[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 128 (Thursday, October 3, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HATCH:
  S. 3043. A bill to provide for an extension of the social health 
maintenance organization (SHMO) demonstration project; to the Committee 
on Finance.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, the Social Health Maintenance Organization 
Demonstration Project is due to expire in the next year. I have been a 
strong supporter of extending the SHMO demonstration project, because 
these plans help keep seniors independent and out of nursing homes. 
SHMOs provide beneficiaries with expanded Medicare benefits, including 
prescription drugs, care coordination and community-based services. 
While many of us are working toward making this a permanent program, it 
has now become clear that we will not be able to accomplish this goal 
this year because of budget constraints. Therefore, I offer as the next 
best solution extending the SHMO demonstration project for five more 
years. This way, SHMOs will continue to operate, and, those 
beneficiaries who receive their Medicare coverage through SHMOs will 
continue to receive important services and benefits.
                                 ______