[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1900 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1900

  To expand the use of competitive bidding under the Medicare Program.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 20, 1999

  Mr. Stark (for himself and Mr. McDermott) introduced the following 
  bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in 
addition to the Committee on 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

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To expand the use of competitive bidding under the Medicare Program.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Medicare Competitive Bidding 
Expansion Act of 1999''.

SEC. 2. EXPANDING THE USE OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING UNDER THE MEDICARE 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) Expansion of Current Demonstration Project Authority.--
            (1) In general.--On and after January 1, 2004, the 
        Secretary of Health and Human Services may exercise authority 
        under section 4011 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (relating 
        to medicare prepaid competitive pricing demonstration project) 
        and under section 1847 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
        1395w-3), inserted by section 4319(a) of the Balanced Budget 
        Act of 1997, without regard to--
                    (A) any limitation on the number of projects, 
                sites, or areas served, the population served, or the 
                period of authorization; and
                    (B) the need for any further monitoring or reports 
                under 4011(d) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 or any 
                termination otherwise required under section 1847(e) of 
                the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-3(e)).
            (2) Use of fiscal intermediaries and carriers.--In 
        implementing paragraph (1), the Secretary, to the extent 
        feasible, shall provide for administration of competitive 
        bidding through the use of local fiscal intermediaries and 
        carriers and consortia of contractors. Such projects may cover 
        combined payments under parts A and B of title XVIII of the 
        Social Security Act.
            (3) Price and quality.--Any authority exercised under this 
        subsection shall take into account both the price and quality 
        of items and services provided.
    (b) Coverage of Additional Services.--
            (1) In general.--In addition to the authority provided 
        under subsection (a), the Secretary of Health and Human 
        Services is authorized to provide for payment under the 
        medicare program on the basis of competitive bidding for 
        services not covered under the demonstration projects referred 
        to in subsection (a). Such projects may cover services such as 
        organ transplant services, lithotripsy services, diagnostic 
        imaging, and non-emergency ambulance services.
            (2) Extra weight for quality.--In conducting demonstration 
        projects under this subsection, the Secretary shall provide 
        additional weight when considering providers with a 
        demonstrated quality of services.
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