PRESCRIPTION DRUG AND MEDICARE IMPROVEMENT ACT

Amendments

Enact (H.R. 1): consideration of conference report (H. Res. 463), H12245 [21NO]

Enact (S. 1), S7932 [16JN], S8020, S8089, S8105, S8111, S8161, S8162 [18JN], S8173, S8174, S8182, S8184, S8203, S8246, S8247, S8248, S8249, S8252, S8253, S8255 [19JN], S8273, S8278, S8283, S8284, S8285, S8286, S8288, S8290, S8291, S8308, S8309, S8310, S8311, S8312, S8313, S8314 [20JN], S8325, S8330, S8331, S8335, S8336, S8337, S8340, S8341, S8345, S8348, S8350, S8351, S8353, S8367, S8368, S8369, S8370, S8371, S8372, S8374, S8375, S8376 [23JN], S8387, S8390, S8396, S8400, S8404, S8405, S8410, S8415, S8416, S8418, S8421, S8422, S8423, S8424, S8446, S8447, S8448, S8449, S8450, S8451, S8457, S8459, S8460, S8461, S8463, S8464, S8470, S8472, S8473, S8474, S8475, S8476 [24JN], S8480, S8483, S8487, S8489, S8495, S8496, S8500, S8502, S8512, S8515, S8516, S8521, S8522, S8536, S8538, S8539, S8578, S8579, S8580, S8581, S8582, S8583, S8584, S8585, S8586, S8587, S8588, S8589, S8590, S8592, S8593, S8594 [25JN], S8608, S8610, S8612, S8617, S8621, S8624, S8625, S8630, S8632, S8633, S8636, S8639, S8644, S8654, S8655, S8666, S8675, S8679, S8680, S8681, S8682, S8683, S8684, S8685, S8766, S8767, S8768, S8769, S8773, S8775, S8776, S8777, S8778, S8779, S8780, S8781, S8782, S8795, S8796 [26JN], S8898 [7JY]

Appointments

Conferees: H.R. 1, provisions, S8898 [7JY]

Articles and editorials

AARP Accused of Conflict of Interest, H12254 [21NO]

AARP Calls on Vermont Congressional Delegation To Vote for Medicare Rx Bill, S15694 [24NO]

Drug Plan a Placebo, H7234 [22JY]

Drugmakers Protect Their Turf—Medicare Bill Represents Success for Pharmaceutical Lobby, H12110 [21NO]

Hobson's Medicare, S15536 [22NO], S15897 [25NO]

Medco Accused of Favoring Merck Drugs, S8615 [26JN]

Medicare Bill Would Enrich Companies, S15724 [24NO]

Medicare Debate Turns to Pricing of Drug Benefits, S15735 [24NO]

Medicare Reform—Try Again, S15909 [25NO]

Some Successful Models Ignored as Congress Works on Drug Bill, S11074 [4SE]

Struggling Seniors, Medicare Drug Plan's Proof Is in the Purse, S8658 [26JN]

2 Bills Would Benefit Top Bush Fundraisers—Executives' Companies Could Get Billions, S15558 [22NO], S15728 [24NO]

U.S. Is Joining Lawsuit That Says Medco Put Profits Before Patients, S8614 [26JN]

U.S. Joining Suit Against Medco, S8614 [26JN]

When Half a Loaf Isn't Nearly Enough, S15606 [23NO]

Wrong Prescription—Congress Considers Inadequate Bills, S8659 [26JN]

Bills and resolutions

AARP: decision to support Medicare reform legislation (see H. Res. 461), H11702 [20NO]

Enact (see S. 1), S7718 [11JN]

Enact (H.R. 1): consideration of conference report (see H. Res. 463), H12306 [21NO]

———consideration of conference report (H. Res. 463), same-day consideration (see H. Res. 459), H11700 [20NO]

Cloture motions

Enact (H.R. 1): conference report, S15561 [22NO], S15698 [24NO]

Conference reports

Provisions (H.R. 1), H11877-H12103 [20NO]

Explanations

Changes in Conference Report on H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, Relative to Payment System for Cancer Drugs, S15887 [25NO]

Letters

Allow Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in fallback plans to remain in such plans for two years by regulating contracting cycles: James Firman, National Council on the Aging, S8394 [24JN]

Clarify status of Medicare as a secondary payor: William E. Moschella, Dept. of Justice, S8276 [20JN]

Collect and assess scientific evidence regarding prescription drugs frequently used by Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries: Gail E. Shearer, Consumers Union (organization), S8420 [24JN]

———Ronald F. Pollack, Families USA (organization), S8421 [24JN]

———RxHealthValue (organization), S8420 [24JN]

Dept. of HHS certification of safety and cost savings relative to commercial importation of prescription drugs from Canada: Asa Hutchinson, DEA, S8206 [19JN]

———Donna E. Shalala, S8204 [19JN]

———Mark B. McClellan, FDA, S8203, S8205 [19JN]

———Tommy G. Thompson, Sec. of HHS, S8204 [19JN]

Employer-sponsored retiree prescription drug coverage plans: several labor unions, S8411 [24JN]

Enhance Medicare beneficiary access to quality health care services in rural areas: President Bush, S7956 [17JN]

Ensure Federal Employees Health Benefits Program prescription drug coverage for Medicare-eligible enrollees is actuarially equal to general enrollees: Charles L. Fallis, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, S8331 [23JN]

———Colleen M. Kelley, National Treasury Employees Union, S8331 [23JN]

Ensure that dual-eligible beneficiaries are eligible for Medicare prescription drug coverage: Paul Baldwin, Long Term Care Pharmacy Alliance, S8640 [26JN]

Equal access to community-based attendant services under Medicaid for the disabled and elderly: Lynne Cleveland and Leon Triest, The Arc and United Cerebal Palsy Public Policy Coalition, S8607 [26JN]

———Sam Leam and Patrick E. Rogers, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Oregon chapter, S8607 [26JN]

———William E. Moschella, Dept. of Justice, S8535 [25JN]

Guarantee option of Medicare provided prescription drug coverage for all beneficiaries: Barbara B. Kennelly, National Committee To Preserve Social Security and Medicare, S8091 [18JN]

Include educational information about prescription drugs in direct-to-consumer advertising: several health organizations, S8609 [26JN]

Medicare alternative payment system for preferred provider organizations in highly competitive regions: Robert A. Sunshine, CBO, S8612 [26JN]

Medicare beneficiaries exemption from paying monthly premiums during any gap in coverage of their prescription drug benefit: Barbara B. Kennelly, National Committee To Preserve Social Security and Medicare, S8276 [20JN]

Medicare drug plans and organizations transfer of savings from drug manufacturers' rebate, discount, and incentive programs to local pharmacies and consumers: Barry F. Scher and John J. Fegan, Ahold USA, Inc., S8183 [19JN]

———John J. Motley III, Food Marketing Institute, S8183 [19JN]

———Joseph A. Piohler, Kroger Co., S8184 [19JN]

———Randy Hutton, Winn Dixie Stores, Inc., S8184 [19JN]

Medicare payments to rural health care providers and facilities: Kimberly A. Russel and Kirk Norris, Iowa Hospital Association, S15580 [22NO]

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: John Yoo, S15752-S15755 [24NO]

———several Representatives, H12109 [21NO]

Medicare prescription drug benefit coverage gap: William D. Novelli, AARP, S8387 [24JN]

Medicare+Choice program: several Senators, S8526 [25JN]

Permanently increase Medicare payment rates for home health services in rural areas: several Senators, S8703 [26JN]

Permit Medicare+Choice plans that disproportionately serve special needs or frail, elderly beneficiaries to offer specialized Medicare Advantage plans: Eugene Scanzera, Kaiser Permanente (health maintenance organization), S8522 [25JN]

———Karen A. Bullock, Community Health Partnership, Inc., S8689 [26JN]

———Karen Musser, Elder Care of Dane County, WI, S8689 [26JN]

———Richard J. Bringewatt, Medicare Payment Coalition for Frail Beneficiaries, S8523 [25JN]

Prohibit a health plan from contracting with a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) unless certain requirements are satisfied: Charles Bofferding, Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, S8616 [26JN]

———Charles M. Loveless, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, S8616 [26JN]

———Rod Shafer, Washington State Pharmacy Association, S8616 [26JN]

———Ronald F. Pollack, Families USA (organization), S8616 [26JN]

Provide payment for community health center services relative to coverage of individuals under Medicare managed care plans: Craig Hostetler, Oregon Primary Care Association, S8397 [24JN]

Provisions: Edward G. Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania, H12252 [21NO]

———Gail E. Shearer, Consumers Union, S8615 [26JN]

———Gary Locke, Tom Vilsack and Bill Richardson, Democratic Governors' Association, S15636 [23NO]

———George E. Pataki, Governor of New York, S8271 [20JN], S8856 [27JN]

———Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida, H12243 [21NO]

———Republican Governors Association, H12243 [21NO]

———several Members of Congress, S15536 [22NO]

———several Representatives, H12184 [21NO]

———several Senators, S15536 [22NO], S15897 [25NO]

Lists

Pharmaceutical industry contributions to political parties, H6455 [9JY]

Senate and House staff members who contributed to H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, S15914 [25NO]

Votes on point of order against Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act (2002), S15702 [24NO]

Motions

Enact (H.R. 1), H8063 [9SE], H8182 [10SE], H8257 [16SE], H8361 [17SE], H8467 [23SE], H8879, H8880 [24SE], H8925 [25SE], H8996 [30SE], H9062 [1OC], H9171, H9180 [2OC], H9252 [7OC], H9349 [8OC], H9708 [20OC], H9780 [21OC], H9967 [28OC], H10083 [29OC], H10314 [4NO], H10428, H10438 [5NO], H10528 [6NO], H11186 [17NO], H11395, H11493 [18NO], H11598 [19NO], H11845 [20NO]

———conference report, S15698 [24NO], H12294 [21NO]

———motion to instruct conferees, H10106 [29OC]

Enact (S. 1), S8343 [23JN], S8402, S8403, S8404, S8409 [24JN], S8609, S8622, S8636 [26JN]

Press releases

AARP Endorses Medicare Prescription Drug Bill: AARP, H11498 [18NO]

Provisions: Iowa Hospital Association, S15580 [22NO]

Vermont Physicians and Hospitals Strongly Support Passage of Medicare Reform Legislation: Vermont Medical Society, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, and Fletcher Allen Health Care, Inc., S15694 [24NO]

Questions and answers

Access to HIV/AIDS drugs under H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: Senator Feinstein and Tommy G. Thompson, Sec. of HHS, S15597 [23NO]

Remarks in House

AARP: alleged conflict of interest relative to endorsement of Medicare reform and prescription drug coverage, H11494-H11496, H11498 [18NO], H11520 [19NO], H12253 [21NO]

———decision to support Medicare reform legislation, H11635, H11638 [19NO]

Dept. of HHS: promulgate regulations for the reimportation of prescription drugs, H9354 [8OC], H9969 [28OC], H12106 [21NO]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: negotiated prices for prescription drugs, H11499 [18NO]

Enact (H.R. 1), H6448-H6455 [9JY], H6585 [10JY], H7200 [21JY], H7234 [22JY], H7335 [23JY], H7792, H7812, H7813 [3SE], H8021 [9SE], H8262 [16SE], H9001 [30SE], H9219 [7OC], H9354 [8OC], H9488 [16OC], H9972 [28OC], H10159, H10160 [30OC], H10316, H10318 [4NO], H10347 [5NO], H11122 [7NO], H11191-H11199 [17NO], H11365, H11367, H11368, H11504, H11509-H11512 [18NO], H11518-H11520, H11629, H11634-H11647 [19NO], H11658, H11659, H11660, H11661, H11856-H11858, H11860, H11862, H11868-H11874 [20NO], E1642 [25JY], E1800 [16SE], E1956 [2OC]

———conference report, H11362 [18NO], H12106, H12107, H12108-H12113, H12184, H12185, H12247-H12297 [21NO], H12750, H12752, H12761, H12846-H12854, H12879, H12883, H12901-H12908 [8DE], E2455 [25NO], E2474 [8DE]

———conference report, unanimous-consent agreement, H12239 [21NO]

———consideration of conference report, H12230-H12246 [21NO]

———consideration of conference report (H. Res. 463), same-day consideration (H. Res. 459), H12174-H12181 [21NO]

———motion to instruct conferees, H8182-H8189 [10SE], H8361-H8365 [17SE], H8879, H8880-H8887 [24SE], H8925-H8930 [25SE], H9062-H9067 [1OC], H9171-H9187 [2OC], H9349-H9354 [8OC], H9780-H9784 [21OC], H10106-H10112 [29OC], H10438-H10443 [5NO], H10528-H10534 [6NO], H11493-H11500 [18NO], H11598-H11605 [19NO], H11845-H11853 [20NO], E1907 [25SE], E1968 [2OC], E2013 [8OC], E2250 [6NO]

Medicare: coverage of cancer drugs and treatments, E1800 [16SE]

———earnings test for beneficiaries relative to prescription drug coverage, H9181-H9187 [2OC], H9219 [7OC]

———enhance beneficiary access to quality health care services in rural areas, H9062-H9067 [1OC]

———ensure Medicare+Choice and Medicare Advantage payments attributable to disproportionate share hospitals are paid directly to such hospitals, H8880-H8886 [24SE], H8925-H8930 [25SE], H10528-H10534 [6NO], E1907 [25SE], E1968 [2OC]

———improve access to services in rural hospitals and critical access hospitals, H12106 [21NO]

———improve reimbursement payments to physicians, H11198 [17NO], H11493-H11500 [18NO], H11598-H11605, H11637, H11639 [19NO], H11845-H11853 [20NO]

———increase payments to rural health care providers and facilities, H11870-H11872 [20NO], H12241 [21NO], E1956 [2OC]

———privatization, H9780-H9784 [21OC], H10439-H10443 [5NO], H11600, H11603, H11643 [19NO], H12903, H12905 [8DE], E2250 [6NO]

———prohibit implementation of premium support system which would require competition with private insurance carriers in delivering basic services, H10106-H10112 [29OC], H10528-H10534 [6NO]

———provide for expeditious coverage of new medical technology, H12294 [21NO]

———reductions in prescription drug prices, H11857 [20NO]

———restore the full market basket percentage increase applied to payments to hospitals for inpatient hospital services furnished to beneficiaries, H11519 [19NO]

New Jersey: impact of Medicare legislation on Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged & Disabled (PAAD) program, H12262 [21NO]

Taxation: treatment of amounts contributed to medical savings accounts and unused nontaxable benefits under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements, H9171-H9180 [2OC], H9349-H9354 [8OC], H11872 [20NO]

Remarks in Senate

AARP: alleged conflict of interest relative to endorsement of Medicare reform and prescription drug coverage, S15585 [22NO], S15729 [24NO]

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: collect and assess scientific evidence regarding prescription drugs frequently used by Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries, S8419-S8421, S8422 [24JN], S8529, S8530 [25JN]

Committee on Finance (Senate): tribute to staff for efforts relative to S. 1, provisions, S8700 [26JN]

Dept. of HHS: certify safety and cost savings relative to commercial importation of prescription drugs from Canada, S8203-S8215 [19JN], S8266-S8268 [20JN]

———develop literacy standards for informational materials to assist in the safe and appropriate use of prescription drugs, S8422 [24JN]

———include educational information about prescription drugs in direct-to-consumer advertising, S8609 [26JN]

———promulgate regulations for the reimportation of prescription drugs, S15531 [22NO]

———require drug companies to test drugs against their competitors, disclose results of such tests in advertising, and include educational information about the drug in direct-to-consumer advertising, S8484, S8485 [25JN]

Disabled: promote community integration, S8430 [24JN]

Drugs: enhance competition for prescription drugs by increasing enforcement of existing antitrust laws relative to brand name and generic drugs, S8012 [18JN], S8351 [23JN], S8429, S8431 [24JN], S8692 [26JN]

Enact (H.R. 1), S8898 [7JY], S9295-S9298 [11JY], S9581, S9582 [17JY], S10960, S10962 [2SE], S11073 [4SE], S11146, S11155 [5SE], S11305 [10SE], S12151 [30SE], S14925-S14927 [17NO], S15036-S15038, S15047-S15051 [18NO], S15110, S15147-S15149, S15167-S15170, S15172-S15175 [19NO]

———conference report, S15362-S15368, S15373-S15376, S15379-S15385, S15399 [21NO], S15514, S15519, S15521-S15569, S15574-S15588 [22NO], S15592-S15644, S15663-S15667 [23NO], S15670-S15771 [24NO], S15882-S15902, S15904-S15915, S15918, S15919, S15927-S15932, S15950 [25NO], S16104-S16107 [9DE]

———conference report, unanimous-consent agreement, S15510 [21NO], S15528 [22NO]

Enact (S. 1), S7563, S7564, S7572 [10JN], S7665-S7668 [11JN], S7905-S7922 [16JN], S7943-S7974 [17JN], S8012, S8013-S8116 [18JN], S8167, S8202-S8216 [19JN], S8265-S8295 [20JN], S8323-S8354 [23JN], S8386-S8398, S8400-S8431 [24JN], S8479-S8546 [25JN], S8605-S8633, S8635-S8645, S8647-S8709 [26JN], S8832, S8850-S8856 [27JN], S8870, S8871 [7JY], S12910 [21OC], S12992 [22OC], S13068 [23OC], S14084 [6NO], S14960 [17NO]

———unanimous-consent agreement, S7868 [13JN], S8706 [26JN]

———unanimous-consent request, S8411 [24JN], S8686 [26JN]

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: ensure prescription drug coverage for Medicare-eligible enrollees is actuarially equal to benefit offered to general enrollees, S8330 [23JN]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: provide greater access to affordable pharmaceuticals, S8187-S8198, S8200 [19JN]

Health: protect retiree health benefits, S13068 [23OC]

———recognize recent breakthroughs in medical research and support continued efforts in disease prevention and cures, S8839-S8842 [27JN]

———suspend the Outcome and Assessment Information Set requirement for non-Medicare and non-Medicaid patients to reduce paperwork, S8608 [26JN]

Health care facilities: teaching hospitals funding, S8686 [26JN]

Institute of Medicine: findings of report entitled ``Hidden Costs, Value Lost—Uninsurance in America'', S8277 [20JN]

Insurance: economic impact of undiagnosed and untreated illnesses, S8277 [20JN]

———prohibit a health plan from contracting with a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) unless certain requirements are satisfied, S8613-S8617 [26JN]

Medicaid: provide the disabled and elderly with equal access to community-based attendant services, S8347 [23JN], S8534-S8537 [25JN], S8606-S8608 [26JN]

———restore disproportionate share hospital allotment for Hawaii, S8495 [25JN]

Medicare: allow beneficiaries enrolled in fallback plans to remain in such plans for two years by regulating contracting cycles, S8285 [20JN], S8390-S8394, S8408 [24JN]

———allow certain beneficiaries to purchase supplemental Medigap prescription drug plans, S8641, S8648 [26JN]

———allow certain States to opt out of prescription drug coverage program, S8687 [26JN]

———allow eligible beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage plans to elect zero premium, stop-loss drug coverage protection, S8679 [26JN]

———allow personal contributions to participate private fee-for-service plans, S8687 [26JN]

———clarification of a hospital ``under development'' relative to exemption from the self-referral limitation, S15743 [24NO]

———coordination of benefits for prescription drug plans and State pharmaceutical assistance programs, S8653 [26JN]

———coverage of adult day care services, S8687 [26JN]

———coverage of cancer drugs and treatments, S11305 [10SE], S15739, S15740 [24NO]

———coverage of cholesterol and blood lipid screening, S8187 [19JN]

———coverage of FDA-approved prescription drug therapies for beneficiaries with multiple sclerosis, S8546 [25JN]

———coverage of marriage and family therapist services, S8481 [25JN]

———coverage of pancreatic islet cell transplantations for individuals with diabetes and end stage renal disease, S8701 [26JN]

———coverage of screening and diagnostic mammography services, S8186 [19JN]

———coverage of syringes and medical supplies necessary for the administration of insulin, S8283 [20JN]

———definition of negotiated price for drug coverage relative to inclusion of dispensing fees, S15742, S15743 [24NO]

———develop and standardize quality indicators in health care data collection priority areas and develop programs to assist beneficiaries in making informed health plan decisions, S8421 [24JN]

———eliminate asset test to determine eligibility for premium and cost-sharing subsidies for low-income beneficiaries, S8111, S8115 [18JN], S8169-S8172 [19JN], S8338-S8340, S8343-S8345 [23JN]

———eliminate gap in coverage of prescription drug benefit, S8387-S8389, S8392, S8393, S8403, S8404 [24JN]

———eliminate gap in coverage of prescription drug benefit relative to Alzheimer's disease drugs, S8624 [26JN]

———eliminate gap in coverage of prescription drug benefit relative to cancer drugs, S8481 [25JN], S8621, S8622 [26JN]

———encourage availability of Medicare Advantage benefits in medically underserved areas, S8489-S8495 [25JN]

———enhance beneficiary access to quality health care services in rural areas, S7954-S7957 [17JN], S8018, S8109, S8112 [18JN]

———ensure beneficiaries have convenient access to retail pharmacies for prescription drug coverage and prohibit the tying of contracts by health plans, S8487, S8488, S8489 [25JN], S15743 [24NO]

———ensure contributions for prescription drug coverage made by beneficiaries' former employers be treated as incurred costs, S8326, S8329 [23JN], S8394, S8410 [24JN]

———ensure Medicare+Choice and Medicare Advantage payments attributable to disproportionate share hospitals are paid directly to such hospitals, S8335 [23JN]

———ensure that current retirees who are subject to lose prescription drug coverage will have the option of drug coverage under the Medicare fallback, S8660-S8662, S8701 [26JN]

———ensure that dual-eligible beneficiaries are eligible for prescription drug coverage, S8324-S8329 [23JN], S8393 [24JN], S8640, S8641, S8644, S8647 [26JN]

———establish a demonstration project for direct access to physical therapy services, S8284 [20JN]

———establish permanent lifestyle modification program for beneficiaries, S8653 [26JN]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug discount and security program, S8493 [25JN], S8663-S8675 [26JN]

———evaluate alternative payment and delivery systems, S8539-S8545 [25JN], S8618-S8620, S8637, S8638 [26JN]

———exempt beneficiaries from paying monthly premiums during any gap in coverage of their prescription drug benefit, S8274-S8277 [20JN], S8486 [25JN]

———expand coverage of certain self-injected biologicals, S8346 [23JN], S8416-S8418 [24JN]

———expedite implementation of prescription drug coverage following enactment of reform legislation, S8349 [23JN], S8405-S8409 [24JN]

———extend eligibility periods for geriatric graduate medical education, S8283 [20JN]

———geographically reclassify certain hospitals for purposes of equitable hospital payment rates, S8417 [24JN]

———guarantee option of Medicare provided prescription drug coverage for all beneficiaries, S8089-S8104, S8108 [18JN], S8657 [26JN]

———hospital ownership exceptions to physician self-referral restrictions, S9581, S9582 [17JY]

———improve outpatient vision services, S8407 [24JN]

———improve reimbursement payments to physicians, S15399 [21NO]

———inclusion of disease management as a permanent part of the fee-for-service program, S8545 [25JN]

———income related increase in Medicare premium, S8680 [26JN]

———increase and freeze indirect medical education adjustment percentage, S8400 [24JN]

———increase direct subsidy to employers retaining retiree prescription drug coverage plans, S8410-S8412 [24JN]

———increase payments to rural health care providers and facilities, S15579 [22NO]

———increase the availability of discounted prescription drugs through grants to health centers, hospitals, and other qualifying institutions, to create in-house pharmacies, S8280 [20JN]

———limit premium increases, S8172-S8174, S8184-S8186, S8198-S8200 [19JN]

———limit the extent to which premiums and benefits of prescription drug coverage plans may vary, S8498-S8500 [25JN]

———lower premiums and improve coverage in prescription drug plans, S8625-S8632, S8637 [26JN]

———permanently increase payment rates for home health services in rural areas, S8703 [26JN]

———permit continuous open enrollment and disenrollment in prescription drug plans, S8401-S8403 [24JN]

———permit Medicare+Choice plans that disproportionately serve special needs or frail, elderly beneficiaries to offer specialized Medicare Advantage plans, S8522, S8523 [25JN], S8688 [26JN]

———permit offering of consumer-driven health care plans under Medicare Advantage, S8651 [26JN]

———provide additional assistance to beneficiaries with certain serious medical conditions during any gap in coverage of their prescription drug benefit, S8630-S8632, S8636 [26JN]

———provide beneficiaries with information on advance directives, S8652 [26JN]

———provide cost-sharing prescription drug coverage for certain beneficiaries in certain income categories, S8412-S8414 [24JN]

———provide for equitable reimbursement rates for Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans, S8346 [23JN]

———provide for equitable reimbursement rates to Medicare+Choice organizations, S8500-S8502, S8506 [25JN], S8692, S8693 [26JN]

———provide for income-related increase in part B premium for individuals and married couples with incomes exceeding a certain level, S8677, S8678 [26JN]

———provide payment for community health center services relative to coverage of individuals under managed care plans, S8336 [23JN], S8397, S8398 [24JN], S8482 [25JN]

———reductions in prescription drug prices, S8490-S8493 [25JN]

———reimburse Indian hospitals and clinics for all Part B services, S8337 [23JN]

———repeal outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps, S8521 [25JN], S8687, S8688 [26JN]

———require drug plans and organizations to transfer savings from drug manufacturers' rebate, discount, and incentive programs to local pharmacies and consumers, S8105-S8108 [18JN], S8183, S8184 [19JN]

———require GAO study on concierge care, S8288 [20JN]

———require Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to study disproportionate share hospital payments, S8336 [23JN], S8396 [24JN]

———stabilize physician fee schedule payments and reform the sustainable growth rate payment update system, S8546 [25JN], S8652 [26JN]

———standardize payment amounts for inpatient hospital services, S8417 [24JN]

———streamline regulations, S8350 [23JN]

———update asset test to determine eligibility for premium and cost-sharing subsidies for low-income beneficiaries, S8623 [26JN]

———update physician reimbursement rates, S8688 [26JN]

Members of Congress: provide that prescription drug coverage under a Federal health benefits plan not exceed the level of coverage under Medicare, S8350 [23JN], S8408 [24JN]

National Bipartisan Commission on Medicare Reform: establish, S8514 [25JN]

National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center: establish, S8421 [24JN]

Pharmaceuticals: permit commercial importation of prescription drugs from Canada, S8186, S8203-S8215 [19JN], S8265, S8269 [20JN]

———require manufacturers to sell FDA-approved prescription drugs to U.S. wholesalers and retailers on the same terms as Canadian purchasers, S8332-S8335, S8341-S8343 [23JN], S8403 [24JN]

Social Security: permit States the option of covering certain legal aliens under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, S8424-S8428 [24JN], S8642-S8644 [26JN]

———restore Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program coverage to legal residents who are citizens of the Freely Associated States, S8330 [23JN]

Reports

Impact of Republican Medicare Proposals on Insurance Industry Revenues and Profits: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) Minority Staff, S15769 [24NO]

Reports filed

Consideration of Conference Report on H.R. 1, Provisions: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 463) (H. Rept. 108-394), H12306 [21NO]

Provisions: Committee of Conference (H.R. 1) (H. Rept. 108-391), H11700 [20NO]

———Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 1), S7876 [13JN]

Same-Day Consideration of H. Res. 463, Consideration of Conference Report on H.R. 1, Provisions: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 459) (H. Rept. 108-390), H11700 [20NO]

Studies

Coordination of Care for Those With Multiple Chronic Conditions, S8620 [26JN]

Summaries

Provisions (S. 1): Specter Amendment on Advance Directives, S8653 [26JN]

———Specter Amendment on Coordination of Benefits for Prescription Drug Plans and State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs, S8654 [26JN]

———Specter Amendment on Permanent Lifestyle Modificaiton Program, S8653 [26JN]

———Specter Amendment on Physician Fee Schedule Payments, S8653 [26JN]

Testimonies

Provisions: Committee on Finance (Senate), S8661 [26JN]

Texts of

H. Res. 459, same-day consideration of H. Res. 463, consideration of conference report on H.R. 1, provisions, H12174 [21NO]

H. Res. 463, consideration of conference report on H.R. 1, provisions, H12230 [21NO]

H.R. 1, provisions, S8898-S8997 [7JY]

S. 1, provisions, S7720 [11JN]