IB 

Union Calendar No. 644 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 4952 

[Report No. 115–832, Part I] 

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study 

and submit a report on the effects of the inclusion of quality increases 

in the determination of blended benchmark amounts under part C of 

the Medicare program. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 6, 2018 

Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania (for himself and Mr. KIND) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, 

and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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 

JULY 17, 2018 

Additional sponsors: Mr. BLUMENAUER and Mr. GUTHRIE

JULY 17, 2018 

Reported from the Committee on Ways and Means with an amendment 

[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 

JULY 17, 2018 

Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged; committed to the Committee 

of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed 

[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on February 6, 2018] 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
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•HR 4952 RH

A BILL 

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to 

conduct a study and submit a report on the effects 

of the inclusion of quality increases in the determination 

of blended benchmark amounts under part C of the 

Medicare program. 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
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•HR 4952 RH

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Improving Seniors Ac5 cess to Quality Benefits Act’’. 

6 SEC. 2. DETERMINATION OF BLENDED BENCHMARK 

7 AMOUNT STUDY. 

8 (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress 

9 that the inclusion of quality increases in the determination 

10 of blended benchmark amounts under section 1853(n)(4) of 

11 the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–23(n)(4)) under12 mines the goal of delivering high-quality care under the 

13 Medicare program under title XVIII of such Act. 

14 (b) STUDY AND REPORT.—Not later than one year 

15 after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary 

16 of Health and Human Services, in consultation with rel17 evant stakeholders, shall conduct a study and submit to 

18 Congress a report on the effects of the inclusion of quality 

19 percentage increases under section 1853(n)(5) of such Act 

20 in the determination of blended benchmark amounts under 

21 section 1853(n)(4) of such Act. Such study and report shall 

22 include an analysis of the following: 

23 (1) The authority of the Secretary to remove such 

24 increases from the determination of such amounts. 


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•HR 4952 RH

1 (2) The effects of including such increases in the 

2 determination of such amounts on Medicare Advan3 tage organizations (including the effects on any con4 tracts entered into by such organizations). 

5 (3) The financial impact of including such in6 creases in the determination of such amounts by 

7 county. 

8 (4) The effects of including such increases in the 

9 determination of such amounts on individuals en10 rolled in a plan under part C of title XVIII of such 

11 Act. 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS

pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
Union Calendar No. 644 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 4952 

[Report No. 115–832, Part I] 

A BILL 

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human 

amounts under part C of the Medicare program. in the determination of blended benchmark on the effects of the inclusion of quality increases Services to conduct a study and submit a report 

JULY 17, 2018 

Reported from the Committee on Ways and Means with 

J

an amendment 

ULY 17, 2018 

Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged; comState of the Union and ordered to be printed mitted to the Committee of the Whole House on the 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS