[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 55 (Wednesday, April 21, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H2226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 MEDICARE TRUTH IN BILLING ACT OF 1999

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of 
hospitals and Medicare beneficiaries across this country who have a 
vested interest in changing the way the Health Care Finance 
Administration, HCFA, and its financial intermediaries itemize the 
explanation of Medicare benefits and Medicare summary notices, both of 
which are statements each Medicare beneficiary receives from HCFA for 
services rendered them that they are reimbursed by Medicare.
  Unfortunately for hospitals and Medicare beneficiaries, these 
statements all too often contain inaccurate and misleading information; 
specifically, information that overstates the amount that Medicare 
reimburses hospitals for inpatient services, and understates a 
hospital's contribution to financing any shortfall in Medicare 
reimbursements for such services; information that clouds the truth for 
Medicare beneficiaries instead of clarifying the truth.
  At a time when hospitals' margins are shrinking due to changes in 
Medicare reimbursement rates, at a time when hospitals have been 
plagued by the inappropriate use of the False Claims Act and at a time 
when the President in his fiscal year 2000 budget has proposed further 
cuts in Medicare, it is about time that hospitals be given the credit 
they deserve for financing part of the inpatient expenses as a result 
of Medicare's underpayment.
  Moreover, at a time when seniors are barraged by vague billing 
information, it is about time that they be given the full truth 
regarding the amount Medicare reimburses hospitals for services 
provided them.
  I am happy to announce that I have introduced the Truth in Medicare 
Billing Act, a measure that will ensure that HCFA reports the correct 
amount Medicare reimburses hospitals for inpatient services. The 
Medicare Truth in Billing Act, in addition to requiring HCFA to report 
the actual amount it reimburses hospitals for inpatient services, will 
require that HCFA add a line to all Medicare summary statements 
disclosing the amount equal to the difference between the amount of 
total inpatient charges incurred and the amount Medicare reimbursed the 
hospital for those charges.
  It is a simple fix to a problem that I believe should be resolved in 
the very near future.
  The initial level of support that the Medicare Truth in Billing Act 
has received has been tremendous. The measure has been endorsed by the 
American Hospital Association. In addition, numerous State hospital 
associations, staff and hospital administrators in my district and 
throughout the country have contacted my office to express their 
overwhelming support for the bill. Furthermore, seniors in my district, 
during my most recent round of town meetings, were very supportive of 
the measure.
  I hope that my colleagues in the House on both sides of the aisle 
will join me in working with the House leadership, the Committee on 
Ways and Means and its Subcommittee on Health, HCFA, and most 
importantly, the hospitals and seniors to ensure that the changes set 
forth in the Medicare Truth in Billing Act will become law.

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