II 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3795 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES August 3, 2006 Mr. Smith (for himself, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Isakson, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Burr, Mr. Bingaman, Ms. Stabenow, and Mr. Menendez) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a two-year moratorium on certain Medicare physician payment reductions for imaging services.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Access to Medicare Imaging Act of 2006.

2.

Two-year moratorium on certain Medicare physician payment reductions for imaging services

(a)

Moratorium

Subsections (b)(4)(A) and (c)(2)(B)(v)(II) of section 1848 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4), as added by section 5102(b) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, are each amended by striking 2007 and inserting 2009. (b)

GAO study and report on imaging services furnished under the Medicare program

(1)

Study

The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a comprehensive study on imaging services furnished under the Medicare program. (2)

Report

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress and the Secretary of Health and Human Services a report on the findings and conclusions of the study conducted under paragraph (1) together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative actions as the Comptroller General considers appropriate.