To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop literacy standards for informational materials, particularly drug information.

SA 954. Mrs. CLINTON submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 1, to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make improvements in the medicare program, to provide prescription drug coverage under the medicare program, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 46, between lines 13 and 14, insert the following:

“(i) Health Literacy Standards.--

“(1) In general.--For purposes of assisting eligible entities in providing quality assurance measures as described in subsection (c)(1)(B), the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Administrator of Health Resources and Services Administration, the Director of the National Library of Medicine, and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall develop standardized materials that pharmacists may use to assist non-English speaking or functionally illiterate patients in the safe and appropriate use of prescription drugs. Such materials may include the use of pictures and the development of standardized translations in multiple languages of prescription labels and bottle labels and other patient safety initiative information. Such materials shall be available electronically for direct access by pharmacists.

“(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2004 and 2005.