Calendar No. 621
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2629
To amend the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization
Act of 2003 to eliminate the coverage gap, to eliminate HMO subsidies, to
repeal health savings accounts, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 8, 2004
Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Ms. MIKULSKI) introduced the following bill;
which was read the first time
July 9, 2004
Read the second time and placed on the calendar
A BILL
To amend the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization
Act of 2003 to eliminate the coverage gap, to eliminate HMO subsidies, to
repeal health savings accounts, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Closing the Coverage Gap Act of 2004'.
TITLE I--IMPROVEMENT OF MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT
SEC. 101. ELIMINATION OF COVERAGE GAP.
(a) IN GENERAL- Section 1860D-2(b) of the Social Security Act, as added by
section 101(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization
Act of 2003, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(A)(ii), by striking `paragraph (6)' and inserting `paragraph
(5)';
(2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking `and up to the initial coverage limit
under paragraph (3)';
(3) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) and inserting the following:
`(3) Protection against high out-of-pocket expenditures-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The coverage provides benefits with cost-sharing that
is equal to the greater of--
`(i) a copayment of $2 for a generic drug or a preferred drug that is
a multiple source drug (as defined in section 1927(k)(7)(A)(i)) and
$5 for any other drug; or
`(ii) coinsurance that is equal to 5 percent.
`(B) ADJUSTMENT OF AMOUNT- For a year after 2006, the dollar amounts specified
in subparagraph (A)(i) shall be equal to the dollar amounts specified
in this subparagraph for the previous year, increased by the annual percentage
increase described in paragraph (5) for the year involved. Any amount
established under this clause that is not a multiple of 5 cents shall
be rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 cents.'; and
(4) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 1860D-14(a) of such Act, as so added, is
amended by striking subparagraph (C) of paragraphs (1) and (2).
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this section shall take effect
as if included in the enactment of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement,
and Modernization Act of 2003.
TITLE II--ELIMINATION OF HMO SUBSIDIES
SEC. 201. ELIMINATION OF MA REGIONAL PLAN STABILIZATION FUND.
Subsection (e) of section 1858 of the Social Security Act, as added by section
221(c) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act
of 2003, is repealed.
SEC. 202. ELIMINATION OF PREMIUM SUPPORT DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
Effective as if included in the enactment of the Medicare Prescription Drug,
Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, subtitle E of title I of such
Act is repealed and any provisions of law amended by such subtitle are restored
as if such subtitle had not been enacted.
TITLE III--REPEAL OF HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
SEC. 301. REPEAL OF HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.
Section 1201 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization
Act of 2003 is repealed and any provisions of law amended by such section
are restored as if such section had not been enacted.
Calendar No. 621
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2629
A BILL
To amend the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act
of 2003 to eliminate the coverage gap, to eliminate HMO subsidies, to repeal
health savings accounts, and for other purposes.
July 9, 2004
Read the second time and placed on the calendar
END
