Summary of H.R. 1327

Official Name

"Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act"

What This Bill Does

This law extends and makes permanent the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, which was originally created to provide financial help to people (such as first responders, workers, and victims) who got sick or were injured because of their involvement in or near the 9/11 attacks.

Key Points Explained Simply

• Fund Extension: The Fund is now authorized to operate and pay claims all the way through the year 2092, instead of ending sooner. This means people affected by 9/11 health issues can continue to apply for compensation for many decades.
• Unlimited Funding as Needed: Instead of a fixed dollar amount, the Fund can now receive as much money as necessary each year to pay all claims.
• Longer Time to File Claims: People can submit claims for compensation until October 1, 2090, giving more time for those who develop illnesses down the road to get help.
• Making Up for Past Shortages: If some claims were previously paid less than they should have been due to not enough money, affected claimants will get additional payments once enough funds become available.
• Special Cases: The person in charge of the Fund (called the "Special Master") can allow some claims to receive more money than normally allowed if there are special reasons.
• Income Limits Adjusted: The income limits for eligibility will be adjusted for inflation over time to keep them fair and up to date.
• Appointments: The Attorney General can appoint a Special Master and up to two deputies to run the Fund, without normal government hiring rules, to allow flexibility.

Why This Is Important

Many people who responded to or were impacted by the September 11, 2001, attacks have suffered long-term health problems that developed over years. This law ensures they and their families will continue to receive financial support for medical care and other losses well into the future.

In Short

This bill guarantees that the financial support program for 9/11 victims is available for many decades, with enough funding, flexibility for special cases, and fair adjustments to meet the needs of claimants over time.

Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act Summary:

This bill, officially known as the Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act, aims to repeal the oil and gas program in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Additionally, it introduces a system for collecting inspection fees from operators of offshore facilities to cover inspection expenses. The fees are allocated to an Ocean Energy Safety Fund to ensure proper funding for the inspection program.

Explanation of H. R. 1309

This bill, known as the "Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act," directs the Secretary of Labor to create a standard for occupational safety and health. This standard requires employers in the health care and social service industries to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to prevent workplace violence.

Key Points of the Bill:

• Requires the Secretary of Labor to issue an interim workplace violence prevention standard within 1 year.
• This standard will apply to certain employers in health care and social service sectors, based on guidelines from 2015.
• Employers must prioritize technical assistance for compliance.
• Defines covered facilities and services in the health care and social service industries.

This bill also outlines requirements for workplace violence prevention plans, including plan development, content, training, recordkeeping, and anti-retaliation policies. It also amends the Social Security Act to require hospitals and skilled nursing facilities to comply with the Workplace Violence Prevention Standard.

Passed by the House of Representatives on November 21, 2019.

Explanation of H.R. 1692 in Layman's Terms:

The Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act of 2019 is a bill introduced in the House of Representatives to ensure that every woman has access to affordable abortion coverage and care, regardless of her income level or type of insurance. The bill aims to provide comprehensive health insurance that includes coverage for a full range of pregnancy-related care, including abortion services. It emphasizes that no woman should have her decision to have or not to have an abortion influenced by her financial situation.

The bill addresses the restrictions imposed by the Federal Government and some states on abortion coverage, particularly affecting low-income women, women of color, immigrant women, and young women. It calls for the Federal Government to ensure coverage for abortion care in public health insurance programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP, as well as in employer-sponsored health plans. Additionally, the bill prohibits restrictions on private insurance coverage of abortion care.

In conclusion, the bill seeks to uphold a woman's right to make personal healthcare decisions by ensuring equal access to abortion coverage and care, regardless of income or insurance status.