S.Amdt. 3118

1. Adds SEC. ___. RESERVE FUND TO ALLOW FOR DEFICIT-NEUTRAL LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PROVIDE SENIORS WITH A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT OPTION THAT IS AFFORDABLE, USER-FRIENDLY, AND ADMINISTERED DIRECTLY BY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 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 ALLOW FOR DEFICIT-NEUTRAL LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PROVIDE SENIORS WITH A PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT OPTION THAT IS AFFORDABLE, USER-FRIENDLY, AND ADMINISTERED DIRECTLY BY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

   Inserted: 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) provide all Medicare beneficiaries with a Medicare-administered prescription drug plan option, while preserving the private prescription drug plan options;

   Inserted: (2) ensure that Medicare beneficiaries pay the lowest possible prescription drug prices by directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers with respect to the purchase price of covered part D drugs on behalf of beneficiaries enrolled in the Medicare-administered prescription drug plan;

   Inserted: (3) improve the part D standard prescription drug benefit; and

   Inserted: (4) guarantee that Medicare beneficiaries receive the FDA-approved drugs they need by preventing prescription drug plans and MA-PD plans from ending coverage of drugs, or imposing restrictions or limitations on coverage of drugs, that were covered when the beneficiary enrolled in the plan until the beneficiary has the opportunity to switch plans, with an exception to such guarantee for brand name drugs for which there is a generic drug approved under section 505(j) of the Food and Drug Cosmetic Act that is placed on the market during the period in which the guarantee applies;

   Inserted: by the amount provided in such measure for those purposes, provided that such legislation would not increase the deficit for the period of fiscal years 2007 through 2011.

   Original wording

   At the end of title III, insert the following:

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As printed