H.R. 2746House109th Congress (2005-2007)In Committee

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure that benefits under part D of such title have no impact on benefits under other Federal programs.

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HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

June 17, 2005

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 7, 2005

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1152-1153)

June 7, 2005

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Energy and Commerce Committee

June 7, 2005

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

June 10, 2005

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

June 17, 2005

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 2746 on the floor

1 Democrat

Rep. Rush HoltD-NJ-12 · Jun 7, 2005

Mr. Speaker, in his State of the Union address on February 27, 2001, President George W. Bush stood in these very chambers and correctly stated, ``No senior in America should have to choose between buying food and buying prescriptions.'' Unfortunately, two years later, Congress passed a bill that did not solve that problem.

The Medicare Modernization Act fails to protect the eligibility of low-income seniors for other Federal assistance programs. The statute mandates that use of the transitional discount drug cards will not affect eligibility for Federal assistance programs, like food stamps. However, such protection is not extended to the permanent prescription drug benefit, which will be fully implemented on January 1, 2006.

On May 4, 2005, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) notified potential beneficiaries of the Medicare low-income subsidy that they may qualify for extra help paying prescription costs. However, this potential extra help comes with a caveat: If you qualify for extra help, your food stamps may decline. Recipients of the minimum food stamp benefit will see their benefits end.

It is unconscionable to offer a ``low-income subsidy'' that is contingent on beneficiaries forgoing another necessary commodity. The lowest income seniors should not have to choose between getting help with their expenses for prescription drugs or food.

Today, I introduced H.R. 2746, legislation that would fix this problem with the Medicare

Modernization Act. It is a simple correction that extends to the permanent drug benefit the same protection for Federal assistance program eligibility provided in the transitional drug benefit. I encourage Members to support this bill.

Congress and the Bush Administration have repeatedly affirmed that low-income seniors should not have to choose between food and prescription drugs. Our actions as a body have not lived up to that commitment. Congress should act quickly to fix this flaw in the Medicare Modernization Act so that the most vulnerable among us are not faced with an impossible choice.

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 7, 2005

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2746

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 7, 2005

Mr. Holt introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure that benefits under part D of such title have no impact on benefits under other Federal programs.

Benefits under the medicare drug program have no impact under other Federal programs

(a)

In general

Section 1860D–42 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–152) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(c)

Benefits have no impact on benefits under other Federal programs

Benefits under this part, including the availability of negotiated prices under this part and premium and cost-sharing subsidies under section 1860D–14, shall not be treated as benefits or otherwise taken into account in determining an individual’s eligibility for, or the amount of benefits under, any other Federal program.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by this section shall take effect as if included in the enactment of section 101(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (Public Law 108–173; 117 Stat. 2071).