[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 20 (Thursday, February 16, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DURBIN:
  S. 2312. A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
to change the numerical identifier used to identify Medicare 
beneficiaries under the Medicare program; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 2312

       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 ``Social Security Number 
     Protection Act of 2006''.

     SEC. 2. REQUIRING THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 
                   TO CHANGE THE NUMERICAL IDENTIFIER USED TO 
                   IDENTIFY MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE 
                   MEDICARE PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services shall establish and implement procedures to change 
     the numerical identifier used to identify individuals 
     entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII of the 
     Social Security Act or enrolled under part B of such title so 
     that such an individual's social security account number is 
     not displayed on the identification card issued to the 
     individual under the Medicare program under such title or on 
     any explanation of Medicare benefits mailed to the 
     individual.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
     this section.
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