II 112th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 374 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 17, 2011 Mr. Kerry (for himself, Ms. Snowe, and Ms. Collins) 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 eliminate the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services under the Medicare program.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act.

2.

Elimination of 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services

(a)

In general

Section 1812 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395d) is amended— (1)in subsection (b)— (A)in paragraph (1), by adding or at the end; (B)in paragraph (2), by striking ; or at the end and inserting a period; and (C)by striking paragraph (3); and (2)in subsection (c), by striking (but shall not be included and all that follows before the period at the end. (b)

Effective Date

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2012.