HR 1219
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1219
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require Medicaid
coverage of optometrists.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 29, 2011
Mr. HALL (for himself, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. TERRY, Mr. WHITFIELD, and Mr.
BARROW) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require Medicaid
coverage of optometrists.
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 `Optometric Equity in Medicaid Act'.
SEC. 2. REQUIRING COVERAGE OF SERVICES OF OPTOMETRISTS.
(a) In General- Section 1905(a)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)(5))
is amended--
(1) by striking `and' before `(B)'; and
(2) by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: `, and (C)
medical and other health services (as defined in section 1861(s)) as authorized
by State law, furnished by an optometrist (described in section 1861(r)(4))
to the extent such services may be performed under State law'.
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made
by subsection (a) shall take effect 90 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act and shall apply to services furnished or other actions required
on or after such date.
(2) RULE FOR CHANGES REQUIRING STATE LEGISLATION- In the case of a State
plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which
the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation
(other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet
the additional requirement imposed by the amendments made by subsection
(a), the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the
requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet this
additional requirement before the first day of the first calendar quarter
beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature
that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of
the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative
session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular
session of the State legislature.
END
