[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4930 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 4930

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a Medicare 
          prescription drug discount card endorsement program.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 13, 2002

 Mrs. Capito introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
 Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on 
   Ways and Means, 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 amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a Medicare 
          prescription drug discount card endorsement 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 ``Senior Prescription Savings Now Act 
of 2002''.

SEC. 2. MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARD ENDORSEMENT PROGRAM.

    Title XVIII of the Social Security Act is amended by inserting 
after section 1806 the following new section:

     ``medicare prescription drug discount card endorsement program

    ``Sec. 1807. (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a 
program--
            ``(1) to endorse prescription drug discount card programs 
        that meet the requirements of this section; and
            ``(2) to make available to medicare beneficiaries 
        information regarding such endorsed programs.
    ``(b) Requirements for Endorsement.--The Secretary may not endorse 
a prescription drug discount card program under this section unless the 
program meets the following requirements:
            ``(1) Savings to medicare beneficiaries.--The program 
        passes on to medicare beneficiaries who enroll in the program 
        discounts on prescription drugs, including discounts negotiated 
        with manufacturers.
            ``(2) Prohibition on application only to mail order.--The 
        program applies to drugs that are available other than solely 
        through mail order.
            ``(3) Beneficiary services.--The program provides 
        pharmaceutical support services, such as education and 
        counseling, and services to prevent adverse drug interactions.
            ``(4) Information.--The program makes available to medicare 
        beneficiaries through the Internet and otherwise information, 
        including information on enrollment fees, prices charged to 
        beneficiaries, and services offered under the program, that the 
        Secretary identifies as being necessary to provide for informed 
        choice by beneficiaries among endorsed programs.
            ``(5) Demonstrated experience.--The entity operating the 
        program has demonstrated experience and expertise in operating 
        such a program or a similar program.
            ``(6) Quality assurance.--The entity has in place adequate 
        procedures for assuring quality service under the program.
            ``(7) Additional beneficiary protections.--The program 
        meets such additional requirements as the Secretary identifies 
        to protect and promote the interest of medicare beneficiaries, 
        including requirements that ensure that beneficiaries are not 
        charged more than the lower of the negotiated retail price or 
        the usual and customary price.
    ``(c) Program Operation.--The Secretary shall operate the program 
under this section consistent with the following:
            ``(1) Promotion of informed choice.--In order to promote 
        informed choice among endorsed prescription drug discount card 
        programs, the Secretary shall provide for the dissemination of 
        information which compares the costs and benefits of such 
        programs in a manner coordinated with the dissemination of 
        educational information on Medicare+Choice plans under part C.
            ``(2) Oversight.--The Secretary shall provide appropriate 
        oversight to ensure compliance of endorsed programs with the 
        requirements of this section, including verification of the 
        discounts and services provided.
            ``(3) Use of medicare toll-free number.--The Secretary 
        shall provide through the 1-800-medicare toll free telephone 
        number for the receipt and response to inquiries and complaints 
        concerning the program and programs endorsed under this 
        section.
            ``(4) Disqualification for abusive practices.--The 
        Secretary shall revoke the endorsement of a program that the 
        Secretary determines no longer meets the requirements of this 
        section or that has engaged in false or misleading marketing 
        practices.
            ``(5) Enrollment practices.--A medicare beneficiary may not 
        be enrolled in more than one endorsed program at any time.
    ``(d) Transition.--The Secretary shall provide for an appropriate 
transition and discontinuation of the program under this section at the 
time outpatient prescription drug benefits first become available under 
a part D.
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the program 
under this section.''.
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