United States · Amendment · HAMDT

HAMDT 362 (100th)

? An amendment to provide a $2,150 cap (in 1989) on beneficiaries' out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare covered expenses (compared to a $1,798 cap for 1989 in the committee bill), unlimited days of hospital coverage with a maximum of two hospital deductibles a year (compared to the bill's one hospital deductible), 100 days a year of skilled nursing facility coverage (compared to the bill's 150 days), and an expanded home health benefit of up to 35 days of coverage (like the committee bill). ? The substitute would also delete the Medicare prescription drug benefit from the bill, but would provide a Medicaid prescription drug benefit for only those elderly with incomes below 150% of the federal poverty line. In addition, the substitute would delete the bill's provisions which expand mental health and hospice benefits and which establish new coverage for "respite care", while also providing for tax incentives for the development of private long-term care insurance policies. ? Finally, the substitute would be financed primarily through an increase in the Medicare Part B premium paid by all enrollees ( in place of the bill's use of both the Part B premium and a new, income related supplemental premium).