[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 535 Introduced in House (IH)]

  2d Session
H. RES. 535

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning use of 
  additional projected surplus funds to supplement Medicare funding, 
       previously reduced under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 27, 2000

   Mr. Bilbray (for himself and Mrs. Wilson) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and 
      in addition to the Committee on Commerce, for a priod to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

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                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning use of 
  additional projected surplus funds to supplement Medicare funding, 
       previously reduced under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.

Whereas Congress is responsible for oversight and spending under the Medicare 
        program;
Whereas the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 was passed in response to major economic 
        concerns about inflation in costs in the Medicare program;
Whereas the savings resulting from enactment of that Act exceeded the estimates 
        at the time of enactment and has resulted in payment rates for classes 
        of providers below the rates previously anticipated;
Whereas the Congress adjusted some elements of the Medicare program in the 
        Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999;
Whereas a significant number of Medicare+Choice organizations is withdrawing, or 
        considering withdrawing, from the Medicare+Choice program because of 
        inadequate reimbursement rates;
Whereas the Medicare prescription drug bill pending in the Congress will delay 
        the date by which Medicare+Choice organizations must decide whether to 
        remain in the Medicare+Choice program from July 1, 2000, to October 1, 
        2000; and
Whereas, because of improved economic performance, it is anticipated that the 
        Congressional Budget Office in its mid-year reestimates will project 
        dramatically increased non-Social Security surpluses above those assumed 
        in the adoption of the most recent Congressional Budget Resolution for 
        fiscal year 2001: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that, upon receipt of such mid-year CBO re-estimates, the House of 
Representatives shall promptly assess the budgetary implications of 
such reestimates and provide for appropriate adjustments to the 
Medicare program during this legislative session.
                                 <all>