115 HR 4952 RH: Improving Seniors Access to Quality Benefits Act U.S. House of Representatives 2018-02-06 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IB Union Calendar No. 644 115th CONGRESS2d Session H. R. 4952 [Report No. 115–832, Part I] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 6, 2018 Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania (for himself and Mr. Kind) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned July 17, 2018Additional sponsors: Mr. Blumenauer and Mr. Guthrie July 17, 2018 Reported from the Committee on Ways and Means with an amendment Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic July 17, 2018Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printedFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on February 6, 2018 A BILL To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study and submit a report on the effects of the inclusion of quality increases in the determination of blended benchmark amounts under part C of the Medicare program.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Improving Seniors Access to Quality Benefits Act.

2.

Determination of blended benchmark amount study

(a)

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that the inclusion of quality increases in the determination of blended benchmark amounts under section 1853(n)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–23(n)(4)) undermines the goal of delivering high-quality care under the Medicare program under title XVIII of such Act. (b)

Study and report

Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall conduct a study and submit to Congress a report on the effects of the inclusion of quality percentage increases under section 1853(n)(5) of such Act in the determination of blended benchmark amounts under section 1853(n)(4) of such Act. Such study and report shall include an analysis of the following: (1)The authority of the Secretary to remove such increases from the determination of such amounts. (2)The effects of including such increases in the determination of such amounts on Medicare Advantage organizations (including the effects on any contracts entered into by such organizations). (3)The financial impact of including such increases in the determination of such amounts by county. (4)The effects of including such increases in the determination of such amounts on individuals enrolled in a plan under part C of title XVIII of such Act.

July 17, 2018 Reported from the Committee on Ways and Means with an amendmentJuly 17, 2018Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed