Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Act of 1998
Bill journey · stage 2 of 5
Under committee review
What it doesSummary introduced in house (Oct 8, 1998)
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) provide for coverage of certain outpatient prescription drugs and home infusion drug therapy services; (2) outline payment rules and related requirements for such drugs and services; (3) provide for Medicare rebates for covered outpatient prescription drugs (or, in the alternative, for purchasing arrangement demonstrations which result in lower costs to the Medicare program and beneficiaries than under the rebate program); and (4) restructure payment for drugs, biologicals, and parenteral nutrients not paid on a cost or prospective payment basis as otherwise provided in Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).
Expands the membership of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to include additional members, appointed by the Comptroller General, with expertise in pharmacology and prescription drug benefit programs.
Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to eliminate the report to the Congress on the average wholesale prices of drugs and biologicals.
Declares that any increase in the Medicare part B premium resulting from this Act is covered for qualified Medicare beneficiaries and for special low-income Medicare beneficiaries under respective programs of the Medicaid program under SSA title XIX.
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) provide, in any statement of premiums, for a separate statement of the portion of such premiums attributable to this Act's amendments; and (2) establish a method under which such portion is waived for any Medicare part B enrollee who demonstrates that he or she has coverage actuarially equivalent to the Medicare part B coverage.
What just happenedOct 20, 1998
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
Who’s behind it
- Introduced in HouseOct 8, 1998
- Oct 20, 1998CommitteeH11000
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
Health and Environment Subcommittee - Oct 12, 1998IntroReferralB00100
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2101)
- Oct 9, 1998IntroReferralB00100
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1980-1982)
- Oct 8, 1998IntroReferralH11100
Referred to House Commerce
Energy and Commerce Committee - Oct 8, 1998IntroReferralH11100-A
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Oct 8, 1998IntroReferralH11100
Referred to House Ways and Means
Ways and Means Committee - Oct 8, 1998IntroReferralB00100
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1969-1970)
- Oct 8, 1998IntroReferralIntro-H
Introduced in House
- Oct 8, 1998IntroReferral1000
Introduced in House