Number: RL32005
Title: Medicare Fee-for-Service Modifications and Medicaid Provisions of H.R. 1 as Enacted
Authors: Sibyl Tilson, Jennifer Boulanger, Jean Hearne, Evelyne Baumrucker, and Julie Stone, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: On November 22, the House of Representatives voted 220 to 215 to approve the conference report on H.R. 1, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. The Senate, on November 24, voted 54 to 44 to approve the conference report. Earlier, the conferees of the Medicare prescription drug and modernization legislation announced an agreement on November 16 and the legislative text was released November 20. As well as establishing a prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries, the legislation contains provisions that involving significant payment increases, payment reductions, an expansion of covered benefits, new demonstration projects and new beneficiary cost-sharing provisions for the traditional Medicare fee-for service (FFS) program. The bill includes a measure that would require congressional consideration of legislation if general revenue funding for the entire Medicare program exceeds 45%. Provisions affecting the State Childrens Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Medicaid programs are included in the legislation as well.
Pages: 108
Date: Updated January 16, 2004