S.Amdt. 1101

SA 1101. Mr. DAYTON submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 1, 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; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 134, strike line 9 and insert the following: under paragraph (1).

“(d) Implementation of Part D.--

“(1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 1860D-1(a)(4) or any other provision of this part or part C, the Secretary shall implement, and make benefits available under, this part on January 1, 2005, unless the Secretary certifies in writing to Congress, by not later than March 1, 2004, that such implementation is not possible. If such implementation is possible by January 1, 2005, the Secretary shall carry out this part until the Administrator is appointed and able to carry out this part. The Secretary shall implement sections 1807 and 1807A until the date of implementation as certified by the Secretary.

“(2) Certification requirements.--A certification by the Secretary under paragraph (1) that implementation of this part is not possible by January 1, 2005, shall declare the reasons for the impossibility and a new date certain (which in no event shall be later than January 1, 2006) for implementation of this part.