To express the sense of the Senate regarding the implementation of the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act of 2003.

1. Adds SEC. ____. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG AND MEDICARE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2003 at the end of title VI

   Adds a section

   In S. 1 · Reported to Senate

   Section 13031(j)(3) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (19 U.S.C. 58c(j)(3)) is amended by striking "September 30, 2003" and inserting "September 30, 2013". Amend the title so as to read: "A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a voluntary prescription drug benefit under the medicare program and to strengthen and improve the medicare program, and for other purposes.".

   Inserted: SEC. ____. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG AND MEDICARE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2003.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--It is the sense of the Senate that the Committee on Finance of the Senate should hold not less than 4 hearings to monitor implementation of the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act of 2003 (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Act") during which the Secretary or his designee should testify before the Committee.

   Inserted: (b) Initial Hearing.--It is the sense of the Senate that the first hearing described in subsection (a) should be held not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment the Act. At the hearing, the Secretary or his designee should submit written testimony and testify before the Committee on Finance of the Senate on the following issues:

   Inserted: (1) The progress toward implementation of the prescription drug discount card under section 111 of the Act.

   Inserted: (2) Development of the blueprint that will direct the implementation of the provisions of the Act, including the implementation of title I (Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit), title II (MedicareAdvantage), and title III (Center for Medicare Choices) of the Act.

   Inserted: (3) Any problems that will impede the timely implementation of the Act.

   Inserted: (4) The overall progress toward implementation of the Act.

   Inserted: (c) Subsequent Hearings.--It is the sense of the Senate that the additional hearings described in subsection (a) should be held in each of May 2004, October 2004, and May 2005. At each hearing, the Secretary or his designee should submit written testimony and testify before the Committee on Finance of the Senate on the following issues:

   Inserted: (1) Progress on implementation of title I (Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit), title II (MedicareAdvantage), and title III (Center for Medicare Choices) of the Act.

   Inserted: (2) Any problems that will impede timely implementation of the Act.

   Original wording

   At the end of title VI, insert the following:

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As printed