low-income housing projects in lieu of
low-income housing credit allocations
for 2009.
Part III--Grants for Specified Energy
Property in Lieu of Tax Credits
Sec. 1721. Grants for specified
energy property in lieu of tax credits.
Part IV--Study of Economic, Employment,
and Related Effects of This Act
Sec. 1731. Study of economic,
employment, and related effects of this
Act.
Subtitle A--Making Work Pay
SEC. 1001. MAKING WORK PAY CREDIT.
(a) In General- Subpart C of part IV of
subchapter A of chapter 1 is amended by
inserting after section 36 the following new
section:
`SEC. 36A. MAKING WORK PAY CREDIT.
`(a) Allowance of Credit- In the case of
an eligible individual, there shall be
allowed as a credit against the tax imposed
by this subtitle for the taxable year an
amount equal to the lesser of--
`(1) 6.2 percent of earned income of
the taxpayer, or
`(2) $500 ($1,000 in the case of a
joint return).
`(b) Limitation Based on Modified
Adjusted Gross Income-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The amount
allowable as a credit under subsection
(a) (determined without regard to this
paragraph) for the taxable year shall be
reduced (but not below zero) by 2
percent of so much of the taxpayer's
modified adjusted gross income as
exceeds $75,000 ($150,000 in the case of
a joint return).
`(2) MODIFIED ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME-
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the
term `modified adjusted gross income'
means the adjusted gross income of the
taxpayer for the taxable year increased
by any amount excluded from gross income
under section 911, 931, or 933.
`(c) Definitions- For purposes of this
section--
`(1) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL- The term
`eligible individual' means any
individual other than--
`(A) any nonresident alien
individual,
`(B) any individual with respect
to whom a deduction under section
151 is allowable to another taxpayer
for a taxable year beginning in the
calendar year in which the
individual's taxable year begins,
and
Such term shall not include any
individual unless the requirements of
section 32(c)(1)(E) are met with respect
to such individual.
`(2) EARNED INCOME- The term `earned
income' has the meaning given such term
by section 32(c)(2), except that such
term shall not include net earnings from
self-employment which are not taken into
account in computing taxable income. For
purposes of the preceding sentence, any
amount excluded from gross income by
reason of section 112 shall be treated
as earned income which is taken into
account in computing taxable income for
the taxable year.
`(d) Termination- This section shall not
apply to taxable years beginning after
December 31, 2010.'.
(b) Treatment of Possessions-
(1) PAYMENTS TO POSSESSIONS-
(A) MIRROR CODE POSSESSION- The
Secretary of the Treasury shall pay
to each possession of the United
States with a mirror code tax system
amounts equal to the loss to that
possession by reason of the
amendments made by this section with
respect to taxable years beginning
in 2009 and 2010. Such amounts shall
be determined by the Secretary of
the Treasury based on information
provided by the government of the
respective possession.
(B) OTHER POSSESSIONS- The
Secretary of the Treasury shall pay
to each possession of the United
States which does not have a mirror
code tax system amounts estimated by
the Secretary of the Treasury as
being equal to the aggregate
benefits that would have been
provided to residents of such
possession by reason of the
amendments made by this section for
taxable years beginning in 2009 and
2010 if a mirror code tax system had
been in effect in such possession.
The preceding sentence shall not
apply with respect to any possession
of the United States unless such
possession has a plan, which has
been approved by the Secretary of
the Treasury, under which such
possession will promptly distribute
such payments to the residents of
such possession.
(2) COORDINATION WITH CREDIT ALLOWED
AGAINST UNITED STATES INCOME TAXES- No
credit shall be allowed against United
States income taxes for any taxable year
under section 36A of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this
section) to any person--
(A) to whom a credit is allowed
against taxes imposed by the
possession by reason of the
amendments made by this section for
such taxable year, or
(B) who is eligible for a
payment under a plan described in
paragraph (1)(B) with respect to
such taxable year.
(3) DEFINITIONS AND SPECIAL RULES-
(A) POSSESSION OF THE UNITED
STATES- For purposes of this
subsection, the term `possession of
the United States' includes the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands.
(B) MIRROR CODE TAX SYSTEM- For
purposes of this subsection, the
term `mirror code tax system' means,
with respect to any possession of
the United States, the income tax
system of such possession if the
income tax liability of the
residents of such possession under
such system is determined by
reference to the income tax laws of
the United States as if such
possession were the United States.
(C) TREATMENT OF PAYMENTS- For
purposes of section 1324(b)(2) of
title 31, United States Code, the
payments under this subsection shall
be treated in the same manner as a
refund due from the credit allowed
under section 36A of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by
this section).
(c) Refunds Disregarded in the
Administration of Federal Programs and
Federally Assisted Programs- Any credit or
refund allowed or made to any individual by
reason of section 36A of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this
section) or by reason of subsection (b) of
this section shall not be taken into account
as income and shall not be taken into
account as resources for the month of
receipt and the following 2 months, for
purposes of determining the eligibility of
such individual or any other individual for
benefits or assistance, or the amount or
extent of benefits or assistance, under any
Federal program or under any State or local
program financed in whole or in part with
Federal funds.
(d) Conforming Amendments-
(1) Section 6211(b)(4)(A) is amended
by inserting `36A,' after `36,'.
(2) Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by
inserting `36A,' after `36,'.
(3) The table of sections for
subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of
chapter 1 is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 36 the
following new item:
`Sec. 36A. Making work pay credit.'.
(e) Effective Date- This section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after
December 31, 2008.
Subtitle B--Additional Tax Relief
for Families With Children
SEC. 1101. INCREASE IN EARNED INCOME TAX
CREDIT.
(a) In General- Subsection (b) of
section 32 is amended by adding at the end
the following new paragraph:
`(3) SPECIAL RULES FOR 2009 AND
2010- In the case of any taxable year
beginning in 2009 or 2010--
`(A) INCREASED CREDIT PERCENTAGE
FOR 3 OR MORE QUALIFYING CHILDREN-
In the case of a taxpayer with 3 or
more qualifying children, the credit
percentage is 45 percent.
`(B) REDUCTION OF MARRIAGE
PENALTY-
`(i) IN GENERAL- The dollar
amount in effect under paragraph
(2)(B) shall be $5,000.
`(ii) INFLATION ADJUSTMENT-
In the case of any taxable year
beginning in 2010, the $5,000
amount in clause (i) shall be
increased by an amount equal
to--
`(I) such dollar amount,
multiplied by
`(II) the cost of living
adjustment determined under
section 1(f)(3) for the
calendar year in which the
taxable year begins
determined by substituting
`calendar year 2008' for
`calendar year 1992' in
subparagraph (B) thereof.
`(iii) ROUNDING-
Subparagraph (A) of subsection
(j)(2) shall apply after taking
into account any increase under
clause (ii).'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1102. INCREASE OF REFUNDABLE
PORTION OF CHILD CREDIT.
(a) In General- Paragraph (4) of section
24(d) is amended to read as follows:
`(4) SPECIAL RULE FOR 2009 AND 2010-
Notwithstanding paragraph (3), in the
case of any taxable year beginning in
2009 or 2010, the dollar amount in
effect for such taxable year under
paragraph (1)(B)(i) shall be zero.'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2008.
Subtitle C--American Opportunity Tax
Credit
SEC. 1201. AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY TAX
CREDIT.
(a) In General- Section 25A (relating to
Hope scholarship credit) is amended by
redesignating subsection (i) as subsection
(j) and by inserting after subsection (h)
the following new subsection:
`(i) American Opportunity Tax Credit- In
the case of any taxable year beginning in
2009 or 2010--
`(1) INCREASE IN CREDIT- The Hope
Scholarship Credit shall be an amount
equal to the sum of--
`(A) 100 percent of so much of
the qualified tuition and related
expenses paid by the taxpayer during
the taxable year (for education
furnished to the eligible student
during any academic period beginning
in such taxable year) as does not
exceed $2,000, plus
`(B) 25 percent of such expenses
so paid as exceeds $2,000 but does
not exceed $4,000.
`(2) CREDIT ALLOWED FOR FIRST 4
YEARS OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION-
Subparagraphs (A) and (C) of subsection
(b)(2) shall be applied by substituting
`4' for `2'.
`(3) QUALIFIED TUITION AND RELATED
EXPENSES TO INCLUDE REQUIRED COURSE
MATERIALS- Subsection (f)(1)(A) shall be
applied by substituting `tuition, fees,
and course materials' for `tuition and
fees'.
`(4) INCREASE IN AGI LIMITS FOR HOPE
SCHOLARSHIP CREDIT- In lieu of applying
subsection (d) with respect to the Hope
Scholarship Credit, such credit
(determined without regard to this
paragraph) shall be reduced (but not
below zero) by the amount which bears
the same ratio to such credit (as so
determined) as--
`(i) the taxpayer's modified
adjusted gross income (as
defined in subsection (d)(3))
for such taxable year, over
`(ii) $80,000 ($160,000 in
the case of a joint return),
bears to
`(B) $10,000 ($20,000 in the
case of a joint return).
`(5) CREDIT ALLOWED AGAINST
ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX- In the case of
a taxable year to which section 26(a)(2)
does not apply, so much of the credit
allowed under subsection (a) as is
attributable to the Hope Scholarship
Credit shall not exceed the excess of--
`(A) the sum of the regular tax
liability (as defined in section
26(b)) plus the tax imposed by
section 55, over
`(B) the sum of the credits
allowable under this subpart (other
than this subsection and sections
23, 25D, and 30D) and section 27 for
the taxable year.
Any reference in this section or
section 24, 25, 26, 25B, 904, or 1400C
to a credit allowable under this
subsection shall be treated as a
reference to so much of the credit
allowable under subsection (a) as is
attributable to the Hope Scholarship
Credit.
`(6) PORTION OF CREDIT MADE
REFUNDABLE- 40 percent of so much of the
credit allowed under subsection (a) as
is attributable to the Hope Scholarship
Credit (determined after application of
paragraph (4) and without regard to this
paragraph and section 26(a)(2) or
paragraph (5), as the case may be) shall
be treated as a credit allowable under
subpart C (and not allowed under
subsection (a)). The preceding sentence
shall not apply to any taxpayer for any
taxable year if such taxpayer is a child
to whom subsection (g) of section 1
applies for such taxable year.
`(7) COORDINATION WITH MIDWESTERN
DISASTER AREA BENEFITS- In the case of a
taxpayer with respect to whom section
702(a)(1)(B) of the Heartland Disaster
Tax Relief Act of 2008 applies for any
taxable year, such taxpayer may elect to
waive the application of this subsection
to such taxpayer for such taxable
year.'.
(b) Conforming Amendments-
(1) Section 24(b)(3)(B) is amended
by inserting `25A(i),' after `23,'.
(2) Section 25(e)(1)(C)(ii) is
amended by inserting `25A(i),' after
`24,'.
(3) Section 26(a)(1) is amended by
inserting `25A(i),' after `24,'.
(4) Section 25B(g)(2) is amended by
inserting `25A(i),' after `23,'.
(5) Section 904(i) is amended by
inserting `25A(i),' after `24,'.
(6) Section 1400C(d)(2) is amended
by inserting `25A(i),' after `24,'.
(7) Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by
inserting `25A,' before `35'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2008.
(d) Application of EGTRRA Sunset- The
amendment made by subsection (b)(1) shall be
subject to title IX of the Economic Growth
and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 in
the same manner as the provision of such Act
to which such amendment relates.
(e) Treasury Studies Regarding Education
Incentives-
(1) STUDY REGARDING COORDINATION
WITH NON-TAX EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVES- The
Secretary of the Treasury, or the
Secretary's delegate, shall study how to
coordinate the credit allowed under
section 25A of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 with the Federal Pell Grant
program under section 401 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965.
(2) STUDY REGARDING IMPOSITION OF
COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUIREMENTS- The
Secretary of the Treasury, or the
Secretary's delegate, shall study the
feasibility of requiring students to
perform community service as a condition
of taking their tuition and related
expenses into account under section 25A
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(3) REPORT- Not later than 1 year
after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of the Treasury, or
the Secretary's delegate, shall report
to Congress on the results of the
studies conducted under this paragraph.
Subtitle D--Housing Incentives
SEC. 1301. WAIVER OF REQUIREMENT TO
REPAY FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER CREDIT.
(a) In General- Paragraph (4) of section
36(f) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
`(D) WAIVER OF RECAPTURE FOR
PURCHASES IN 2009- In the case of
any credit allowed with respect to
the purchase of a principal
residence after December 31, 2008,
and before July 1, 2009--
`(i) paragraph (1) shall not
apply, and
`(ii) paragraph (2) shall
apply only if the disposition or
cessation described in paragraph
(2) with respect to such
residence occurs during the
36-month period beginning on the
date of the purchase of such
residence by the taxpayer.'.
(b) Conforming Amendment- Subsection (g)
of section 36 is amended by striking
`subsection (c)' and inserting `subsections
(c) and (f)(4)(D)'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to residences
purchased after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1302. COORDINATION OF LOW-INCOME
HOUSING CREDIT AND LOW-INCOME HOUSING GRANTS.
Subsection (i) of section 42 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by
adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
`(9) COORDINATION WITH LOW-INCOME
HOUSING GRANTS-
`(A) REDUCTION IN STATE HOUSING
CREDIT CEILING FOR LOW-INCOME
HOUSING GRANTS RECEIVED IN 2009- For
purposes of this section, the
amounts described in clauses (i)
through (iv) of subsection (h)(3)(C)
with respect to any State for 2009
shall each be reduced by so much of
such amount as is taken into account
in determining the amount of any
grant to such State under section
1711 of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009.
`(B) SPECIAL RULE FOR BASIS-
Basis of a qualified low-income
building shall not be reduced by the
amount of any grant described in
subparagraph (A).'.
Subtitle E--Tax Incentives for
Business
PART I--TEMPORARY INVESTMENT INCENTIVES
SEC. 1401. SPECIAL ALLOWANCE FOR CERTAIN
PROPERTY ACQUIRED DURING 2009.
(a) In General- Paragraph (2) of section
168(k) is amended--
(1) by striking `January 1, 2010'
and inserting `January 1, 2011', and
(2) by striking `January 1, 2009'
each place it appears and inserting
`January 1, 2010'.
(b) Conforming Amendments-
(1) The heading for subsection (k)
of section 168 is amended by striking
`January 1, 2009' and inserting `January
1, 2010'.
(2) The heading for clause (ii) of
section 168(k)(2)(B) is amended by
striking `PRE-JANUARY 1, 2009' and
inserting `PRE-JANUARY 1, 2010'.
(3) Subparagraph (D) of section
168(k)(4) is amended--
(A) by striking `and' at the end
of clause (i),
(B) by redesignating clause (ii)
as clause (v), and
(C) by inserting after clause
(i) the following new clauses:
`(ii) `April 1, 2008' shall
be substituted for `January 1,
2008' in subparagraph
(A)(iii)(I) thereof,
`(iii) `January 1, 2009'
shall be substituted for
`January 1, 2010' each place it
appears,
`(iv) `January 1, 2010'
shall be substituted for
`January 1, 2011' in
subparagraph (A)(iv) thereof,
and'.
(4) Subparagraph (B) of section
168(l)(5) is amended by striking
`January 1, 2009' and inserting `January
1, 2010'.
(5) Clause (ii) of section
168(n)(2)(C) is amended by striking
`January 1, 2009' and inserting `January
1, 2010'.
(6) Subparagraph (B) of section
1400N(d)(3) is amended by striking
`January 1, 2009' and inserting `January
1, 2010'.
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided
in paragraph (2), the amendments made by
this section shall apply to property
placed in service after December 31,
2008, in taxable years ending after such
date.
(2) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT- Section
168(k)(4)(D)(ii) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as added by subsection
(b)(3)(C), shall apply to taxable years
ending after March 31, 2008.
SEC. 1402. TEMPORARY INCREASE IN
LIMITATIONS ON EXPENSING OF CERTAIN DEPRECIABLE
BUSINESS ASSETS.
(a) In General- Paragraph (7) of section
179(b) is amended--
(1) by striking `2008' and inserting
`2008, or 2009', and
(2) by striking `2008' in the
heading thereof and inserting `2008, AND
2009'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2008.
PART II--5-YEAR CARRYBACK OF OPERATING
LOSSES
SEC. 1411. 5-YEAR CARRYBACK OF OPERATING
LOSSES.
(a) In General- Subparagraph (H) of
section 172(b)(1) is amended to read as
follows:
`(H) CARRYBACK FOR 2008 AND 2009
NET OPERATING LOSSES-
`(i) IN GENERAL- In the case
of an applicable 2008 or 2009
net operating loss with respect
to which the taxpayer has
elected the application of this
subparagraph--
`(I) such net operating
loss shall be reduced by 10
percent of such loss
(determined without regard
to this subparagraph),
`(II) subparagraph
(A)(i) shall be applied by
substituting any whole
number elected by the
taxpayer which is more than
2 and less than 6 for `2',
`(III) subparagraph
(E)(ii) shall be applied by
substituting the whole
number which is one less
than the whole number
substituted under subclause
(II) for `2', and
`(IV) subparagraph (F)
shall not apply.
`(ii) APPLICABLE 2008 OR
2009 NET OPERATING LOSS- For
purposes of this subparagraph,
the term `applicable 2008 or
2009 net operating loss' means--
`(I) the taxpayer's net
operating loss for any
taxable year ending in 2008
or 2009, or
`(II) if the taxpayer
elects to have this
subclause apply in lieu of
subclause (I), the
taxpayer's net operating
loss for any taxable year
beginning in 2008 or 2009.
`(iii) ELECTION- Any
election under this subparagraph
shall be made in such manner as
may be prescribed by the
Secretary, and shall be made by
the due date (including
extension of time) for filing
the taxpayer's return for the
taxable year of the net
operating loss. Any such
election, once made, shall be
irrevocable.
`(iv) COORDINATION WITH
ALTERNATIVE TAX NET OPERATING
LOSS DEDUCTION- In the case of a
taxpayer who elects to have
clause (ii)(II) apply, section
56(d)(1)(A)(ii) shall be applied
by substituting `ending during
2001 or 2002 or beginning during
2008 or 2009' for `ending during
2001, 2002, 2008, or 2009'.'.
(b) Alternative Tax Net Operating Loss
Deduction- Subclause (I) of section
56(d)(1)(A)(ii) is amended to read as
follows:
`(I) the amount of such
deduction attributable to
the sum of carrybacks of net
operating losses from
taxable years ending during
2001, 2002, 2008, or 2009
and carryovers of net
operating losses to such
taxable years, or'.
(c) Loss From Operations of Life
Insurance Companies- Subsection (b) of
section 810 is amended by adding at the end
the following new paragraph:
`(4) CARRYBACK FOR 2008 AND 2009
LOSSES-
`(A) IN GENERAL- In the case of
an applicable 2008 or 2009 loss from
operations with respect to which the
taxpayer has elected the application
of this paragraph--
`(i) such loss from
operations shall be reduced by
10 percent of such loss
(determined without regard to
this paragraph), and
`(ii) paragraph (1)(A) shall
be applied, at the election of
the taxpayer, by substituting
`5' or `4' for `3'.
`(B) APPLICABLE 2008 OR 2009
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS- For purposes
of this paragraph, the term
`applicable 2008 or 2009 loss from
operations' means--
`(i) the taxpayer's loss
from operations for any taxable
year ending in 2008 or 2009, or
`(ii) if the taxpayer elects
to have this clause apply in
lieu of clause (i), the
taxpayer's loss from operations
for any taxable year beginning
in 2008 or 2009.
`(C) ELECTION- Any election
under this paragraph shall be made
in such manner as may be prescribed
by the Secretary, and shall be made
by the due date (including extension
of time) for filing the taxpayer's
return for the taxable year of the
loss from operations. Any such
election, once made, shall be
irrevocable.
`(D) COORDINATION WITH
ALTERNATIVE TAX NET OPERATING LOSS
DEDUCTION- In the case of a taxpayer
who elects to have subparagraph
(B)(ii) apply, section
56(d)(1)(A)(ii) shall be applied by
substituting `ending during 2001 or
2002 or beginning during 2008 or
2009' for `ending during 2001, 2002,
2008, or 2009'.'.
(d) Conforming Amendment- Section 172 is
amended by striking subsection (k).
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as otherwise
provided in this subsection, the
amendments made by this section shall
apply to net operating losses arising in
taxable years ending after December 31,
2007.
(2) ALTERNATIVE TAX NET OPERATING
LOSS DEDUCTION- The amendment made by
subsection (b) shall apply to taxable
years ending after 1997.
(3) LOSS FROM OPERATIONS OF LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANIES- The amendment made
by subsection (d) shall apply to losses
from operations arising in taxable years
ending after December 31, 2007.
(4) TRANSITIONAL RULE- In the case
of a net operating loss (or, in the case
of a life insurance company, a loss from
operations) for a taxable year ending
before the date of the enactment of this
Act--
(A) any election made under
section 172(b)(3) or 810(b)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
with respect to such loss may
(notwithstanding such section) be
revoked before the applicable date,
(B) any election made under
section 172(b)(1)(H) or 810(b)(4) of
such Code with respect to such loss
shall (notwithstanding such section)
be treated as timely made if made
before the applicable date, and
(C) any application under
section 6411(a) of such Code with
respect to such loss shall be
treated as timely filed if filed
before the applicable date.
For purposes of this paragraph, the
term `applicable date' means the date
which is 60 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 1412. EXCEPTION FOR TARP
RECIPIENTS.
The amendments made by this part shall
not apply to--
(A) the Federal Government
acquires, at any time, an equity
interest in the taxpayer pursuant to
the Emergency Economic Stabilization
Act of 2008, or
(B) the Federal Government
acquires, at any time, any warrant
(or other right) to acquire any
equity interest with respect to the
taxpayer pursuant to such Act,
(2) the Federal National Mortgage
Association and the Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation, and
(3) any taxpayer which at any time
in 2008 or 2009 is a member of the same
affiliated group (as defined in section
1504 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, determined without regard to
subsection (b) thereof) as a taxpayer
described in paragraph (1) or (2).
PART III--INCENTIVES FOR NEW JOBS
SEC. 1421. INCENTIVES TO HIRE UNEMPLOYED
VETERANS AND DISCONNECTED YOUTH.
(a) In General- Subsection (d) of
section 51 is amended by adding at the end
the following new paragraph:
`(14) CREDIT ALLOWED FOR UNEMPLOYED
VETERANS AND DISCONNECTED YOUTH HIRED IN
2009 OR 2010-
`(A) IN GENERAL- Any unemployed
veteran or disconnected youth who
begins work for the employer during
2009 or 2010 shall be treated as a
member of a targeted group for
purposes of this subpart.
`(B) DEFINITIONS- For purposes
of this paragraph--
`(i) UNEMPLOYED VETERAN- The
term `unemployed veteran' means
any veteran (as defined in
paragraph (3)(B), determined
without regard to clause (ii)
thereof) who is certified by the
designated local agency as--
`(I) having been
discharged or released from
active duty in the Armed
Forces during 2008, 2009, or
2010, and
`(II) being in receipt
of unemployment compensation
under State or Federal law
for not less than 4 weeks
during the 1-year period
ending on the hiring date.
`(ii) DISCONNECTED YOUTH-
The term `disconnected youth'
means any individual who is
certified by the designated
local agency--
`(I) as having attained
age 16 but not age 25 on the
hiring date,
`(II) as not regularly
attending any secondary,
technical, or post-secondary
school during the 6-month
period preceding the hiring
date,
`(III) as not regularly
employed during such 6-month
period, and
`(IV) as not readily
employable by reason of
lacking a sufficient number
of basic skills.'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to individuals
who begin work for the employer after
December 31, 2008.
PART IV--CLARIFICATION OF REGULATIONS
RELATED TO LIMITATIONS ON CERTAIN BUILT-IN
LOSSES FOLLOWING AN OWNERSHIP CHANGE
SEC. 1431. CLARIFICATION OF REGULATIONS
RELATED TO LIMITATIONS ON CERTAIN BUILT-IN
LOSSES FOLLOWING AN OWNERSHIP CHANGE.
(a) Findings- Congress finds as follows:
(1) The delegation of authority to
the Secretary of the Treasury under
section 382(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 does not authorize the
Secretary to provide exemptions or
special rules that are restricted to
particular industries or classes of
taxpayers.
(2) Internal Revenue Service Notice
2008-83 is inconsistent with the
congressional intent in enacting such
section 382(m).
(3) The legal authority to prescribe
Internal Revenue Service Notice 2008-83
is doubtful.
(4) However, as taxpayers should
generally be able to rely on guidance
issued by the Secretary of the Treasury
legislation is necessary to clarify the
force and effect of Internal Revenue
Service Notice 2008-83 and restore the
proper application under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 of the limitation
on built-in losses following an
ownership change of a bank.
(b) Determination of Force and Effect of
Internal Revenue Service Notice 2008-83
Exempting Banks From Limitation on Certain
Built-In Losses Following Ownership Change-
(1) IN GENERAL- Internal Revenue
Service Notice 2008-83--
(A) shall be deemed to have the
force and effect of law with respect
to any ownership change (as defined
in section 382(g) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986) occurring on
or before January 16, 2009, and
(B) shall have no force or
effect with respect to any ownership
change after such date.
(2) BINDING CONTRACTS-
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), Internal
Revenue Service Notice 2008-83 shall
have the force and effect of law with
respect to any ownership change (as so
defined) which occurs after January 16,
2009 if such change--
(A) is pursuant to a written
binding contract entered into on or
before such date, or
(B) is pursuant to a written
agreement entered into on or before
such date and such agreement was
described on or before such date in
a public announcement or in a filing
with the Securities and Exchange
Commission required by reason of
such ownership change.
Subtitle F--Fiscal Relief for State
and Local Governments
PART I--IMPROVED MARKETABILITY FOR
TAX-EXEMPT BONDS
SEC. 1501. DE MINIMIS SAFE HARBOR
EXCEPTION FOR TAX-EXEMPT INTEREST EXPENSE OF
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
(a) In General- Subsection (b) of
section 265 is amended by adding at the end
the following new paragraph:
`(7) DE MINIMIS EXCEPTION FOR BONDS
ISSUED DURING 2009 OR 2010-
`(A) IN GENERAL- In applying
paragraph (2)(A), there shall not be
taken into account tax-exempt
obligations issued during 2009 or
2010.
`(B) LIMITATION- The amount of
tax-exempt obligations not taken
into account by reason of
subparagraph (A) shall not exceed 2
percent of the amount determined
under paragraph (2)(B).
`(C) REFUNDINGS- For purposes of
this paragraph, a refunding bond
(whether a current or advance
refunding) shall be treated as
issued on the date of the issuance
of the refunded bond (or in the case
of a series of refundings, the
original bond).'.
(b) Treatment as Financial Institution
Preference Item- Clause (iv) of section
291(e)(1)(B) is amended by adding at the end
the following: `That portion of any
obligation not taken into account under
paragraph (2)(A) of section 265(b) by reason
of paragraph (7) of such section shall be
treated for purposes of this section as
having been acquired on August 7, 1986.'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to obligations
issued after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1502. MODIFICATION OF SMALL ISSUER
EXCEPTION TO TAX-EXEMPT INTEREST EXPENSE
ALLOCATION RULES FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
(a) In General- Paragraph (3) of section
265(b) (relating to exception for certain
tax-exempt obligations) is amended by adding
at the end the following new subparagraph:
`(G) SPECIAL RULES FOR
OBLIGATIONS ISSUED DURING 2009 AND
2010-
`(i) INCREASE IN LIMITATION-
In the case of obligations
issued during 2009 or 2010,
subparagraphs (C)(i), (D)(i),
and (D)(iii)(II) shall each be
applied by substituting
`$30,000,000' for `$10,000,000'.
`(ii) QUALIFIED 501(C)(3)
BONDS TREATED AS ISSUED BY
EXEMPT ORGANIZATION- In the case
of a qualified 501(c)(3) bond
(as defined in section 145)
issued during 2009 or 2010, this
paragraph shall be applied by
treating the 501(c)(3)
organization for whose benefit
such bond was issued as the
issuer.
`(iii) SPECIAL RULE FOR
QUALIFIED FINANCINGS- In the
case of a qualified financing
issue issued during 2009 or
2010--
`(I) subparagraph (F)
shall not apply, and
`(II) any obligation
issued as a part of such
issue shall be treated as a
qualified tax-exempt
obligation if the
requirements of this
paragraph are met with
respect to each qualified
portion of the issue
(determined by treating each
qualified portion as a
separate issue issued by the
qualified borrower with
respect to which such
portion relates).
`(iv) QUALIFIED FINANCING
ISSUE- For purposes of this
subparagraph, the term
`qualified financing issue'
means any composite, pooled, or
other conduit financing issue
the proceeds of which are used
directly or indirectly to make
or finance loans to one or more
ultimate borrowers each of whom
is a qualified borrower.
`(v) QUALIFIED PORTION- For
purposes of this subparagraph,
the term `qualified portion'
means that portion of the
proceeds which are used with
respect to each qualified
borrower under the issue.
`(vi) QUALIFIED BORROWER-
For purposes of this
subparagraph, the term
`qualified borrower' means a
borrower which is a State or
political subdivision thereof or
an organization described in
section 501(c)(3) and exempt
from taxation under section
501(a).'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to obligations
issued after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1503. TEMPORARY MODIFICATION OF
ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX LIMITATIONS ON
TAX-EXEMPT BONDS.
(a) Interest on Private Activity Bonds
Issued During 2009 and 2010 Not Treated as
Tax Preference Item- Subparagraph (C) of
section 57(a)(5) is amended by adding at the
end a new clause:
`(vi) EXCEPTION FOR BONDS
ISSUED IN 2009 AND 2010- For
purposes of clause (i), the term
`private activity bond' shall
not include any bond issued
after December 31, 2008, and
before January 1, 2011. For
purposes of the preceding
sentence, a refunding bond
(whether a current or advance
refunding) shall be treated as
issued on the date of the
issuance of the refunded bond
(or in the case of a series of
refundings, the original
bond).'.
(b) No Adjustment to Adjusted Current
Earnings for Interest on Tax-Exempt Bonds
Issued After 2008- Subparagraph (B) of
section 56(g)(4) is amended by adding at the
end the following new clause:
`(iv) TAX EXEMPT INTEREST ON
BONDS ISSUED IN 2009 AND 2010-
Clause (i) shall not apply in
the case of any interest on a
bond issued after December 31,
2008, and before January 1,
2011. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, a refunding
bond (whether a current or
advance refunding) shall be
treated as issued on the date of
the issuance of the refunded
bond (or in the case of a series
of refundings, the original
bond).'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to obligations
issued after December 31, 2008.
PART II--TAX CREDIT BONDS FOR SCHOOLS
SEC. 1511. QUALIFIED SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION
BONDS.
(a) In General- Subpart I of part IV of
subchapter A of chapter 1 is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:
`SEC. 54F. QUALIFIED SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION
BONDS.
`(a) Qualified School Construction Bond-
For purposes of this subchapter, the term
`qualified school construction bond' means
any bond issued as part of an issue if--
`(1) 100 percent of the available
project proceeds of such issue are to be
used for the construction,
rehabilitation, or repair of a public
school facility or for the acquisition
of land on which such a facility is to
be constructed with part of the proceeds
of such issue,
`(2) the bond is issued by a State
or local government within the
jurisdiction of which such school is
located, and
`(3) the issuer designates such bond
for purposes of this section.
`(b) Limitation on Amount of Bonds
Designated- The maximum aggregate face
amount of bonds issued during any calendar
year which may be designated under
subsection (a) by any issuer shall not
exceed the sum of--
`(1) the limitation amount allocated
under subsection (d) for such calendar
year to such issuer, and
`(2) if such issuer is a large local
educational agency (as defined in
subsection (e)(4)) or is issuing on
behalf of such an agency, the limitation
amount allocated under subsection (e)
for such calendar year to such agency.
`(c) National Limitation on Amount of
Bonds Designated- There is a national
qualified school construction bond
limitation for each calendar year. Such
limitation is--
`(1) $11,000,000,000 for 2009,
`(2) $11,000,000,000 for 2010, and
`(3) except as provided in
subsection (f), zero after 2010.
`(d) 60 Percent of Limitation Allocated
Among States-
`(1) IN GENERAL- 60 percent of the
limitation applicable under subsection
(c) for any calendar year shall be
allocated by the Secretary among the
States in proportion to the respective
numbers of children in each State who
have attained age 5 but not age 18 for
the most recent fiscal year ending
before such calendar year. The
limitation amount allocated to a State
under the preceding sentence shall be
allocated by the State to issuers within
such State.
`(2) MINIMUM ALLOCATIONS TO STATES-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary
shall adjust the allocations under
this subsection for any calendar
year for each State to the extent
necessary to ensure that the sum
of--
`(i) the amount allocated to
such State under this subsection
for such year, and
`(ii) the aggregate amounts
allocated under subsection (e)
to large local educational
agencies in such State for such
year,
is not less than an amount equal
to such State's adjusted minimum
percentage of the amount to be
allocated under paragraph (1) for
the calendar year.
`(B) ADJUSTED MINIMUM
PERCENTAGE- A State's adjusted
minimum percentage for any calendar
year is the product of--
`(i) the minimum percentage
described in section 1124(d) of
the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6334(d)) for such State for the
most recent fiscal year ending
before such calendar year,
multiplied by
`(3) ALLOCATIONS TO CERTAIN
POSSESSIONS- The amount to be allocated
under paragraph (1) to any possession of
the United States other than Puerto Rico
shall be the amount which would have
been allocated if all allocations under
paragraph (1) were made on the basis of
respective populations of individuals
below the poverty line (as defined by
the Office of Management and Budget). In
making other allocations, the amount to
be allocated under paragraph (1) shall
be reduced by the aggregate amount
allocated under this paragraph to
possessions of the United States.
`(4) ALLOCATIONS FOR INDIAN SCHOOLS-
In addition to the amounts otherwise
allocated under this subsection,
$200,000,000 for calendar year 2009, and
$200,000,000 for calendar year 2010,
shall be allocated by the Secretary of
the Interior for purposes of the
construction, rehabilitation, and repair
of schools funded by the Bureau of
Indian Affairs. In the case of amounts
allocated under the preceding sentence,
Indian tribal governments (as defined in
section 7701(a)(40)) shall be treated as
qualified issuers for purposes of this
subchapter.
`(e) 40 Percent of Limitation Allocated
Among Largest School Districts-
`(1) IN GENERAL- 40 percent of the
limitation applicable under subsection
(c) for any calendar year shall be
allocated under paragraph (2) by the
Secretary among local educational
agencies which are large local
educational agencies for such year.
`(2) ALLOCATION FORMULA- The amount
to be allocated under paragraph (1) for
any calendar year shall be allocated
among large local educational agencies
in proportion to the respective amounts
each such agency received for Basic
Grants under subpart 2 of part A of
title I of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6331 et
seq.) for the most recent fiscal year
ending before such calendar year.
`(3) ALLOCATION OF UNUSED LIMITATION
TO STATE- The amount allocated under
this subsection to a large local
educational agency for any calendar year
may be reallocated by such agency to the
State in which such agency is located
for such calendar year. Any amount
reallocated to a State under the
preceding sentence may be allocated as
provided in subsection (d)(1).
`(4) LARGE LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY-
For purposes of this section, the term
`large local educational agency' means,
with respect to a calendar year, any
local educational agency if such agency
is--
`(A) among the 100 local
educational agencies with the
largest numbers of children aged 5
through 17 from families living
below the poverty level, as
determined by the Secretary using
the most recent data available from
the Department of Commerce that are
satisfactory to the Secretary, or
`(B) 1 of not more than 25 local
educational agencies (other than
those described in subparagraph (A))
that the Secretary of Education
determines (based on the most recent
data available satisfactory to the
Secretary) are in particular need of
assistance, based on a low level of
resources for school construction, a
high level of enrollment growth, or
such other factors as the Secretary
deems appropriate.
`(f) Carryover of Unused Limitation- If
for any calendar year--
`(1) the amount allocated under
subsection (d) to any State, exceeds
`(2) the amount of bonds issued
during such year which are designated
under subsection (a) pursuant to such
allocation,
the limitation amount under such
subsection for such State for the following
calendar year shall be increased by the
amount of such excess. A similar rule shall
apply to the amounts allocated under
subsection (d)(4) or (e).'.
(b) Conforming Amendments-
(1) Paragraph (1) of section 54A(d)
is amended by striking `or' at the end
of subparagraph (C), by inserting `or'
at the end of subparagraph (D), and by
inserting after subparagraph (D) the
following new subparagraph:
`(E) a qualified school
construction bond,'.
(2) Subparagraph (C) of section
54A(d)(2) is amended by striking `and'
at the end of clause (iii), by striking
the period at the end of clause (iv) and
inserting `, and', and by adding at the
end the following new clause:
`(v) in the case of a
qualified school construction
bond, a purpose specified in
section 54F(a)(1).'.
(3) The table of sections for
subpart I of part IV of subchapter A of
chapter 1 is amended by adding at the
end the following new item:
`Sec. 54F. Qualified school
construction bonds.'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to obligations
issued after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1512. EXTENSION AND EXPANSION OF
QUALIFIED ZONE ACADEMY BONDS.
(a) In General- Section 54E(c)(1) is
amended by striking `and 2009' and inserting
`and $1,400,000,000 for 2009 and 2010'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendment made
by this section shall apply to obligations
issued after December 31, 2008.
PART III--TAXABLE BOND OPTION FOR
GOVERNMENTAL BONDS
SEC. 1521. TAXABLE BOND OPTION FOR
GOVERNMENTAL BONDS.
(a) In General- Part IV of subchapter A
of chapter 1 is amended by adding at the end
the following new subpart:
`Subpart J--Taxable Bond Option for
Governmental Bonds
`Sec. 54AA. Taxable bond option for
governmental bonds.
`SEC. 54AA. TAXABLE BOND OPTION FOR
GOVERNMENTAL BONDS.
`(a) In General- If a taxpayer holds a
taxable governmental bond on one or more
interest payment dates of the bond during
any taxable year, there shall be allowed as
a credit against the tax imposed by this
chapter for the taxable year an amount equal
to the sum of the credits determined under
subsection (b) with respect to such dates.
`(b) Amount of Credit- The amount of the
credit determined under this subsection with
respect to any interest payment date for a
taxable governmental bond is 35 percent of
the amount of interest payable by the issuer
with respect to such date.
`(c) Limitation Based on Amount of Tax-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The credit allowed
under subsection (a) for any taxable
year shall not exceed the excess of--
`(A) the sum of the regular tax
liability (as defined in section
26(b)) plus the tax imposed by
section 55, over
`(B) the sum of the credits
allowable under this part (other
than subpart C and this subpart).
`(2) CARRYOVER OF UNUSED CREDIT- If
the credit allowable under subsection
(a) exceeds the limitation imposed by
paragraph (1) for such taxable year,
such excess shall be carried to the
succeeding taxable year and added to the
credit allowable under subsection (a)
for such taxable year (determined before
the application of paragraph (1) for
such succeeding taxable year).
`(d) Taxable Governmental Bond-
`(1) IN GENERAL- For purposes of
this section, the term `taxable
governmental bond' means any obligation
(other than a private activity bond)
if--
`(A) the interest on such
obligation would (but for this
section) be excludable from gross
income under section 103, and
`(B) the issuer makes an
irrevocable election to have this
section apply.
`(2) APPLICABLE RULES- For purposes
of applying paragraph (1)--
`(A) a taxable governmental bond
shall not be treated as federally
guaranteed by reason of the credit
allowed under subsection (a) or
section 6432,
`(B) the yield on a taxable
governmental bond shall be
determined without regard to the
credit allowed under subsection (a),
and
`(C) a bond shall not be treated
as a taxable governmental bond if
the issue price has more than a de
minimis amount (determined under
rules similar to the rules of
section 1273(a)(3)) of premium over
the stated principal amount of the
bond.
`(e) Interest Payment Date- For purposes
of this section, the term `interest payment
date' means any date on which the holder of
record of the taxable governmental bond is
entitled to a payment of interest under such
bond.
`(1) INTEREST ON TAXABLE
GOVERNMENTAL BONDS INCLUDIBLE IN GROSS
INCOME FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES-
For purposes of this title, interest on
any taxable governmental bond shall be
includible in gross income.
`(2) APPLICATION OF CERTAIN RULES-
Rules similar to the rules of
subsections (f), (g), (h), and (i) of
section 54A shall apply for purposes of
the credit allowed under subsection (a).
`(g) Special Rule for Qualified Bonds
Issued Before 2011- In the case of a
qualified bond issued before January 1,
2011--
`(1) ISSUER ALLOWED REFUNDABLE
CREDIT- In lieu of any credit allowed
under this section with respect to such
bond, the issuer of such bond shall be
allowed a credit as provided in section
6432.
`(2) QUALIFIED BOND- For purposes of
this subsection, the term `qualified
bond' means any taxable governmental
bond issued as part of an issue if--
`(A) 100 percent of the
available project proceeds (as
defined in section 54A) of such
issue are to be used for capital
expenditures, and
`(B) the issuer makes an
irrevocable election to have this
subsection apply.
`(h) Regulations- The Secretary may
prescribe such regulations and other
guidance as may be necessary or appropriate
to carry out this section and section
6432.'.
(b) Credit for Qualified Bonds Issued
Before 2011- Subchapter B of chapter 65, as
amended by this Act, is amended by adding at
the end the following new section:
`SEC. 6432. CREDIT FOR QUALIFIED BONDS
ALLOWED TO ISSUER.
`(a) In General- In the case of a
qualified bond issued before January 1,
2011, the issuer of such bond shall be
allowed a credit with respect to each
interest payment under such bond which shall
be payable by the Secretary as provided in
subsection (b).
`(b) Payment of Credit- The Secretary
shall pay (contemporaneously with each
interest payment date under such bond) to
the issuer of such bond (or to any person
who makes such interest payments on behalf
of the issuer) 35 percent of the interest
payable under such bond on such date.
`(c) Application of Arbitrage Rules- For
purposes of section 148, the yield on a
qualified bond shall be reduced by the
credit allowed under this section.
`(d) Interest Payment Date- For purposes
of this subsection, the term `interest
payment date' means each date on which
interest is payable by the issuer under the
terms of the bond.
`(e) Qualified Bond- For purposes of
this subsection, the term `qualified bond'
has the meaning given such term in section
54AA(g).'.
(c) Conforming Amendments-
(1) Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by
striking `or 6428' and inserting `6428,
or 6432,'.
(2) Section 54A(c)(1)(B) is amended
by striking `subpart C' and inserting
`subparts C and J'.
(3) Sections 54(c)(2), 1397E(c)(2),
and 1400N(l)(3)(B) are each amended by
striking `and I' and inserting `, I, and
J'.
(4) Section 6401(b)(1) is amended by
striking `and I' and inserting `I, and
J'.
(5) The table of subparts for part
IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 is
amended by adding at the end the
following new item:
`Subpart J. Taxable bond option for
governmental bonds.'.
(6) The table of sections for
subchapter B of chapter 65, as amended
by this Act, is amended by adding at the
end the following new item:
`Sec. 6432. Credit for qualified
bonds allowed to issuer.'.
(d) Transitional Coordination With State
Law- Except as otherwise provided by a State
after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the interest on any taxable governmental
bond (as defined in section 54AA of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by
this section) and the amount of any credit
determined under such section with respect
to such bond shall be treated for purposes
of the income tax laws of such State as
being exempt from Federal income tax.
(e) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to obligations
issued after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
PART IV--RECOVERY ZONE BONDS
SEC. 1531. RECOVERY ZONE BONDS.
(a) In General- Subchapter Y of chapter
1 is amended by adding at the end the
following new part:
`PART III--RECOVERY ZONE BONDS
`Sec. 1400U-1. Allocation of
recovery zone bonds.
`Sec. 1400U-2. Recovery zone
economic development bonds.
`Sec. 1400U-3. Recovery zone
facility bonds.
`SEC. 1400U-1. ALLOCATION OF RECOVERY
ZONE BONDS.
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall
allocate the national recovery zone
economic development bond limitation and
the national recovery zone facility bond
limitation among the States in the
proportion that each such State's 2008
State employment decline bears to the
aggregate of the 2008 State employment
declines for all of the States.
`(2) 2008 STATE EMPLOYMENT DECLINE-
For purposes of this subsection, the
term `2008 State employment decline'
means, with respect to any State, the
excess (if any) of--
`(A) the number of individuals
employed in such State determined
for December 2007, over
`(B) the number of individuals
employed in such State determined
for December 2008.
`(3) ALLOCATIONS BY STATES-
`(A) IN GENERAL- Each State with
respect to which an allocation is
made under paragraph (1) shall
reallocate such allocation among the
counties and large municipalities in
such State in the proportion the
each such county's or municipality's
2008 employment decline bears to the
aggregate of the 2008 employment
declines for all the counties and
municipalities in such State.
`(B) LARGE MUNICIPALITIES- For
purposes of subparagraph (A), the
term `large municipality' means a
municipality with a population of
more than 100,000.
`(C) DETERMINATION OF LOCAL
EMPLOYMENT DECLINES- For purposes of
this paragraph, the employment
decline of any municipality or
county shall be determined in the
same manner as determining the State
employment decline under paragraph
(2), except that in the case of a
municipality any portion of which is
in a county, such portion shall be
treated as part of such municipality
and not part of such county.
`(4) NATIONAL LIMITATIONS-
`(A) RECOVERY ZONE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT BONDS- There is a
national recovery zone economic
development bond limitation of
$10,000,000,000.
`(B) RECOVERY ZONE FACILITY
BONDS- There is a national recovery
zone facility bond limitation of
$15,000,000,000.
`(b) Recovery Zone- For purposes of this
part, the term `recovery zone' means--
`(1) any area designated by the
issuer as having significant poverty,
unemployment, home foreclosures, or
general distress, and
`(2) any area for which a
designation as an empowerment zone or
renewal community is in effect.
`SEC. 1400U-2. RECOVERY ZONE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT BONDS.
`(a) In General- In the case of a
recovery zone economic development bond--
`(1) such bond shall be treated as a
qualified bond for purposes of section
6432, and
`(2) subsection (b) of such section
shall be applied by substituting `55
percent' for `35 percent'.
`(b) Recovery Zone Economic Development
Bond-
`(1) IN GENERAL- For purposes of
this section, the term `recovery zone
economic development bond' means any
taxable governmental bond (as defined in
section 54AA(d)) issued before January
1, 2011, as part of issue if--
`(A) 100 percent of the
available project proceeds (as
defined in section 54A) of such
issue are to be used for one or more
qualified economic development
purposes, and
`(B) the issuer designates such
bond for purposes of this section.
`(2) LIMITATION ON AMOUNT OF BONDS
DESIGNATED- The maximum aggregate face
amount of bonds which may be designated
by any issuer under paragraph (1) shall
not exceed the amount of the recovery
zone economic development bond
limitation allocated to such issuer
under section 1400U-1.
`(c) Qualified Economic Development
Purpose- For purposes of this section, the
term `qualified economic development
purpose' means expenditures for purposes of
promoting development or other economic
activity in a recovery zone, including--
`(1) capital expenditures paid or
incurred with respect to property
located in such zone,
`(2) expenditures for public
infrastructure and construction of
public facilities, and
`(3) expenditures for job training
and educational programs.
`SEC. 1400U-3. RECOVERY ZONE FACILITY
BONDS.
`(a) In General- For purposes of part IV
of subchapter B (relating to tax exemption
requirements for State and local bonds), the
term `exempt facility bond' includes any
recovery zone facility bond.
`(b) Recovery Zone Facility Bond-
`(1) IN GENERAL- For purposes of
this section, the term `recovery zone
facility bond' means any bond issued as
part of an issue if--
`(A) 95 percent or more of the
net proceeds (as defined in section
150(a)(3)) of such issue are to be
used for recovery zone property,
`(B) such bond is issued before
January 1, 2011, and
`(C) the issuer designates such
bond for purposes of this section.
`(2) LIMITATION ON AMOUNT OF BONDS
DESIGNATED- The maximum aggregate face
amount of bonds which may be designated
by any issuer under paragraph (1) shall
not exceed the amount of recovery zone
facility bond limitation allocated to
such issuer under section 1400U-1.
`(c) Recovery Zone Property- For
purposes of this section--
`(1) IN GENERAL- The term `recovery
zone property' means any property to
which section 168 applies (or would
apply but for section 179) if--
`(A) such property was acquired
by the taxpayer by purchase (as
defined in section 179(d)(2)) after
the date on which the designation of
the recovery zone took effect,
`(B) the original use of which
in the recovery zone commences with
the taxpayer, and
`(C) substantially all of the
use of which is in the recovery zone
and is in the active conduct of a
qualified business by the taxpayer
in such zone.
`(2) QUALIFIED BUSINESS- The term
`qualified business' means any trade or
business except that--
`(A) the rental to others of
real property located in a recovery
zone shall be treated as a qualified
business only if the property is not
residential rental property (as
defined in section 168(e)(2)), and
`(B) such term shall not include
any trade or business consisting of
the operation of any facility
described in section 144(c)(6)(B).
`(3) SPECIAL RULES FOR SUBSTANTIAL
RENOVATIONS AND SALE-LEASEBACK- Rules
similar to the rules of subsections
(a)(2) and (b) of section 1397D shall
apply for purposes of this subsection.
`(d) Nonapplication of Certain Rules-
Sections 146 (relating to volume cap) and
147(d) (relating to acquisition of existing
property not permitted) shall not apply to
any recovery zone facility bond.'.
(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of
parts for subchapter Y of chapter 1 of such
Code is amended by adding at the end the
following new item:
`Part III. Recovery Zone Bonds.'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to obligations
issued after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
SEC. 1532. TRIBAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BONDS.
(a) In General- Section 7871 is amended
by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
`(f) Tribal Economic Development Bonds-
`(1) ALLOCATION OF LIMITATION-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary
shall allocate the national tribal
economic development bond limitation
among the Indian tribal governments
in such manner as the Secretary, in
consultation with the Secretary of
the Interior, determines
appropriate.
`(B) NATIONAL LIMITATION- There
is a national tribal economic
development bond limitation of
$2,000,000,000.
`(2) BONDS TREATED AS EXEMPT FROM
TAX- In the case of a tribal economic
development bond--
`(A) notwithstanding subsection
(c), such bond shall be treated for
purposes of this title in the same
manner as if such bond were issued
by a State, and
`(B) section 146 shall not
apply.
`(3) TRIBAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BOND-
`(A) IN GENERAL- For purposes of
this section, the term `tribal
economic development bond' means any
bond issued by an Indian tribal
government--
`(i) the interest on which
is not exempt from tax under
section 103 by reason of
subsection (c) (determined
without regard to this
subsection) but would be so
exempt if issued by a State or
local government, and
`(ii) which is designated by
the Indian tribal government as
a tribal economic development
bond for purposes of this
subsection.
`(B) EXCEPTIONS- The term tribal
economic development bond shall not
include any bond issued as part of
an issue if any portion of the
proceeds of such issue are used to
finance--
`(i) any portion of a
building in which class II or
class III gaming (as defined in
section 4 of the Indian Gaming
Regulatory Act) is conducted or
housed or any other property
actually used in the conduct of
such gaming, or
`(ii) any facility located
outside the Indian reservation
(as defined in section
168(j)(6)).
`(C) LIMITATION ON AMOUNT OF
BONDS DESIGNATED- The maximum
aggregate face amount of bonds which
may be designated by any Indian
tribal government under subparagraph
(A) shall not exceed the amount of
national tribal economic development
bond limitation allocated to such
government under paragraph (1).'.
(b) Study- The Secretary of the
Treasury, or the Secretary's delegate, shall
conduct a study of the effects of the
amendment made by subsection (a). Not later
than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury,
or the Secretary's delegate, shall report to
Congress on the results of the studies
conducted under this paragraph, including
the Secretary's recommendations regarding
such amendment.
(c) Effective Date- The amendment made
by subsection (a) shall apply to obligations
issued after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
PART V--REPEAL OF WITHHOLDING TAX ON
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS
SEC. 1541. REPEAL OF WITHHOLDING TAX ON
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS.
Section 3402 is amended by striking
subsection (t).
Subtitle G--Energy Incentives
PART I--RENEWABLE ENERGY INCENTIVES
SEC. 1601. EXTENSION OF CREDIT FOR
ELECTRICITY PRODUCED FROM CERTAIN RENEWABLE
RESOURCES.
(a) In General- Subsection (d) of
section 45 is amended--
(1) by striking `2010' in paragraph
(1) and inserting `2013',
(2) by striking `2011' each place it
appears in paragraphs (2), (3), (4),
(6), (7), and (9) and inserting `2014',
and
(3) by striking `2012' in paragraph
(11)(B) and inserting `2014'.
(b) Technical Amendment- Paragraph (5)
of section 45(d) is amended by striking `and
before' and all that follows and inserting
`and before October 3, 2008.'.
(1) IN GENERAL- The amendments made
by subsection (a) shall apply to
property placed in service after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT- The
amendment made by subsection (b) shall
take effect as if included in section
102 of the Energy Improvement and
Extension Act of 2008.
SEC. 1602. ELECTION OF INVESTMENT CREDIT
IN LIEU OF PRODUCTION CREDIT.
(a) In General- Subsection (a) of
section 48 is amended by adding at the end
the following new paragraph:
`(5) ELECTION TO TREAT QUALIFIED
FACILITIES AS ENERGY PROPERTY-
`(A) IN GENERAL- In the case of
any qualified investment credit
facility placed in service in 2009
or 2010--
`(i) such facility shall be
treated as energy property for
purposes of this section, and
`(ii) the energy percentage
with respect to such property
shall be 30 percent.
`(B) DENIAL OF PRODUCTION
CREDIT- No credit shall be allowed
under section 45 for any taxable
year with respect to any qualified
investment credit facility.
`(C) QUALIFIED INVESTMENT CREDIT
FACILITY- For purposes of this
paragraph, the term `qualified
investment credit facility' means
any facility described in paragraph
(1), (2), (3), (4), (6), (7), (9),
or (11) of section 45(d) if no
credit has been allowed under
section 45 with respect to such
facility and the taxpayer makes an
irrevocable election to have this
paragraph apply to such facility.'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to facilities
placed in service after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1603. REPEAL OF CERTAIN LIMITATIONS
ON CREDIT FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROPERTY.
(a) Repeal of Limitation on Credit for
Qualified Small Wind Energy Property-
Paragraph (4) of section 48(c) is amended by
striking subparagraph (B) and by
redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as
subparagraphs (B) and (C).
(b) Repeal of Limitation on Property
Financed by Subsidized Energy Financing-
(1) IN GENERAL- Subsection (a) of
section 48, as amended by section 1602,
is amended by striking paragraph (4) and
by redesignating paragraph (5) as
paragraph (4).
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS-
(A) Section 25C(e)(1) is amended
by striking `(8), and (9)' and
inserting `and (8)'.
(B) Section 25D(e) is amended by
striking paragraph (9).
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided
in paragraph (2),the amendment made by
this section shall apply to periods
after December 31, 2008, under rules
similar to the rules of section 48(m) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the
enactment of the Revenue Reconciliation
Act of 1990).
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS- The
amendments made by subsection (b)(2)
shall apply to taxable years beginning
after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1604. COORDINATION WITH RENEWABLE
ENERGY GRANTS.
Section 48 is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
`(d) Coordination With Department of
Energy Grants- In the case of any property
with respect to which the Secretary of
Energy makes a grant under section 1721 of
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax
Act of 2009--
`(1) DENIAL OF PRODUCTION AND
INVESTMENT CREDITS- No credit shall be
determined under this section or section
45 with respect to such property for the
taxable year in which such grant is made
or any subsequent taxable year.
`(2) RECAPTURE OF CREDITS FOR
PROGRESS EXPENDITURES MADE BEFORE GRANT-
If a credit was determined under this
section with respect to such property
for any taxable year ending before such
grant is made--
`(A) the tax imposed under
subtitle A on the taxpayer for the
taxable year in which such grant is
made shall be increased by so much
of such credit as was allowed under
section 38,
`(B) the general business
carryforwards under section 39 shall
be adjusted so as to recapture the
portion of such credit which was not
so allowed, and
`(C) the amount of such grant
shall be determined without regard
to any reduction in the basis of
such property by reason of such
credit.
`(3) TREATMENT OF GRANTS- Any such
grant shall--
`(A) not be includible in the
gross income of the taxpayer, but
`(B) shall be taken into account
in determining the basis of the
property to which such grant
relates, except that the basis of
such property shall be reduced under
section 50(c) in the same manner as
a credit allowed under subsection
(a).'.
PART II--INCREASED ALLOCATIONS OF NEW
CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY BONDS AND QUALIFIED
ENERGY CONSERVATION BONDS
SEC. 1611. INCREASED LIMITATION ON
ISSUANCE OF NEW CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY BONDS.
Subsection (c) of section 54C is amended
by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
`(4) ADDITIONAL LIMITATION- The
national new clean renewable energy bond
limitation shall be increased by
$1,600,000,000. Such increase shall be
allocated by the Secretary consistent
with the rules of paragraphs (2) and
(3).'.
SEC. 1612. INCREASED LIMITATION AND
EXPANSION OF QUALIFIED ENERGY CONSERVATION
BONDS.
(a) Increased Limitation- Subsection (e)
of section 54D is amended by adding at the
end the following new paragraph:
`(4) ADDITIONAL LIMITATION- The
national qualified energy conservation
bond limitation shall be increased by
$2,400,000,000. Such increase shall be
allocated by the Secretary consistent
with the rules of paragraphs (1), (2),
and (3).'.
(b) Loans and Grants To Implement Green
Community Programs-
(1) IN GENERAL- Subparagraph (A) of
section 54D(f)(1) is amended by
inserting `(or loans or grants for
capital expenditures to implement any
green community program)' after `Capital
expenditures'.
(2) BONDS TO IMPLEMENT GREEN
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS NOT TREATED AS
PRIVATE ACTIVITY BONDS FOR PURPOSES OF
LIMITATIONS ON QUALIFIED ENERGY
CONSERVATION BONDS- Subsection (e) of
section 54D, as amended by subsection
(a), is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
`(5) BONDS TO IMPLEMENT GREEN
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS NOT TREATED AS
PRIVATE ACTIVITY BONDS- For purposes of
paragraph (3) and subsection (f)(2), a
bond shall not be treated as a private
activity bond solely because proceeds of
the issue of which such bond is a part
are to be used for loans or grants for
capital expenditures to implement any
green community program.'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to obligations
issued after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
PART III--ENERGY CONSERVATION INCENTIVES
SEC. 1621. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF
CREDIT FOR NONBUSINESS ENERGY PROPERTY.
(a) In General- Section 25C is amended
by striking subsections (a) and (b) and
inserting the following new subsections:
`(a) Allowance of Credit- In the case of
an individual, there shall be allowed as a
credit against the tax imposed by this
chapter for the taxable year an amount equal
to 30 percent of the sum of--
`(1) the amount paid or incurred by
the taxpayer during such taxable year
for qualified energy efficiency
improvements, and
`(2) the amount of the residential
energy property expenditures paid or
incurred by the taxpayer during such
taxable year.
`(b) Limitation- The aggregate amount of
the credits allowed under this section for
taxable years beginning in 2009 and 2010
with respect to any taxpayer shall not
exceed $1,500.'.
(b) Extension- Section 25C(g)(2) is
amended by striking `December 31, 2009' and
inserting `December 31, 2010'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1622. MODIFICATION OF CREDIT FOR
RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENT PROPERTY.
(a) Removal of Credit Limitation for
Property Placed in Service-
(1) IN GENERAL- Paragraph (1) of
section 25D(b) is amended to read as
follows:
`(1) MAXIMUM CREDIT FOR FUEL CELLS-
In the case of any qualified fuel cell
property expenditure, the credit allowed
under subsection (a) (determined without
regard to subsection (c)) for any
taxable year shall not exceed $500 with
respect to each half kilowatt of
capacity of the qualified fuel cell
property (as defined in section
48(c)(1)) to which such expenditure
relates.'.
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Paragraph
(4) of section 25D(e) is amended--
(A) by striking all that
precedes subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following:
`(4) FUEL CELL EXPENDITURE
LIMITATIONS IN CASE OF JOINT OCCUPANCY-
In the case of any dwelling unit with
respect to which qualified fuel cell
property expenditures are made and which
is jointly occupied and used during any
calendar year as a residence by two or
more individuals the following rules
shall apply:
`(A) MAXIMUM EXPENDITURES FOR
FUEL CELLS- The maximum amount of
such expenditures which may be taken
into account under subsection (a) by
all such individuals with respect to
such dwelling unit during such
calendar year shall be $1,667 in the
case of each half kilowatt of
capacity of qualified fuel cell
property (as defined in section
48(c)(1)) with respect to which such
expenditures relate.', and
(B) by striking subparagraph
(C).
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2008.
SEC. 1623. TEMPORARY INCREASE IN CREDIT
FOR ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE REFUELING PROPERTY.
(a) In General- Section 30C(e) is
amended by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
`(6) SPECIAL RULE FOR PROPERTY
PLACED IN SERVICE DURING 2009 AND 2010-
In the case of property placed in
service in taxable years beginning after
December 31, 2008, and before January 1,
2011--
`(A) in the case of any such
property which does not relate to
hydrogen--
`(i) subsection (a) shall be
applied by substituting `50
percent' for `30 percent',
`(ii) subsection (b)(1)
shall be applied by substituting
`$50,000' for `$30,000', and
`(iii) subsection (b)(2)
shall be applied by substituting
`$2,000' for `$1,000', and
`(B) in the case of any such
property which relates to hydrogen,
subsection (b) shall be applied by
substituting `$200,000' for
`$30,000'.'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendment made
by this section shall apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2008.
PART IV--ENERGY RESEARCH INCENTIVES
SEC. 1631. INCREASED RESEARCH CREDIT FOR
ENERGY RESEARCH.
(a) In General- Section 41 is amended by
redesignating subsection (h) as subsection
(i) and by inserting after subsection (g)
the following new subsection:
`(h) Energy Research Credit- In the case
of any taxable year beginning in 2009 or
2010--
`(1) IN GENERAL- The credit
determined under subsection (a)(1) shall
be increased by 20 percent of the
qualified energy research expenses for
the taxable year.
`(2) QUALIFIED ENERGY RESEARCH
EXPENSES- For purposes of this
subsection, the term `qualified energy
research expenses' means so much of the
taxpayer's qualified research expenses
as are related to the fields of fuel
cells and battery technology, renewable
energy, energy conservation technology,
efficient transmission and distribution
of electricity, and carbon capture and
sequestration.
`(3) COORDINATION WITH OTHER
RESEARCH CREDITS-
`(A) INCREMENTAL CREDIT- The
amount of qualified energy research
expenses taken into account under
subsection (a)(1)(A) shall not
exceed the base amount.
`(B) ALTERNATIVE SIMPLIFIED
CREDIT- For purposes of subsection
(c)(5), the amount of qualified
energy research expenses taken into
account for the taxable year for
which the credit is being determined
shall not exceed--
`(i) in the case of
subsection (c)(5)(A), 50 percent
of the average qualified
research expenses for the 3
taxable years preceding the
taxable year for which the
credit is being determined, and
`(ii) in the case of
subsection (c)(5)(B)(ii), zero.
`(C) BASIC RESEARCH AND ENERGY
RESEARCH CONSORTIUM PAYMENTS- Any
amount taken into account under
paragraph (1) shall not be taken
into account under paragraph (2) or
(3) of subsection (a).'.
(b) Conforming Amendment- Subparagraph
(B) of section 41(i)(1), as redesignated by
subsection (a), is amended by inserting `(in
the case of the increase in the credit
determined under subsection (h), December
31, 2010)' after `December 31, 2009'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2008.
Subtitle H--Other Provisions
PART I--APPLICATION OF CERTAIN LABOR
STANDARDS TO PROJECTS FINANCED WITH CERTAIN
TAX-FAVORED BONDS
SEC. 1701. APPLICATION OF CERTAIN LABOR
STANDARDS TO PROJECTS FINANCED WITH CERTAIN
TAX-FAVORED BONDS.
Subchapter IV of chapter 31 of the title
40, United States Code, shall apply to
projects financed with the proceeds of--
(1) any qualified clean renewable
energy bond (as defined in section 54C
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986)
issued after the date of the enactment
of this Act,
(2) any qualified energy
conservation bond (as defined in section
54D of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986) issued after the date of the
enactment of this Act,
(3) any qualified zone academy bond
(as defined in section 54E of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986) issued
after the date of the enactment of this
Act,
(4) any qualified school
construction bond (as defined in section
54F of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986), and
(5) any recovery zone economic
development bond (as defined in section
1400U-2 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986).
PART II--GRANTS TO PROVIDE FINANCING FOR
LOW-INCOME HOUSING
SEC. 1711. GRANTS TO STATES FOR
LOW-INCOME HOUSING PROJECTS IN LIEU OF
LOW-INCOME HOUSING CREDIT ALLOCATIONS FOR 2009.
(a) In General- The Secretary of the
Treasury shall make a grant to the housing
credit agency of each State in an amount
equal to such State's low-income housing
grant election amount.
(b) Low-Income Housing Grant Election
Amount- For purposes of this section, the
term `low-income housing grant election
amount' means, with respect to any State,
such amount as the State may elect which
does not exceed 85 percent of the product
of--
(A) 100 percent of the State
housing credit ceiling for 2009
which is attributable to amounts
described in clauses (i) and (iii)
of section 42(h)(3)(C) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and
(B) 40 percent of the State
housing credit ceiling for 2009
which is attributable to amounts
described in clauses (ii) and (iv)
of such section, multiplied by
(c) Subawards for Low-Income Buildings-
(1) IN GENERAL- A State housing
credit agency receiving a grant under
this section shall use such grant to
make subawards to finance the
construction or acquisition and
rehabilitation of qualified low-income
buildings. A subaward under this section
may be made to finance a qualified
low-income building with or without an
allocation under section 42 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, except
that a State housing credit agency may
make subawards to finance qualified
low-income buildings without an
allocation only if it makes a
determination that such use will
increase the total funds available to
the State to build and rehabilitate
affordable housing. In complying with
such determination requirement, a State
housing credit agency shall establish a
process in which applicants that are
allocated credits are required to
demonstrate good faith efforts to obtain
investment commitments for such credits
before the agency makes such subawards.
(2) SUBAWARDS SUBJECT TO SAME
REQUIREMENTS AS LOW-INCOME HOUSING
CREDIT ALLOCATIONS- Any such subaward
with respect to any qualified low-income
building shall be made in the same
manner and shall be subject to the same
limitations (including rent, income, and
use restrictions on such building) as an
allocation of housing credit dollar
amount allocated by such State housing
credit agency under section 42 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, except
that such subawards shall not be limited
by, or otherwise affect (except as
provided in subsection (h)(3)(J) of such
section), the State housing credit
ceiling applicable to such agency.
(3) COMPLIANCE AND ASSET MANAGEMENT-
The State housing credit agency shall
perform asset management functions to
ensure compliance with section 42 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the
long-term viability of buildings funded
by any subaward under this section. The
State housing credit agency may collect
reasonable fees from a subaward
recipient to cover expenses associated
with the performance of its duties under
this paragraph. The State housing credit
agency may retain an agent or other
private contractor to satisfy the
requirements of this paragraph.
(4) RECAPTURE- The State housing
credit agency shall impose conditions or
restrictions, including a requirement
providing for recapture, on any subaward
under this section so as to assure that
the building with respect to which such
subaward is made remains a qualified
low-income building during the
compliance period. Any such recapture
shall be payable to the Secretary of the
Treasury for deposit in the general fund
of the Treasury and may be enforced by
means of liens or such other methods as
the Secretary of the Treasury determines
appropriate.
(d) Return of Unused Grant Funds- Any
grant funds not used to make subawards under
this section before January 1, 2011, shall
be returned to the Secretary of the Treasury
on such date. Any subawards returned to the
State housing credit agency on or after such
date shall be promptly returned to the
Secretary of the Treasury. Any amounts
returned to the Secretary of the Treasury
under this subsection shall be deposited in
the general fund of the Treasury.
(e) Definitions- Any term used in this
section which is also used in section 42 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall have
the same meaning for purposes of this
section as when used in such section 42. Any
reference in this section to the Secretary
of the Treasury shall be treated as
including the Secretary's delegate.
(f) Appropriations- There is hereby
appropriated to the Secretary of the
Treasury such sums as may be necessary to
carry out this section.
PART III--GRANTS FOR SPECIFIED ENERGY
PROPERTY IN LIEU OF TAX CREDITS
SEC. 1721. GRANTS FOR SPECIFIED ENERGY
PROPERTY IN LIEU OF TAX CREDITS.
(a) In General- Upon application, the
Secretary of Energy shall, within 60 days of
the application and subject to the
requirements of this section, provide a
grant to each person who places in service
specified energy property during 2009 or
2010 to reimburse such person for a portion
of the expense of such facility as provided
in subsection (b).
(1) IN GENERAL- The amount of the
grant under subsection (a) with respect
to any specified energy property shall
be the applicable percentage of the
basis of such facility.
(2) APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE- For
purposes of paragraph (1), the term
`applicable percentage' means--
(A) 30 percent in the case of
any property described in paragraphs
(1) through (4) of subsection (c),
and
(B) 10 percent in the case of
any other property.
(3) DOLLAR LIMITATIONS- In the case
of property described in paragraph (2),
(6), or (7) of subsection (c), the
amount of any grant under this section
with respect to such property shall not
exceed the limitation described in
section 48(c)(1)(B), 48(c)(2)(B), or
48(c)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, respectively, with respect to
such property.
(c) Specified Energy Property- For
purposes of this section, the term
`specified energy property' means any of the
following:
(1) QUALIFIED FACILITIES- Any
facility described in paragraph (1),
(2), (3), (4), (6), (7), (9), or (11) of
section 45(d) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986.
(2) QUALIFIED FUEL CELL PROPERTY-
Any qualified fuel cell property (as
defined in section 48(c)(1) of such
Code).
(3) SOLAR PROPERTY- Any property
described in clause (i) or (ii) of
section 48(a)(3)(A) of such Code.
(4) QUALIFIED SMALL WIND ENERGY
PROPERTY- Any qualified small wind
energy property (as defined in section
48(c)(4) of such Code).
(5) GEOTHERMAL PROPERTY- Any
property described in clause (iii) of
section 48(a)(3)(A) of such Code.
(6) QUALIFIED MICROTURBINE PROPERTY-
Any qualified microturbine property (as
defined in section 48(c)(2) of such
Code).
(7) COMBINED HEAT AND POWER SYSTEM
PROPERTY- Any combined heat and power
system property (as defined in section
48(c)(3) of such Code).
(8) GEOTHERMAL HEATPUMP PROPERTY-
Any property described in clause (vii)
of section 48(a)(3)(A) of such Code.
(d) Application of Certain Rules- In
making grants under this section, the
Secretary of Energy shall apply rules
similar to the rules of section 50 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986. In applying
such rules, if the facility is disposed of,
or otherwise ceases to be a qualified
renewable energy facility, the Secretary of
Energy shall provide for the recapture of
the appropriate percentage of the grant
amount in such manner as the Secretary of
Energy determines appropriate.
(e) Exception for Certain Non-Taxpayers-
The Secretary of Energy shall not make any
grant under this section to any Federal,
State, or local government (or any political
subdivision, agency, or instrumentality
thereof) or any organization described in
section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 and exempt from tax under section
501(a) of such Code.
(f) Definitions- Terms used in this
section which are also used in section 45 or
48 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
shall have the same meaning for purposes of
this section as when used in such section 45
or 48. Any reference in this section to the
Secretary of the Treasury shall be treated
as including the Secretary's delegate.
(g) Coordination Between Departments of
Treasury and Energy- The Secretary of the
Treasury shall provide the Secretary of
Energy with such technical assistance as the
Secretary of Energy may require in carrying
out this section. The Secretary of Energy
shall provide the Secretary of the Treasury
with such information as the Secretary of
the Treasury may require in carrying out the
amendment made by section 1604.
(h) Appropriations- There is hereby
appropriated to the Secretary of Energy such
sums as may be necessary to carry out this
section.
(i) Termination- The Secretary of Energy
shall not make any grant to any person under
this section unless the application of such
person for such grant is received before
October 1, 2011.
PART IV--STUDY OF ECONOMIC, EMPLOYMENT,
AND RELATED EFFECTS OF THIS ACT
SEC. 1731. STUDY OF ECONOMIC,
EMPLOYMENT, AND RELATED EFFECTS OF THIS ACT.
On February 1, 2010, and every 3 months
thereafter in calendar year 2010, the
Comptroller General of the United States
shall submit to the Committee on Ways and
Means a written report on the most recent
national (and, where available,
State-by-State) information on--
(1) the economic effects of this
Act;
(2) the employment effects of this
Act, including--
(A) a comparison of the number
of jobs preserved and the number of
jobs created as a result of this
Act; and
(B) a comparison of the numbers
of jobs preserved and the number of
jobs created in each of the public
and private sectors;
(3) the share of tax and non-tax
expenditures provided under this Act
that were spent or saved, by group and
income class;
(4) how the funds provided to States
under this Act have been spent,
including a breakdown of--
(A) funds used for services
provided to citizens; and
(B) wages and other compensation
for public employees; and
(5) a description of any funds made
available under this Act that remain
unspent, and the reasons why.
TITLE II--ASSISTANCE FOR UNEMPLOYED
WORKERS AND STRUGGLING FAMILIES
SEC. 2000. SHORT TITLE, ETC.
(a) Short Title- This title may be cited
as the `Assistance for Unemployed Workers
and Struggling Families Act'.
(b) Table of Contents- The table of
contents for this title is as follows:
Sec. 2000. Short title, etc.
Subtitle A--Unemployment Insurance
Sec. 2001. Extension of emergency
unemployment compensation program.
Sec. 2002. Increase in unemployment
compensation benefits.
Sec. 2003. Special transfers for
unemployment compensation modernization.
Subtitle B--Assistance for Vulnerable
Individuals
Sec. 2101. Emergency fund for TANF
program.
Sec. 2102. One-time emergency
payment to SSI recipients.
Sec. 2103. Temporary resumption of
prior child support law.
Subtitle A--Unemployment Insurance
SEC. 2001. EXTENSION OF EMERGENCY
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION PROGRAM.
(a) In General- Section 4007 of the
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008
(Public Law 110-252; 26 U.S.C. 3304 note),
as amended by section 4 of the Unemployment
Compensation Extension Act of 2008 (Public
Law 110-449; 122 Stat. 5015), is amended--
(1) by striking `March 31, 2009'
each place it appears and inserting
`December 31, 2009';
(2) in the heading for subsection
(b)(2), by striking `MARCH 31, 2009' and
inserting `DECEMBER 31, 2009'; and
(3) in subsection (b)(3), by
striking `August 27, 2009' and inserting
`May 31, 2010'.
(b) Financing Provisions- Section 4004
of such Act is amended by adding at the end
the following:
`(e) Transfer of Funds- Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, the Secretary of
the Treasury shall transfer from the general
fund of the Treasury (from funds not
otherwise appropriated)--
`(1) to the extended unemployment
compensation account (as established by
section 905 of the Social Security Act)
such sums as the Secretary of Labor
estimates to be necessary to make
payments to States under this title by
reason of the amendments made by section
2001(a) of the Assistance for Unemployed
Workers and Struggling Families Act; and
`(2) to the employment security
administration account (as established
by section 901 of the Social Security
Act) such sums as the Secretary of Labor
estimates to be necessary for purposes
of assisting States in meeting
administrative costs by reason of the
amendments referred to in paragraph (1).
There are appropriated from the general
fund of the Treasury, without fiscal year
limitation, the sums referred to in the
preceding sentence and such sums shall not
be required to be repaid.'.
SEC. 2002. INCREASE IN UNEMPLOYMENT
COMPENSATION BENEFITS.
(a) Federal-State Agreements- Any State
which desires to do so may enter into and
participate in an agreement under this
section with the Secretary of Labor
(hereinafter in this section referred to as
the `Secretary'). Any State which is a party
to an agreement under this section may, upon
providing 30 days' written notice to the
Secretary, terminate such agreement.
(b) Provisions of Agreement-
(1) ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION- Any
agreement under this section shall
provide that the State agency of the
State will make payments of regular
compensation to individuals in amounts
and to the extent that they would be
determined if the State law of the State
were applied, with respect to any week
for which the individual is
(disregarding this section) otherwise
entitled under the State law to receive
regular compensation, as if such State
law had been modified in a manner such
that the amount of regular compensation
(including dependents' allowances)
payable for any week shall be equal to
the amount determined under the State
law (before the application of this
paragraph) plus an additional $25.
(2) ALLOWABLE METHODS OF PAYMENT-
Any additional compensation provided for
in accordance with paragraph (1) shall
be payable either--
(A) as an amount which is paid
at the same time and in the same
manner as any regular compensation
otherwise payable for the week
involved; or
(B) at the option of the State,
by payments which are made
separately from, but on the same
weekly basis as, any regular
compensation otherwise payable.
(c) Nonreduction Rule- An agreement
under this section shall not apply (or shall
cease to apply) with respect to a State upon
a determination by the Secretary that the
method governing the computation of regular
compensation under the State law of that
State has been modified in a manner such
that--
(1) the average weekly benefit
amount of regular compensation which
will be payable during the period of the
agreement (determined disregarding any
additional amounts attributable to the
modification described in subsection
(b)(1)) will be less than
(2) the average weekly benefit
amount of regular compensation which
would otherwise have been payable during
such period under the State law, as in
effect on December 31, 2008.
(A) FULL REIMBURSEMENT- There
shall be paid to each State which
has entered into an agreement under
this section an amount equal to 100
percent of--
(i) the total amount of
additional compensation (as
described in subsection (b)(1))
paid to individuals by the State
pursuant to such agreement; and
(ii) any additional
administrative expenses incurred
by the State by reason of such
agreement (as determined by the
Secretary).
(B) TERMS OF PAYMENTS- Sums
payable to any State by reason of
such State's having an agreement
under this section shall be payable,
either in advance or by way of
reimbursement (as determined by the
Secretary), in such amounts as the
Secretary estimates the State will
be entitled to receive under this
section for each calendar month,
reduced or increased, as the case
may be, by any amount by which the
Secretary finds that his estimates
for any prior calendar month were
greater or less than the amounts
which should have been paid to the
State. Such estimates may be made on
the basis of such statistical,
sampling, or other method as may be
agreed upon by the Secretary and the
State agency of the State involved.
(2) CERTIFICATIONS- The Secretary
shall from time to time certify to the
Secretary of the Treasury for payment to
each State the sums payable to such
State under this section.
(3) APPROPRIATION- There are
appropriated from the general fund of
the Treasury, without fiscal year
limitation, such sums as may be
necessary for purposes of this
subsection.
(1) IN GENERAL- An agreement entered
into under this section shall apply to
weeks of unemployment--
(A) beginning after the date on
which such agreement is entered
into; and
(B) ending before January 1,
2010.
(2) TRANSITION RULE FOR INDIVIDUALS
REMAINING ENTITLED TO REGULAR
COMPENSATION AS OF JANUARY 1, 2010- In
the case of any individual who, as of
the date specified in paragraph (1)(B),
has not yet exhausted all rights to
regular compensation under the State law
of a State with respect to a benefit
year that began before such date,
additional compensation (as described in
subsection (b)(1)) shall continue to be
payable to such individual for any week
beginning on or after such date for
which the individual is otherwise
eligible for regular compensation with
respect to such benefit year.
(3) TERMINATION- Notwithstanding any
other provision of this subsection, no
additional compensation (as described in
subsection (b)(1)) shall be payable for
any week beginning after June 30, 2010.
(f) Fraud and Overpayments- The
provisions of section 4005 of the
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008
(Public Law 110-252; 122 Stat. 2356) shall
apply with respect to additional
compensation (as described in subsection
(b)(1)) to the same extent and in the same
manner as in the case of emergency
unemployment compensation.
(g) Application to Other Unemployment
Benefits-
(1) IN GENERAL- Each agreement under
this section shall include provisions to
provide that the purposes of the
preceding provisions of this section
shall be applied with respect to
unemployment benefits described in
subsection (h)(3) to the same extent and
in the same manner as if those benefits
were regular compensation.
(2) ELIGIBILITY AND TERMINATION
RULES- Additional compensation (as
described in subsection (b)(1))--
(A) shall not be payable,
pursuant to this subsection, with
respect to any unemployment benefits
described in subsection (h)(3) for
any week beginning on or after the
date specified in subsection
(e)(1)(B), except in the case of an
individual who was eligible to
receive additional compensation (as
so described) in connection with any
regular compensation or any
unemployment benefits described in
subsection (h)(3) for any period of
unemployment ending before such
date; and
(B) shall in no event be payable
for any week beginning after the
date specified in subsection (e)(3).
(h) Definitions- For purposes of this
section--
(1) the terms `compensation',
`regular compensation', `benefit year',
`State', `State agency', `State law',
and `week' have the respective meanings
given such terms under section 205 of
the Federal-State Extended Unemployment
Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304
note);
(2) the term `emergency unemployment
compensation' means emergency
unemployment compensation under title IV
of the Supplemental Appropriations Act,
2008 (Public Law 110-252; 122 Stat.
2353); and
(3) any reference to unemployment
benefits described in this paragraph
shall be considered to refer to--
(A) extended compensation (as
defined by section 205 of the
Federal-State Extended Unemployment
Compensation Act of 1970); and
(B) unemployment compensation
(as defined by section 85(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986)
provided under any program
administered by a State under an
agreement with the Secretary.
SEC. 2003. SPECIAL TRANSFERS FOR
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION MODERNIZATION.
(a) In General- Section 903 of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1103) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
`Special Transfers in Fiscal Years 2009,
2010, and 2011 for Modernization
`(f)(1)(A) In addition to any other
amounts, the Secretary of Labor shall
provide for the making of unemployment
compensation modernization incentive
payments (hereinafter `incentive payments')
to the accounts of the States in the
Unemployment Trust Fund, by transfer from
amounts reserved for that purpose in the
Federal unemployment account, in accordance
with succeeding provisions of this
subsection.
`(B) The maximum incentive payment
allowable under this subsection with respect
to any State shall, as determined by the
Secretary of Labor, be equal to the amount
obtained by multiplying $7,000,000,000 by
the same ratio as would apply under
subsection (a)(2)(B) for purposes of
determining such State's share of any excess
amount (as described in subsection (a)(1))
that would have been subject to transfer to
State accounts, as of October 1, 2008, under
the provisions of subsection (a).
`(C) Of the maximum incentive payment
determined under subparagraph (B) with
respect to a State--
`(i) one-third shall be transferred
to the account of such State upon a
certification under paragraph (4)(B)
that the State law of such State meets
the requirements of paragraph (2); and
`(ii) the remainder shall be
transferred to the account of such State
upon a certification under paragraph
(4)(B) that the State law of such State
meets the requirements of paragraph (3).
`(2) The State law of a State meets the
requirements of this paragraph if such State
law--
`(A) uses a base period that
includes the most recently completed
calendar quarter before the start of the
benefit year for purposes of determining
eligibility for unemployment
compensation; or
`(B) provides that, in the case of
an individual who would not otherwise be
eligible for unemployment compensation
under the State law because of the use
of a base period that does not include
the most recently completed calendar
quarter before the start of the benefit
year, eligibility shall be determined
using a base period that includes such
calendar quarter.
`(3) The State law of a State meets the
requirements of this paragraph if such State
law includes provisions to carry out at
least 2 of the following subparagraphs:
`(A) An individual shall not be
denied regular unemployment compensation
under any State law provisions relating
to availability for work, active search
for work, or refusal to accept work,
solely because such individual is
seeking only part-time work (as defined
by the Secretary of Labor), except that
the State law provisions carrying out
this subparagraph may exclude an
individual if a majority of the weeks of
work in such individual's base period do
not include part-time work (as so
defined).
`(B) An individual shall not be
disqualified from regular unemployment
compensation for separating from
employment if that separation is for any
compelling family reason. For purposes
of this subparagraph, the term
`compelling family reason' means the
following:
`(i) Domestic violence, verified
by such reasonable and confidential
documentation as the State law may
require, which causes the individual
reasonably to believe that such
individual's continued employment
would jeopardize the safety of the
individual or of any member of the
individual's immediate family (as
defined by the Secretary of Labor).
`(ii) The illness or disability
of a member of the individual's
immediate family (as those terms are
defined by the Secretary of Labor).
`(iii) The need for the
individual to accompany such
individual's spouse--
`(I) to a place from which
it is impractical for such
individual to commute; and
`(II) due to a change in
location of the spouse's
employment.
`(C) Weekly unemployment
compensation is payable under this
subparagraph to any individual who is
unemployed (as determined under the
State unemployment compensation law),
has exhausted all rights to regular
unemployment compensation under the
State law, and is enrolled and making
satisfactory progress in a
State-approved training program or in a
job training program authorized under
the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
Such programs shall prepare individuals
who have been separated from a declining
occupation, or who have been
involuntarily and indefinitely separated
from employment as a result of a
permanent reduction of operations at the
individual's place of employment, for
entry into a high-demand occupation. The
amount of unemployment compensation
payable under this subparagraph to an
individual for a week of unemployment
shall be equal to the individual's
average weekly benefit amount (including
dependents' allowances) for the most
recent benefit year, and the total
amount of unemployment compensation
payable under this subparagraph to any
individual shall be equal to at least 26
times the individual's average weekly
benefit amount (including dependents'
allowances) for the most recent benefit
year.
`(D) Dependents' allowances are
provided, in the case of any individual
who is entitled to receive regular
unemployment compensation and who has
any dependents (as defined by State
law), in an amount equal to at least $15
per dependent per week, subject to any
aggregate limitation on such allowances
which the State law may establish (but
which aggregate limitation on the total
allowance for dependents paid to an
individual may not be less than $50 for
each week of unemployment or 50 percent
of the individual's weekly benefit
amount for the benefit year, whichever
is less).
`(4)(A) Any State seeking an incentive
payment under this subsection shall submit
an application therefor at such time, in
such manner, and complete with such
information as the Secretary of Labor may
within 60 days after the date of the
enactment of this subsection prescribe
(whether by regulation or otherwise),
including information relating to compliance
with the requirements of paragraph (2) or
(3), as well as how the State intends to use
the incentive payment to improve or
strengthen the State's unemployment
compensation program. The Secretary of Labor
shall, within 30 days after receiving a
complete application, notify the State
agency of the State of the Secretary's
findings with respect to the requirements of
paragraph (2) or (3) (or both).
`(B)(i) If the Secretary of Labor finds
that the State law provisions (disregarding
any State law provisions which are not then
currently in effect as permanent law or
which are subject to discontinuation) meet
the requirements of paragraph (2) or (3), as
the case may be, the Secretary of Labor
shall thereupon make a certification to that
effect to the Secretary of the Treasury,
together with a certification as to the
amount of the incentive payment to be
transferred to the State account pursuant to
that finding. The Secretary of the Treasury
shall make the appropriate transfer within 7
days after receiving such certification.
`(ii) For purposes of clause (i), State
law provisions which are to take effect
within 12 months after the date of their
certification under this subparagraph shall
be considered to be in effect as of the date
of such certification.
`(C)(i) No certification of compliance
with the requirements of paragraph (2) or
(3) may be made with respect to any State
whose State law is not otherwise eligible
for certification under section 303 or
approvable under section 3304 of the Federal
Unemployment Tax Act.
`(ii) No certification of compliance
with the requirements of paragraph (3) may
be made with respect to any State whose
State law is not in compliance with the
requirements of paragraph (2).
`(iii) No application under subparagraph
(A) may be considered if submitted before
the date of the enactment of this subsection
or after the latest date necessary (as
specified by the Secretary of Labor) to
ensure that all incentive payments under
this subsection are made before October 1,
2011.
`(5)(A) Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), any amount transferred to
the account of a State under this subsection
may be used by such State only in the
payment of cash benefits to individuals with
respect to their unemployment (including for
dependents' allowances and for unemployment
compensation under paragraph (3)(C)),
exclusive of expenses of administration.
`(B) A State may, subject to the same
conditions as set forth in subsection (c)(2)
(excluding subparagraph (B) thereof, and
deeming the reference to `subsections (a)
and (b)' in subparagraph (D) thereof to
include this subsection), use any amount
transferred to the account of such State
under this subsection for the administration
of its unemployment compensation law and
public employment offices.
`(6) Out of any money in the Federal
unemployment account not otherwise
appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury
shall reserve $7,000,000,000 for incentive
payments under this subsection. Any amount
so reserved shall not be taken into account
for purposes of any determination under
section 902, 910, or 1203 of the amount in
the Federal unemployment account as of any
given time. Any amount so reserved for which
the Secretary of the Treasury has not
received a certification under paragraph
(4)(B) by the deadline described in
paragraph (4)(C)(iii) shall, upon the close
of fiscal year 2011, become unrestricted as
to use as part of the Federal unemployment
account.
`(7) For purposes of this subsection,
the terms `benefit year', `base period', and
`week' have the respective meanings given
such terms under section 205 of the
Federal-State Extended Unemployment
Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304
note).
`Special Transfer in Fiscal Year 2009
for Administration
`(g)(1) In addition to any other
amounts, the Secretary of the Treasury shall
transfer from the employment security
administration account to the account of
each State in the Unemployment Trust Fund,
within 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this subsection, the amount
determined with respect to such State under
paragraph (2).
`(2) The amount to be transferred under
this subsection to a State account shall (as
determined by the Secretary of Labor and
certified by such Secretary to the Secretary
of the Treasury) be equal to the amount
obtained by multiplying $500,000,000 by the
same ratio as determined under subsection
(f)(1)(B) with respect to such State.
`(3) Any amount transferred to the
account of a State as a result of the
enactment of this subsection may be used by
the State agency of such State only in the
payment of expenses incurred by it for--
`(A) the administration of the
provisions of its State law carrying out
the purposes of subsection (f)(2) or any
subparagraph of subsection (f)(3);
`(B) improved outreach to
individuals who might be eligible for
regular unemployment compensation by
virtue of any provisions of the State
law which are described in subparagraph
(A);
`(C) the improvement of unemployment
benefit and unemployment tax operations,
including responding to increased demand
for unemployment compensation; and
`(D) staff-assisted reemployment
services for unemployment compensation
claimants.'.
(b) Regulations- The Secretary of Labor
may prescribe any regulations, operating
instructions, or other guidance necessary to
carry out the amendment made by subsection
(a).
Subtitle B--Assistance for
Vulnerable Individuals
SEC. 2101. EMERGENCY FUND FOR TANF
PROGRAM.
(a) In General- Section 403 of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 603) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
`(1) ESTABLISHMENT- There is
established in the Treasury of the
United States a fund which shall be
known as the `Emergency Contingency Fund
for State Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families Programs' (in this subsection
referred to as the `Emergency Fund').
`(2) DEPOSITS INTO FUND- Out of any
money in the Treasury of the United
States not otherwise appropriated, there
are appropriated such sums as are
necessary for payment to the Emergency
Fund.
`(A) GRANT RELATED TO CASELOAD
INCREASES-
`(i) IN GENERAL- For each
calendar quarter in fiscal year
2009 or 2010, the Secretary
shall make a grant from the
Emergency Fund to each State
that--
`(I) requests a grant
under this subparagraph for
the quarter; and
`(II) meets the
requirement of clause (ii)
for the quarter.
`(ii) CASELOAD INCREASE
REQUIREMENT- A State meets the
requirement of this clause for a
quarter if the average monthly
assistance caseload of the State
for the quarter exceeds the
average monthly assistance
caseload of the State for the
corresponding quarter in the
emergency fund base year of the
State.
`(iii) AMOUNT OF GRANT-
Subject to paragraph (5), the
amount of the grant to be made
to a State under this
subparagraph for a quarter shall
be 80 percent of the amount (if
any) by which the total
expenditures of the State for
basic assistance (as defined by
the Secretary) in the quarter,
whether under the State program
funded under this part or as
qualified State expenditures,
exceeds the total expenditures
of the State for such assistance
for the corresponding quarter in
the emergency fund base year of
the State.
`(B) GRANT RELATED TO INCREASED
EXPENDITURES FOR NON-RECURRENT
SHORT-TERM BENEFITS-
`(i) IN GENERAL- For each
calendar quarter in fiscal year
2009 or 2010, the Secretary
shall make a grant from the
Emergency Fund to each State
that--
`(I) requests a grant
under this subparagraph for
the quarter; and
`(II) meets the
requirement of clause (ii)
for the quarter.
`(ii) NON-RECURRENT
SHORT-TERM EXPENDITURE
REQUIREMENT- A State meets the
requirement of this clause for a
quarter if the total
expenditures of the State for
non-recurrent short-term
benefits in the quarter, whether
under the State program funded
under this part or as qualified
State expenditures, exceeds the
total such expenditures of the
State for non-recurrent
short-term benefits in the
corresponding quarter in the
emergency fund base year of the
State.
`(iii) AMOUNT OF GRANT-
Subject to paragraph (5), the
amount of the grant to be made
to a State under this
subparagraph for a quarter shall
be an amount equal to 80 percent
of the excess described in
clause (ii).
`(C) GRANT RELATED TO INCREASED
EXPENDITURES FOR SUBSIDIZED
EMPLOYMENT-
`(i) IN GENERAL- For each
calendar quarter in fiscal year
2009 or 2010, the Secretary
shall make a grant from the
Emergency Fund to each State
that--
`(I) requests a grant
under this subparagraph for
the quarter; and
`(II) meets the
requirement of clause (ii)
for the quarter.
`(ii) SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT
EXPENDITURE REQUIREMENT- A State
meets the requirement of this
clause for a quarter if the
total expenditures of the State
for subsidized employment in the
quarter, whether under the State
program funded under this part
or as qualified State
expenditures, exceeds the total
of such expenditures of the
State in the corresponding
quarter in the emergency fund
base year of the State.
`(iii) AMOUNT OF GRANT-
Subject to paragraph (5), the
amount of the grant to be made
to a State under this
subparagraph for a quarter shall
be an amount equal to 80 percent
of the excess described in
clause (ii).
`(4) AUTHORITY TO MAKE NECESSARY
ADJUSTMENTS TO DATA AND COLLECT NEEDED
DATA- In determining the size of the
caseload of a State and the expenditures
of a State for basic assistance,
non-recurrent short-term benefits, and
subsidized employment, during any period
for which the State requests funds under
this subsection, and during the
emergency fund base year of the State,
the Secretary may make appropriate
adjustments to the data to ensure that
the data reflect expenditures under the
State program funded under this part and
qualified State expenditures. The
Secretary may develop a mechanism for
collecting expenditure data, including
procedures which allow States to make
reasonable estimates, and may set
deadlines for making revisions to the
data.
`(5) LIMITATION- The total amount
payable to a single State under
subsection (b) and this subsection for a
fiscal year shall not exceed 25 percent
of the State family assistance grant.
`(6) LIMITATIONS ON USE OF FUNDS- A
State to which an amount is paid under
this subsection may use the amount only
as authorized by section 404.
`(7) TIMING OF IMPLEMENTATION- The
Secretary shall implement this
subsection as quickly as reasonably
possible, pursuant to appropriate
guidance to States.
`(8) DEFINITIONS- In this
subsection:
`(A) AVERAGE MONTHLY ASSISTANCE
CASELOAD- The term `average monthly
assistance caseload' means, with
respect to a State and a quarter,
the number of families receiving
assistance during the quarter under
the State program funded under this
part or as qualified State
expenditures, subject to adjustment
under paragraph (4).
`(B) EMERGENCY FUND BASE YEAR-
`(i) IN GENERAL- The term
`emergency fund base year'
means, with respect to a State
and a category described in
clause (ii), whichever of fiscal
year 2007 or 2008 is the fiscal
year in which the amount
described by the category with
respect to the State is the
lesser.
`(ii) CATEGORIES DESCRIBED-
The categories described in this
clause are the following:
`(I) The average monthly
assistance caseload of the
State.
`(II) The total
expenditures of the State
for non-recurrent short-term
benefits, whether under the
State program funded under
this part or as qualified
State expenditures.
`(III) The total
expenditures of the State
for subsidized employment,
whether under the State
program funded under this
part or as qualified State
expenditures.
`(C) QUALIFIED STATE
EXPENDITURES- The term `qualified
State expenditures' has the meaning
given the term in section
409(a)(7).'.
(b) Temporary Modification of Caseload
Reduction Credit- Section 407(b)(3)(A)(i) of
such Act (42 U.S.C. 607(b)(3)(A)(i)) is
amended by inserting `(or if the immediately
preceding fiscal year is fiscal year 2009 or
2010, then, at State option, during the
emergency fund base year of the State with
respect to the average monthly assistance
caseload of the State (within the meaning of
section 403(c)(8)(B)))' before `under the
State'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made
by this section shall take effect on the
date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 2102. ONE-TIME EMERGENCY PAYMENT TO
SSI RECIPIENTS.
(1) IN GENERAL- At the earliest
practicable date in calendar year 2009
but not later than 120 days after the
date of the enactment of this section,
the Commissioner of Social Security
shall make a one-time payment to each
individual who is determined by the
Commissioner in calendar year 2009 to be
an individual who--
(A) is entitled to a cash
benefit under the supplemental
security income program under title
XVI of the Social Security Act
(other than pursuant to section
1611(e)(1)(B) of such Act) for at
least 1 day in the calendar month in
which the first payment under this
section is to be made; or
(B)(i) was entitled to such a
cash benefit (other than pursuant to
section 1611(e)(1)(B) of such Act)
for at least 1 day in the 2-month
period preceding that calendar
month; and
(ii) whose entitlement to that
benefit ceased in that 2-month
period solely because the income of
the individual (and the income of
the spouse, if any, of the
individual) exceeded the applicable
income limit described in paragraph
(1)(A) or (2)(A) of section 1611(a)
of such Act.
(2) AMOUNT OF PAYMENT- Subject to
subsection (b)(1) of this section, the
amount of the payment shall be--
(A) in the case of an individual
eligible for a payment under this
section who does not have a spouse
eligible for such a payment, an
amount equal to the average of the
cash benefits payable in the
aggregate under section 1611 or
1619(a) of the Social Security Act
to eligible individuals who do not
have an eligible spouse, for the
most recent month for which data on
payment of the benefits are
available, as determined by the
Commissioner of Social Security; or
(B) in the case of an individual
eligible for a payment under this
section who has a spouse eligible
for such a payment, an amount equal
to the average of the cash benefits
payable in the aggregate under
section 1611 or 1619(a) of the
Social Security Act to eligible
individuals who have an eligible
spouse, for the most recent month
for which data on payment of the
benefits are available, as so
determined.
(b) Administrative Provisions-
(1) AUTHORITY TO WITHHOLD PAYMENT TO
RECOVER PRIOR OVERPAYMENT OF SSI
BENEFITS- The Commissioner of Social
Security may withhold part or all of a
payment otherwise required to be made
under subsection (a) of this section to
an individual, in order to recover a
prior overpayment of benefits to the
individual under the supplemental
security income program under title XVI
of the Social Security Act, subject to
the limitations of section 1631(b) of
such Act.
(2) PAYMENT TO BE DISREGARDED IN
DETERMINING UNDERPAYMENTS UNDER THE SSI
PROGRAM- A payment under subsection (a)
shall be disregarded in determining
whether there has been an underpayment
of benefits under the supplemental
security income program under title XVI
of the Social Security Act.
(3) NONASSIGNMENT- The provisions of
section 1631(d) of the Social Security
Act shall apply with respect to payments
under this section to the same extent as
they apply in the case of title XVI of
such Act.
(c) Payments To Be Disregarded for
Purposes of All Federal and Federally
Assisted Programs- A payment under
subsection (a) shall not be regarded as
income to the recipient, and shall not be
regarded as a resource of the recipient for
the month of receipt and the following 6
months, for purposes of determining the
eligibility of any individual for benefits
or assistance, or the amount or extent of
benefits or assistance, under any Federal
program or under any State or local program
financed in whole or in part with Federal
funds.
(d) Appropriation- Out of any sums in
the Treasury of the United States not
otherwise appropriated, there are
appropriated such sums as may be necessary
to carry out this section.
SEC. 2103. TEMPORARY RESUMPTION OF PRIOR
CHILD SUPPORT LAW.
During the period that begins with
October 1, 2008, and ends with September 30,
2010, section 455(a)(1) of the Social
Security Act shall be applied and
administered as if the phrase `from amounts
paid to the State under section 458 or' did
not appear in such section.
TITLE III--HEALTH INSURANCE
ASSISTANCE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED
SEC. 3001. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF
CONTENTS OF TITLE.
(a) Short Title of Title- This title may
be cited as the `Health Insurance Assistance
for the Unemployed Act of 2009'.
(b) Table of Contents of Title- The
table of contents of this title is as
follows:
Sec. 3001. Short title and table of
contents of title.
Sec. 3002. Premium assistance for
COBRA benefits and extension of COBRA
benefits for older or long-term
employees.
Sec. 3003. Temporary optional
Medicaid coverage for the unemployed.
SEC. 3002. PREMIUM ASSISTANCE FOR COBRA
BENEFITS AND EXTENSION OF COBRA BENEFITS FOR
OLDER OR LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES.
(a) Premium Assistance for COBRA
Continuation Coverage for Individuals and
Their Families-
(1) PROVISION OF PREMIUM ASSISTANCE-
(A) REDUCTION OF PREMIUMS
PAYABLE- In the case of any premium
for a period of coverage beginning
on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act for COBRA
continuation coverage with respect
to any assistance eligible
individual, such individual shall be
treated for purposes of any COBRA
continuation provision as having
paid the amount of such premium if
such individual pays 35 percent of
the amount of such premium (as
determined without regard to this
subsection).
(B) PREMIUM REIMBURSEMENT- For
provisions providing the balance of
such premium, see section 6431 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as added by paragraph (12).
(2) LIMITATION OF PERIOD OF PREMIUM
ASSISTANCE-
(A) IN GENERAL- Paragraph (1)(A)
shall not apply with respect to any
assistance eligible individual for
months of coverage beginning on or
after the earlier of--
(i) the first date that such
individual is eligible for
coverage under any other group
health plan (other than coverage
consisting of only dental,
vision, counseling, or referral
services (or a combination
thereof), coverage under a
health reimbursement arrangement
or a health flexible spending
arrangement, or coverage of
treatment that is furnished in
an on-site medical facility
maintained by the employer and
that consists primarily of
first-aid services, prevention
and wellness care, or similar
care (or a combination thereof))
or is eligible for benefits
under title XVIII of the Social
Security Act, or
(I) the date which is 12
months after the first day
of the first month that
paragraph (1)(A) applies
with respect to such
individual,
(II) the date following
the expiration of the
maximum period of
continuation coverage
required under the
applicable COBRA
continuation coverage
provision, or
(III) the date following
the expiration of the period
of continuation coverage
allowed under paragraph
(4)(B)(ii).
(B) TIMING OF ELIGIBILITY FOR
ADDITIONAL COVERAGE- For purposes of
subparagraph (A)(i), an individual
shall not be treated as eligible for
coverage under a group health plan
before the first date on which such
individual could be covered under
such plan.
(C) NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT- An
assistance eligible individual shall
notify in writing the group health
plan with respect to which paragraph
(1)(A) applies if such paragraph
ceases to apply by reason of
subparagraph (A)(i). Such notice
shall be provided to the group
health plan in such time and manner
as may be specified by the Secretary
of Labor.
(3) ASSISTANCE ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL-
For purposes of this section, the term
`assistance eligible individual' means
any qualified beneficiary if--
(A) at any time during the
period that begins with September 1,
2008, and ends with December 31,
2009, such qualified beneficiary is
eligible for COBRA continuation
coverage,
(B) such qualified beneficiary
elects such coverage, and
(C) the qualifying event with
respect to the COBRA continuation
coverage consists of the involuntary
termination of the covered
employee's employment and occurred
during such period.
(4) EXTENSION OF ELECTION PERIOD AND
EFFECT ON COVERAGE-
(A) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding
section 605(a) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, section 4980B(f)(5)(A) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
section 2205(a) of the Public Health
Service Act, and section 8905a(c)(2)
of title 5, United States Code, in
the case of an individual who is a
qualified beneficiary described in
paragraph (3)(A) as of the date of
the enactment of this Act and has
not made the election referred to in
paragraph (3)(B) as of such date,
such individual may elect the COBRA
continuation coverage under the
COBRA continuation coverage
provisions containing such sections
during the 60-day period commencing
with the date on which the
notification required under
paragraph (7)(C) is provided to such
individual.
(B) COMMENCEMENT OF COVERAGE; NO
REACH-BACK- Any COBRA continuation
coverage elected by a qualified
beneficiary during an extended
election period under subparagraph
(A)--
(i) shall commence on the
date of the enactment of this
Act, and
(ii) shall not extend beyond
the period of COBRA continuation
coverage that would have been
required under the applicable
COBRA continuation coverage
provision if the coverage had
been elected as required under
such provision.
(C) PREEXISTING CONDITIONS- With
respect to a qualified beneficiary
who elects COBRA continuation
coverage pursuant to subparagraph
(A), the period--
(i) beginning on the date of
the qualifying event, and
(ii) ending with the day
before the date of the enactment
of this Act,
shall be disregarded for
purposes of determining the 63-day
periods referred to in section
701)(2) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, section
9801(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, and section 2701(c)(2)
of the Public Health Service Act.
(5) EXPEDITED REVIEW OF DENIALS OF
PREMIUM ASSISTANCE- In any case in which
an individual requests treatment as an
assistance eligible individual and is
denied such treatment by the group
health plan by reason of such
individual's ineligibility for COBRA
continuation coverage, the Secretary of
Labor (or the Secretary of Health and
Human services in connection with COBRA
continuation coverage which is provided
other than pursuant to part 6 of
subtitle B of title I of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974),
in consultation with the Secretary of
the Treasury, shall provide for
expedited review of such denial. An
individual shall be entitled to such
review upon application to such
Secretary in such form and manner as
shall be provided by such Secretary.
Such Secretary shall make a
determination regarding such
individual's eligibility within 10
business days after receipt of such
individual's application for review
under this paragraph.
(6) DISREGARD OF SUBSIDIES FOR
PURPOSES OF FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS-
Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, any premium reduction with respect
to an assistance eligible individual
under this subsection shall not be
considered income or resources in
determining eligibility for, or the
amount of assistance or benefits
provided under, any other public benefit
provided under Federal law or the law of
any State or political subdivision
thereof.
(7) NOTICES TO INDIVIDUALS-
(i) IN GENERAL- In the case
of notices provided under
section 606(4) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1166(4)),
section 4980B(f)(6)(D) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
section 2206(4) of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
300bb-6(4)), or section
8905a(f)(2)(A) of title 5,
United States Code, with respect
to individuals who, during the
period described in paragraph
(3)(A), become entitled to elect
COBRA continuation coverage,
such notices shall include an
additional notification to the
recipient of the availability of
premium reduction with respect
to such coverage under this
subsection.
(ii) ALTERNATIVE NOTICE- In
the case of COBRA continuation
coverage to which the notice
provision under such sections
does not apply, the Secretary of
Labor, in consultation with the
Secretary of the Treasury and
the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, shall, in
coordination with administrators
of the group health plans (or
other entities) that provide or
administer the COBRA
continuation coverage involved,
provide rules requiring the
provision of such notice.
(iii) FORM- The requirement
of the additional notification
under this subparagraph may be
met by amendment of existing
notice forms or by inclusion of
a separate document with the
notice otherwise required.
(B) SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS- Each
additional notification under
subparagraph (A) shall include--
(i) the forms necessary for
establishing eligibility for
premium reduction under this
subsection,
(ii) the name, address, and
telephone number necessary to
contact the plan administrator
and any other person maintaining
relevant information in
connection with such premium
reduction,
(iii) a description of the
extended election period
provided for in paragraph
(4)(A),
(iv) a description of the
obligation of the qualified
beneficiary under paragraph
(2)(C) to notify the plan
providing continuation coverage
of eligibility for subsequent
coverage under another group
health plan or eligibility for
benefits under title XVIII of
the Social Security Act and the
penalty provided for failure to
so notify the plan, and
(v) a description, displayed
in a prominent manner, of the
qualified beneficiary's right to
a reduced premium and any
conditions on entitlement to the
reduced premium.
(C) NOTICE RELATING TO
RETROACTIVE COVERAGE- In the case of
an individual described in paragraph
(3)(A) who has elected COBRA
continuation coverage as of the date
of enactment of this Act or an
individual described in paragraph
(4)(A), the administrator of the
group health plan (or other entity)
involved shall provide (within 60
days after the date of enactment of
this Act) for the additional
notification required to be provided
under subparagraph (A).
(D) MODEL NOTICES- Not later
than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary
of the Labor, in consultation with
the Secretary of the Treasury and
the Secretary of Health and Human
Services, shall prescribe models for
the additional notification required
under this paragraph.
(8) SAFEGUARDS- The Secretary of the
Treasury shall provide such rules,
procedures, regulations, and other
guidance as may be necessary and
appropriate to prevent fraud and abuse
under this subsection.
(9) OUTREACH- The Secretary of
Labor, in consultation with the
Secretary of the Treasury and the
Secretary of Health and Human Services,
shall provide outreach consisting of
public education and enrollment
assistance relating to premium reduction
provided under this subsection. Such
outreach shall target employers, group
health plan administrators, public
assistance programs, States, insurers,
and other entities as determined
appropriate by such Secretaries. Such
outreach shall include an initial focus
on those individuals electing
continuation coverage who are referred
to in paragraph (7)(C). Information on
such premium reduction, including
enrollment, shall also be made available
on website of the Departments of Labor,
Treasury, and Health and Human Services.
(10) DEFINITIONS- For purposes of
this subsection--
(A) ADMINISTRATOR- The term
`administrator' has the meaning
given such term in section 3(16) of
the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974.
(B) COBRA CONTINUATION COVERAGE-
The term `COBRA continuation
coverage' means continuation
coverage provided pursuant to part 6
of subtitle B of title I of the
Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974 (other than under
section 609), title XXII of the
Public Health Service Act, section
4980B of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (other than subsection
(f)(1) of such section insofar as it
relates to pediatric vaccines), or
section 8905a of title 5, United
States Code, or under a State
program that provides continuation
coverage comparable to such
continuation coverage. Such term
does not include coverage under a
health flexible spending
arrangement.
(C) COBRA CONTINUATION
PROVISION- The term `COBRA
continuation provision' means the
provisions of law described in
subparagraph (B).
(D) COVERED EMPLOYEE- The term
`covered employee' has the meaning
given such term in section 607(2) of
the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974.
(E) QUALIFIED BENEFICIARY- The
term `qualified beneficiary' has the
meaning given such term in section
607(3) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974.
(F) GROUP HEALTH PLAN- The term
`group health plan' has the meaning
given such term in section 607(1) of
the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974.
(G) STATE- The term `State'
includes the District of Columbia,
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, Guam, American
Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands.
(A) INTERIM REPORT- The
Secretary of the Treasury shall
submit an interim report to the
Committee on Education and Labor,
the Committee on Ways and Means, and
the Committee on Energy and Commerce
of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions and the
Committee on Finance of the Senate
regarding the premium reduction
provided under this subsection that
includes--
(i) the number of
individuals provided such
assistance as of the date of the
report; and
(ii) the total amount of
expenditures incurred (with
administrative expenditures
noted separately) in connection
with such assistance as of the
date of the report.
(B) FINAL REPORT- As soon as
practicable after the last period of
COBRA continuation coverage for
which premium reduction is provided
under this section, the Secretary of
the Treasury shall submit a final
report to each Committee referred to
in subparagraph (A) that includes--
(i) the number of
individuals provided premium
reduction under this section;
(ii) the average dollar
amount (monthly and annually) of
premium reductions provided to
such individuals; and
(iii) the total amount of
expenditures incurred (with
administrative expenditures
noted separately) in connection
with premium reduction under
this section.
(12) COBRA PREMIUM ASSISTANCE-
(A) IN GENERAL- Subchapter B of
chapter 65 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 is amended by adding at
the end the following new section:
`SEC. 6431. COBRA PREMIUM ASSISTANCE.
`(a) In General- The entity to whom
premiums are payable under COBRA
continuation coverage shall be reimbursed
for the amount of premiums not paid by plan
beneficiaries by reason of section 3002(a)
of the Health Insurance Assistance for the
Unemployed Act of 2009. Such amount shall be
treated as a credit against the requirement
of such entity to make deposits of payroll
taxes and the liability of such entity for
payroll taxes. To the extent that such
amount exceeds the amount of such taxes, the
Secretary shall pay to such entity the
amount of such excess. No payment may be
made under this subsection to an entity with
respect to any assistance eligible
individual until after such entity has
received the reduced premium from such
individual required under section
3002(a)(1)(A) of such Act.
`(b) Payroll Taxes- For purposes of this
section, the term `payroll taxes' means--
`(1) amounts required to be deducted
and withheld for the payroll period
under section 3401 (relating to wage
withholding),
`(2) amounts required to be deducted
for the payroll period under section
3102 (relating to FICA employee taxes),
and
`(3) amounts of the taxes imposed
for the payroll period under section
3111 (relating to FICA employer taxes).
`(c) Treatment of Credit- Except as
otherwise provided by the Secretary, the
credit described in subsection (a) shall be
applied as though the employer had paid to
the Secretary, on the day that the qualified
beneficiary's premium payment is received,
an amount equal to such credit.
`(d) Treatment of Payment- For purposes
of section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United
States Code, any payment under this section
shall be treated in the same manner as a
refund of the credit under section 35.
`(1) IN GENERAL- Each entity
entitled to reimbursement under
subsection (a) for any period shall
submit such reports as the Secretary may
require, including--
`(A) an attestation of
involuntary termination of
employment for each covered employee
on the basis of whose termination
entitlement to reimbursement is
claimed under subsection (a), and
`(B) a report of the amount of
payroll taxes offset under
subsection (a) for the reporting
period and the estimated offsets of
such taxes for the subsequent
reporting period in connection with
reimbursements under subsection (a).
`(2) TIMING OF REPORTS RELATING TO
AMOUNT OF PAYROLL TAXES- Reports
required under paragraph (1)(B) shall be
submitted at the same time as deposits
of taxes imposed by chapters 21, 22, and
24 or at such time as is specified by
the Secretary.
`(f) Regulations- The Secretary may
issue such regulations or other guidance as
may be necessary or appropriate to carry out
this section, including the requirement to
report information or the establishment of
other methods for verifying the correct
amounts of payments and credits under this
section. The Secretary shall issue such
regulations or guidance with respect to the
application of this section to group health
plans that are multiemployer plans.'.
(B) SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS
HELD HARMLESS- In determining any
amount transferred or appropriated
to any fund under the Social
Security Act, section 6431 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall
not be taken into account.
(C) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The
table of sections for subchapter B
of chapter 65 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by
adding at the end the following new
item:
`Sec. 6431. COBRA premium
assistance.'.
(D) EFFECTIVE DATE- The
amendments made by this paragraph
shall apply to premiums to which
subsection (a)(1)(A) applies.
(13) PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO NOTIFY
HEALTH PLAN OF CESSATION OF ELIGIBILITY
FOR PREMIUM ASSISTANCE-
(A) IN GENERAL- Part I of
subchapter B of chapter 68 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
`SEC. 6720C. PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO
NOTIFY HEALTH PLAN OF CESSATION OF ELIGIBILITY
FOR COBRA PREMIUM ASSISTANCE.
`(a) In General- Any person required to
notify a group health plan under section
3002(a)(2)(C)) of the Health Insurance
Assistance for the Unemployed Act of 2009
who fails to make such a notification at
such time and in such manner as the
Secretary of Labor may require shall pay a
penalty of 110 percent of the premium
reduction provided under such section after
termination of eligibility under such
subsection.
`(b) Reasonable Cause Exception- No
penalty shall be imposed under subsection
(a) with respect to any failure if it is
shown that such failure is due to reasonable
cause and not to willful neglect.'.
(B) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The
table of sections of part I of
subchapter B of chapter 68 of such
Code is amended by adding at the end
the following new item:
`Sec. 6720C. Penalty for failure to
notify health plan of cessation of
eligibility for COBRA premium
assistance.'.
(C) EFFECTIVE DATE- The
amendments made by this paragraph
shall apply to failures occurring
after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
(14) COORDINATION WITH HCTC-
(A) IN GENERAL- Subsection (g)
of section 35 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by
redesignating paragraph (9) as
paragraph (10) and inserting after
paragraph (8) the following new
paragraph:
`(9) COBRA PREMIUM ASSISTANCE- In
the case of an assistance eligible
individual who receives premium
reduction for COBRA continuation
coverage under section 3002(a) of the
Health Insurance Assistance for the
Unemployed Act of 2009 for any month
during the taxable year, such individual
shall not be treated as an eligible
individual, a certified individual, or a
qualifying family member for purposes of
this section or section 7527 with
respect to such month.'.
(B) EFFECTIVE DATE- The
amendment made by subparagraph (A)
shall apply to taxable years ending
after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
(15) EXCLUSION OF COBRA PREMIUM
ASSISTANCE FROM GROSS INCOME-
(A) IN GENERAL- Part III of
subchapter B of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended by inserting after section
139B the following new section:
`SEC. 139C. COBRA PREMIUM ASSISTANCE.
`In the case of an assistance eligible
individual (as defined in section 3002 of
the Health Insurance Assistance for the
Unemployed Act of 2009), gross income does
not include any premium reduction provided
under subsection (a) of such section.'.
(B) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The
table of sections for part III of
subchapter B of chapter 1 of such
Code is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 139B
the following new item:
`Sec. 139C. COBRA premium
assistance.'.
(C) EFFECTIVE DATE- The
amendments made by this paragraph
shall apply to taxable years ending
after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
(b) Extension of COBRA Benefits for
Older or Long-Term Employees-
(1) ERISA AMENDMENT- Section
602(2)(A) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 is amended
by adding at the end the following new
clauses:
`(x) SPECIAL RULE FOR OLDER
OR LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES
GENERALLY- In the case of a
qualifying event described in
section 603(2) with respect to a
covered employee who (as of such
qualifying event) has attained
age 55 or has completed 10 or
more years of service with the
entity that is the employer at
the time of the qualifying
event, clauses (i) and (ii)
shall not apply.
`(xi) YEAR OF SERVICE- For
purposes of this subparagraph,
the term `year of service' shall
have the meaning provided in
section 202(a)(3).'.
(2) IRC AMENDMENT- Clause (i) of
section 4980B(f)(2)(B) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by
adding at the end the following new
subclauses:
`(X) SPECIAL RULE FOR
OLDER OR LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES
GENERALLY- In the case of a
qualifying event described
in paragraph (3)(B) with
respect to a covered
employee who (as of such
qualifying event) has
attained age 55 or has
completed 10 or more years
of service with the entity
that is the employer at the
time of the qualifying
event, subclauses (I) and
(II) shall not apply.
`(XI) YEAR OF SERVICE-
For purposes of this clause,
the term `year of service'
shall have the meaning
provided in section
202(a)(3) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974.'.
(3) PHSA AMENDMENT- Section
2202(2)(A) of the Public Health Service
Act is amended by adding at the end the
following new clauses:
`(viii) SPECIAL RULE FOR
OLDER OR LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES
GENERALLY- In the case of a
qualifying event described in
section 2203(2) with respect to
a covered employee who (as of
such qualifying event) has
attained age 55 or has completed
10 or more years of service with
the entity that is the employer
at the time of the qualifying
event, clauses (i) and (ii)
shall not apply.
`(ix) YEAR OF SERVICE- For
purposes of this subparagraph,
the term `year of service' shall
have the meaning provided in
section 202(a)(3) of the
Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974.'.
(4) EFFECTIVE DATE OF AMENDMENTS-
The amendments made by this subsection
shall apply to periods of coverage which
would (without regard to the amendments
made by this section) end on or after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3003. TEMPORARY OPTIONAL MEDICAID
COVERAGE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.
(a) In General- Section 1902 of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)--
(A) by striking `or' at the end
of subclause (XVIII);
(B) by adding `or' at the end of
subclause (XIX); and
(C) by adding at the end the
following new subclause
`(XX) who are described
in subsection (dd)(1)
(relating to certain
unemployed individuals and
their families);'; and
(2) by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
`(dd)(1) Individuals described in this
paragraph are--
`(i) are within one or more of
the categories described in
paragraph (2), as elected under the
State plan; and
`(ii) meet the applicable
requirements of paragraph (3); and
`(i) are the spouse, or
dependent child under 19 years of
age, of an individual described in
subparagraph (A); and
`(ii) meet the requirement of
paragraph (3)(B).
`(2) The categories of individuals
described in this paragraph are each of the
following:
`(A) Individuals who are receiving
unemployment compensation benefits.
`(B) Individuals who were receiving,
but have exhausted, unemployment
compensation benefits on or after July
1, 2008.
`(C) Individuals who are
involuntarily unemployed and were
involuntarily separated from employment
on or after September 1, 2008, and
before January 1, 2011, whose family
gross income does not exceed a
percentage specified by the State (not
to exceed 200 percent) of the income
official poverty line (as defined by the
Office of Management and Budget, and
revised annually in accordance with
section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1981) applicable
to a family of the size involved, and
who, but for subsection
(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX), are not eligible for
medical assistance under this title or
health assistance under title XXI.
`(D) Individuals who are
involuntarily unemployed and were
involuntarily separated from employment
on or after September 1, 2008, and
before January 1, 2011, who are members
of households participating in the
supplemental nutrition assistance
program established under the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et
seq), and who, but for subsection
(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX), are not eligible for
medical assistance under this title or
health assistance under title XXI.
A State plan may elect one or more of
the categories described in this paragraph
but may not elect the category described in
subparagraph (B) unless the State plan also
elects the category described in
subparagraph (A).
`(3) The requirements of this paragraph
with respect to an individual are the
following:
`(A) In the case of individuals
within a category described in
subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph
(2), the individual was involuntarily
separated from employment on or after
September 1, 2008, and before January 1,
2011, or meets such comparable
requirement as the Secretary specifies
through rule, guidance, or otherwise in
the case of an individual who was an
independent contractor.
`(B) The individual is not otherwise
covered under creditable coverage, as
defined in section 2701(c) of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg(c)),
but applied without regard to paragraph
(1)(F) of such section and without
regard to coverage provided by reason of
the application of subsection
(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX).
`(4)(A) No income or resources test
shall be applied with respect to any
category of individuals described in
subparagraph (A), (B), or (D) of paragraph
(2) who are eligible for medical assistance
only by reason of the application of
subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX).
`(B) Nothing in this subsection shall be
construed to prevent a State from imposing a
resource test for the category of
individuals described in paragraph (2)(C)).
`(C) In the case of individuals provided
medical assistance by reason of the
application of subsection
(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX), the requirements of
subsections (i)(22) and (x) shall not
apply.'.
(b) 100 Percent Federal Matching Rate-
(1) FMAP FOR TIME-LIMITED PERIOD-
The third sentence of section 1905(b) of
such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(b)) is amended
by inserting before the period at the
end the following: `and for items and
services furnished on or after the date
of enactment of this Act and before
January 1, 2011, to individuals who are
eligible for medical assistance only by
reason of the application of section
1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX)'.
(2) CERTAIN ENROLLMENT-RELATED
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS- Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, for purposes
of applying section 1903(a) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1396b(a)), with respect to expenditures
incurred on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act and before January
1, 2011, for costs of administration
(including outreach and the modification
and operation of eligibility information
systems) attributable to eligibility
determination and enrollment of
individuals who are eligible for medical
assistance only by reason of the
application of section
1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX) of such Act, as
added by subsection (a)(1), the Federal
matching percentage shall be 100 percent
instead of the matching percentage
otherwise applicable.
(c) Conforming Amendments- (1) Section
1903(f)(4) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1396c(f)(4)) is amended by inserting
`1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XX), or' after
`1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XIX),'.
(2) Section 1905(a) of such Act (42
U.S.C. 1396d(a)) is amended, in the matter
preceding paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking `or' at the end of
clause (xii);
(B) by adding `or' at the end of
clause (xiii); and
(C) by inserting after clause (xiii)
the following new clause:
`(xiv) individuals described
in section 1902(dd)(1),'.
TITLE IV--HEALTH INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
SEC. 4001. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF
CONTENTS OF TITLE.
(a) Short Title- This title may be cited
as the `Health Information Technology for
Economic and Clinical Health Act' or the
`HITECH Act'.
(b) Table of Contents of Title- The
table of contents of this title is as
follows:
Sec. 4001. Short title; table of
contents of title.
Subtitle A--Promotion of Health
Information Technology
Part I--Improving Health Care Quality,
Safety, and Efficiency
Sec. 4101. ONCHIT; standards
development and adoption.
`TITLE XXX--HEALTH INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY AND QUALITY
`Sec. 3000. Definitions.
`Subtitle A--Promotion of Health
Information Technology
`Sec. 3001. Office of the
National Coordinator for Health Information
Technology.
`Sec. 3002. HIT Policy Committee.
`Sec. 3003. HIT Standards
Committee.
`Sec. 3004. Process for adoption
of endorsed recommendations; adoption of initial
set of standards, implementation specifications,
and certification criteria.
`Sec. 3005. Application and use
of adopted standards and implementation
specifications by Federal agencies.
`Sec. 3006. Voluntary application
and use of adopted standards and implementation
specifications by private entities.
`Sec. 3007. Federal health
information technology.
`Sec. 3008. Transitions.
`Sec. 3009. Relation to HIPAA
privacy and security law.
`Sec. 3010. Authorization for
appropriations.
Sec. 4102. Technical amendment.
Part II--Application and Use of Adopted
Health Information Technology Standards; Reports
Sec. 4111. Coordination of Federal
activities with adopted standards and
implementation specifications.
Sec. 4112. Application to private
entities.
Sec. 4113. Study and reports.
Subtitle B--Testing of Health
Information Technology
Sec. 4201. National Institute for
Standards and Technology testing.
Sec. 4202. Research and development
programs.
Subtitle C--Incentives for the Use of
Health Information Technology
Part I--Grants and Loans Funding
Sec. 4301. Grant, loan, and
demonstration programs.
`Subtitle B--Incentives for the Use of
Health Information Technology
`Sec. 3011. Immediate funding to
strengthen the health information technology
infrastructure.
`Sec. 3012. Health information
technology implementation assistance.
`Sec. 3013. State grants to
promote health information technology.
`Sec. 3014. Competitive grants to
States and Indian tribes for the development of
loan programs to facilitate the widespread
adoption of certified EHR technology.
`Sec. 3015. Demonstration program
to integrate information technology into
clinical education.
`Sec. 3016. Information
technology professionals on health care.
`Sec. 3017. General grant and
loan provisions.
`Sec. 3018. Authorization for
appropriations.
Part II--Medicare Program
Sec. 4311. Incentives for eligible
professionals.
Sec. 4312. Incentives for hospitals.
Sec. 4313. Treatment of payments and
savings; implementation funding.
Sec. 4314. Study on application of
EHR payment incentives for providers not
receiving other incentive payments.
Part III--Medicaid Funding
Sec. 4321. Medicaid provider HIT
adoption and operation payments;
implementation funding.
Subtitle D--Privacy
Part I--Improved Privacy Provisions and
Security Provisions
Sec. 4401. Application of security
provisions and penalties to business
associates of covered entities; annual
guidance on security provisions.
Sec. 4402. Notification in the case
of breach.
Sec. 4403. Education on Health
Information Privacy.
Sec. 4404. Application of privacy
provisions and penalties to business
associates of covered entities.
Sec. 4405. Restrictions on certain
disclosures and sales of health
information; accounting of certain
protected health information
disclosures; access to certain
information in electronic format.
Sec. 4406. Conditions on certain
contacts as part of health care
operations.
Sec. 4407. Temporary breach
notification requirement for vendors of
personal health records and other
non-HIPAA covered entities.
Sec. 4408. Business associate
contracts required for certain entities.
Sec. 4409. Clarification of
application of wrongful disclosures
criminal penalties.
Sec. 4410. Improved enforcement.
Part II--Relationship to Other Laws;
Regulatory References; Effective Date; Reports
Sec. 4421. Relationship to other
laws.
Sec. 4422. Regulatory references.
Sec. 4423. Effective date.
Sec. 4424. Studies, reports,
guidance.
Subtitle E--Miscellaneous Medicare
Provisions
Sec. 4501. Moratoria on certain
Medicare regulations.
Sec. 4502. Long-term care hospital
technical corrections.
Subtitle A--Promotion of Health
Information Technology
PART I--IMPROVING HEALTH CARE QUALITY,
SAFETY, AND EFFICIENCY
SEC. 4101. ONCHIT; STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT
AND ADOPTION.
The Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
201 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
`TITLE XXX--HEALTH INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY AND QUALITY
`SEC. 3000. DEFINITIONS.
`(1) CERTIFIED EHR TECHNOLOGY- The
term `certified EHR technology' means a
qualified electronic health record that
is certified pursuant to section
3001(c)(5) as meeting standards adopted
under section 3004 that are applicable
to the type of record involved (as
determined by the Secretary, such as an
ambulatory electronic health record for
office-based physicians or an inpatient
hospital electronic health record for
hospitals).
`(2) ENTERPRISE INTEGRATION- The
term `enterprise integration' means the
electronic linkage of health care
providers, health plans, the government,
and other interested parties, to enable
the electronic exchange and use of
health information among all the
components in the health care
infrastructure in accordance with
applicable law, and such term includes
related application protocols and other
related standards.
`(3) HEALTH CARE PROVIDER- The term
`health care provider' means a hospital,
skilled nursing facility, nursing
facility, home health entity or other
long-term care facility, health care
clinic, Federally qualified health
center, group practice (as defined in
section 1877(h)(4) of the Social
Security Act), a pharmacist, a pharmacy,
a laboratory, a physician (as defined in
section 1861(r) of the Social Security
Act), a practitioner (as described in
section 1842(b)(18)(C) of the Social
Security Act), a provider operated by,
or under contract with, the Indian
Health Service or by an Indian tribe (as
defined in the Indian Self-Determination
and Education Assistance Act), tribal
organization, or urban Indian
organization (as defined in section 4 of
the Indian Health Care Improvement Act),
a rural health clinic, a covered entity
under section 340B, and any other
category of facility or clinician
determined appropriate by the Secretary.
`(4) HEALTH INFORMATION- The term
`health information' has the meaning
given such term in section 1171(4) of
the Social Security Act.
`(5) HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY-
The term `health information technology'
means hardware, software, integrated
technologies and related licenses,
intellectual property, upgrades, and
packaged solutions sold as services that
are specifically designed for use by
health care entities for the electronic
creation, maintenance, or exchange of
health information.
`(6) HEALTH PLAN- The term `health
plan' has the meaning given such term in
section 1171(5) of the Social Security
Act.
`(7) HIT POLICY COMMITTEE- The term
`HIT Policy Committee' means such
Committee established under section
3002(a).
`(8) HIT STANDARDS COMMITTEE- The
term `HIT Standards Committee' means
such Committee established under section
3003(a).
`(9) INDIVIDUALLY IDENTIFIABLE
HEALTH INFORMATION- The term
`individually identifiable health
information' has the meaning given such
term in section 1171(6) of the Social
Security Act.
`(10) LABORATORY- The term
`laboratory' has the meaning given such
term in section 353(a).
`(11) NATIONAL COORDINATOR- The term
`National Coordinator' means the head of
the Office of the National Coordinator
for Health Information Technology
established under section 3001(a).
`(12) PHARMACIST- The term
`pharmacist' has the meaning given such
term in section 804(2) of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
`(13) QUALIFIED ELECTRONIC HEALTH
RECORD- The term `qualified electronic
health record' means an electronic
record of health-related information on
an individual that--
`(A) includes patient
demographic and clinical health
information, such as medical history
and problem lists; and
`(i) to provide clinical
decision support;
`(ii) to support physician
order entry;
`(iii) to capture and query
information relevant to health
care quality; and
`(iv) to exchange electronic
health information with, and
integrate such information from
other sources.
`(14) STATE- The term `State' means
each of the several States, the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the
Northern Mariana Islands.
`Subtitle A--Promotion of Health
Information Technology
`SEC. 3001. OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL
COORDINATOR FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
`(a) Establishment- There is established
within the Department of Health and Human
Services an Office of the National
Coordinator for Health Information
Technology (referred to in this section as
the `Office'). The Office shall be headed by
a National Coordinator who shall be
appointed by the Secretary and shall report
directly to the Secretary.
`(b) Purpose- The National Coordinator
shall perform the duties under subsection
(c) in a manner consistent with the
development of a nationwide health
information technology infrastructure that
allows for the electronic use and exchange
of information and that--
`(1) ensures that each patient's
health information is secure and
protected, in accordance with applicable
law;
`(2) improves health care quality,
reduces medical errors, and advances the
delivery of patient-centered medical
care;
`(3) reduces health care costs
resulting from inefficiency, medical
errors, inappropriate care, duplicative
care, and incomplete information;
`(4) provides appropriate
information to help guide medical
decisions at the time and place of care;
`(5) ensures the inclusion of
meaningful public input in such
development of such infrastructure;
`(6) improves the coordination of
care and information among hospitals,
laboratories, physician offices, and
other entities through an effective
infrastructure for the secure and
authorized exchange of health care
information;
`(7) improves public health
activities and facilitates the early
identification and rapid response to
public health threats and emergencies,
including bioterror events and
infectious disease outbreaks;
`(8) facilitates health and clinical
research and health care quality;
`(9) promotes prevention of chronic
diseases;
`(10) promotes a more effective
marketplace, greater competition,
greater systems analysis, increased
consumer choice, and improved outcomes
in health care services; and
`(11) improves efforts to reduce
health disparities.
`(c) Duties of the National Coordinator-
`(1) STANDARDS- The National
Coordinator shall review and determine
whether to endorse each standard,
implementation specification, and
certification criterion for the
electronic exchange and use of health
information that is recommended by the
HIT Standards Committee under section
3003 for purposes of adoption under
section 3004. The Coordinator shall make
such determination, and report to the
Secretary such determination, not later
than 45 days after the date the
recommendation is received by the
Coordinator.
`(2) HIT POLICY COORDINATION-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The National
Coordinator shall coordinate health
information technology policy and
programs of the Department with
those of other relevant executive
branch agencies with a goal of
avoiding duplication of efforts and
of helping to ensure that each
agency undertakes health information
technology activities primarily
within the areas of its greatest
expertise and technical capability
and in a manner towards a
coordinated national goal.
`(B) HIT POLICY AND STANDARDS
COMMITTEES- The National Coordinator
shall be a leading member in the
establishment and operations of the
HIT Policy Committee and the HIT
Standards Committee and shall serve
as a liaison among those two
Committees and the Federal
Government.
`(A) IN GENERAL- The National
Coordinator shall, in consultation
with other appropriate Federal
agencies (including the National
Institute of Standards and
Technology), update the Federal
Health IT Strategic Plan (developed
as of June 3, 2008) to include
specific objectives, milestones, and
metrics with respect to the
following:
`(i) The electronic exchange
and use of health information
and the enterprise integration
of such information.
`(ii) The utilization of an
electronic health record for
each person in the United States
by 2014.
`(iii) The incorporation of
privacy and security protections
for the electronic exchange of
an individual's individually
identifiable health information.
`(iv) Ensuring security
methods to ensure appropriate
authorization and electronic
authentication of health
information and specifying
technologies or methodologies
for rendering health information
unusable, unreadable, or
indecipherable.
`(v) Specifying a framework
for coordination and flow of
recommendations and policies
under this subtitle among the
Secretary, the National
Coordinator, the HIT Policy
Committee, the HIT Standards
Committee, and other health
information exchanges and other
relevant entities.
`(vi) Methods to foster the
public understanding of health
information technology.
`(vii) Strategies to enhance
the use of health information
technology in improving the
quality of health care, reducing
medical errors, reducing health
disparities, improving public
health, and improving the
continuity of care among health
care settings.
`(B) COLLABORATION- The
strategic plan shall be updated
through collaboration of public and
private entities.
`(C) MEASURABLE OUTCOME GOALS-
The strategic plan update shall
include measurable outcome goals.
`(D) PUBLICATION- The National
Coordinator shall republish the
strategic plan, including all
updates.
`(4) WEBSITE- The National
Coordinator shall maintain and
frequently update an Internet website on
which there is posted information on the
work, schedules, reports,
recommendations, and other information
to ensure transparency in promotion of a
nationwide health information technology
infrastructure.
`(A) IN GENERAL- The National
Coordinator, in consultation with
the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and
Technology, shall develop a program
(either directly or by contract) for
the voluntary certification of
health information technology as
being in compliance with applicable
certification criteria adopted under
this subtitle. Such program shall
include testing of the technology in
accordance with section 4201(b) of
the HITECH Act.
`(B) CERTIFICATION CRITERIA
DESCRIBED- In this title, the term
`certification criteria' means, with
respect to standards and
implementation specifications for
health information technology,
criteria to establish that the
technology meets such standards and
implementation specifications.
`(6) REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS-
`(A) REPORT ON ADDITIONAL
FUNDING OR AUTHORITY NEEDED- Not
later than 12 months after the date
of the enactment of this title, the
National Coordinator shall submit to
the appropriate committees of
jurisdiction of the House of
Representatives and the Senate a
report on any additional funding or
authority the Coordinator or the HIT
Policy Committee or HIT Standards
Committee requires to evaluate and
develop standards, implementation
specifications, and certification
criteria, or to achieve full
participation of stakeholders in the
adoption of a nationwide health
information technology
infrastructure that allows for the
electronic use and exchange of
health information.
`(B) IMPLEMENTATION REPORT- The
National Coordinator shall prepare a
report that identifies lessons
learned from major public and
private health care systems in their
implementation of health information
technology, including information on
whether the technologies and
practices developed by such systems
may be applicable to and usable in
whole or in part by other health
care providers.
`(C) ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT OF HIT
ON COMMUNITIES WITH HEALTH
DISPARITIES AND UNINSURED,
UNDERINSURED, AND MEDICALLY
UNDERSERVED AREAS- The National
Coordinator shall assess and publish
the impact of health information
technology in communities with
health disparities and in areas with
a high proportion of individuals who
are uninsured, underinsured, and
medically underserved individuals
(including urban and rural areas)
and identify practices to increase
the adoption of such technology by
health care providers in such
communities.
`(D) EVALUATION OF BENEFITS AND
COSTS OF THE ELECTRONIC USE AND
EXCHANGE OF HEALTH INFORMATION- The
National Coordinator shall evaluate
and publish evidence on the benefits
and costs of the electronic use and
exchange of health information and
assess to whom these benefits and
costs accrue.
`(E) RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS- The
National Coordinator shall estimate
and publish resources required
annually to reach the goal of
utilization of an electronic health
record for each person in the United
States by 2014, including the
required level of Federal funding,
expectations for regional, State,
and private investment, and the
expected contributions by volunteers
to activities for the utilization of
such records.
`(7) ASSISTANCE- The National
Coordinator may provide financial
assistance to consumer advocacy groups
and not-for-profit entities that work in
the public interest for purposes of
defraying the cost to such groups and
entities to participate under, whether
in whole or in part, the National
Technology Transfer Act of 1995 (15
U.S.C. 272 note).
`(8) GOVERNANCE FOR NATIONWIDE
HEALTH INFORMATION NETWORK- The National
Coordinator shall establish a governance
mechanism for the nationwide health
information network.
`(d) Detail of Federal Employees-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Upon the request of
the National Coordinator, the head of
any Federal agency is authorized to
detail, with or without reimbursement
from the Office, any of the personnel of
such agency to the Office to assist it
in carrying out its duties under this
section.
`(2) EFFECT OF DETAIL- Any detail of
personnel under paragraph (1) shall--
`(A) not interrupt or otherwise
affect the civil service status or
privileges of the Federal employee;
and
`(B) be in addition to any other
staff of the Department employed by
the National Coordinator.
`(3) ACCEPTANCE OF DETAILEES-
Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the Office may accept detailed
personnel from other Federal agencies
without regard to whether the agency
described under paragraph (1) is
reimbursed.
`(e) Chief Privacy Officer of the Office
of the National Coordinator- Not later than
12 months after the date of the enactment of
this title, the Secretary shall appoint a
Chief Privacy Officer of the Office of the
National Coordinator, whose duty it shall be
to advise the National Coordinator on
privacy, security, and data stewardship of
electronic health information and to
coordinate with other Federal agencies (and
similar privacy officers in such agencies),
with State and regional efforts, and with
foreign countries with regard to the
privacy, security, and data stewardship of
electronic individually identifiable health
information.
`SEC. 3002. HIT POLICY COMMITTEE.
`(a) Establishment- There is established
a HIT Policy Committee to make policy
recommendations to the National Coordinator
relating to the implementation of a
nationwide health information technology
infrastructure, including implementation of
the strategic plan described in section
3001(c)(3).
`(1) RECOMMENDATIONS ON HEALTH
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE-
The HIT Policy Committee shall recommend
a policy framework for the development
and adoption of a nationwide health
information technology infrastructure
that permits the electronic exchange and
use of health information as is
consistent with the strategic plan under
section 3001(c)(3) and that includes the
recommendations under paragraph (2). The
Committee shall update such
recommendations and make new
recommendations as appropriate.
`(2) SPECIFIC AREAS OF STANDARD
DEVELOPMENT-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The HIT Policy
Committee shall recommend the areas
in which standards, implementation
specifications, and certification
criteria are needed for the
electronic exchange and use of
health information for purposes of
adoption under section 3004 and
shall recommend an order of priority
for the development, harmonization,
and recognition of such standards,
specifications, and certification
criteria among the areas so
recommended. Such standards and
implementation specifications shall
include named standards,
architectures, and software schemes
for the authentication and security
of individually identifiable health
information and other information as
needed to ensure the reproducible
development of common solutions
across disparate entities.
`(B) AREAS REQUIRED FOR
CONSIDERATION- For purposes of
subparagraph (A), the HIT Policy
Committee shall make recommendations
for at least the following areas:
`(i) Technologies that
protect the privacy of health
information and promote security
in a qualified electronic health
record, including for the
segmentation and protection from
disclosure of specific and
sensitive individually
identifiable health information
with the goal of minimizing the
reluctance of patients to seek
care (or disclose information
about a condition) because of
privacy concerns, in accordance
with applicable law, and for the
use and disclosure of limited
data sets of such information.
`(ii) A nationwide health
information technology
infrastructure that allows for
the electronic use and accurate
exchange of health information.
`(iii) The utilization of a
certified electronic health
record for each person in the
United States by 2014.
`(iv) Technologies that as a
part of a qualified electronic
health record allow for an
accounting of disclosures made
by a covered entity (as defined
for purposes of regulations
promulgated under section 264(c)
of the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability
Act of 1996) for purposes of
treatment, payment, and health
care operations (as such terms
are defined for purposes of such
regulations).
`(v) The use of certified
electronic health records to
improve the quality of health
care, such as by promoting the
coordination of health care and
improving continuity of health
care among health care
providers, by reducing medical
errors, by improving population
health, and by advancing
research and education.
`(C) OTHER AREAS FOR
CONSIDERATION- In making
recommendations under subparagraph
(A), the HIT Policy Committee may
consider the following additional
areas:
`(i) The appropriate uses of
a nationwide health information
infrastructure, including for
purposes of--
`(I) the collection of
quality data and public
reporting;
`(II) biosurveillance
and public health;
`(III) medical and
clinical research; and
`(ii) Self-service
technologies that facilitate the
use and exchange of patient
information and reduce wait
times.
`(iii) Telemedicine
technologies, in order to reduce
travel requirements for patients
in remote areas.
`(iv) Technologies that
facilitate home health care and
the monitoring of patients
recuperating at home.
`(v) Technologies that help
reduce medical errors.
`(vi) Technologies that
facilitate the continuity of
care among health settings.
`(vii) Technologies that
meet the needs of diverse
populations.
`(viii) Any other technology
that the HIT Policy Committee
finds to be among the
technologies with the greatest
potential to improve the quality
and efficiency of health care.
`(3) FORUM- The HIT Policy Committee
shall serve as a forum for broad
stakeholder input with specific
expertise in policies relating to the
matters described in paragraphs (1) and
(2).
`(c) Membership and Operations-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The National
Coordinator shall provide leadership in
the establishment and operations of the
HIT Policy Committee.
`(2) MEMBERSHIP- The membership of
the HIT Policy Committee shall at least
reflect providers, ancillary healthcare
workers, consumers, purchasers, health
plans, technology vendors, researchers,
relevant Federal agencies, and
individuals with technical expertise on
health care quality, privacy and
security, and on the electronic exchange
and use of health information.
`(3) CONSIDERATION- The National
Coordinator shall ensure that the
relevant recommendations and comments
from the National Committee on Vital and
Health Statistics are considered in the
development of policies.
`(d) Application of FACA- The Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.),
other than section 14 of such Act, shall
apply to the HIT Policy Committee.
`(e) Publication- The Secretary shall
provide for publication in the Federal
Register and the posting on the Internet
website of the Office of the National
Coordinator for Health Information
Technology of all policy recommendations
made by the HIT Policy Committee under this
section.
`SEC. 3003. HIT STANDARDS COMMITTEE.
`(a) Establishment- There is established
a committee to be known as the HIT Standards
Committee to recommend to the National
Coordinator standards, implementation
specifications, and certification criteria
for the electronic exchange and use of
health information for purposes of adoption
under section 3004, consistent with the
implementation of the strategic plan
described in section 3001(c)(3) and
beginning with the areas listed in section
3002(b)(2)(B) in accordance with policies
developed by the HIT Policy Committee.
`(1) STANDARD DEVELOPMENT-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The HIT
Standards Committee shall recommend
to the National Coordinator
standards, implementation
specifications, and certification
criteria described in subsection (a)
that have been developed,
harmonized, or recognized by the HIT
Standards Committee. The HIT
Standards Committee shall update
such recommendations and make new
recommendations as appropriate,
including in response to a
notification sent under section
3004(b)(2). Such recommendations
shall be consistent with the latest
recommendations made by the HIT
Policy Committee.
`(B) PILOT TESTING OF STANDARDS
AND IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS-
In the development, harmonization,
or recognition of standards and
implementation specifications, the
HIT Standards Committee shall, as
appropriate, provide for the testing
of such standards and specifications
by the National Institute for
Standards and Technology under
section 4201 of the HITECH Act.
`(C) CONSISTENCY- The standards,
implementation specifications, and
certification criteria recommended
under this subsection shall be
consistent with the standards for
information transactions and data
elements adopted pursuant to section
1173 of the Social Security Act.
`(2) FORUM- The HIT Standards
Committee shall serve as a forum for the
participation of a broad range of
stakeholders to provide input on the
development, harmonization, and
recognition of standards, implementation
specifications, and certification
criteria necessary for the development
and adoption of a nationwide health
information technology infrastructure
that allows for the electronic use and
exchange of health information.
`(3) SCHEDULE- Not later than 90
days after the date of the enactment of
this title, the HIT Standards Committee
shall develop a schedule for the
assessment of policy recommendations
developed by the HIT Policy Committee
under section 3002. The HIT Standards
Committee shall update such schedule
annually. The Secretary shall publish
such schedule in the Federal Register.
`(4) PUBLIC INPUT- The HIT Standards
Committee shall conduct open public
meetings and develop a process to allow
for public comment on the schedule
described in paragraph (3) and
recommendations described in this
subsection. Under such process comments
shall be submitted in a timely manner
after the date of publication of a
recommendation under this subsection.
`(c) Membership and Operations-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The National
Coordinator shall provide leadership in
the establishment and operations of the
HIT Standards Committee.
`(2) MEMBERSHIP- The membership of
the HIT Standards Committee shall at
least reflect providers, ancillary
healthcare workers, consumers,
purchasers, health plans, technology
vendors, researchers, relevant Federal
agencies, and individuals with technical
expertise on health care quality,
privacy and security, and on the
electronic exchange and use of health
information.
`(3) CONSIDERATION- The National
Coordinator shall ensure that the
relevant recommendations and comments
from the National Committee on Vital and
Health Statistics are considered in the
development of standards.
`(4) ASSISTANCE- For the purposes of
carrying out this section, the Secretary
may provide or ensure that financial
assistance is provided by the HIT
Standards Committee to defray in whole
or in part any membership fees or dues
charged by such Committee to those
consumer advocacy groups and not for
profit entities that work in the public
interest as a part of their mission.
`(d) Application of FACA- The Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.),
other than section 14, shall apply to the
HIT Standards Committee.
`(e) Publication- The Secretary shall
provide for publication in the Federal
Register and the posting on the Internet
website of the Office of the National
Coordinator for Health Information
Technology of all recommendations made by
the HIT Standards Committee under this
section.
`SEC. 3004. PROCESS FOR ADOPTION OF
ENDORSED RECOMMENDATIONS; ADOPTION OF INITIAL
SET OF STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS,
AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA.
`(a) Process for Adoption of Endorsed
Recommendations-
`(1) REVIEW OF ENDORSED STANDARDS,
IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND
CERTIFICATION CRITERIA- Not later than
90 days after the date of receipt of
standards, implementation
specifications, or certification
criteria endorsed under section 3001(c),
the Secretary, in consultation with
representatives of other relevant
Federal agencies, shall jointly review
such standards, implementation
specifications, or certification
criteria and shall determine whether or
not to propose adoption of such
standards, implementation
specifications, or certification
criteria.
`(2) DETERMINATION TO ADOPT
STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION
SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION
CRITERIA- If the Secretary determines--
`(A) to propose adoption of any
grouping of such standards,
implementation specifications, or
certification criteria, the
Secretary shall, by regulation,
determine whether or not to adopt
such grouping of standards,
implementation specifications, or
certification criteria; or
`(B) not to propose adoption of
any grouping of standards,
implementation specifications, or
certification criteria, the
Secretary shall notify the National
Coordinator and the HIT Standards
Committee in writing of such
determination and the reasons for
not proposing the adoption of such
recommendation.
`(3) PUBLICATION- The Secretary
shall provide for publication in the
Federal Register of all determinations
made by the Secretary under paragraph
(1).
`(b) Adoption of Initial Set of
Standards, Implementation Specifications,
and Certification Criteria-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than
December 31, 2009, the Secretary shall,
through the rulemaking process described
in section 3003, adopt an initial set of
standards, implementation
specifications, and certification
criteria for the areas required for
consideration under section
3002(b)(2)(B).
`(2) APPLICATION OF CURRENT
STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION
SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION
CRITERIA- The standards, implementation
specifications, and certification
criteria adopted before the date of the
enactment of this title through the
process existing through the Office of
the National Coordinator for Health
Information Technology may be applied
towards meeting the requirement of
paragraph (1).
`SEC. 3005. APPLICATION AND USE OF
ADOPTED STANDARDS AND IMPLEMENTATION
SPECIFICATIONS BY FEDERAL AGENCIES.
`For requirements relating to the
application and use by Federal agencies of
the standards and implementation
specifications adopted under section 3004,
see section 4111 of the HITECH Act.
`SEC. 3006. VOLUNTARY APPLICATION AND
USE OF ADOPTED STANDARDS AND IMPLEMENTATION
SPECIFICATIONS BY PRIVATE ENTITIES.
`(a) In General- Except as provided
under section 4112 of the HITECH Act, any
standard or implementation specification
adopted under section 3004 shall be
voluntary with respect to private entities.
`(b) Rule of Construction- Nothing in
this subtitle shall be construed to require
that a private entity that enters into a
contract with the Federal Government apply
or use the standards and implementation
specifications adopted under section 3004
with respect to activities not related to
the contract.
`SEC. 3007. FEDERAL HEALTH INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY.
`(a) In General- The National
Coordinator shall support the development,
routine updating and provision of qualified
EHR technology (as defined in section 3000)
consistent with subsections (b) and (c)
unless the Secretary determines that the
needs and demands of providers are being
substantially and adequately met through the
marketplace.
`(b) Certification- In making such EHR
technology publicly available, the National
Coordinator shall ensure that the qualified
EHR technology described in subsection (a)
is certified under the program developed
under section 3001(c)(3) to be in compliance
with applicable standards adopted under
section 3003(a).
`(c) Authorization to Charge a Nominal
Fee- The National Coordinator may impose a
nominal fee for the adoption by a health
care provider of the health information
technology system developed or approved
under subsection (a) and (b). Such fee shall
take into account the financial
circumstances of smaller providers, low
income providers, and providers located in
rural or other medically underserved areas.
`(d) Rule of Construction- Nothing in
this section shall be construed to require
that a private or government entity adopt or
use the technology provided under this
section.
`SEC. 3008. TRANSITIONS.
`(a) ONCHIT- To the extent consistent
with section 3001, all functions, personnel,
assets, liabilities, and administrative
actions applicable to the National
Coordinator for Health Information
Technology appointed under Executive Order
13335 or the Office of such National
Coordinator on the date before the date of
the enactment of this title shall be
transferred to the National Coordinator
appointed under section 3001(a) and the
Office of such National Coordinator as of
the date of the enactment of this title.
`(1) To the extent consistent with
sections 3002 and 3003, all functions,
personnel, assets, and liabilities
applicable to the AHIC Successor, Inc.
doing business as the National eHealth
Collaborative as of the day before the
date of the enactment of this title
shall be transferred to the HIT Policy
Committee or the HIT Standards
Committee, established under section
3002(a) or 3003(a), as appropriate, as
of the date of the enactment of this
title.
`(2) In carrying out section
3003(b)(1)(A), until recommendations are
made by the HIT Policy Committee,
recommendations of the HIT Standards
Committee shall be consistent with the
most recent recommendations made by such
AHIC Successor, Inc.
`(c) Rules of Construction-
`(1) ONCHIT- Nothing in section 3001
or subsection (a) shall be construed as
requiring the creation of a new entity
to the extent that the Office of the
National Coordinator for Health
Information Technology established
pursuant to Executive Order 13335 is
consistent with the provisions of
section 3001.
`(2) AHIC- Nothing in sections 3002
or 3003 or subsection (b) shall be
construed as prohibiting the AHIC
Successor, Inc. doing business as the
National eHealth Collaborative from
modifying its charter, duties,
membership, and any other structure or
function required to be consistent with
section 3002 and 3003 in a manner that
would permit the Secretary to choose to
recognize such Community as the HIT
Policy Committee or the HIT Standards
Committee.
`SEC. 3009. RELATION TO HIPAA PRIVACY
AND SECURITY LAW.
`(a) In General- With respect to the
relation of this title to HIPAA privacy and
security law:
`(1) This title may not be construed
as having any effect on the authorities
of the Secretary under HIPAA privacy and
security law.
`(2) The purposes of this title
include ensuring that the health
information technology standards and
implementation specifications adopted
under section 3004 take into account the
requirements of HIPAA privacy and
security law.
`(b) Definition- For purposes of this
section, the term `HIPAA privacy and
security law' means--
`(1) the provisions of part C of
title XI of the Social Security Act,
section 264 of the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act of
1996, and subtitle D of title IV of the
HITECH Act; and
`(2) regulations under such
provisions.
`SEC. 3010. AUTHORIZATION FOR
APPROPRIATIONS.
`There is authorized to be appropriated
to the Office of the National Coordinator
for Health Information Technology to carry
out this subtitle $250,000,000 for fiscal
year 2009.'.
SEC. 4102. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.
Section 1171(5) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d) is amended by striking
`or C' and inserting `C, or D'.
PART II--APPLICATION AND USE OF ADOPTED
HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS; REPORTS
SEC. 4111. COORDINATION OF FEDERAL
ACTIVITIES WITH ADOPTED STANDARDS AND
IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS.
(a) Spending on Health Information
Technology Systems- As each agency (as
defined in the Executive Order issued on
August 22, 2006, relating to promoting
quality and efficient health care in Federal
Government administered or sponsored health
care programs) implements, acquires, or
upgrades health information technology
systems used for the direct exchange of
individually identifiable health information
between agencies and with non-Federal
entities, it shall utilize, where available,
health information technology systems and
products that meet standards and
implementation specifications adopted under
section 3004(b) of the Public Health Service
Act, as added by section 4101.
(b) Federal Information Collection
Activities- With respect to a standard or
implementation specification adopted under
section 3004(b) of the Public Health Service
Act, as added by section 4101, the President
shall take measures to ensure that Federal
activities involving the broad collection
and submission of health information are
consistent with such standard or
implementation specification, respectively,
within three years after the date of such
adoption.
(c) Application of Definitions- The
definitions contained in section 3000 of the
Public Health Service Act, as added by
section 4101, shall apply for purposes of
this part.
SEC. 4112. APPLICATION TO PRIVATE
ENTITIES.
Each agency (as defined in such
Executive Order issued on August 22, 2006,
relating to promoting quality and efficient
health care in Federal Government
administered or sponsored health care
programs) shall require in contracts or
agreements with health care providers,
health plans, or health insurance issuers
that as each provider, plan, or issuer
implements, acquires, or upgrades health
information technology systems, it shall
utilize, where available, health information
technology systems and products that meet
standards and implementation specifications
adopted under section 3004(b) of the Public
Health Service Act, as added by section
4101.
SEC. 4113. STUDY AND REPORTS.
(a) Report on Adoption of Nationwide
System- Not later than 2 years after the
date of the enactment of this Act and
annually thereafter, the Secretary of Health
and Human Services shall submit to the
appropriate committees of jurisdiction of
the House of Representatives and the Senate
a report that--
(1) describes the specific actions
that have been taken by the Federal
Government and private entities to
facilitate the adoption of a nationwide
system for the electronic use and
exchange of health information;
(2) describes barriers to the
adoption of such a nationwide system;
and
(3) contains recommendations to
achieve full implementation of such a
nationwide system.
(b) Reimbursement Incentive Study and
Report-
(1) STUDY- The Secretary of Health
and Human Services shall carry out, or
contract with a private entity to carry
out, a study that examines methods to
create efficient reimbursement
incentives for improving health care
quality in federally qualified health
centers, rural health clinics, and free
clinics.
(2) REPORT- Not later than 2 years
after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of Health and Human
Services shall submit to the appropriate
committees of jurisdiction of the House
of Representatives and the Senate a
report on the study carried out under
paragraph (1).
(c) Aging Services Technology Study and
Report-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall carry
out, or contract with a private entity
to carry out, a study of matters
relating to the potential use of new
aging services technology to assist
seniors, individuals with disabilities,
and their caregivers throughout the
aging process.
(2) MATTERS TO BE STUDIED- The study
under paragraph (1) shall include--
(i) methods for identifying
current, emerging, and future
health technology that can be
used to meet the needs of
seniors and individuals with
disabilities and their
caregivers across all aging
services settings, as specified
by the Secretary;
(ii) methods for fostering
scientific innovation with
respect to aging services
technology within the business
and academic communities; and
(iii) developments in aging
services technology in other
countries that may be applied in
the United States; and
(i) barriers to innovation
in aging services technology and
devising strategies for removing
such barriers; and
(ii) barriers to the
adoption of aging services
technology by health care
providers and consumers and
devising strategies to removing
such barriers.
(3) REPORT- Not later than 24 months
after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate committees of jurisdiction
of the House of Representatives and of
the Senate a report on the study carried
out under paragraph (1).
(4) DEFINITIONS- For purposes of
this subsection:
(A) AGING SERVICES TECHNOLOGY-
The term `aging services technology'
means health technology that meets
the health care needs of seniors,
individuals with disabilities, and
the caregivers of such seniors and
individuals.
(B) SENIOR- The term `senior'
has such meaning as specified by the
Secretary.
Subtitle B--Testing of Health
Information Technology
SEC. 4201. NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR
STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY TESTING.
(a) Pilot Testing of Standards and
Implementation Specifications- In
coordination with the HIT Standards
Committee established under section 3003 of
the Public Health Service Act, as added by
section 4101, with respect to the
development of standards and implementation
specifications under such section, the
Director of the National Institute for
Standards and Technology shall test such
standards and implementation specifications,
as appropriate, in order to assure the
efficient implementation and use of such
standards and implementation specifications.
(b) Voluntary Testing Program- In
coordination with the HIT Standards
Committee established under section 3003 of
the Public Health Service Act, as added by
section 4101, with respect to the
development of standards and implementation
specifications under such section, the
Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology shall support the
establishment of a conformance testing
infrastructure, including the development of
technical test beds. The development of this
conformance testing infrastructure may
include a program to accredit independent,
non-Federal laboratories to perform testing.
SEC. 4202. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS.
(a) Health Care Information Enterprise
Integration Research Centers-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Director of the
National Institute of Standards and
Technology, in consultation with the
Director of the National Science
Foundation and other appropriate Federal
agencies, shall establish a program of
assistance to institutions of higher
education (or consortia thereof which
may include nonprofit entities and
Federal Government laboratories) to
establish multidisciplinary Centers for
Health Care Information Enterprise
Integration.
(2) REVIEW; COMPETITION- Grants
shall be awarded under this subsection
on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis.
(3) PURPOSE- The purposes of the
Centers described in paragraph (1) shall
be--
(A) to generate innovative
approaches to health care
information enterprise integration
by conducting cutting-edge,
multidisciplinary research on the
systems challenges to health care
delivery; and
(B) the development and use of
health information technologies and
other complementary fields.
(4) RESEARCH AREAS- Research areas
may include--
(A) interfaces between human
information and communications
technology systems;
(B) voice-recognition systems;
(C) software that improves
interoperability and connectivity
among health information systems;
(D) software dependability in
systems critical to health care
delivery;
(E) measurement of the impact of
information technologies on the
quality and productivity of health
care;
(F) health information
enterprise management;
(G) health information
technology security and integrity;
and
(H) relevant health information
technology to reduce medical errors.
(5) APPLICATIONS- An institution of
higher education (or a consortium
thereof) seeking funding under this
subsection shall submit an application
to the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology at
such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the
Director may require. The application
shall include, at a minimum, a
description of--
(A) the research projects that
will be undertaken by the Center
established pursuant to assistance
under paragraph (1) and the
respective contributions of the
participating entities;
(B) how the Center will promote
active collaboration among
scientists and engineers from
different disciplines, such as
information technology, biologic
sciences, management, social
sciences, and other appropriate
disciplines;
(C) technology transfer
activities to demonstrate and
diffuse the research results,
technologies, and knowledge; and
(D) how the Center will
contribute to the education and
training of researchers and other
professionals in fields relevant to
health information enterprise
integration.
(b) National Information Technology
Research and Development Program- The
National High-Performance Computing Program
established by section 101 of the
High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15
U.S.C. 5511) shall coordinate Federal
research and development programs related to
the development and deployment of health
information technology, including activities
related to--
(1) computer infrastructure;
(3) development of large-scale,
distributed, reliable computing systems;
(4) wired, wireless, and hybrid
high-speed networking;
(5) development of software and
software-intensive systems;
(6) human-computer interaction and
information management technologies; and
(7) the social and economic
implications of information technology.
Subtitle C--Incentives for the Use
of Health Information Technology
PART I--GRANTS AND LOANS FUNDING
SEC. 4301. GRANT, LOAN, AND
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS.
Title XXX of the Public Health Service
Act, as added by section 4101, is amended by
adding at the end the following new
subtitle:
`Subtitle B--Incentives for the Use
of Health Information Technology
`SEC. 3011. IMMEDIATE FUNDING TO
STRENGTHEN THE HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
INFRASTRUCTURE.
`(a) In General- The Secretary of Health
and Human Services shall, using amounts
appropriated under section 3018, invest in
the infrastructure necessary to allow for
and promote the electronic exchange and use
of health information for each individual in
the United States consistent with the goals
outlined in the strategic plan developed by
the National Coordinator (and as available)
under section 3001. To the greatest extent
practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that
any funds so appropriated shall be used for
the acquisition of health information
technology that meets standards and
certification criteria adopted before the
date of the enactment of this title until
such date as the standards are adopted under
section 3004. The Secretary shall invest
funds through the different agencies with
expertise in such goals, such as the Office
of the National Coordinator for Health
Information Technology, the Health Resources
and Services Administration, the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality, the Centers
of Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, and the
Indian Health Service to support the
following:
`(1) Health information technology
architecture that will support the
nationwide electronic exchange and use
of health information in a secure,
private, and accurate manner, including
connecting health information exchanges,
and which may include updating and
implementing the infrastructure
necessary within different agencies of
the Department of Health and Human
Services to support the electronic use
and exchange of health information.
`(2) Development and adoption of
appropriate certified electronic health
records for categories of providers not
eligible for support under title XVIII
or XIX of the Social Security Act for
the adoption of such records.
`(3) Training on and dissemination
of information on best practices to
integrate health information technology,
including electronic health records,
into a provider's delivery of care,
consistent with best practices learned
from the Health Information Technology
Research Center developed under section
302, including community health centers
receiving assistance under section 330
of the Public Health Service Act,
covered entities under section 340B of
such Act, and providers participating in
one or more of the programs under titles
XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social
Security Act (relating to Medicare,
Medicaid, and the State Children's
Health Insurance Program).
`(4) Infrastructure and tools for
the promotion of telemedicine, including
coordination among Federal agencies in
the promotion of telemedicine.
`(5) Promotion of the
interoperability of clinical data
repositories or registries.
`(6) Promotion of technologies and
best practices that enhance the
protection of health information by all
holders of individually identifiable
health information.
`(7) Improve and expand the use of
health information technology by public
health departments.
`(8) Provide $300 million to support
regional or sub-national efforts towards
health information exchange.
`(b) Coordination- The Secretary shall
ensure funds under this section are used in
a coordinated manner with other health
information promotion activities.
`(c) Additional Use of Funds- In
addition to using funds as provided in
subsection (a), the Secretary may use
amounts appropriated under section 3018 to
carry out activities that are provided for
under laws in effect on the date of the
enactment of this title.
`SEC. 3012. HEALTH INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION ASSISTANCE.
`(a) Health Information Technology
Extension Program- To assist health care
providers to adopt, implement, and
effectively use certified EHR technology
that allows for the electronic exchange and
use of health information, the Secretary,
acting through the Office of the National
Coordinator, shall establish a health
information technology extension program to
provide health information technology
assistance services to be carried out
through the Department of Health and Human
Services. The National Coordinator shall
consult with other Federal agencies with
demonstrated experience and expertise in
information technology services, such as the
National Institute of Standards and
Technology, in developing and implementing
this program.
`(b) Health Information Technology
Research Center-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall
create a Health Information Technology
Research Center (in this section
referred to as the `Center') to provide
technical assistance and develop or
recognize best practices to support and
accelerate efforts to adopt, implement,
and effectively utilize health
information technology that allows for
the electronic exchange and use of
information in compliance with
standards, implementation
specifications, and certification
criteria adopted under section 3004(b).
`(2) INPUT- The Center shall
incorporate input from--
`(A) other Federal agencies with
demonstrated experience and
expertise in information technology
services such as the National
Institute of Standards and
Technology;
`(B) users of health information
technology, such as providers and
their support and clerical staff and
others involved in the care and care
coordination of patients, from the
health care and health information
technology industry; and
`(C) others as appropriate.
`(3) PURPOSES- The purposes of the
Center are to--
`(A) provide a forum for the
exchange of knowledge and
experience;
`(B) accelerate the transfer of
lessons learned from existing public
and private sector initiatives,
including those currently receiving
Federal financial support;
`(C) assemble, analyze, and
widely disseminate evidence and
experience related to the adoption,
implementation, and effective use of
health information technology that
allows for the electronic exchange
and use of information including
through the regional centers
described in subsection (c);
`(D) provide technical
assistance for the establishment and
evaluation of regional and local
health information networks to
facilitate the electronic exchange
of information across health care
settings and improve the quality of
health care;
`(E) provide technical
assistance for the development and
dissemination of solutions to
barriers to the exchange of
electronic health information; and
`(F) learn about effective
strategies to adopt and utilize
health information technology in
medically underserved communities.
`(c) Health Information Technology
Regional Extension Centers-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall
provide assistance for the creation and
support of regional centers (in this
subsection referred to as `regional
centers') to provide technical
assistance and disseminate best
practices and other information learned
from the Center to support and
accelerate efforts to adopt, implement,
and effectively utilize health
information technology that allows for
the electronic exchange and use of
information in compliance with
standards, implementation
specifications, and certification
criteria adopted under section 3004.
Activities conducted under this
subsection shall be consistent with the
strategic plan developed by the National
Coordinator, (and, as available) under
section 3001.
`(2) AFFILIATION- Regional centers
shall be affiliated with any U.S.-based
nonprofit institution or organization,
or group thereof, that applies and is
awarded financial assistance under this
section. Individual awards shall be
decided on the basis of merit.
`(3) OBJECTIVE- The objective of the
regional centers is to enhance and
promote the adoption of health
information technology through--
`(A) assistance with the
implementation, effective use,
upgrading, and ongoing maintenance
of health information technology,
including electronic health records,
to healthcare providers nationwide;
`(B) broad participation of
individuals from industry,
universities, and State governments;
`(C) active dissemination of
best practices and research on the
implementation, effective use,
upgrading, and ongoing maintenance
of health information technology,
including electronic health records,
to health care providers in order to
improve the quality of healthcare
and protect the privacy and security
of health information;
`(D) participation, to the
extent practicable, in health
information exchanges; and
`(E) utilization, when
appropriate, of the expertise and
capability that exists in Federal
agencies other than the Department;
and
`(F) integration of health
information technology, including
electronic health records, into the
initial and ongoing training of
health professionals and others in
the healthcare industry that would
be instrumental to improving the
quality of healthcare through the
smooth and accurate electronic use
and exchange of health information.
`(4) REGIONAL ASSISTANCE- Each
regional center shall aim to provide
assistance and education to all
providers in a region, but shall
prioritize any direct assistance first
to the following:
`(A) Public or not-for-profit
hospitals or critical access
hospitals.
`(B) Federally qualified health
centers (as defined in section
1861(aa)(4) of the Social Security
Act).
`(C) Entities that are located
in rural and other areas that serve
uninsured, underinsured, and
medically underserved individuals
(regardless of whether such area is
urban or rural).
`(D) Individual or small group
practices (or a consortium thereof)
that are primarily focused on
primary care.
`(5) FINANCIAL SUPPORT- The
Secretary may provide financial support
to any regional center created under
this subsection for a period not to
exceed four years. The Secretary may not
provide more than 50 percent of the
capital and annual operating and
maintenance funds required to create and
maintain such a center, except in an
instance of national economic conditions
which would render this cost-share
requirement detrimental to the program
and upon notification to Congress as to
the justification to waive the
cost-share requirement.
`(6) NOTICE OF PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
AND AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- The Secretary
shall publish in the Federal Register,
not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, a draft
description of the program for
establishing regional centers under this
subsection. Such description shall
include the following:
`(A) A detailed explanation of
the program and the programs goals.
`(B) Procedures to be followed
by the applicants.
`(C) Criteria for determining
qualified applicants.
`(D) Maximum support levels
expected to be available to centers
under the program.
`(7) APPLICATION REVIEW- The
Secretary shall subject each application
under this subsection to merit review.
In making a decision whether to approve
such application and provide financial
support, the Secretary shall consider at
a minimum the merits of the application,
including those portions of the
application regarding--
`(A) the ability of the
applicant to provide assistance
under this subsection and
utilization of health information
technology appropriate to the needs
of particular categories of health
care providers;
`(B) the types of service to be
provided to health care providers;
`(C) geographical diversity and
extent of service area; and
`(D) the percentage of funding
and amount of in-kind commitment
from other sources.
`(8) BIENNIAL EVALUATION- Each
regional center which receives financial
assistance under this subsection shall
be evaluated biennially by an evaluation
panel appointed by the Secretary. Each
evaluation panel shall be composed of
private experts, none of whom shall be
connected with the center involved, and
of Federal officials. Each evaluation
panel shall measure the involved
center's performance against the
objective specified in paragraph (3).
The Secretary shall not continue to
provide funding to a regional center
unless its evaluation is overall
positive.
`(9) CONTINUING SUPPORT- After the
second year of assistance under this
subsection a regional center may receive
additional support under this subsection
if it has received positive evaluations
and a finding by the Secretary that
continuation of Federal funding to the
center was in the best interest of
provision of health information
technology extension services.
`SEC. 3013. STATE GRANTS TO PROMOTE
HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
`(a) In General- The Secretary, acting
through the National Coordinator, shall
establish a program in accordance with this
section to facilitate and expand the
electronic movement and use of health
information among organizations according to
nationally recognized standards.
`(b) Planning Grants- The Secretary may
award a grant to a State or qualified
State-designated entity (as described in
subsection (d)) that submits an application
to the Secretary at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as
the Secretary may specify, for the purpose
of planning activities described in
subsection (b).
`(c) Implementation Grants- The
Secretary may award a grant to a State or
qualified State-designated entity that--
`(1) has submitted, and the
Secretary has approved, a plan described
in subsection (c) (regardless of whether
such plan was prepared using amounts
awarded under paragraph (1)); and
`(2) submits an application at such
time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Secretary may
specify.
`(d) Use of Funds- Amounts received
under a grant under subsection (a)(3) shall
be used to conduct activities to facilitate
and expand the electronic movement and use
of health information among organizations
according to nationally recognized standards
through activities that include--
`(1) enhancing broad and varied
participation in the authorized and
secure nationwide electronic use and
exchange of health information;
`(2) identifying State or local
resources available towards a nationwide
effort to promote health information
technology;
`(3) complementing other Federal
grants, programs, and efforts towards
the promotion of health information
technology;
`(4) providing technical assistance
for the development and dissemination of
solutions to barriers to the exchange of
electronic health information;
`(5) promoting effective strategies
to adopt and utilize health information
technology in medically underserved
communities;
`(6) assisting patients in utilizing
health information technology;
`(7) encouraging clinicians to work
with Health Information Technology
Regional Extension Centers as described
in section 3012, to the extent they are
available and valuable;
`(8) supporting public health
agencies' authorized use of and access
to electronic health information;
`(9) promoting the use of electronic
health records for quality improvement
including through quality measures
reporting; and
`(10) such other activities as the
Secretary may specify.
`(1) IN GENERAL- A plan described in
this subsection is a plan that describes
the activities to be carried out by a
State or by the qualified
State-designated entity within such
State to facilitate and expand the
electronic movement and use of health
information among organizations
according to nationally recognized
standards and implementation
specifications.
`(2) REQUIRED ELEMENTS- A plan
described in paragraph (1) shall--
`(A) be pursued in the public
interest;
`(B) be consistent with the
strategic plan developed by the
National Coordinator, (and, as
available) under section 3001;
`(C) include a description of
the ways the State or qualified
State-designated entity will carry
out the activities described in
subsection (b); and
`(D) contain such elements as
the Secretary may require.
`(f) Qualified State-Designated Entity-
For purposes of this section, to be a
qualified State-designated entity, with
respect to a State, an entity shall--
`(1) be designated by the State as
eligible to receive awards under this
section;
`(2) be a not-for-profit entity with
broad stakeholder representation on its
governing board;
`(3) demonstrate that one of its
principal goals is to use information
technology to improve health care
quality and efficiency through the
authorized and secure electronic
exchange and use of health information;
`(4) adopt nondiscrimination and
conflict of interest policies that
demonstrate a commitment to open, fair,
and nondiscriminatory participation by
stakeholders; and
`(5) conform to such other
requirements as the Secretary may
establish.
`(g) Required Consultation- In carrying
out activities described in subsections
(a)(2) and (a)(3), a State or qualified
State-designated entity shall consult with
and consider the recommendations of--
`(1) health care providers
(including providers that provide
services to low income and underserved
populations);
`(3) patient or consumer
organizations that represent the
population to be served;
`(4) health information technology
vendors;
`(5) health care purchasers and
employers;
`(6) public health agencies;
`(7) health professions schools,
universities and colleges;
`(8) clinical researchers;
`(9) other users of health
information technology such as the
support and clerical staff of providers
and others involved in the care and care
coordination of patients; and
`(10) such other entities, as may be
determined appropriate by the Secretary.
`(h) Continuous Improvement- The
Secretary shall annually evaluate the
activities conducted under this section and
shall, in awarding grants under this
section, implement the lessons learned from
such evaluation in a manner so that awards
made subsequent to each such evaluation are
made in a manner that, in the determination
of the Secretary, will lead towards the
greatest improvement in quality of care,
decrease in costs, and the most effective
authorized and secure electronic exchange of
health information.
`(1) IN GENERAL- For a fiscal year
(beginning with fiscal year 2011), the
Secretary may not make a grant under
subsection (a) to a State unless the
State agrees to make available
non-Federal contributions (which may
include in-kind contributions) toward
the costs of a grant awarded under
subsection (a)(3) in an amount equal
to--
`(A) for fiscal year 2011, not
less than $1 for each $10 of Federal
funds provided under the grant;
`(B) for fiscal year 2012, not
less than $1 for each $7 of Federal
funds provided under the grant; and
`(C) for fiscal year 2013 and
each subsequent fiscal year, not
less than $1 for each $3 of Federal
funds provided under the grant.
`(2) AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE STATE
MATCH FOR FISCAL YEARS BEFORE FISCAL
YEAR 2011- For any fiscal year during
the grant program under this section
before fiscal year 2011, the Secretary
may determine the extent to which there
shall be required a non-Federal
contribution from a State receiving a
grant under this section.
`SEC. 3014. COMPETITIVE GRANTS TO STATES
AND INDIAN TRIBES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOAN
PROGRAMS TO FACILITATE THE WIDESPREAD ADOPTION
OF CERTIFIED EHR TECHNOLOGY.
`(a) In General- The National
Coordinator may award competitive grants to
eligible entities for the establishment of
programs for loans to health care providers
to conduct the activities described in
subsection (e).
`(b) Eligible Entity Defined- For
purposes of this subsection, the term
`eligible entity' means a State or Indian
tribe (as defined in the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act) that--
`(1) submits to the National
Coordinator an application at such time,
in such manner, and containing such
information as the National Coordinator
may require;
`(2) submits to the National
Coordinator a strategic plan in
accordance with subsection (d) and
provides to the National Coordinator
assurances that the entity will update
such plan annually in accordance with
such subsection;
`(3) provides assurances to the
National Coordinator that the entity
will establish a Loan Fund in accordance
with subsection (c);
`(4) provides assurances to the
National Coordinator that the entity
will not provide a loan from the Loan
Fund to a health care provider unless
the provider agrees to--
`(A) submit reports on quality
measures adopted by the Federal
Government (by not later than 90
days after the date on which such
measures are adopted), to--
`(i) the Director of the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (or his or her
designee), in the case of an
entity participating in the
Medicare program under title
XVIII of the Social Security Act
or the Medicaid program under
title XIX of such Act; or
`(ii) the Secretary in the
case of other entities;
`(B) demonstrate to the
satisfaction of the Secretary
(through criteria established by the
Secretary) that any certified EHR
technology purchased, improved, or
otherwise financially supported
under a loan under this section is
used to exchange health information
in a manner that, in accordance with
law and standards (as adopted under
section 3005) applicable to the
exchange of information, improves
the quality of health care, such as
promoting care coordination; and
`(C) comply with such other
requirements as the entity or the
Secretary may require;
`(D) include a plan on how
health care providers involved
intend to maintain and support the
certified EHR technology over time;
`(E) include a plan on how the
health care providers involved
intend to maintain and support the
certified EHR technology that would
be purchased with such loan,
including the type of resources
expected to be involved and any such
other information as the State or
Indian tribe, respectively, may
require; and
`(5) agrees to provide matching
funds in accordance with subsection (i).
`(c) Establishment of Fund- For purposes
of subsection (b)(3), an eligible entity
shall establish a certified EHR technology
loan fund (referred to in this subsection as
a `Loan Fund') and comply with the other
requirements contained in this section. A
grant to an eligible entity under this
section shall be deposited in the Loan Fund
established by the eligible entity. No funds
authorized by other provisions of this title
to be used for other purposes specified in
this title shall be deposited in any Loan
Fund.
`(1) IN GENERAL- For purposes of
subsection (b)(2), a strategic plan of
an eligible entity under this subsection
shall identify the intended uses of
amounts available to the Loan Fund of
such entity.
`(2) CONTENTS- A strategic plan
under paragraph (1), with respect to a
Loan Fund of an eligible entity, shall
include for a year the following:
`(A) A list of the projects to
be assisted through the Loan Fund
during such year.
`(B) A description of the
criteria and methods established for
the distribution of funds from the
Loan Fund during the year.
`(C) A description of the
financial status of the Loan Fund as
of the date of submission of the
plan.
`(D) The short-term and
long-term goals of the Loan Fund.
`(e) Use of Funds- Amounts deposited in
a Loan Fund, including loan repayments and
interest earned on such amounts, shall be
used only for awarding loans or loan
guarantees, making reimbursements described
in subsection (g)(4)(A), or as a source of
reserve and security for leveraged loans,
the proceeds of which are deposited in the
Loan Fund established under subsection (a).
Loans under this section may be used by a
health care provider to--
`(1) facilitate the purchase of
certified EHR technology;
`(2) enhance the utilization of
certified EHR technology;
`(3) train personnel in the use of
such technology; or
`(4) improve the secure electronic
exchange of health information.
`(f) Types of Assistance- Except as
otherwise limited by applicable State law,
amounts deposited into a Loan Fund under
this subsection may only be used for the
following:
`(1) To award loans that comply with
the following:
`(A) The interest rate for each
loan shall not exceed the market
interest rate.
`(B) The principal and interest
payments on each loan shall commence
not later than 1 year after the date
the loan was awarded, and each loan
shall be fully amortized not later
than 10 years after the date of the
loan.
`(C) The Loan Fund shall be
credited with all payments of
principal and interest on each loan
awarded from the Loan Fund.
`(2) To guarantee, or purchase
insurance for, a local obligation (all
of the proceeds of which finance a
project eligible for assistance under
this subsection) if the guarantee or
purchase would improve credit market
access or reduce the interest rate
applicable to the obligation involved.
`(3) As a source of revenue or
security for the payment of principal
and interest on revenue or general
obligation bonds issued by the eligible
entity if the proceeds of the sale of
the bonds will be deposited into the
Loan Fund.
`(4) To earn interest on the amounts
deposited into the Loan Fund.
`(5) To make reimbursements
described in subsection (g)(4)(A).
`(g) Administration of Loan Funds-
`(1) COMBINED FINANCIAL
ADMINISTRATION- An eligible entity may
(as a convenience and to avoid
unnecessary administrative costs)
combine, in accordance with applicable
State law, the financial administration
of a Loan Fund established under this
subsection with the financial
administration of any other revolving
fund established by the entity if
otherwise not prohibited by the law
under which the Loan Fund was
established.
`(2) COST OF ADMINISTERING FUND-
Each eligible entity may annually use
not to exceed 4 percent of the funds
provided to the entity under a grant
under this subsection to pay the
reasonable costs of the administration
of the programs under this section,
including the recovery of reasonable
costs expended to establish a Loan Fund
which are incurred after the date of the
enactment of this title.
`(3) GUIDANCE AND REGULATIONS- The
National Coordinator shall publish
guidance and promulgate regulations as
may be necessary to carry out the
provisions of this section, including--
`(A) provisions to ensure that
each eligible entity commits and
expends funds allotted to the entity
under this subsection as efficiently
as possible in accordance with this
title and applicable State laws; and
`(B) guidance to prevent waste,
fraud, and abuse.
`(4) PRIVATE SECTOR CONTRIBUTIONS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- A Loan Fund
established under this subsection
may accept contributions from
private sector entities, except that
such entities may not specify the
recipient or recipients of any loan
issued under this subsection. An
eligible entity may agree to
reimburse a private sector entity
for any contribution made under this
subparagraph, except that the amount
of such reimbursement may not be
greater than the principal amount of
the contribution made.
`(B) AVAILABILITY OF
INFORMATION- An eligible entity
shall make publicly available the
identity of, and amount contributed
by, any private sector entity under
subparagraph (A) and may issue
letters of commendation or make
other awards (that have no financial
value) to any such entity.
`(h) Matching Requirements-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The National
Coordinator may not make a grant under
subsection (a) to an eligible entity
unless the entity agrees to make
available (directly or through donations
from public or private entities)
non-Federal contributions in cash to the
costs of carrying out the activities for
which the grant is awarded in an amount
equal to not less than $1 for each $5 of
Federal funds provided under the grant.
`(2) DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT OF
NON-FEDERAL CONTRIBUTION- In determining
the amount of non-Federal contributions
that an eligible entity has provided
pursuant to subparagraph (A), the
National Coordinator may not include any
amounts provided to the entity by the
Federal Government.
`(i) Effective Date- The Secretary may
not make an award under this section prior
to January 1, 2010.
`SEC. 3015. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM TO
INTEGRATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INTO CLINICAL
EDUCATION.
`(a) In General- The Secretary may award
grants under this section to carry out
demonstration projects to develop academic
curricula integrating certified EHR
technology in the clinical education of
health professionals. Such awards shall be
made on a competitive basis and pursuant to
peer review.
`(b) Eligibility- To be eligible to
receive a grant under subsection (a), an
entity shall--
`(1) submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may require;
`(2) submit to the Secretary a
strategic plan for integrating certified
EHR technology in the clinical education
of health professionals to reduce
medical errors and enhance health care
quality;
`(A) a school of medicine,
osteopathic medicine, dentistry, or
pharmacy, a graduate program in
behavioral or mental health, or any
other graduate health professions
school;
`(B) a graduate school of
nursing or physician assistant
studies;
`(C) a consortium of two or more
schools described in subparagraph
(A) or (B); or
`(D) an institution with a
graduate medical education program
in medicine, osteopathic medicine,
dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, or
physician assistance studies.
`(4) provide for the collection of
data regarding the effectiveness of the
demonstration project to be funded under
the grant in improving the safety of
patients, the efficiency of health care
delivery, and in increasing the
likelihood that graduates of the grantee
will adopt and incorporate certified EHR
technology, in the delivery of health
care services; and
`(5) provide matching funds in
accordance with subsection (d).
`(1) IN GENERAL- With respect to a
grant under subsection (a), an eligible
entity shall--
`(A) use grant funds in
collaboration with 2 or more
disciplines; and
`(B) use grant funds to
integrate certified EHR technology
into community-based clinical
education.
`(2) LIMITATION- An eligible entity
shall not use amounts received under a
grant under subsection (a) to purchase
hardware, software, or services.
`(d) Financial Support- The Secretary
may not provide more than 50 percent of the
costs of any activity for which assistance
is provided under subsection (a), except in
an instance of national economic conditions
which would render the cost-share
requirement under this subsection
detrimental to the program and upon
notification to Congress as to the
justification to waive the cost-share
requirement.
`(e) Evaluation- The Secretary shall
take such action as may be necessary to
evaluate the projects funded under this
section and publish, make available, and
disseminate the results of such evaluations
on as wide a basis as is practicable.
`(f) Reports- Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this title,
and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions and the
Committee on Finance of the Senate, and the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives a report that--
`(1) describes the specific projects
established under this section; and
`(2) contains recommendations for
Congress based on the evaluation
conducted under subsection (e).
`SEC. 3016. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
PROFESSIONALS ON HEALTH CARE.
`(a) In General- The Secretary, in
consultation with the Director of the
National Science Foundation, shall provide
assistance to institutions of higher
education (or consortia thereof) to
establish or expand medical health
informatics education programs, including
certification, undergraduate, and masters
degree programs, for both health care and
information technology students to ensure
the rapid and effective utilization and
development of health information
technologies (in the United States health
care infrastructure).
`(b) Activities- Activities for which
assistance may be provided under subsection
(a) may include the following:
`(1) Developing and revising
curricula in medical health informatics
and related disciplines.
`(2) Recruiting and retaining
students to the program involved.
`(3) Acquiring equipment necessary
for student instruction in these
programs, including the installation of
testbed networks for student use.
`(4) Establishing or enhancing
bridge programs in the health
informatics fields between community
colleges and universities.
`(c) Priority- In providing assistance
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
give preference to the following:
`(1) Existing education and training
programs.
`(2) Programs designed to be
completed in less than six months.
`(d) Financial Support- The Secretary
may not provide more than 50 percent of the
costs of any activity for which assistance
is provided under subsection (a), except in
an instance of national economic conditions
which would render the cost-share
requirement under this subsection
detrimental to the program and upon
notification to Congress as to the
justification to waive the cost-share
requirement.
`SEC. 3017. GENERAL GRANT AND LOAN
PROVISIONS.
`(a) Reports- The Secretary may require
that an entity receiving assistance under
this title shall submit to the Secretary,
not later than the date that is 1 year after
the date of receipt of such assistance, a
report that includes--
`(1) an analysis of the
effectiveness of the activities for
which the entity receives such
assistance, as compared to the goals for
such activities; and
`(2) an analysis of the impact of
the project on health care quality and
safety.
`(b) Requirement To Improve Quality of
Care and Decrease in Costs- The National
Coordinator shall annually evaluate the
activities conducted under this title and
shall, in awarding grants, implement the
lessons learned from such evaluation in a
manner so that awards made subsequent to
each such evaluation are made in a manner
that, in the determination of the National
Coordinator, will result in the greatest
improvement in the quality and efficiency of
health care.
`SEC. 3018. AUTHORIZATION FOR
APPROPRIATIONS.
`For the purposes of carrying out this
subtitle, there is authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary
for each of the fiscal years 2009 through
2013. Amounts so appropriated shall remain
available until expended.'.
PART II--MEDICARE PROGRAM
SEC. 4311. INCENTIVES FOR ELIGIBLE
PROFESSIONALS.
(a) Incentive Payments- Section 1848 of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4)
is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
`(o) Incentives for Adoption and
Meaningful Use of Certified EHR Technology-
`(A) IN GENERAL- Subject to the
succeeding subparagraphs of this
paragraph, with respect to covered
professional services furnished by
an eligible professional during a
payment year (as defined in
subparagraph (E)), if the eligible
professional is a meaningful EHR
user (as determined under paragraph
(2)) for the reporting period with
respect to such year, in addition to
the amount otherwise paid under this
part, there also shall be paid to
the eligible professional (or to an
employer or facility in the cases
described in clause (A) of section
1842(b)(6)), from the Federal
Supplementary Medical Insurance
Trust Fund established under section
1841 an amount equal to 75 percent
of the Secretary's estimate (based
on claims submitted not later than 2
months after the end of the payment
year) of the allowed charges under
this part for all such covered
professional services furnished by
the eligible professional during
such year.
`(B) LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNTS OF
INCENTIVE PAYMENTS-
`(i) IN GENERAL- In no case
shall the amount of the
incentive payment provided under
this paragraph for an eligible
professional for a payment year
exceed the applicable amount
specified under this
subparagraph with respect to
such eligible professional and
such year.
`(ii) AMOUNT- Subject to
clause (iii), the applicable
amount specified in this
subparagraph for an eligible
professional is as follows:
`(I) For the first
payment year for such
professional, $15,000.
`(II) For the second
payment year for such
professional, $12,000.
`(III) For the third
payment year for such
professional, $8,000.
`(IV) For the fourth
payment year for such
professional, $4,000.
`(V) For the fifth
payment year for such
professional, $2,000.
`(VI) For any succeeding
payment year for such
professional, $0.
`(iii) PHASE DOWN FOR
ELIGIBLE PROFESSIONALS FIRST
ADOPTING EHR AFTER 2013- If the
first payment year for an
eligible professional is after
2013, then the amount specified
in this subparagraph for a
payment year for such
professional is the same as the
amount specified in clause (ii)
for such payment year for an
eligible professional whose
first payment year is 2013. If
the first payment year for an
eligible professional is after
2015 then the applicable amount
specified in this subparagraph
for such professional for such
year and any subsequent year
shall be $0.
`(C) NON-APPLICATION TO
HOSPITAL-BASED ELIGIBLE
PROFESSIONALS-
`(i) IN GENERAL- No
incentive payment may be made
under this paragraph in the case
of a hospital-based eligible
professional.
`(ii) HOSPITAL-BASED
ELIGIBLE PROFESSIONAL- For
purposes of clause (i), the term
`hospital-based eligible
professional' means, with
respect to covered professional
services furnished by an
eligible professional during the
reporting period for a payment
year, an eligible professional,
such as a pathologist,
anesthesiologist, or emergency
physician, who furnishes
substantially all of such
services in a hospital setting
(whether inpatient or
outpatient) and through the use
of the facilities and equipment,
including computer equipment, of
the hospital.
`(i) FORM OF PAYMENT- The
payment under this paragraph may
be in the form of a single
consolidated payment or in the
form of such periodic
installments as the Secretary
may specify.
`(ii) COORDINATION OF
APPLICATION OF LIMITATION FOR
PROFESSIONALS IN DIFFERENT
PRACTICES- In the case of an
eligible professional furnishing
covered professional services in
more than one practice (as
specified by the Secretary), the
Secretary shall establish rules
to coordinate the incentive
payments, including the
application of the limitation on
amounts of such incentive
payments under this paragraph,
among such practices.
`(iii) COORDINATION WITH
MEDICAID- The Secretary shall
seek, to the maximum extent
practicable, to avoid
duplicative requirements from
Federal and State Governments to
demonstrate meaningful use of
certified EHR technology under
this title and title XIX. In
doing so, the Secretary may deem
satisfaction of State
requirements for such meaningful
use for a payment year under
title XIX to be sufficient to
qualify as meaningful use under
this subsection and subsection
(a)(7) and vice versa. The
Secretary may also adjust the
reporting periods under such
title and such subsections in
order to carry out this clause.
`(E) PAYMENT YEAR DEFINED-
`(i) IN GENERAL- For
purposes of this subsection, the
term `payment year' means a year
beginning with 2011.
`(ii) FIRST, SECOND, ETC.
PAYMENT YEAR- The term `first
payment year' means, with
respect to covered professional
services furnished by an
eligible professional, the first
year for which an incentive
payment is made for such
services under this subsection.
The terms `second payment year',
`third payment year', `fourth
payment year', and `fifth
payment year' mean, with respect
to covered professional services
furnished by such eligible
professional, each successive
year immediately following the
first payment year for such
professional.
`(2) MEANINGFUL EHR USER-
`(A) IN GENERAL- For purposes of
paragraph (1), an eligible
professional shall be treated as a
meaningful EHR user for a reporting
period for a payment year (or, for
purposes of subsection (a)(7), for a
reporting period under such
subsection for a year) if each of
the following requirements is met:
`(i) MEANINGFUL USE OF
CERTIFIED EHR TECHNOLOGY- The
eligible professional
demonstrates to the satisfaction
of the Secretary, in accordance
with subparagraph (C)(i), that
during such period the
professional is using certified
EHR technology in a meaningful
manner, which shall include the
use of electronic prescribing as
determined to be appropriate by
the Secretary.
`(ii) INFORMATION EXCHANGE-
The eligible professional
demonstrates to the satisfaction
of the Secretary, in accordance
with subparagraph (C)(i), that
during such period such
certified EHR technology is
connected in a manner that
provides, in accordance with law
and standards applicable to the
exchange of information, for the
electronic exchange of health
information to improve the
quality of health care, such as
promoting care coordination.
`(iii) REPORTING ON MEASURES
USING EHR- Subject to
subparagraph (B)(ii) and using
such certified EHR technology,
the eligible professional
submits information for such
period, in a form and manner
specified by the Secretary, on
such clinical quality measures
and such other measures as
selected by the Secretary under
subparagraph (B)(i).
The Secretary may provide for
the use of alternative means for
meeting the requirements of clauses
(i), (ii), and (iii) in the case of
an eligible professional furnishing
covered professional services in a
group practice (as defined by the
Secretary). The Secretary shall seek
to improve the use of electronic
health records and health care
quality over time by requiring more
stringent measures of meaningful use
selected under this paragraph.
`(B) REPORTING ON MEASURES-
`(i) SELECTION- The
Secretary shall select measures
for purposes of subparagraph
(A)(iii) but only consistent
with the following:
`(I) The Secretary shall
provide preference to
clinical quality measures
that have been endorsed by
the entity with a contract
with the Secretary under
section 1890(a).
`(II) Prior to any
measure being selected under
this subparagraph, the
Secretary shall publish in
the Federal Register such
measure and provide for a
period of public comment on
such measure.
`(ii) LIMITATION- The
Secretary may not require the
electronic reporting of
information on clinical quality
measures under subparagraph
(A)(iii) unless the Secretary
has the capacity to accept the
information electronically,
which may be on a pilot basis.
`(iii) COORDINATION OF
REPORTING OF INFORMATION- In
selecting such measures, and in
establishing the form and manner
for reporting measures under
subparagraph (A)(iii), the
Secretary shall seek to avoid
redundant or duplicative
reporting otherwise required,
including reporting under
subsection (k)(2)(C).
`(C) DEMONSTRATION OF MEANINGFUL
USE OF CERTIFIED EHR TECHNOLOGY AND
INFORMATION EXCHANGE-
`(i) IN GENERAL- A
professional may satisfy the
demonstration requirement of
clauses (i) and (ii) of
subparagraph (A) through means
specified by the Secretary,
which may include--
`(II) the submission of
claims with appropriate
coding (such as a code
indicating that a patient
encounter was documented
using certified EHR
technology);
`(III) a survey
response;
`(IV) reporting under
subparagraph (A)(iii); and
`(V) other means
specified by the Secretary.
`(ii) USE OF PART D DATA-
Notwithstanding sections
1860D-15(d)(2)(B) and
1860D-15(f)(2), the Secretary
may use data regarding drug
claims submitted for purposes of
section 1860D-15 that are
necessary for purposes of
subparagraph (A).
`(A) PHYSICIAN REPORTING SYSTEM
RULES- Paragraphs (5), (6), and (8)
of subsection (k) shall apply for
purposes of this subsection in the
same manner as they apply for
purposes of such subsection.
`(B) COORDINATION WITH OTHER
PAYMENTS- The provisions of this
subsection shall not be taken into
account in applying the provisions
of subsection (m) of this section
and of section 1833(m) and any
payment under such provisions shall
not be taken into account in
computing allowable charges under
this subsection.
`(C) LIMITATIONS ON REVIEW-
There shall be no administrative or
judicial review under section 1869,
section 1878, or otherwise of the
determination of any incentive
payment under this subsection and
the payment adjustment under
subsection (a)(7), including the
determination of a meaningful EHR
user under paragraph (2), a
limitation under paragraph (1)(B),
and the exception under subsection
(a)(7)(B).
`(D) POSTING ON WEBSITE- The
Secretary shall post on the Internet
website of the Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services, in an easily
understandable format, a list of the
names, business addresses, and
business phone numbers of the
eligible professionals who are
meaningful EHR users and, as
determined appropriate by the
Secretary, of group practices
receiving incentive payments under
paragraph (1).
`(4) CERTIFIED EHR TECHNOLOGY
DEFINED- For purposes of this section,
the term `certified EHR technology'
means a qualified electronic health
record (as defined in 3000(13) of the
Public Health Service Act) that is
certified pursuant to section 3001(c)(5)
of such Act as meeting standards adopted
under section 3004 of such Act that are
applicable to the type of record
involved (as determined by the
Secretary, such as an ambulatory
electronic health record for
office-based physicians or an inpatient
hospital electronic health record for
hospitals).
`(5) DEFINITIONS- For purposes of
this subsection:
`(A) COVERED PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES- The term `covered
professional services' has the
meaning given such term in
subsection (k)(3).
`(B) ELIGIBLE PROFESSIONAL- The
term `eligible professional' means a
physician, as defined in section
1861(r).
`(C) REPORTING PERIOD- The term
`reporting period' means any period
(or periods), with respect to a
payment year, as specified by the
Secretary.'.
(b) Incentive Payment Adjustment-
Section 1848(a) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(a)) is amended by adding
at the end the following new paragraph:
`(7) INCENTIVES FOR MEANINGFUL USE
OF CERTIFIED EHR TECHNOLOGY-
`(i) IN GENERAL- Subject to
subparagraphs (B) and (D), with
respect to covered professional
services furnished by an
eligible professional during
2016 or any subsequent payment
year, if the eligible
professional is not a meaningful
EHR user (as determined under
subsection (o)(2)) for a
reporting period for the year,
the fee schedule amount for such
services furnished by such
professional during the year
(including the fee schedule
amount for purposes of
determining a payment based on
such amount) shall be equal to
the applicable percent of the
fee schedule amount that would
otherwise apply to such services
under this subsection
(determined after application of
paragraph (3) but without regard
to this paragraph).
`(ii) APPLICABLE PERCENT-
Subject to clause (iii), for
purposes of clause (i), the term
`applicable percent' means--
`(I) for 2016, 99
percent;
`(II) for 2017, 98
percent; and
`(III) for 2018 and each
subsequent year, 97 percent.
`(iii) AUTHORITY TO DECREASE
APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE FOR 2019
AND SUBSEQUENT YEARS- For 2019
and each subsequent year, if the
Secretary finds that the
proportion of eligible
professionals who are meaningful
EHR users (as determined under
subsection (o)(2)) is less than
75 percent, the applicable
percent shall be decreased by 1
percentage point from the
applicable percent in the
preceding year, but in no case
shall the applicable percent be
less than 95 percent.
`(B) SIGNIFICANT HARDSHIP
EXCEPTION- The Secretary may, on a
case-by-case basis, exempt an
eligible professional from the
application of the payment
adjustment under subparagraph (A) if
the Secretary determines, subject to
annual renewal, that compliance with
the requirement for being a
meaningful EHR user would result in
a significant hardship, such as in
the case of an eligible professional
who practices in a rural area
without sufficient Internet access.
In no case may an eligible
professional be granted an exemption
under this subparagraph for more
than 5 years.
`(C) APPLICATION OF PHYSICIAN
REPORTING SYSTEM RULES- Paragraphs
(5), (6), and (8) of subsection (k)
shall apply for purposes of this
paragraph in the same manner as they
apply for purposes of such
subsection.
`(D) NON-APPLICATION TO
HOSPITAL-BASED ELIGIBLE
PROFESSIONALS- No payment adjustment
may be made under subparagraph (A)
in the case of hospital-based
eligible professionals (as defined
in subsection (o)(1)(C)(ii)).
`(E) DEFINITIONS- For purposes
of this paragraph:
`(i) COVERED PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES- The term `covered
professional services' has the
meaning given such term in
subsection (k)(3).
`(ii) ELIGIBLE PROFESSIONAL-
The term `eligible professional'
means a physician, as defined in
section 1861(r).
`(iii) REPORTING PERIOD- The
term `reporting period' means,
with respect to a year, a period
specified by the Secretary.'.
(c) Application to Certain
HMO-Affiliated Eligible Professionals-
Section 1853 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395w-23) is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
`(l) Application of Eligible
Professional Incentives for Certain MA
Organizations for Adoption and Meaningful
Use of Certified EHR Technology-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to
paragraphs (3) and (4), in the case of a
qualifying MA organization, the
provisions of sections 1848(o) and
1848(a)(7) shall apply with respect to
eligible professionals described in
paragraph (2) of the organization who
the organization attests under paragraph
(6) to be meaningful EHR users in a
similar manner as they apply to eligible
professionals under such sections.
Incentive payments under paragraph (3)
shall be made to and payment adjustments
under paragraph (4) shall apply to such
qualifying organizations.
`(2) ELIGIBLE PROFESSIONAL
DESCRIBED- With respect to a qualifying
MA organization, an eligible
professional described in this paragraph
is an eligible professional (as defined
for purposes of section 1848(o)) who--
`(A)(i) is employed by the
organization; or
`(ii)(I) is employed by, or is a
partner of, an entity that through
contract with the organization
furnishes at least 80 percent of the
entity's patient care services to
enrollees of such organization; and
`(II) furnishes at least 75
percent of the professional services
of the eligible professional to
enrollees of the organization; and
`(B) furnishes, on average, at
least 20 hours per week of patient
care services.
`(3) ELIGIBLE PROFESSIONAL INCENTIVE
PAYMENTS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- In applying
section 1848(o) under paragraph (1),
instead of the additional payment
amount under section 1848(o)(1)(A)
and subject to subparagraph (B), the
Secretary may substitute an amount
determined by the Secretary to the
extent feasible and practical to be
similar to the estimated amount in
the aggregate that would be payable
if payment for services furnished by
such professionals was payable under
part B instead of this part.
`(B) AVOIDING DUPLICATION OF
PAYMENTS-
`(i) IN GENERAL- If an
eligible professional described
in paragraph (2) is eligible for
the maximum incentive payment
under section 1848(o)(1)(A) for
the same payment period, the
payment incentive shall be made
only under such section and not
under this subsection.
`(ii) METHODS- In the case
of an eligible professional
described in paragraph (2) who
is eligible for an incentive
payment under section
1848(o)(1)(A) but is not
described in clause (i) for the
same payment period, the
Secretary shall develop a
process--
`(I) to ensure that
duplicate payments are not
made with respect to an
eligible professional both
under this subsection and
under section 1848(o)(1)(A);
and
`(II) to collect data
from Medicare Advantage
organizations to ensure
against such duplicate
payments.
`(C) FIXED SCHEDULE FOR
APPLICATION OF LIMITATION ON
INCENTIVE PAYMENTS FOR ALL ELIGIBLE
PROFESSIONALS- In applying section
1848(o)(1)(B)(ii) under subparagraph
(A), in accordance with rules
specified by the Secretary, a
qualifying MA organization shall
specify a year (not earlier than
2011) that shall be treated as the
first payment year for all eligible
professionals with respect to such
organization.
`(A) IN GENERAL- In applying
section 1848(a)(7) under paragraph
(1), instead of the payment
adjustment being an applicable
percent of the fee schedule amount
for a year under such section,
subject to subparagraph (D), the
payment adjustment under paragraph
(1) shall be equal to the percent
specified in subparagraph (B) for
such year of the payment amount
otherwise provided under this
section for such year.
`(B) SPECIFIED PERCENT- The
percent specified under this
subparagraph for a year is 100
percent minus a number of percentage
points equal to the product of--
`(i) the number of
percentage points by which the
applicable percent (under
section 1848(a)(7)(A)(ii)) for
the year is less than 100
percent; and
`(ii) the Medicare physician
expenditure proportion specified
in subparagraph (C) for the
year.
`(C) MEDICARE PHYSICIAN
EXPENDITURE PROPORTION- The Medicare
physician expenditure proportion
under this subparagraph for a year
is the Secretary's estimate of the
proportion, of the expenditures
under parts A and B that are not
attributable to this part, that are
attributable to expenditures for
physicians' services.
`(D) APPLICATION OF PAYMENT
ADJUSTMENT- In the case that a
qualifying MA organization attests
that not all eligible professionals
are meaningful EHR users with
respect to a year, the Secretary
shall apply the payment adjustment
under this paragraph based on the
proportion of such eligible
professionals that are not
meaningful EHR users for such year.
`(5) QUALIFYING MA ORGANIZATION
DEFINED- In this subsection and
subsection (m), the term `qualifying MA
organization' means a Medicare Advantage
organization that is organized as a
health maintenance organization (as
defined in section 2791(b)(3) of the
Public Health Service Act).
`(6) MEANINGFUL EHR USER
ATTESTATION- For purposes of this
subsection and subsection (m), a
qualifying MA organization shall submit
an attestation, in a form and manner
specified by the Secretary which may
include the submission of such
attestation as part of submission of the
initial bid under section
1854(a)(1)(A)(iv), identifying--
`(A) whether each eligible
professional described in paragraph
(2), with respect to such
organization is a meaningful EHR
user (as defined in section
1848(o)(2)) for a year specified by
the Secretary; and
`(B) whether each eligible
hospital described in subsection
(m)(1), with respect to such
organization, is a meaningful EHR
user (as defined in section
1886(n)(3)) for an applicable period
specified by the Secretary.'.
(d) Conforming Amendments- Section 1853
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395w-23) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1)(A), by
striking `and (i)' and inserting `(i),
and (l)';
(A) in paragraph (1)(D)(i), by
striking `section 1886(h)' and
inserting `sections 1848(o) and
1886(h)'; and
(B) in paragraph (6)(A), by
inserting after `under part B,' the
following: `excluding expenditures
attributable to subsections (a)(7)
and (o) of section 1848,'; and
(3) in subsection (f), by inserting
`and for payments under subsection (l)'
after `with the organization'.
(e) Conforming Amendments to
e-Prescribing-
(1) Section 1848(a)(5)(A) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395w-4(a)(5)(A)) is amended--
(A) in clause (i), by striking
`or any subsequent year' and
inserting `, 2013, 2014, or 2015';
and
(B) in clause (ii), by striking
`and each subsequent year' and
inserting `and 2015'.
(2) Section 1848(m)(2) of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(m)(2)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by
striking `For 2009' and inserting
`Subject to subparagraph (D), for
2009'; and
(B) by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
`(D) LIMITATION WITH RESPECT TO
EHR INCENTIVE PAYMENTS- The
provisions of this paragraph shall
not apply to an eligible
professional (or, in the case of a
group practice under paragraph
(3)(C), to the group practice) if,
for the reporting period the
eligible professional (or group
practice) receives an incentive
payment under subsection (o)(1)(A)
with respect to a certified EHR
technology (as defined in subsection
(o)(4)) that has the capability of
electronic prescribing.'.
SEC. 4312. INCENTIVES FOR HOSPITALS.
(a) Incentive Payment- Section 1886 of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww)
is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
`(n) Incentives for Adoption and
Meaningful Use of Certified EHR Technology-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to the
succeeding provisions of this
subsection, with respect to inpatient
hospital services furnished by an
eligible hospital during a payment year
(as defined in paragraph (2)(G)), if the
eligible hospital is a meaningful EHR
user (as determined under paragraph (3))
for the reporting period with respect to
such year, in addition to the amount
otherwise paid under this section, there
also shall be paid to the eligible
hospital, from the Federal Hospital
Insurance Trust Fund established under
section 1817, an amount equal to the
applicable amount specified in paragraph
(2)(A) for the hospital for such payment
year.
`(A) IN GENERAL- Subject to the
succeeding subparagraphs of this
paragraph, the applicable amount
specified in this subparagraph for
an eligible hospital for a payment
year is equal to the product of the
following:
`(i) INITIAL AMOUNT- The sum
of--
`(I) the base amount
specified in subparagraph
(B); plus
`(II) the discharge
related amount specified in
subparagraph (C) for a
12-month period selected by
the Secretary with respect
to such payment year.
`(ii) MEDICARE SHARE- The
Medicare share as specified in
subparagraph (D) for the
hospital for a period selected
by the Secretary with respect to
such payment year.
`(iii) TRANSITION FACTOR-
The transition factor specified
in subparagraph (E) for the
hospital for the payment year.
`(B) BASE AMOUNT- The base
amount specified in this
subparagraph is $2,000,000.
`(C) DISCHARGE RELATED AMOUNT-
The discharge related amount
specified in this subparagraph for a
12-month period selected by the
Secretary shall be determined as the
sum of the amount, based upon total
discharges (regardless of any source
of payment) for the period, for each
discharge up to the 23,000th
discharge as follows:
`(i) For the 1,150th through
the 9,200th discharge, $200.
`(ii) For the 9,201st
through the 13,800th discharge,
50 percent of the amount
specified in clause (i).
`(iii) For the 13,801st
through the 23,000th discharge,
30 percent of the amount
specified in clause (i).
`(D) MEDICARE SHARE- The
Medicare share specified under this
subparagraph for a hospital for a
period selected by the Secretary for
a payment year is equal to the
fraction--
`(i) the numerator of which
is the sum (for such period and
with respect to the hospital)
of--
`(I) the number of
inpatient-bed-days (as
established by the
Secretary) which are
attributable to individuals
with respect to whom payment
may be made under part A;
and
`(II) the number of
inpatient-bed-days (as so
established) which are
attributable to individuals
who are enrolled with a
Medicare Advantage
organization under part C;
and
`(ii) the denominator of
which is the product of--
`(I) the total number of
inpatient-bed-days with
respect to the hospital
during such period; and
`(II) the total amount
of the hospital's charges
during such period, not
including any charges that
are attributable to charity
care (as such term is used
for purposes of hospital
cost reporting under this
title), divided by the total
amount of the hospital's
charges during such period.
Insofar as the Secretary
determines that data are not
available on charity care necessary
to calculate the portion of the
formula specified in clause
(ii)(II), the Secretary shall use
data on uncompensated care and may
adjust such data so as to be an
appropriate proxy for charity care
including a downward adjustment to
eliminate bad debt data from
uncompensated care data. In the
absence of the data necessary, with
respect to a hospital, for the
Secretary to compute the amount
described in clause (ii)(II), the
amount under such clause shall be
deemed to be 1. In the absence of
data, with respect to a hospital,
necessary to compute the amount
described in clause (i)(II), the
amount under such clause shall be
deemed to be 0.
`(E) TRANSITION FACTOR
SPECIFIED-
`(i) IN GENERAL- Subject to
clause (ii), the transition
factor specified in this
subparagraph for an eligible
hospital for a payment year is
as follows:
`(I) For the first
payment year for such
hospital, 1.
`(II) For the second
payment year for such
hospital, 3/4 .
`(III) For the third
payment year for such
hospital, 1/2 .
`(IV) For the fourth
payment year for such
hospital, 1/4 .
`(V) For any succeeding
payment year for such
hospital, 0.
`(ii) PHASE DOWN FOR
ELIGIBLE HOSPITALS FIRST
ADOPTING EHR AFTER 2013- If the
first payment year for an
eligible hospital is after 2013,
then the transition factor
specified in this subparagraph
for a payment year for such
hospital is the same as the
amount specified in clause (i)
for such payment year for an
eligible hospital for which the
first payment year is 2013. If
the first payment year for an
eligible hospital is after 2015
then the transition factor
specified in this subparagraph
for such hospital and for such
year and any subsequent year
shall be 0.
`(F) FORM OF PAYMENT- The
payment under this subsection for a
payment year may be in the form of a
single consolidated payment or in
the form of such periodic
installments as the Secretary may
specify.
`(G) PAYMENT YEAR DEFINED-
`(i) IN GENERAL- For
purposes of this subsection, the
term `payment year' means a
fiscal year beginning with
fiscal year 2011.
`(ii) FIRST, SECOND, ETC.
PAYMENT YEAR- The term `first
payment year' means, with
respect to inpatient hospital
services furnished by an
eligible hospital, the first
fiscal year for which an
incentive payment is made for
such services under this
subsection. The terms `second
payment year', `third payment
year', and `fourth payment year'
mean, with respect to an
eligible hospital, each
successive year immediately
following the first payment year
for that hospital.
`(3) MEANINGFUL EHR USER-
`(A) IN GENERAL- For purposes of
paragraph (1), an eligible hospital
shall be treated as a meaningful EHR
user for a reporting period for a
payment year (or, for purposes of
subsection (b)(3)(B)(ix), for a
reporting period under such
subsection for a fiscal year) if
each of the following requirements
are met:
`(i) MEANINGFUL USE OF
CERTIFIED EHR TECHNOLOGY- The
eligible hospital demonstrates
to the satisfaction of the
Secretary, in accordance with
subparagraph (C)(i), that during
such period the hospital is
using certified EHR technology
in a meaningful manner.
`(ii) INFORMATION EXCHANGE-
The eligible hospital
demonstrates to the satisfaction
of the Secretary, in accordance
with subparagraph (C)(i), that
during such period such
certified EHR technology is
connected in a manner that
provides, in accordance with law
and standards applicable to the
exchange of information, for the
electronic exchange of health
information to improve the
quality of health care, such as
promoting care coordination.
`(iii) REPORTING ON MEASURES
USING EHR- Subject to
subparagraph (B)(ii) and using
such certified EHR technology,
the eligible hospital submits
information for such period, in
a form and manner specified by
the Secretary, on such clinical
quality measures and such other
measures as selected by the
Secretary under subparagraph
(B)(i).
The Secretary shall seek to
improve the use of electronic health
records and health care quality over
time by requiring more stringent
measures of meaningful use selected
under this paragraph.
`(B) REPORTING ON MEASURES-
`(i) SELECTION- The
Secretary shall select measures
for purposes of subparagraph
(A)(iii) but only consistent
with the following:
`(I) The Secretary shall
provide preference to
clinical quality measures
that have been selected for
purposes of applying
subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii)
or that have been endorsed
by the entity with a
contract with the Secretary
under section 1890(a).
`(II) Prior to any
measure (other than a
clinical quality measure
that has been selected for
purposes of applying
subsection (b)(3)(B)(viii))
being selected under this
subparagraph, the Secretary
shall publish in the Federal
Register such measure and
provide for a period of
public comment on such
measure.
`(ii) LIMITATIONS- The
Secretary may not require the
electronic reporting of
information on clinical quality
measures under subparagraph
(A)(iii) unless the Secretary
has the capacity to accept the
information electronically,
which may be on a pilot basis.
`(iii) COORDINATION OF
REPORTING OF INFORMATION- In
selecting such measures, and in
establishing the form and manner
for reporting measures under
subparagraph (A)(iii), the
Secretary shall seek to avoid
redundant or duplicative
reporting with reporting
otherwise required, including
reporting under subsection
(b)(3)(B)(viii).
`(C) DEMONSTRATION OF MEANINGFUL
USE OF CERTIFIED EHR TECHNOLOGY AND
INFORMATION EXCHANGE-
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