To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to include coverage under the medicare program for rehabilitation services provided by State vocational rehabilitation agencies to older individuals who are blind.

July 30, 2001

Mr. FROST (for himself, Mr. TOWNS, Mrs. MINK of Hawaii, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. VISCLOSKY, Mr. MCNULTY, Ms. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. LANTOS, Mr. RUSH, Mr. LAFALCE, Ms. RIVERS, and Mr. KILDEE) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to include coverage under the medicare program for rehabilitation services provided by State vocational rehabilitation agencies to older individuals who are blind.

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 `Medicare Equity Act for the Blind of 2001'.

SEC. 2. MEDICARE COVERAGE OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR OLDER INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND.

(a) IN GENERAL- Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)), as amended by sections 102(a) and 105(a) of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (as enacted into law by section 1(a)(6) of Public Law 106-554), is amended--

(1) in subsection (s)(2)--

(A) by striking `and' at the end of subparagraph (U);

(B) by adding `and' at the end of subparagraph (V); and

(C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

`(W) rehabilitation services for older individuals who are blind;'; and

(1) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

`Rehabilitation Services for Older Blind Individuals

`(ww) The term `rehabilitation services for older individuals who are blind' means independent living services (described in section 752(e) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) that--

`(1) are approved by the Secretary in regulations; and

`(2) are provided to an older individual who is blind (as defined in section 751 of such Act); and

`(3) are provided--

`(A) by a State agency designated under section 101(a)(2) of such Act; or

`(B) by another entity that is acting under the supervision of that State agency and that--

`(i) is on a list of entities approved by that State agency; or

`(ii) is selected by the older individual and is approved (through an application process or otherwise) by that State agency.'.

(b) PAYMENT- Section 1833(a)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)), as amended by sections 105(c) and 223(c) of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (as enacted into law by section 1(a)(6) of Public Law 106-554), is amended--

(1) by striking `and' before `(U)'; and

(2) by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: `, and (V) with respect to rehabilitation services for older individuals who are blind (as defined in section 1861(ww)), the amount paid shall be 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge for the services or the amount determined under the fee schedule established for purposes of this clause'.

(c) APPLICATION OF LIMITS ON BILLING- Section 1842(b)(18)(C) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(18)(C)), as amended by section 105(d) of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (as enacted into law by section 1(a)(6) of Public Law 106-554), is amended by adding at the end the following new clause:

`(vii) An individual or entity providing rehabilitation services for older individuals.'.

(d) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this section apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2002.

END