H.R. 1568 (108th): Medicare Rx Now Act of 2003

Introduced:
Apr 02, 2003 (108th Congress, 2003–2004)
Sponsor:
Rep. Calvin “Cal” Dooley [D-CA20]
Status:
Died (Referred to Committee)

The bill’s title was written by the bill’s sponsor. H.R. stands for House of Representatives bill.

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Status

This bill was introduced on April 2, 2003, in a previous session of Congress, but was not enacted.

Progress
Introduced Apr 02, 2003
Cosponsors
44 cosponsors (43D, 1R) (show)
Committees

House Energy and Commerce

House Ways and Means

The committee chair determines whether a bill will move past the committee stage.

Full Title

To amend part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a prescription drug benefit with a high deductible at no additional premium and access to discount prices on drugs and to provide for the operation of such benefit without a deductible for certain low-income Medicare beneficiaries.

Summary

No summaries available.

Text

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Last updated Apr 02, 2003.
41 pages

Primary Source

View on THOMAS (The Library of Congress)

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GovTrack’s Bill Summary

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Library of Congress Summary

The summary below was written by the Congressional Research Service, which is a nonpartisan division of the Library of Congress.

4/2/2003--Introduced.
Medicare Rx Now Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for outpatient prescription drug coverage under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance), along with an annual deductible, adjusted for inflation, with a three-tiered copayment structure (with reduced copayments for generic drugs). Allows for high-deductible outpatient prescription drug coverage under such new program with the provision of benefits through Medicare approved prescription drug plans, including a Medicare+Choice plan under Medicare+Choice (Medicare part C). Directs the Secretary to solicit bids from entities to offer prescription drug discount card plans to individuals enrolled under part B as long as the entity offering a prescription drug discount card plan does not offer benefits to designees of the plan in addition to high-deductible prescription drug coverage, access to negotiated prices, and other required benefits under this Act. Outlines benefits for low-income beneficiaries, including eligibility for low-income subsidies under the Medicaid program (SSA title XIX).
Provides for changes under Medicaid with respect to the enrollment process, including providing for automatic reenrollment without need to reapply.

House Republican Conference Summary

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No summary available.

House Democratic Caucus Summary

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The bill contains the following citations to other parts of U.S. law:

United States Code

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