To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a Medicare prescription drug benefit.

Summary

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) under which each individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplemental Medical Insurance) is also entitled to obtain qualified prescription drug coverage by electing to enroll: (1) in a plan that provides qualified prescription drug coverage under SSA title XVIII part C (Medicare+Choice) (M+C); or (2) in a prescription drug plan (PDP) under part D if the individual is not enrolled in a M+C plan providing qualified prescription drug coverage. Outlines standard coverage benefit packages for FY 2005. Includes for the standard package an annual deductible of $250, and requires insurers to cover 80 percent of enrollees drug costs from $251 to $1,000, then 50 percent of such costs between $1,001 and the initial coverage limit of $2,000. Requires enrollees to cover all costs between $2,001 and $4,500, and Medicare to cover the entire cost once the beneficiary has reached the $4,500 catastrophic limit. Prescribes a formula for adjustment of the deductible and thresholds for years after 2005. Establishes a competitive bidding process for negotiating the terms and conditions of PDP sponsors. Provides for full premium subsidy and reduction of cost-sharing for individuals with incomes below 150 percent of the Federal poverty level. Establishes the Medicare Prescription Drug Trust Fund in the Treasury for use in such new program. Amends SSA title XVIII part C to: (1) provide for the offering of qualified prescription drug coverage under M+C; and (2) create a competitive bidding program for M+C organizations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to establish a program to: (1) endorse prescription drug discount care programs that meet the requirements of this Act; and (2) make available to Medicare beneficiaries information regarding such endorsed programs.

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Documents

6 official files

• Reported in House (text)

  Reported in House · EN · 28 June 2002

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• Reported in House (PDF)

  Reported in House · EN · 28 June 2002

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• Reported to House without amendment

  summary · EN · 26 June 2002

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• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 21 June 2002

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• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 21 June 2002

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• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 21 June 2002

  Open at official source

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