Seniors Prescription Insurance Coverage Equity (SPICE) Act of 2001

Summary

Seniors Prescription Insurance Coverage Equity (SPICE) Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish a voluntary Seniors Prescription Insurance Coverage Equity (SPICE) program. Establishes the Seniors Prescription Insurance Coverage Equity Office in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to be administered by a Board, under which all eligible Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the SPICE program shall be entitled to obtain SPICE prescription drug coverage. Provides for financial assistance to enable Medicare beneficiaries to obtain enrollment coverage, with such assistance varying depending upon beneficiary income. Creates the SPICE Prescription Drug Account in the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund to pay for SPICE benefits. Directs the SPICE Board to develop an Employer Incentive Program to encourage employers to provide adequate prescription drug benefits to retired individuals. Outlines rules for the offering of SPICE coverage under Medicare+Choice plans under SSA title XVIII part C. Provides for SPICE Medigap (Medicare Supplemental) policies. Directs the HHS Secretary to contract with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to assess the practicality and viability of establishing a Medigap policy that only provides SPICE coverage. Directs the SPICE Board to conduct a demonstration project to increase the use of Personal Digital Access Technology in prescribing covered outpatient drugs for eligible Medicare beneficiaries receiving SPICE coverage.

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Timeline

1. 16 July 2001

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7718-7719)

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 17 July 2001

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7809-7818)

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 17 July 2001

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7809)

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 17 July 2001

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in Senate · 17 July 2001 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 17 July 2001

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 17 July 2001

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 17 July 2001

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Ron Wyden · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME-2] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR] · R · Cosponsor
• · ssfi00 · Standing

Related records

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