[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 12, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2366-S2367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DORGAN (for himself, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. 
        Inouye, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Warner, 
        Mrs. Lincoln, and Mr. Talent):
  S. 382. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to 
provide for coverage of cardiovascular screening tests under the 
medicare program; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be introducing today the 
Medicare Cholesterol Screening Coverage Act of 2003, along with my 
colleagues, Senators Campbell, Bingaman, Inouye, Lincoln, Landrieu, 
Warner, Johnson, Cantwell and Talent. Companion legislation is being 
introduced in the House of Representatives today by Representative Dave 
Camp and Representative William Jefferson.
  I think it is appropriate to be introducing this bill during 
``American Heart Month.'' For the last 40 years, Congress and the 
President have recognized American Heart Month because of the need to 
continue the fight against heart disease--our country's #1 killer and a 
leading cause of disability. Cardiovascular diseases take an enormous 
human and financial toll on our Nation. Every 33 seconds, an American 
dies from cardiovascular disease. About 41 percent of deaths each year 
are from cardiovascular diseases--more than the next 6 leading causes 
of death combined. Adding cholesterol screening testing to the menu of 
preventive services already covered by Medicare is yet another step we 
can and should take in the fight against these insidious diseases.
  Cardiovascular diseases account for one-third of all of Medicare's 
spending for hospitalizations. Yet the identification of one of the 
major, changeable risk factors for cardiovascular disease--high levels 
of cholesterol--is not covered by Medicare.
  The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the American Heart 
Association recommend that all Americans over the age of 20 have their 
cholesterol levels tested at least once every five years. But when an 
American turns 65 and enters the Medicare program, their coverage for 
cholesterol screening stops. That is just not right.
  Adding a cholesterol screening benefit to Medicare is a common-sense, 
cost-effective step. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this 
benefit would cost only $20 million a year--a small fraction of the $26 
billion that Medicare spends each year for hospitalizations of patients 
with cardiovascular diseases.
  I am pleased that language similar to my bill was included in S. 
3018, bipartisan Medicare legislation introduced last fall by the 
leaders of the Finance

[[Page S2367]]

Committee, Senators Grassley and Baucus. Unfortunately, however, the 
Senate did not act on this bill before adjourning last year.
  I hope Congress will act soon to provide Medicare coverage of 
cholesterol screening, and I encourage my colleagues to cosponsor this 
bill.
  Another way my colleagues can help in the fight against heart disease 
is by joining the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition. The 
Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition was founded in 1996 and I am 
honored to serve as one of its co-founders and co-chairs. Since its 
inception, this bicameral, bipartisan Coalition has grown to nearly 200 
Members.
  Its purpose is to raise awareness among Congress and the public about 
heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases and to support 
public policies to prevent, treat, and ultimately cure these diseases. 
I encourage those Members who have not already joined the Congressional 
Heart and Stroke Coalition to do so.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to add a cholesterol 
screening benefit for Medicare beneficiaries and to make progress in 
the fight against cardiovascular diseases.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 382

       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 ``Medicare Cholesterol 
     Screening Coverage Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. COVERAGE OF CARDIOVASCULAR SCREENING TESTS.

       (a) Coverage.--Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (U), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (V)(iii), by inserting ``and'' at the 
     end; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(W) cardiovascular screening tests (as defined in 
     subsection (ww)(1));''.
       (b) Services Described.--Section 1861 of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new subsection:

                    ``Cardiovascular Screening Tests

       ``(ww)(1) The term `cardiovascular screening tests' means 
     the following diagnostic tests for the early detection of 
     cardiovascular disease:
       ``(A) Tests for the determination of cholesterol levels.
       ``(B) Tests for the determination of lipid levels of the 
     blood.
       ``(C) Such other tests for cardiovascular disease as the 
     Secretary may approve.
       ``(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall 
     establish standards, in consultation with appropriate 
     organizations, regarding the frequency and type of 
     cardiovascular screening tests.
       ``(B) With respect to the frequency of cardiovascular 
     screening tests approved by the Secretary under subparagraph 
     (A), in no case may the frequency of such tests be more often 
     than once every 2 years.''.
       (c) Frequency.--Section 1862(a)(1) of the Social Security 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(1)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (H);
       (2) by striking the semicolon at the end of subparagraph 
     (I) and inserting ``, and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(J) in the case of a cardiovascular screening test (as 
     defined in section 1861(ww)(1)), which is performed more 
     frequently than is covered under section 1861(ww)(2).''.
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to tests furnished on or after January 1, 2004.
                                 ______