S.Amdt. 3008

1. Adds SEC. ___. RESERVE FUND TO IMPROVE THE MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT; REPEAL OF DIRECT SPENDING LIMITATION at the end of title III

   Adds a section

   In S.Con.Res. 83 · Placed on Calendar Senate

   (2) that committee is within its allocation as provided under section 302(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974; the chairman of the Committee on the Budget may make the appropriate adjustments in allocations and aggregates to the extent that such legislation would not increase the deficit for the fiscal year 2007 and for the period of fiscal years 2007 through 2011.

   Inserted: SEC. ___. RESERVE FUND TO IMPROVE THE MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT; REPEAL OF DIRECT SPENDING LIMITATION.

   Inserted: (a) Reserve Fund.--The Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate may revise the allocations, aggregates, and other appropriate levels and limits in this resolution for a bill or joint resolution, or an amendment thereto or conference report thereon, that would--

   Inserted: (1) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to offer a Medicare guaranteed prescription drug plan under part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act that would be operated by the Secretary and that would have a service area that consists of the entire United States;

   Inserted: (2) improve the coverage under the program under such part D, including through the reduction of the annual deductible and the required coinsurance and through the elimination of the coverage gap, cost-sharing above the annual out-of-pocket threshold, and the assets test for low-income beneficiaries;

   Inserted: (3) eliminate overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans under part C of such title, including through the elimination of the MA Regional Plan Stabilization Fund, through the extension of refinements to the health status adjustment to plan payments, and through requiring that the Medicare Advantage capitation rate be based on the fee-for-services rate;

   Inserted: (4) reduce costs by allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate discounted prices on prescription drugs offered under a drug plan under such part D;

   Inserted: by the amount provided in such measure for those purposes.

   Inserted: (b) Repeal of Direct Spending Limitation.--Section 406 shall be null and void.

   Original wording

   At the end of title III, insert the following:

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As printed