Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Taxpayer's Right To View Act of
1993''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Federal Communications Commission predicts a
        diminished role for broadcast television and a more prominent
        role for cable television including pay-per-view.
            (2) Roughly 18,800,000 American homes are equipped to
        receive pay-per-view and this number is expected to increase to
        35,900,000 by 1996. Overall pay-per-view revenue is expected to
        reach $1,100,000,000 by 1996.
            (3) There is a growing trend toward making events available
        exclusively on pay-per-view.
            (4) As this trend develops, whether the consumer has access
        to these events will be determined by the ability of the
        consumer to pay.
            (5) Professional sports leagues are beginning to see pay-
        per-view as a new revenue source to keep pace with escalating
        player salaries.
            (6) As a result, some media analysts predict that several
        of broadcast television's premier sports attractions eventually
        will migrate to pay-per-view.
            (7) Limited access to viewing such events as the ``Super
        Bowl'' or ``World Series'' would deprive citizens of the
        ability to enjoy these events which are inherent in the
        American tradition.
            (8) The majority of facilities in which such events are
        held are funded through taxpayer money.
            (9) It is unfair that taxpayers, who subsidize the
        construction and maintenance of many of these facilities,
        should have to pay an additional pay-per-view charge for
        viewing these events.
            (10) Nonprofit and public organizations including public
        and private educational institutions and their athletic
        organizations are exempt from the corporate income tax.
            (11) Furthermore, corporations can deduct their donations
        to college sporting events as charitable contributions.
            (12) Tax exempt status is granted to these nonprofit and
        public organizations by the Federal Government and it is unfair
        to allow those who use this status to engage in pay-per-view
        telecasting--thus forcing taxpayers to pay again.
            (13) It is unfair that taxpayers, who subsidize the
        construction and maintenance of many of these facilities,
        should have to pay an additional pay-per-view charge for
        viewing these events.
            (14) Therefore, Congress should ensure that all taxpaying
        citizens have free access to events that are sponsored by
        organizations with nonprofit tax exempt status and those events
        held in taxpayer subsidized facilities.

SEC. 3. PAY-PER-VIEW CHARGES PROHIBITED.

    Section 623 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 543) is
amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection:
    ``(i)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a cable
operator may not assess or collect any separate charges for any video
programming of a sporting, theatrical, or other entertainment event if
that event is performed at a facility constructed, renovated, or
maintained with tax revenues or by an organization that receives public
financial support.
    ``(2) The Commission and local franchising authorities are
authorized to make determinations concerning the applicability of the
prohibition contained in paragraph (1). In making such determinations--
            ``(A) a facility shall be considered to have been
        constructed, maintained, or renovated with tax revenues if--
                    ``(i) tax exempt financing was used to construct,
                maintain, or renovate the facility,
                    ``(ii) the facility was constructed on land donated
                by a government, or leased by a government at below
                market rates, or
                    ``(iii) public infrastructure or public service for
                the facility are provided by the government at below
                market rates, with the exception of police, fire, and
                rescue services;
            ``(B) an event is performed by a nonprofit or public
        organization that receives tax subsidies if the event is
        sponsored by, or includes the participation of a team that is a
        part of, an organization--
                    ``(i) that is exempt from Federal income taxes
                under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
                or
                    ``(ii) that is exempt from Federal income taxes
                under section 115 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
                and to which donations are tax deductible under such
                Code; and
            ``(C) notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a facility shall
        not be considered to have been constructed with tax revenues if
        the government has been reimbursed, through the proceeds of a
        sale of the facility or otherwise, for the total amount of the
        tax revenues that were used to construct the facility, as
        determined under subparagraph (A), but in this section shall be
        construed to exempt facilities from this subsection if the
        facility is receiving current financial support.
    ``(3) The Commission shall prescribe, by regulation, procedures for
the administration of this subsection.''.

Output: Taxpayer's Right to View Act of 1993 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit a cable operator from assessing separate charges for any video programming of a sporting, theatrical, or other entertainment event if that event is performed at a facility constructed, renovated, or maintained with tax revenues or by an organization that receives public financial support.  Authorizes the Federal Communications Commission and local franchising authorities to make determinations concerning the applicability of such prohibition. Sets forth conditions under which a facility is considered to have been constructed, maintained, or renovated with tax revenues.  Considers events performed by nonprofit or public organizations that receive tax subsidies to be subject to this Act if the event is sponsored by, or includes the participation of a team that is part of, a tax exempt organization.


Input:
SECTION 1. INDIVIDUALS TAXED ONLY ON EARNED INCOME.

    (a) In General.--Section 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended to read as follows:

``SECTION 1. TAX IMPOSED.

    ``(a) Imposition of Tax.--There is hereby imposed on the income of
every individual a tax equal to 20 percent of the excess (if any) of--
            ``(1) the taxable earned income received or accrued during
        the taxable year, over
            ``(2) the standard deduction (as defined in section 63) for
        such taxable year.
    ``(b) Taxable Earned Income.--For purposes of this section, the
term `taxable earned income' means the excess (if any) of earned income
(as defined in section 911(d)(2)) over the foreign earned income (as
defined in section 911(b)(1)).''
    (b) Increase in Standard Deduction.--Section 63 of such Code is
amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 63. STANDARD DEDUCTION.

    ``(a) In General.--For purposes of this subtitle, the term
`standard deduction' means the sum of--
            ``(1) the basic standard deduction, plus
            ``(2) the additional standard deduction.
    ``(b) Basic Standard Deduction.--For purposes of subsection (a),
the basic standard deduction is--
            ``(1) $16,500 in the case of--
                    ``(A) a joint return, and
                    ``(B) a surviving spouse (as defined in section
                2(a)),
            ``(2) $14,000 in the case of a head of household (as
        defined in section 2(b)), and
            ``(3) $9,500 in the case of an individual--
                    ``(A) who is not married and who is not a surviving
                spouse or head of household, or
                    ``(B) who is a married individual filing a separate
                return.
    ``(c) Additional Standard Deduction.--For purposes of subsection
(a), the additional standard deduction is $4,500 for each dependent (as
defined in section 152) described in section 151(c)(1) for the taxable
year.
    ``(d) Inflation Adjustment.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of any taxable year
        beginning in a calendar year after 1995, each dollar amount
        contained in subsections (b) and (c) shall be increased by an
        amount equal to--
                    ``(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
                    ``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment under section
                1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year
                begins, determined by substituting `calendar year 1994'
                for `calendar year 1992' in subparagraph (B) of such
                section.
            ``(2) Rounding.--If any increase determined under paragraph
        (1) is not a multiple of $50, such amount shall be rounded to
        the next lowest multiple of $50.''

SEC. 2. INCOME TAX DEDUCTION FOR CASH CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 170 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to charitable, etc., contributions and
gifts) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following
        new paragraph:
            ``(1) General rule.--There shall be allowed as a deduction
        any charitable contribution (as defined in subsection (c)) not
        to exceed $2,500 ($1,250, in the case of a married individual
        filing a separate return), payment of which is made within the
        taxable year.'', and
            (2) by striking paragraph (3).
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 170(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
        amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) Termination of subsection.--This subsection shall not
        apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1995.''
            (2) Section 170(c) of such Code is amended by inserting
        ``of cash or its equivalent'' after ``means a contribution or
        gift''.
            (3) Subsections (d) and (e) of section 170 of such Code are
        repealed.
            (4) Section 170(f) of such Code is amended by striking
        paragraphs (1) through (7) and by redesignating paragraphs (8)
        and (9) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively.
            (5) Subsections (h) and (i) of section 170 of such Code are
        repealed.

SEC. 3. LIMITATION OF HOME MORTGAGE DEDUCTION TO ACQUISITION
              INDEBTEDNESS.

    Paragraph (3) of section 163(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (relating to interest) is amended--
            (1) by striking subparagraphs (A), (C), and (D) and
        inserting before subparagraph (B) the following new
        subparagraph:
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified residence
                interest' means any interest which is paid or accrued
                during the taxable year on acquisition indebtedness
                with respect to any qualified residence of the
                taxpayer. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the
                determination of whether any property is a qualified
                residence of the taxpayer shall be made as of the time
                the interest is accrued.'', and
            (2) by striking ``$1,000,000'' each place it appears and
        ``$500,000'' in subparagraph (B)(ii) and inserting ``$100,000''
        and ``$50,000'', respectively.

SEC. 4. MODIFICATION OF TAX ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.

    Section 11 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to tax
imposed on corporations) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 11. TAX IMPOSED ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) Tax Imposed.--There is hereby imposed on every person engaged
in a business activity a tax equal to 20 percent of the business
taxable income of such person.
    ``(b) Liability for Tax.--The tax imposed by this section shall be
paid by the person engaged in the business activity, whether such
person is an individual, partnership, corporation, or otherwise.
    ``(c) Business Taxable Income.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term
        `business taxable income' means gross active income reduced by
        the deductions specified in subsection (d).
            ``(2) Gross active income.--For purposes of paragraph (1),
        the term `gross active income' means gross income other than
        investment income.
    ``(d) Deductions.--
            ``(1) In general.--The deductions specified in this
        subsection are--
                    ``(A) the cost of business inputs for the business
                activity,
                    ``(B) the compensation (including contributions to
                qualified retirement plans but not including other
                fringe benefits) paid for employees performing services
                in such activity, and
                    ``(C) the cost of tangible personal and real
                property used in such activity.
            ``(2) Business inputs.--For purposes of subparagraph (A),
        the term `cost of business inputs' means--
                    ``(A) the actual amount paid for goods, services,
                and materials, whether or not resold during the taxable
                year,
                    ``(B) the fair market value of business inputs
                brought into the United States, and
                    ``(C) the actual cost, if reasonable, of travel and
                entertainment expenses for business purposes.
        Such term shall not include purchases of goods and services
        provided to employees or owners.
    ``(e) Carryover of Excess Deductions.--
            ``(1) In general.--If the aggregate deductions for any
        taxable year exceed the gross active income for such taxable
        year, the amount of the deductions specified in subsection (d)
        for the succeeding taxable year (determined without regard to
        this subsection) shall be increased by the sum of--
                    ``(A) such excess, plus
                    ``(B) the product of such excess and the 3-month
                Treasury rate for the last month of such taxable year.
            ``(2) 3-month treasury rate.--For purposes of paragraph
        (1), the 3-month Treasury rate is the rate determined by the
        Secretary based on the average market yield (during any 1-month
        period selected by the Secretary and ending in the calendar
        month in which the determination is made) on outstanding
        marketable obligations of the United States with remaining
        periods to maturity of 3 months or less.''

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this Act shall apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 1995.

Output:
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a 20 percent tax on the taxable earned income of every individual.  Bases such amount on the standard deduction.  (Replaces current income tax procedures for individuals.)
Increases the basic standard deduction and includes an additional standard deduction (limited to dependents only), with inflation adjustments.
Limits charitable contributions to $2,500 ($1,250 in the case of married individuals filing separately).
Limits the deduction for interest paid on a home mortgage to the amount of acquisition indebtedness, with limitations.
Replaces the current tax on corporations with a tax on every person engaged in a business activity equal to 20 percent of the business taxable income of such person.  Makes the person engaged in the business activity liable for the tax.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Mississippi Gulf Coast National
Heritage Area Act''.

SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) the 6-county area in southern Mississippi located on
        the Gulf of Mexico and in the Mississippi Coastal Plain has a
        unique identity that is shaped by--
                    (A) the coastal and riverine environment; and
                    (B) the diverse cultures that have settled in the
                area;
            (2) the area is rich with diverse cultural and historical
        significance, including--
                    (A) early Native American settlements; and
                    (B) Spanish, French, and English settlements
                originating in the 1600s;
            (3) the area includes spectacular natural, scenic, and
        recreational resources;
            (4) there is broad support from local governments and other
        interested individuals for the establishment of the Mississippi
        Gulf Coast National Heritage Area to coordinate and assist in
        the preservation and interpretation of those resources;
            (5) the Comprehensive Resource Management Plan, coordinated
        by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources--
                    (A) is a collaborative effort of the Federal
                Government and State and local governments in the area;
                and
                    (B) is a natural foundation on which to establish
                the Heritage Area; and
            (6) establishment of the Heritage Area would assist local
        communities and residents in preserving the unique cultural,
        historical, and natural resources of the area.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the
        Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area established by
        section 4(a).
            (2) Coordinating entity.--The term ``coordinating entity''
        means the coordinating entity for the Heritage Area designated
        by section 4(c).
            (3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means
        the management plan for the Heritage Area developed under
        section 5.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of the Interior.
            (5) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of
        Mississippi.

SEC. 4. MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the State the
Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area.
    (b) Boundaries.--The Heritage Area shall consist of the counties of
Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson in the
State.
    (c) Coordinating Entity.--
            (1) In general.--The Mississippi Department of Marine
        Resources, in consultation with the Mississippi Department of
        Archives and History, shall serve as the coordinating entity
        for the Heritage Area.
            (2) Oversight committee.--The coordinating entity shall
        ensure that each of the 6 counties included in the Heritage
        Area is appropriately represented on any oversight committee.

SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment
of this Act, the coordinating entity shall develop and submit to the
Secretary a management plan for the Heritage Area.
    (b) Requirements.--The management plan shall--
            (1) provide recommendations for the conservation, funding,
        management, interpretation, and development of the cultural,
        historical, archaeological, natural, and recreational resources
        of the Heritage Area;
            (2) identify sources of funding for the Heritage Area;
            (3) include--
                    (A) an inventory of the cultural, historical,
                archaeological, natural, and recreational resources of
                the Heritage Area; and
                    (B) an analysis of ways in which Federal, State,
                tribal, and local programs may best be coordinated to
                promote the purposes of this Act;
            (4) provide recommendations for educational and
        interpretive programs to inform the public about the resources
        of the Heritage Area; and
            (5) involve residents of affected communities and tribal
        and local governments.
    (c) Failure to Submit.--If a management plan is not submitted to
the Secretary by the date specified in subsection (a), the Secretary
shall not provide any additional funding under this Act until a
management plan for the Heritage Area is submitted to the Secretary.
    (d) Approval or Disapproval of the Management Plan.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after receipt of
        the management plan under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
        approve or disapprove the management plan.
            (2) Action following disapproval.--If the Secretary
        disapproves a management plan under paragraph (1), the
        Secretary shall--
                    (A) advise the coordinating entity in writing of
                the reasons for disapproval;
                    (B) make recommendations for revision of the
                management plan; and
                    (C) allow the coordinating entity to submit to the
                Secretary revisions to the management plan.
    (e) Revision.--After approval by the Secretary of the management
plan, the coordinating entity shall periodically--
            (1) review the management plan; and
            (2) submit to the Secretary, for review and approval by the
        Secretary, any recommendations for revisions to the management
        plan.

SEC. 6. AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF COORDINATING ENTITY.

    (a) Authorities.--For purposes of developing and implementing the
management plan and otherwise carrying out this Act, the coordinating
entity may make grants to and provide technical assistance to tribal
and local governments, and other public and private entities.
    (b) Duties.--In addition to developing the management plan under
section 5, in carrying out this Act, the coordinating entity shall--
            (1) implement the management plan; and
            (2) assist local and tribal governments and non-profit
        organizations in--
                    (A) establishing and maintaining interpretive
                exhibits in the Heritage Area;
                    (B) developing recreational resources in the
                Heritage Area;
                    (C) increasing public awareness of, and
                appreciation for, the cultural, historical,
                archaeological, and natural resources of the Heritage
                Area;
                    (D) restoring historic structures that relate to
                the Heritage Area; and
                    (E) carrying out any other activity that the
                coordinating entity determines to be appropriate to
                carry out this Act, consistent with the management
                plan;
            (3) conduct public meetings at least annually regarding the
        implementation of the management plan; and
            (4) for any fiscal year for which Federal funds are made
        available under section 9--
                    (A) submit to the Secretary a report that
                describes, for the fiscal year, the actions of the
                coordinating entity in carrying out this Act;
                    (B) make available to the Secretary for audit all
                records relating to the expenditure of funds and any
                matching funds; and
                    (C) require, for all agreements authorizing the
                expenditure of Federal funds by any entity, that the
                receiving entity make available to the Secretary for
                audit all records relating to the expenditure of the
                funds.
    (c) Prohibition on Acquisition of Real Property.--The coordinating
entity shall not use Federal funds made available under this Act to
acquire real property or any interest in real property.

SEC. 7. TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE; OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

    (a) In General.--On the request of the coordinating entity, the
Secretary may provide technical and financial assistance to the
coordinating entity for use in the development and implementation of
the management plan.
    (b) Prohibition of Certain Requirements.--The Secretary may not, as
a condition of the provision of technical or financial assistance under
this section, require any recipient of the assistance to impose or
modify any land use restriction or zoning ordinance.

SEC. 8. EFFECT OF ACT.

    Nothing in this Act--
            (1) affects or authorizes the coordinating entity to
        interfere with--
                    (A) the right of any person with respect to private
                property; or
                    (B) any local zoning ordinance or land use plan;
            (2) restricts an Indian tribe from protecting cultural or
        religious sites on tribal land;
            (3) modifies, enlarges, or diminishes the authority of any
        State, tribal, or local government to regulate any use of land
        under any other law (including regulations);
            (4)(A) modifies, enlarges, or diminishes the authority of
        the State to manage fish and wildlife in the Heritage Area,
        including the regulation of fishing and hunting; or
            (B) authorizes the coordinating entity to assume any
        management authorities over such lands; or
            (5) diminishes the trust responsibilities or government-to-
        government obligations of the United States to any federally
        recognized Indian tribe.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this Act $10,000,000, of which not more than $1,000,000 may be made
available for any fiscal year.
    (b) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--The Federal share of the total cost
of any activity assisted under this Act shall be not more than 50
percent.

Output: Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area Act - Establishes, in the State of Mississippi, the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area, and assigns the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources to serve as the Area's coordinating entity (the entity). Directs the entity to develop and submit to the Secretary of the Interior a management plan for the Area. States elements that the plan shall contain, including recommendations for: (1) the conservation and development of the Area's resources; and (2) educational and interpretive programs.Directs the Secretary to approve or disapprove of the plan. Directs the entity to periodically review the plan and to submit amendments for approval.Allows the entity to make grants to and provide technical assistance to tribal and local governments and other public and private entities to further the development and implementation of the plan. Directs the entity to perform certain functions in carrying out this Act, including to: (1) assist local and tribal governments and non-profits in various ways; and (2) make available to the Secretary for audit all records relating to the expenditure of funds and any matching funds.Sets forth things this Act shall not do, including that it shall not restrict an Indian tribe from protecting cultural or religious sites on tribal land.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Consumer Learning through
Electronically-Accessible and Reasonable Cost Information Act of 2013''
or the ``CLEAR Cost Information Act of 2013''.

SEC. 2. REPORTING OF CERTAIN HOSPITAL PAYMENT DATA.

    (a) In General.--Section 1866 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395cc) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (V), by striking ``and'' at the
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (W), as added by section 3005
                of Public Law 111-148--
                            (i) by moving such subparagraph 2 ems to
                        the left; and
                            (ii) by striking the period at the end and
                        inserting a comma;
                    (C) in subparagraph (W), as added by section
                6406(b) of Public Law 111-148--
                            (i) by moving such subparagraph 2 ems to
                        the left;
                            (ii) by redesignating such subparagraph as
                        subparagraph (X); and
                            (iii) by striking the period at the end and
                        inserting ``, and''; and
                    (D) by inserting after subparagraph (X), as
                redesignated by subparagraph (C)(ii), the following new
                subparagraph:
            ``(Y) in the case of a subsection (d) hospital (as defined
        in section 1886(d)(1)(B)), to report payment data to the
        Secretary in accordance subsection (l).''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(l) Reporting of Certain Hospital Payment Data.--
            ``(1) In general.--A subsection (d) hospital (as defined in
        section 1886(d)(1)(B)) shall submit to the Secretary data on
        the actual amounts collected by the hospital from uninsured and
        insured patients over the preceding 2 years for each of the
        procedures described in paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Procedures described.--The procedures described in
        this paragraph are the 50 most common diagnosis-related groups
        and ambulatory payment classification groups for which payment
        is made under this title, as determined by the Secretary based
        on claims data, in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.
            ``(3) Transparency.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In order to be beneficial to
                consumers, the reporting of data under this subsection
                shall be done in a manner that is transparent to the
                general public.
                    ``(B) Public availability of information.--The
                Secretary shall post data submitted under paragraph (1)
                on a publicly accessible and searchable Internet
                website in a form and manner that--
                            ``(i) allows for meaningful comparisons of
                        hospital collections and related policies by
                        zip code; and
                            ``(ii) is readily understandable by a
                        typical consumer.
                    ``(C) Linking of data.--A subsection (d) hospital
                shall include a link to the data posted under
                subparagraph (B) on the home Internet website of the
                hospital.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to contracts entered into, or renewed, on or after the date of
the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. INCLUSION OF INFORMATION ON CHARITY CARE FURNISHED BY HOSPITALS
              IN MEDPAC'S ANNUAL REPORT.

    Each annual report submitted to Congress after the date of the
enactment of this Act by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission under
section 1805 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395b-6) shall
contain information on the percentage that charity care makes up of the
total care furnished by hospitals and critical access hospitals.

SEC. 4. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF REPORT ON TRENDS IN LEVELS OF CHARITY
              CARE PROVIDED BY CERTAIN HOSPITALS.

    (a) Posting of Data.--Section 9007(e)(2) of the Patient Protection
and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148; 124 Stat. 858) is amended
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(C) Public availability.--The Secretary of the
                Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Health
                and Human Services, shall post the data contained in
                the report under subparagraph (B) on a publicly
                accessible and searchable website that--
                            ``(i) allows for meaningful comparisons of
                        the data by zip code; and
                            ``(ii) is readily understandable by a
                        typical consumer.''.
    (b) Medicare Requirement for Hospitals To Provide a Link to the
Data on the Hospital's Home Webpage.--
            (1) In general.--Section 1866(a)(1) of the Social Security
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)(1)), as amended by section 2, is
        amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (X), by striking ``and'' at the
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (Y), by striking the period at
                the end and inserting ``, and''; and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (Y) the
                following new subparagraph:
                    ``(Z) in the case of hospitals and critical access
                hospitals, to include a link on the home Internet
                website of the hospital or critical access hospital to
                the data posted under section 9007(e)(2)(C) of the
                Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1)
        shall apply to contracts entered into, or renewed, on or after
        the date of the enactment of this Act.

Output: Consumer Learning through Electronically-Accessible and Reasonable Cost Information Act of 2013 [sic] or CLEAR Cost Information Act of 2013 [sic] - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require service providers, in order to be qualified to participate and receive Medicare payments under any agreement filed with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), to report to the Secretary payment data on "subsection (d) hospitals." (Generally, a subsection (d) hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.) Requires a subsection (d) hospital to submit to the Secretary data on the actual amounts it has collected from uninsured and insured patients over the preceding two years for each of the 50 most common diagnosis-related groups and ambulatory payment classification groups for which payment is made in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. Requires each annual report submitted to Congress by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to contain information on the percentage that charity care makes up of the total care furnished by hospitals and critical access hospitals. Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to post data on trends in the levels of charity care provided by certain hospitals on a publicly accessible and searchable website. Amends SSA title XVIII to require hospitals and critical access hospitals to include a link to such data on their home Internet websites.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Coral Reef Resource Conservation and
Management Act of 1999''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) coral reefs have great commercial, recreational,
        cultural, environmental, and aesthetic value;
            (2) coral reefs--
                    (A) provide habitat to \1/3\ of all marine fish
                species;
                    (B) are essential building blocks for biodiversity;
                    (C) are instrumental in forming tropical islands;
                    (D) protect coasts from waves and storms;
                    (E) contain an array of potential pharmaceuticals;
                and
                    (F) support tourism and fishing industries in the
                United States worth billions of dollars;
            (3) studies indicate that coral reefs in the United States
        and around the world are being degraded and severely threatened
        by human and environmental impacts, including land-based
        pollution, overfishing, destructive fishing practices, vessel
        groundings, and climate change;
            (4) the Department of the Interior--
                    (A) manages extensive acreage that contains
                sensitive coral reef habitat and adjacent submerged
                land at 20 national wildlife refuges and 9 units of the
                National Park System--
                            (i) in the States of Hawaii and Florida;
                        and
                            (ii) in the territories of Guam, American
                        Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands;
                        and
                    (B) maintains oversight responsibility for
                additional significant coral reef resources under
                Federal jurisdiction in insular areas, territories, and
                surrounding territorial waters in the Pacific Ocean and
                Caribbean Sea;
            (5) few of the 4,200,000 acres of coral reefs of the United
        States have been mapped or have had their conditions assessed
        or characterized;
            (6) the Department of the Interior conducts scientific
        research and monitoring to determine the structure, function,
        status, and condition of the coral reefs of the United States;
        and
            (7) the Department of the Interior, in cooperation with
        public and private partners, provides technical assistance and
        engages in management and conservation activities for coral
        reef habitats.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to conserve, protect, and restore the health of coral
        reef ecosystems and the species of fish, plants, and animals
        that depend on those ecosystems;
            (2) to support the monitoring, assessment, management, and
        protection of coral reef ecosystems over which the United
        States has jurisdiction (including coral reef ecosystems
        located in national wildlife refuges and units of the National
        Park System);
            (3) to augment and support the efforts of the Department of
        the Interior, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
        Administration, and other members of the Coral Reef Task Force;
            (4) to support research efforts that contribute to coral
        reef conservation;
            (5) to support education, outreach, and enforcement for
        coral reef conservation;
            (6) to provide financial resources and matching funds for
        partnership efforts to accomplish the purposes described in
        paragraphs (1) through (4); and
            (7) to coordinate with the Coral Reef Task Force and other
        agencies to address priorities identified by the Coral Reef
        Task Force.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Coral.--The term ``coral'' means any species of the
        phylum Cnidaria, including--
                    (A) any species of the order Antipatharia (black
                corals), Scleractinia (stony corals), Gorgonacea (horny
                corals), Stolonifera (organpipe corals and others),
                Alcyanacea (soft corals), or Coenothecalia (blue
                corals), of the class Anthozoa; and
                    (B) any species of the order Hydrocorallina (fire
                corals and hydrocorals) of the class Hydrozoa.
            (2) Coral reef.--The term ``coral reef'' means the species
        (including reef plants and coralline algae), habitats, and
        other natural resources associated with any reef or shoal
        composed primarily of corals within all maritime areas and
        zones subject to the jurisdiction of the United States,
        including Federal, State, territorial, or commonwealth waters
        in the south Atlantic, the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and
        the Pacific Ocean.
            (3) Coral reef conservation project.--The term ``coral reef
        conservation project'' means an activity that contributes to or
        results in preserving, sustaining, or enhancing any coral reef
        ecosystem as a healthy, diverse, and viable ecosystem,
        including--
                    (A) any action to enhance or improve resource
                management of a coral reef, such as assessment,
                scientific research, protection, restoration and
                mapping;
                    (B) habitat monitoring and any species survey or
                monitoring of a species;
                    (C) any activity necessary for planning and
                development of a strategy for coral reef management;
                    (D) community outreach and education on the
                importance and conservation of coral reefs; and
                    (E) any activity in support of the enforcement of
                laws relating to coral reefs.
            (4) Coral reef task force.--The term ``Coral Reef Task
        Force'' means the task force established under Executive Order
        No. 13089 (June 11, 1998).
            (5) Foundation.--The term ``foundation'' means a foundation
        that is a registered nonprofit organization under section
        501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
            (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of the Interior.
            (7) State.--The term ``State'' means any State of the
        United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
        Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the
        Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, or any other territory or
        possession of the United States.

SEC. 4. CORAL REEF RESOURCE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall provide grants for coral reef
conservation projects in accordance with this section.
    (b) Eligibility.--The Secretary may award a grant under this
section to--
            (1) any appropriate natural resource management authority
        of a State--
                    (A) that has jurisdiction over coral reefs; or
                    (B) the activities of which affect coral reefs; or
            (2) any educational or nongovernmental institution or
        organization with demonstrated expertise in marine science or
        coral reef conservation.
    (c) Matching Requirements.--
            (1) Federal share.--Except as provided in paragraph (3),
        the Federal share of the cost of a coral reef conservation
        project that receives a grant under this section shall not
        exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the project.
            (2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the cost
        of a coral reef conservation project that receives a grant
        under this section may be provided in cash or in kind.
            (3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive all or part of the
        matching requirement under paragraph (1) if--
                    (A) the cost of the project is $25,000 or less; or
                    (B) the project is necessary to undertake,
                complete, or enhance planning and monitoring
                requirements for coral reef areas under--
                            (i) the National Wildlife Refuge System
                        Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et
                        seq.); or
                            (ii) the Act entitled ``An Act to establish
                        a National Park Service, and for other
                        purposes'', approved August 25, 1916 (16 U.S.C.
                        1 et seq.).
    (d) Allocation.--The Secretary shall award grants under this
section so that--
            (1) not less than 40 percent of the grant funds available
        are awarded for coral reef conservation projects in the Pacific
        Ocean;
            (2) not less than 40 percent of the grant funds available
        are awarded for coral reef conservation projects in the
        Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea; and
            (3) the remaining grant funds are awarded for coral reef
        conservation projects that address emergency priorities or
        threats identified by the Secretary, in consultation with the
        Coral Reef Task Force.
    (e) Annual Funding Priorities.--After consultation with the Coral
Reef Task Force, States, regional and local entities, and
nongovernmental organizations involved in coral and marine
conservation, the Secretary shall identify site-specific and
comprehensive threats and constraints that--
            (1) are known to affect coral reef ecosystems (including
        coral reef ecosystems in national wildlife refuges and units of
        the National Park System); and
            (2) shall be considered in establishing annual funding
        priorities for grants awarded under this subsection.
    (f) Project Review and Approval.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall review and rank coral
        reef conservation project proposals according to the criteria
        described in subsection (g).
            (2) Peer review.--
                    (A) In general.--For projects that have a cost of
                $25,000 or more, the Secretary shall--
                            (i) provide for merit-based peer review of
                        the proposal; and
                            (ii) require standardized documentation of
                        the peer review.
                    (B) Expedited process.--For projects that have a
                cost of less than $25,000, the Secretary shall provide
                an expedited peer review process.
                    (C) Individual grants.--As part of the peer review
                process for individual grants, the Secretary shall
                request written comments from the appropriate bureaus
                or departments of the State or other government having
                jurisdiction over the area where the project is
                proposed to be conducted.
            (3) List.--At the beginning of each fiscal year, the
        Secretary shall make available a list describing projects
        selected during the previous fiscal year for funding under
        subsection (g).
    (g) Project Approval Criteria.--The Secretary shall evaluate and
select project proposals for funding based on the degree to which each
proposed project--
            (1) is consistent with the purposes of this Act; and
            (2) would--
                    (A) promote the long-term protection, conservation,
                restoration, or enhancement of coral reef ecosystems in
                or adjoining areas under the jurisdiction of the
                Department of the Interior;
                    (B) promote cooperative conservation projects with
                local communities, nongovernmental organizations,
                educational or private institutions, affected local
                governments, territories, or insular areas;
                    (C) enhance public knowledge and awareness of coral
                reef resources and sustainable use through education
                and outreach;
                    (D) develop sound scientific information on the
                condition of and threats to coral reef ecosystems
                through mapping, monitoring, research and analysis; and
                    (E) increase compliance with laws relating to coral
                reefs.
    (h) Regulations.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), not
        later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
        Secretary shall promulgate regulations to implement this Act.
            (2) Project approval.--Not later than 180 days after the
        date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate
        regulations to implement subsection (f), including requirements
        for project proposals.
            (3) Consultation.--In developing regulations under this
        subsection, the Secretary shall identify priorities for coral
        reef resource protection and conservation in consultation with
        agencies and organizations involved in coral and marine
        conservation, including--
                    (A) the Coral Reef Task Force;
                    (B) interested States;
                    (C) regional and local entities; and
                    (D) nongovernmental organizations.
    (i) Administration.--
            (1) Foundation involvement.--
                    (A) Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into an
                agreement with 1 or more foundations to accept,
                receive, hold, transfer, solicit, and administer funds
                received or made available for a grant program under
                this Act (including funds received in the form of a
                gift or donation).
                    (B) Funds.--A foundation that enters into an
                agreement described in subparagraph (A) shall--
                            (i) invest, reinvest, and otherwise
                        administer funds described in subparagraph (A);
                        and
                            (ii) maintain the funds and any interest or
                        revenues earned in a separate interest-bearing
                        account that is--
                                    (I)(aa) an insured depository
                                institution, as the term is defined in
                                section 3 of the Federal Deposit
                                Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); or
                                    (bb) an insured credit union, as
                                the term is defined in section 101 of
                                the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C.
                                1752); and
                                    (II) established by the foundation
                                solely to support partnerships between
                                the public and private sectors that
                                further the purposes of this Act.
            (2) Review of performance.--
                    (A) In general.--Beginning in fiscal year 2000, and
                biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct a
                review of each grant program administered by a
                foundation under this subsection.
                    (B) Assessment.--Each review under subparagraph (A)
                shall include a written assessment describing the
                extent to which the foundation has implemented the
                goals and requirements of this section.
    (j) Transfers.--
            (1) In general.--Under an agreement entered into under
        subsection (i)(1)(A), the Secretary may transfer funds
        appropriated under section 5(b) to a foundation.
            (2) Use of transferred funds.--Amounts received by a
        foundation under this subsection may be used for matching, in
        whole or in part, contributions (whether in currency, services,
        or property) made to the foundation by private persons and
        State and local government agencies.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this Act $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2004, to
remain available until expended.
    (b) Limitation on Administrative Funds.--Not more than 6 percent of
the amounts appropriated under this section may be used for program
management and administration under this Act.

Output:
Limits the Federal share of project costs to 75 percent. Waives the matching requirement if the cost of the project is $25,000 or less or the project is necessary to undertake planning and monitoring requirements for coral reef areas under specified Federal laws. Allocates 40 percent of grant awards for projects in the Pacific Ocean, 40 percent for projects in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea, and the remainder for projects that address emergency priorities or threats.
Sets forth procedures for project review and approval.
Authorizes appropriations.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Communities Committed to College Tax
Credit Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. CREDIT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO A TRUST USED TO PROVIDE NEED-BASED
              COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS.

    (a) In General.--Subpart B of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to other credits) is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 30D. CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRUST USED TO PROVIDE NEED-BASED COLLEGE
              SCHOLARSHIPS.

    ``(a) Allowance of Credit.--In addition to any deduction allowable
under this title, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax
imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to 50
percent of designated qualified college scholarship funding
contributions made by the taxpayer during the taxable year.
    ``(b) Designated Qualified College Scholarship Funding
Contribution.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) In general.--The term `designated qualified college
        scholarship funding contribution' means any charitable
        contribution (as defined in section 170(c))--
                    ``(A) which is paid in cash by the taxpayer to a
                qualified scholarship funding trust, and
                    ``(B) which is designated by the trust for purposes
                of this section.
            ``(2) Qualified scholarship funding trust.--The term
        `qualified scholarship funding trust' means a trust--
                    ``(A) which is established and maintained in the
                United States by an organization--
                            ``(i) described in section 501(c)(3) and
                        exempt from tax under section 501(a), and
                            ``(ii) organized primarily for educational
                        purposes,
                    ``(B) which is part of a plan of one or more local
                education agencies (as defined in section 9101 of the
                Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) of the
                State in which such trust is established and maintained
                to provide scholarships to children of such agencies,
                and
                    ``(C) the written governing instrument of which--
                            ``(i) requires that the income of the trust
                        be used exclusively to provide qualified
                        scholarships (as defined in section 117(b)) to
                        individuals who--
                                    ``(I) are candidates for a degree
                                at an institution of higher education
                                (within the meaning given such term by
                                section 101 of the Higher Education Act
                                of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), and
                                    ``(II) have demonstrated financial
                                need in accordance with section 471 of
                                such Act (20 U.S.C. 1087kk), and
                            ``(ii) requires that the assets of the
                        trust not be distributed for any purpose.
    ``(c) Limitations.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is a national qualified college
        scholarship funding contribution limitation of $1,000,000,000.
            ``(2) Allocation of limitation.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Such national limitation shall
                be allocated by the Secretary among the qualified
                scholarship funding trusts which have registered with
                the Secretary on or before the 180th day after the date
                of the enactment of this section. Each trust's share of
                such national limitation shall be the amount which
                bears the same ratio to such limitation as the number
                of school age children of such trust's sponsoring
                agencies bears to the aggregate number of school age
                children of the sponsoring agencies of all trusts which
                have so registered with the Secretary.
                    ``(B) School age children of sponsoring agencies.--
                For purposes of subparagraph (A), the number of school
                age children of a trust's sponsoring agencies is the
                number of children of the local education agencies
                referred to in subsection (b)(2)(B) who have attained
                age 5 but not age 18 for the most recent fiscal year
                ending before the date the allocations under this
                paragraph are made.
            ``(3) Designation subject to allocated limitation amount.--
        The amount of contributions made to a qualified scholarship
        funding trust which may be designated by such trust for
        purposes of this section shall not exceed the limitation amount
        allocated to such trust under paragraph (2).
            ``(4) Maximum allocation per trust.--The maximum qualified
        college scholarship funding contribution limitation which may
        be allocated to each trust is $200,000,000. An amount which may
        not be allocated to a trust by reason of the preceding sentence
        shall be allocated as provided in paragraph (2) among
        registered qualified scholarship funding trusts whose allocated
        limitation (without regard to this sentence) does not exceed
        $200,000,000.
    ``(d) Application With Other Credits.--The credit allowed under
subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed the excess (if
any) of--
            ``(1) the regular tax liability (as defined in section
        26(b)) reduced by the sum of the credits allowable under
        subpart A and sections 27, 30, 30B, and 30C, over
            ``(2) the tentative minimum tax for the taxable year.
    ``(e) Application of Section.--This section shall apply only to
contributions made during the 3-year period beginning on the 180th day
after the date of the enactment of this section.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart B of
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding
at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 30D. Contributions to trust used to provide need-based college
                            scholarships.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to contributions made on or after the 180th day after the date of
the enactment of this Act in taxable years ending after such date.

Output: Communities Committed to College Tax Credit Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 50% of any contribution to a tax-exempt scholarship funding trust established to provide scholarships for individuals with demonstrated financial need to attend institutions of higher education.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Alaska Peninsula Subsurface
Consolidation Act of 1993''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    As used in this Act:
            (1) Agency.--The term agency--
                    (A) means--
                            (i) any instrumentality of the United
                        States; and
                            (ii) any Government corporation (as defined
                        in section 9101(1) of title 31, United States
                        Code); and
                    (B) includes any element of an agency.
            (2) Alaska native corporation.--The term ``Alaska Native
        Corporation'' has the same meaning as is provided for ``Native
        Corporation'' in section 3(m) of the Alaska Native Claims
        Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(m)).
            (3) Koniag.--The term ``Koniag'' means Koniag,
        Incorporated, which is a Regional Corporation.
            (4) Koniag account.--The term ``Koniag Account'' means the
        account established under section 4.
            (5) Property.--The term ``property'' has the same meaning
        as is provided in section 12(b)(7)(vii) of Public Law 94-204
        (43 U.S.C. 1611 note).
            (6) Regional corporation.--The term ``Regional
        Corporation'' has the same meaning as is provided in section
        3(g) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.
        1602(g)).
            (7) Secretary.--Except as otherwise provided, the term
        ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.
            (8) Selection rights.--The term ``selection rights'' means
        those rights granted to Koniag, pursuant to subsections (a) and
        (b) of section 12, and section 14(h)(8), of the Alaska Native
        Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1611 and 1613(h)(8)), to
        receive title to the oil and gas rights and other interests in
        the subsurface estate of the approximately 275,000 acres of
        public lands in the State of Alaska identified as ``Koniag
        Selections'' on the map entitled ``Koniag Interest Lands,
        Alaska Peninsula'', dated May 1989.

SEC. 3. ACQUISITION OF KONIAG SELECTION RIGHTS.

    -(-a-) -I-n -G-e-n-e-r-a-l-.--
            -(-1-) -T-e-n-d-e-r -o-f -r-e-l-i-n-q-u-i-s-h-m-e-n-t
        -a-n-d -a-c-c-e-p-t-a-n-c-e-.----I-f -t-h-e -S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y
        -r-e-c-e-i-v-e-s -f-r-o-m -K-o-n-i-a-g -a -t-i-m-e-l-y
        -t-e-n-d-e-r -o-f -r-e-l-i-n-q-u-i-s-h-m-e-n-t -o-f -t-h-e
        -s-e-l-e-c-t-i-o-n -r-i-g-h-t-s-, -t-h-e -S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y
        -s-h-a-l-l---
                    -(-A-) -a-c-c-e-p-t -t-h-e -t-e-n-d-e-r -n-o-t
                -l-a-t-e-r -t-h-a-n -6-0 -d-a-y-s -a-f-t-e-r -t-h-e
                -d-a-t-e -o-f -t-h-e -r-e-c-e-i-p-t -o-f -t-h-e
                -t-e-n-d-e-r-; -a-n-d
                    -(-B-) -n-o-t-i-f-y -t-h-e -S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y -o-f
                -t-h-e -T-r-e-a-s-u-r-y -o-f -t-h-e
                -a-c-c-e-p-t-a-n-c-e -o-f -t-h-e -t-e-n-d-e-r-.
            -(-2-) -T-i-m-e-l-i-n-e-s-s-.---
                    -(-A-) -I-n -g-e-n-e-r-a-l-.----F-o-r -t-h-e
                -p-u-r-p-o-s-e -o-f -p-a-r-a-g-r-a-p-h -(-1-) -a-n-d
                -s-u-b-j-e-c-t -t-o -s-u-b-p-a-r-a-g-r-a-p-h -(-B-)-,
                -a -t-e-n-d-e-r -b-y -K-o-n-i-a-g -s-h-a-l-l -b-e
                -t-i-m-e-l-y -i-f -t-h-e -t-e-n-d-e-r -i-s
                -r-e-c-e-i-v-e-d -b-y -t-h-e -S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y -n-o-t
                -l-a-t-e-r -t-h-a-n -1-8-0 -d-a-y-s -a-f-t-e-r -t-h-e
                -l-a-t-e-r -o-f---
                            -(-i-) -t-h-e -d-a-t-e -o-f -t-h-e
                        -r-e-c-e-i-p-t -b-y -K-o-n-i-a-g -o-f -t-h-e
                        -d-e-t-e-r-m-i-n-a-t-i-o-n -b-y -t-h-e
                        -S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y -o-f -t-h-e -v-a-l-u-e -o-f
                        -t-h-e -s-e-l-e-c-t-i-o-n -r-i-g-h-t-s
                        -p-u-r-s-u-a-n-t -t-o -s-u-b-s-e-c-t-i-o-n
                        -(-b-)-; -o-r
                            -(-i-i-) -t-h-e -d-a-t-e -o-f -t-h-e
                        -f-i-n-a-l -r-e-s-o-l-u-t-i-o-n -o-f -a-n-y
                        -d-i-s-p-u-t-e -r-e-g-a-r-d-i-n-g -t-h-e
                        -v-a-l-u-e -o-f -t-h-e -s-e-l-e-c-t-i-o-n
                        -r-i-g-h-t-s -u-n-d-e-r -s-u-b-s-e-c-t-i-o-n
                        -(-b-)-.
                    -(-B-) -M-o-d-i-f-i-c-a-t-i-o-n-.----T-h-e
                -S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y -a-n-d -K-o-n-i-a-g -m-a-y
                -a-g-r-e-e -t-o -m-o-d-i-f-y -t-h-e -d-e-a-d-l-i-n-e
                -e-s-t-a-b-l-i-s-h-e-d -u-n-d-e-r
                -s-u-b-p-a-r-a-g-r-a-p-h -(-A-)-.
    (a) The Secretary shall determine, pursuant to subsection (b)
hereof, the value of Selection Rights which Koniag possesses within the
boundaries of Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, Alaska
Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge, and Becharof National Wildlife
Refuge.
    (b) Value.--
            (1) In general.--The value of the selection rights shall be
        equal to the fair market value of--
                    (A) the oil and gas interests in the lands or
                interests in lands that are the subject of the
                selection rights; and
                    (B) in the case of the lands or interests in lands
                for which Koniag is to receive the entire subsurface
                estate, the subsurface estate of the lands or interests
                in lands that are the subject of the selection rights.
            (2) Appraisal.--
                    (A) Selection of appraiser.--
                            (i) In general.--Not later than 90 days
                        after the date of enactment of this Act, the
                        Secretary and Koniag shall meet to select a
                        qualified appraiser to conduct an appraisal of
                        the selection rights. Subject to clause (ii),
                        the appraiser shall be selected by the mutual
                        agreement of the Secretary and Koniag.
                            (ii) Failure to agree.--If the Secretary
                        and Koniag fail to agree on an appraiser by the
                        date that is 60 days after the date of the
                        initial meeting referred to in clause (i), the
                        Secretary and Koniag shall, by the date that is
                        not later than 90 days after the date of the
                        initial meeting, each designate an appraiser
                        who is qualified to perform the appraisal. The
                        2 appraisers so identified shall select a third
                        qualified appraiser who shall perform the
                        appraisal.
                    (B) Standards and methodology.--The appraisal
                shall--
                            (i) be conducted in conformity with the
                        standards of the Appraisal Foundation (as
                        defined in section 1121(9) of the Financial
                        Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement
                        Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 3350(9)); and
                            -(-i-i-) -u-t-i-l-i-z-e -t-h-e
                        -m-e-t-h-o-d-o-l-o-g-y -c-u-s-t-o-m-a-r-i-l-y
                        -u-s-e-d -b-y -t-h-e -M-i-n-e-r-a-l-s
                        -M-a-n-a-g-e-m-e-n-t -S-e-r-v-i-c-e -o-f -t-h-e
                        -D-e-p-a-r-t-m-e-n-t -o-f -t-h-e
                        -I-n-t-e-r-i-o-r-.
                            (ii) utilize risk adjusted discounted cash
                        flow methodology.
                    (C) Submission of appraisal report.--Not later than
                180 days after the selection of an appraiser pursuant
                to subparagraph (A), the appraiser shall submit to the
                Secretary and to Koniag a written appraisal report
                specifying the value of the selection rights and the
                methodology used to arrive at the value.
            (3) Determination of value.--
                    (A) Determination by the secretary.--Not later than
                60 days after the date of the receipt of the appraisal
                report under paragraph (2)(C), the Secretary shall
                determine the value of the selection rights and shall
                notify Koniag of the determination.
                    (B) Alternative determination of value.--
                            (i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), if
                        Koniag does not agree with the value determined
                        by the Secretary under subparagraph (A), the
                        procedures specified in section 206(d) of the
                        Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
                        (43 U.S.C. 1716(d)) shall be used to establish
                        the value.
                            (ii) Average value limitation.--The average
                        value per acre of the selection rights shall
                        not be more than $300.

-S-E-C-. -4-. -K-O-N-I-A-G -A-C-C-O-U-N-T-.

    -(-a-) -E-s-t-a-b-l-i-s-h-m-e-n-t-.--
            -(-1-) -I-n -g-e-n-e-r-a-l-.----I-f -t-h-e
        -S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y -o-f -t-h-e -T-r-e-a-s-u-r-y -i-s
        -n-o-t-i-f-i-e-d -p-u-r-s-u-a-n-t -t-o -s-e-c-t-i-o-n
        -3-(-a-)-(-1-)-(-B-)-, -o-n -O-c-t-o-b-e-r -1-, -1-9-9-7-,
        -t-h-e -S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y -o-f -t-h-e -T-r-e-a-s-u-r-y-, -i-n
        -c-o-n-s-u-l-t-a-t-i-o-n -w-i-t-h -t-h-e -S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y-,
        -s-h-a-l-l -e-s-t-a-b-l-i-s-h -i-n -t-h-e -T-r-e-a-s-u-r-y -o-f
        -t-h-e -U-n-i-t-e-d -S-t-a-t-e-s -a-n -a-c-c-o-u-n-t -t-o -b-e
        -k-n-o-w-n -a-s -t-h-e -`-`-K-o-n-i-a-g -A-c-c-o-u-n-t-'-'-.
            -(-2-) -I-n-i-t-i-a-l -b-a-l-a-n-c-e-.----T-h-e
        -i-n-i-t-i-a-l -b-a-l-a-n-c-e -o-f -t-h-e -K-o-n-i-a-g
        -A-c-c-o-u-n-t -s-h-a-l-l -b-e -e-q-u-a-l -t-o -t-h-e
        -v-a-l-u-e -o-f -t-h-e -s-e-l-e-c-t-i-o-n -r-i-g-h-t-s -a-s
        -d-e-t-e-r-m-i-n-e-d -p-u-r-s-u-a-n-t -t-o -s-e-c-t-i-o-n
        -3-(-b-)-.

SEC. 4. KONIAG ACCOUNT.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) The Secretary shall enter into negotiations for an
        agreement or agreements to exchange Federal lands or interests
        therein which are in the State of Alaska for the Koniag
        Selection Rights referred to in section 3.
            (2) If the value of the Federal lands to be exchanged is
        less than the value of the Koniag Selection Rights established
        in section 3, then the Secretary may exchange the Federal lands
        for an equivalent portion of the Koniag Selection Rights. The
        remaining selection rights shall remain available for
        additional exchanges.
            (3) For purposes of this section, the term ``Federal
        lands'' means lands or interests therein located in Alaska,
        administered by the Secretary and the title to which is in the
        United States but excluding all lands and interests therein
        which are located within a conservation system unit as defined
        in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act section
        102(4).
    (b) Account.--
            (1) In general.--With respect to any Koniag Selection
        Rights for which an exchange has not been completed by October
        1, 2004 (hereafter in this section referred to as ``remaining
        selection rights''), the Secretary of the Treasury, in
        consultation with the Secretary, shall, notwithstanding any
        other provision of law, establish in the Treasury of the United
        States, an account to be known as the Koniag Account. Upon the
        relinquishment of the remaining selection rights to the United
        States, the Secretary shall credit the Koniag Account in the
        amount of the appraised value of the remaining selection
        rights.
            (2) Initial balance.--The initial balance of the Koniag
        Account shall be equal to the value of the selection rights as
        determined pursuant to section 3(b).
            (3) Use of account.--
                    (A) In general.--Amounts in the Koniag Account
                shall--
                            (i) be made available by the Secretary of
                        the Treasury to Koniag for bidding on and
                        purchasing property sold at public sale,
                        subject to the conditions described in this
                        paragraph; and
                            (ii) remain available until expended.
                    (B) Assignment.--
                            (i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii) and
                        notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
                        right to request the Secretary of the Treasury
                        to withdraw funds from the Koniag Account shall
                        be assignable in whole or in part by Koniag.
                            (ii) Notice of assignment.--No assignment
                        shall be recognized by the Secretary of the
                        Treasury until Koniag files written notice of
                        the assignment with the Secretary of the
                        Treasury and the Secretary.
                    (C) Bidding and purchasing.--
                            (i) In general.--Koniag may use the Koniag
                        Account to--
                                    (I) bid, in the same manner as any
                                other bidder, for any property at any
                                public sale by an agency; and
                                    (II) purchase the property in
                                accordance with applicable laws,
                                including the regulations of the agency
                                offering the property for sale.
                            (ii) Requirements for agencies.--In
                        conducting a transaction described in clause
                        (i), an agency shall accept, in the same manner
                        as cash, an amount tendered from the Koniag
                        Account.
                            (iii) Adjustment of balance.--The Secretary
                        of the Treasury shall adjust the balance of the
                        Koniag Account to reflect each transaction
                        under clause (i).
            (4) Special procedures.--The Secretary of the Treasury, in
        consultation with the Secretary, shall establish procedures to
        permit the Koniag Account to--
                    (A) receive deposits;
                    (B) make deposits into escrow when an escrow is
                required for the sale of any property; and
                    (C) reinstate to the Koniag Account any unused
                escrow deposits if a sale is not consummated.
    -(-b-) (c) Treatment of Amounts From Account.--The Secretary of the
Treasury shall--
            (1) deem as a cash payment any amount tendered from the
        Koniag Account and received by an agency as a proceed from a
        public sale of property; and
            (2) make any transfer necessary to permit the agency to use
        the proceed in the event an agency is authorized by law to use
        the proceed for a specific purpose.
    -(-c-) (d) Requirement for the Administration of Sales.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary of
        the Treasury and the heads of agencies shall administer sales
        described in subsection (a)(3)(C) in the same manner as is
        provided for any other Alaska Native Corporation that--
                    (A) is authorized by law as of the date of
                enactment of this Act; and
                    (B) has an account similar to the Koniag Account
                for bidding on and purchasing property sold for public
                sale.
            (2) Prohibition.--Amounts in an account established for the
        benefit of a specific Alaska Native Corporation may not be used
        to satisfy the property purchase obligations of any other
        Alaska Native Corporation.
    -(-d-) -D-i-v-i-s-i-o-n -o-f -R-e-v-e-n-u-e-s-.----T-h-e
-s-e-l-e-c-t-i-o-n -r-i-g-h-t-s -s-h-a-l-l -b-e -d-e-e-m-e-d -t-o -b-e
-a-n -i-n-t-e-r-e-s-t -i-n -t-h-e -s-u-b-s-u-r-f-a-c-e -e-s-t-a-t-e
-f-o-r -t-h-e -p-u-r-p-o-s-e -o-f -s-e-c-t-i-o-n -7-(-i-) -o-f -t-h-e
-A-l-a-s-k-a -N-a-t-i-v-e -C-l-a-i-m-s -S-e-t-t-l-e-m-e-n-t -A-c-t
-(-4-3 -U-.-S-.-C-. -1-6-0-6-(-i-)-)-.
    (e) Revenues.--The Koniag Account shall be deemed to be an interest
in the subsurface for purposes of section 7(i) of the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).

SEC. 5. CERTAIN CONVEYANCES.

    (a) Interests in Land.--For the purpose of section 21(c) of the
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1620(c)), the following
shall be deemed to be an interest in land:
            (1) The establishment of the Koniag Account and the right
        of Koniag to request the Secretary of the Treasury to withdraw
        funds from the Koniag Account.
            (2) The receipt by a Settlement Trust (as defined in
        section 3(t) of such Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(t)) of a conveyance by
        Koniag of any right in the Koniag Account.
    (b) Authority to Appoint Trustees.--In establishing a Settlement
Trust under section 39 of such Act (43 U.S.C. 1629e), Koniag may
delegate the authority granted to Koniag under subsection (b)(2) of
such section to any entity that Koniag may select without affecting the
status of the Settlement Trust under this section.
S 855 RS----2

Output:
Alaska Peninsula Subsurface Consolidation Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to determine the value of rights granted to Koniag, Incorporated, purusant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to receive title to the oil and gas rights and other interests in the subsurface estate of specified public lands in Alaska (selection rights) which Koniag possesses within the boundaries of Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge, and Becharof National Wildlife Refuge.
Specifies that the value of such rights shall be equal to the fair market value of:  (1) the oil and gas interests in the lands that are the subject of the selection rights; and (2) in the case of the lands for which Koniag is to receive the entire subsurface estate, the subsurface estate of the lands that are the subject of such rights.
Directs the Secretary and Koniag to meet to select a qualified appraiser to conduct an appraisal of the selection rights in conformity with the standards of the Appraisal Foundation of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, utilizing a risk adjusted discounted cash flow methodology.
Sets forth provisions regarding:  (1) submission of the appraisal report; (2) determination of the value of the selection rights; and (3) an alternative determination of value if Koniag disagrees with the value determined by the Secretary.
Directs:  (1) the Secretary to enter into negotiations for an agreement to exchange Federal lands in Alaska for the Koniag selection rights; and (2) the Secretary of the Treasury, regarding any such rights for which an exchange has not been completed by October 1, 2004, to establish within the Treasury the Koniag Account and, upon relinquishment of such remaining rights to the United States, to credit the Account in the amount of the appraised value of such rights.  Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make amounts in the Account available to Koniag for bidding on and purchasing property sold at public sale.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Clinical Trials Modernization Act of
2015''.

SEC. 2. CLINICAL TRIAL MODERNIZATION.

    (a) Proposals for Use of Innovative Statistical Methods in Clinical
Protocols for Drugs, Biological Products, and Devices.--Chapter V of
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is amended by inserting after
section 506F (21 U.S.C. 356f) the following new section:

``SEC. 507. CLINICAL TRIAL MODERNIZATION.

    ``(a) In General.--To promote the efficiency of the development and
regulatory review and approval, licensure, or clearance of drugs,
biological products, and devices and the timely availability of
innovative treatments, the Secretary shall, after providing notice and
an opportunity for public comment, establish and implement a framework
through which--
            ``(1) sponsors of drugs, biological products, or devices
        may submit to the Secretary a proposal for the incorporation of
        adaptive trial designs, Bayesian methods, or other alternative
        statistical methods into proposed clinical protocols and
        marketing applications for drugs, biological products, or
        devices; and
            ``(2) the Secretary will commit to timelines for reviewing
        and providing feedback on proposals so submitted.''.
    (b) Guidance Addressing Use of Adaptive Trial Designs and Bayesian
Methods.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human
        Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (in
        this subsection referred to as the ``Secretary''), shall--
                    (A) update and finalize the draft guidance
                addressing the use of adaptive trial design for drugs
                and biological products; and
                    (B) issue draft guidance on the use of Bayesian
                methods in the development and regulatory review and
                approval, licensure, or clearance of drugs, biological
                products, and devices.
            (2) Contents.--The guidances under paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) establish or clarify standards for using
                adaptive trial designs and Bayesian methods in clinical
                trials, including clinical trials that form the primary
                basis for approval, clearance, or licensure of the
                products involved (such as trials that provide
                substantial evidence for the approval of drugs);
                    (B) establish a mechanism for sponsors to obtain
                feedback from the Secretary under section 507, as added
                by subsection (a), on technical issues related to
                modeling and simulations prior to--
                            (i) completion of such modeling or
                        simulations; or
                            (ii) the submission of resulting
                        information to the Secretary;
                    (C) specify the types of quantitative and
                qualitative information required for review; and
                    (D) specify the recommended analysis methodology.
            (3) Public meeting.--Prior to updating or developing the
        guidances required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
        consult, through a public meeting to be held no later than 1
        year after the date of enactment of this Act, with stakeholders
        including representatives of regulated industry, academia,
        patient advocacy organizations, and disease research
        foundations.
            (4) Schedule.--The Secretary shall, after providing notice
        and opportunity for public comment, publish--
                    (A) the final guidance required by paragraph (1)(A)
                not later than 6 months after the date of the public
                meeting required by paragraph (3); and
                    (B) the guidance required by paragraph (1)(B) not
                later than 12 months after the date of the public
                meeting required by paragraph (3).
            (5) Review and revision of guidance documents.--Not later
        than 48 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the
        Secretary shall review and, as appropriate, revise the guidance
        documents required by subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph
        (1) to reflect developments in statistical methods that could
        be appropriate for use in clinical trials, including clinical
        trials that--
                    (A) form the primary basis for approval, clearance,
                or licensure of drugs, biological products or devices;
                or
                    (B) provide substantial evidence for the approval
                of drugs.

SEC. 3. EVALUATIONS OF REQUIRED POSTAPPROVAL STUDIES AND CLINICAL
              TRIALS.

    (a) In General.--Section 505(o)(3) of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355(o)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
                    ``(G) Evaluations of required postapproval studies
                and clinical trials.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
                        establish a process under which the Secretary,
                        on the initiative of the Secretary or at the
                        request of a responsible person, shall
                        periodically evaluate a postapproval study or
                        clinical trial required to be conducted under
                        this paragraph to determine whether--
                                    ``(I) the trial or study is no
                                longer scientifically warranted; or
                                    ``(II) the design, or the timelines
                                applicable to the completion of, the
                                study or trial should be renegotiated
                                because of changes in medical practice
                                or the standard of care.
                            ``(ii) Not scientifically warranted.--In
                        the case of a determination under clause (i)(I)
                        that a postapproval study or clinical trial
                        required to be conducted under this paragraph
                        is no longer scientifically warranted, the
                        Secretary shall no longer require the
                        responsible person to conduct the study or
                        trial.
                            ``(iii) Renegotiation.--In the case of a
                        determination under clause (i)(II) that the
                        design, or the timelines applicable to the
                        completion of, a postapproval study or clinical
                        trial required to be conducted under this
                        paragraph should be renegotiated, the Secretary
                        shall enter into negotiations with the
                        responsible person to make such changes as may
                        be necessary to such design or timelines as the
                        Secretary determines are necessary.''.
    (b) Guidance.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue draft guidance on the
implementation of subparagraph (G) of section 505(o)(3) of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355(o)(3)), as added by
subsection (a). Not later than two years after such date of enactment,
the Secretary shall issue final guidance on such implementation.

Output: Clinical Trials Modernization Act of 2015 This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow sponsors of applications for new drugs, biological products, and medical devices to propose incorporation of alternative statistical methods, including adaptive trial design and Bayesian methods, into clinical trial protocols and marketing applications. The FDA is required to issue guidance that establishes or clarifies standards for using alternative statistical methods in clinical trials. The FDA must establish a process under which a post-approval study or clinical trial required by the FDA is periodically evaluated to determine whether the trial or study is no longer scientifically warranted or whether the design should be renegotiated because of changes in medical practice or the standard of care.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Medicare Home Health Equity Act of
1998''.

SEC. 2. REVISION OF HOME HEALTH INTERIM PAYMENT FORMULA.

    (a) Restoration of Cost Limits.--Section 1861(v)(1)(L)(i)(IV) of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(v)(1)(L)(i)(IV)) (as added by
section 4602 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``105 percent'' and inserting ``112
        percent''; and
            (2) by striking ``median'' and inserting ``mean''.
    (b) Change in Additions to Cost Limits.--Section 1861(v)(1)(L)(v)
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(v)(1)(L)(v)) (as added by
section 4602 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997) is amended to read as
follows:
    ``(v)(I) For services furnished by home health agencies for cost
reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1997, the Secretary
shall provide for an interim system of limits. Payment shall not exceed
the costs determined under the preceding provisions of this
subparagraph or, if lower, the product of--
            ``(aa) an agency-specific per beneficiary annual limitation
        calculated based 75 percent on the reasonable costs (including
        nonroutine medical supplies) of the standardized national
        average cost per patient in calendar year 1994, or best
        estimate thereof, (as published in the Health Care Financing
        Review Medicare and Medicaid 1997 Statistical Supplement) and
        based 25 percent on the reasonable costs (including nonroutine
        medical supplies) of the standardized regional average cost per
        patient for the agency's census division in calendar year 1995
        (as so published), such national and regional costs updated by
        the home health market basket index and adjusted pursuant to
        clause (II); and
            ``(bb) the agency's unduplicated census count of patients
        (entitled to benefits under this title) for the cost reporting
        period subject to the limitation.
    ``(II) The labor-related portion of the updated national and
regional costs described in subclause (I)(aa) shall be adjusted by the
area wage index applicable under section 1886(d)(3)(E) for the area in
which the agency is located (as determined without regard to any
reclassification of the area under section 1886(d)(8)(B) or a decision
of the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board or the Secretary
under section 1886(d)(10) for cost reporting periods beginning after
October 1, 1995).''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 1861(v)(1)(L)(vi) of the Social Security Act
        (42 U.S.C. 1395x(v)(1)(L)(vi)) (as added by section 4602 of the
        Balanced Budget Act of 1997) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(vi) In any case in which the Secretary determines that
beneficiaries use services furnished by more than 1 home health agency
for purposes of circumventing the per beneficiary annual limitation in
clause (v), the per beneficiary limitations shall be prorated among the
agencies.''.
            (2) Section 1861(v)(1)(L)(vii)(I) of the Social Security
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(v)(1)(L)(vii)(I)) (as added by section
        4602 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997) is amended by striking
        ``clause (v)(I)'' and inserting ``clause (v)(I)(aa)''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply as if included in the enactment of the Balanced Budget Act of
1997.

SEC. 3. CBO ESTIMATE OF HOME HEALTH PAYMENT SAVINGS.

    (a) Estimate.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, and annually thereafter until the prospective payment
system for home health agencies established by section 1895 of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395fff) is in effect, the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office (referred to in this section as the
``Director'') shall estimate the amount of savings to the Medicare
program under title XVIII of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.)
resulting from the interim payment system for home health services
established by the amendments to section 1861 of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1395x) made by section 4602 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
    (b) Certification.--If the Director determines that the amount
estimated under subsection (a) exceeds the amount of savings to the
Medicare program that the Director estimated immediately prior to the
enactment of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 by reason of such interim
payment system, then the Director shall certify such excess to the
Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this subsection
as the ``Secretary'').
    (c) Adjustment.--
            (1) In general.--If the Director certifies an amount to the
        Secretary pursuant to subsection (b), the Secretary shall
        prescribe rules under which appropriate adjustments are made to
        the amount of payments to home health agencies otherwise made
        under subparagraph (L) of section 1861(v)(1) of the Social
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(v)(1)(L)) (as amended by section
        4602 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997) in the case of
        outliers--
                    (A) where events beyond the home health agency's
                control or extraordinary circumstances, including the
                case mix of such agency, create reasonable costs for a
                payment year which exceed the applicable payment
                limits; or
                    (B) in any case not described in subparagraph (A)
                where the Secretary deems such an adjustment
                appropriate.
            (2) Amount.--The total amount of adjustments made under
        paragraph (2) for a year may not exceed the amount certified to
        the Secretary pursuant to subsection (b) for such year. To the
        extent that such adjustments in a year would otherwise exceed
        the amount certified to the Secretary pursuant to subsection
        (b) for such year, the Secretary shall reduce the payments to
        home health agencies in a pro rata manner so that the
        adjustments do not exceed such amount.

Output:
Medicare Home Health Equity Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA), to:  (1) restore the per visit cost limit to 112 percent of the mean (currently, 105 percent of the median) with regard to payments to home health agencies under Medicare; and (2) revise the interim payment system (IPS) for home health agency services.
Directs the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to estimate annually the amount of savings to the Medicare program resulting from the IPS for home health agency services that was established by the BBA.  Provides that, if the Director determines that the estimated amount exceeds the amount of savings to the Medicare program that the Director estimated immediately prior to enactment of the BBA by reason of such IPS, then the Director shall certify such excess to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires the Secretary, in turn, when an excess is certified, to prescribe rules under which appropriate adjustments are made to the amount of payments to home health agencies in the case of outliers: (1) where events beyond the home health agency's control or extraordinary circumstances, including the agency's case mix, create reasonable costs for a payment year which exceed the applicable payment limits; or (2) in any other case where the Secretary deems such an adjustment appropriate.