I 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6837 
To establish the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 17, 2018 
Mr. BILIRAKIS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speak-
er, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the ju-
risdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and 
Social Security, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Commission on Sus-
taining Medicare and Social Security Act of 2018’’. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT. 
There is established in the legislative branch a com-
mission to be known as the ‘‘Commission on Sustaining 
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Medicare and Social Security’’ (in this Act referred to as 
the ‘‘Commission’’). 
SEC. 3. DUTY OF THE COMMISSION. 
Not later than 1 year after the initial meeting of the 
Commission, the Commission shall submit to Congress a 
report on the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance 
program under title II of the Social Security Act and the 
Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security 
Act, including— 
(1) the impact of using alternative indexes on 
beneficiaries and the Trust Funds, including the 
Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI–E); 
(2) the impact of using alternative premium 
formulas for the Medicare program under title 
XVIII of the Social Security Act on beneficiaries 
and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance 
Trust Fund, including premium formulas that con-
sider financial hardships and socioeconomic status; 
(3) program reforms to increase the sustain-
ability of the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability In-
surance program under title II of the Social Security 
Act and the Medicare program under title XVIII of 
the Social Security Act; and 
(4) program reforms to prevent fraud, increase 
integrity, and reduce improper payments. 
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SEC. 4. MEMBERS. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission 
shall be composed of 11 members. Of the members of the 
Commission— 
(1) 3 shall be appointed by the President, in-
cluding— 
(A) the Commissioner of the Social Secu-
rity Administration or a designee of the Com-
missioner; and 
(B) the Administrator of the Centers for 
Medicare and Medicaid Services or a designee 
of the Administrator; 
(2) 2 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, consisting of— 
(A) 1 nongovernmental expert in the Old- 
Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance pro-
gram under title II of the Social Security Act; 
and 
(B) 1 nongovernmental expert of the Medi-
care program under title XVIII of the Social 
Security Act; 
(3) 2 shall be appointed by the minority leader 
of the House of Representatives; consisting of— 
(A) 1 nongovernmental expert in the Old- 
Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance pro-
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gram under title II of the Social Security Act; 
and 
(B) 1 nongovernmental expert of the Medi-
care program under title XVIII of the Social 
Security Act; 
(4) 2 shall be appointed by the majority leader 
of the Senate, consisting of— 
(A) 1 nongovernmental expert in the Old- 
Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance pro-
gram under title II of the Social Security Act; 
and 
(B) 1 nongovernmental expert of the Medi-
care program under title XVIII of the Social 
Security Act; and 
(5) 2 shall be appointed by the minority leader 
of the Senate, consisting of— 
(A) 1 nongovernmental expert in the Old- 
Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance pro-
gram under title II of the Social Security Act; 
and 
(B) 1 nongovernmental expert of the Medi-
care program under title XVIII of the Social 
Security Act. 
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(b) TIMING OF APPOINTMENTS.—Each of the ap-
pointments under subsection (a) shall be made not later 
than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(c) TERMS; VACANCIES.—Each member shall be ap-
pointed for the life of the Commission, and a vacancy in 
the Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the 
original appointment was made. 
(d) COMPENSATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Members of the Commission 
shall serve without pay. 
(2) PROHIBITION ON COMPENSATION OF FED-
ERAL
EMPLOYEES.—Members of the Commission 
who are full-time officers or employees of the United 
States may not receive additional pay, allowances, or 
benefits by reason of their service on the Commis-
sion. 
(3) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—Each member shall 
receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions 
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 5. OPERATION AND POWERS OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) CO-CHAIRS.—The Commission shall have two co- 
chairs who shall be elected from the members of the Com-
mission during the first meeting of the Commission. 
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(b) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet not 
later than 30 days after the members of the Commission 
have been appointed, and at such times thereafter as the 
co-chairs shall determine. 
(c) RULES
OF PROCEDURE.—The co-chairs shall, 
with the approval of a majority of the members of the 
Commission, establish written rules of procedure for the 
Commission, which shall include a quorum requirement to 
conduct the business of the Commission. 
(d) HEARINGS.—The Commission may, for the pur-
pose of carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act 
at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence 
as the Commission considers appropriate. 
(e) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commission 
may secure directly from any department or agency of the 
United States, including the Congressional Budget Office 
and the Government Accountability Office, any informa-
tion or technical assistance necessary to enable the Com-
mission to carry out this Act. Upon request of the co- 
chairs of the Commission, the head of that department 
or agency shall furnish that information or technical as-
sistance to the Commission. 
(f) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—To the extent or in the 
amounts provided in advance in appropriation Acts, the 
Commission may contract with and compensate govern-
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ment and private agencies or persons for any purpose nec-
essary to enable the Commission to carry out this Act. 
(g) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United 
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
ditions as other departments and agencies of the United 
States. 
SEC. 6. PERSONNEL. 
(a) DIRECTOR.—The Commission shall have a Direc-
tor who shall be appointed by the Commission. The Direc-
tor shall be paid at the rate of basic pay for level V of 
the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(b) STAFF.—The Director may appoint and fix the 
pay of additional staff as the Director considers appro-
priate. 
(c) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Commission 
may procure temporary and intermittent services under 
section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates 
for individuals not to exceed the maximum rate of basic 
pay for GS–15 of the General Schedule. 
(d) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon request 
of the Commission, the head of any Federal department 
or agency may detail, without reimbursement, any of the 
personnel of that department or agency to the Commission 
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to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties under 
this Act. 
(e) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon 
the request of the Commission, the Administrator of Gen-
eral Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reim-
bursable basis, the administrative support services nec-
essary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities 
under this Act. 
SEC. 7. TERMINATION. 
The Commission shall terminate not later than 60 
days after the submission of the report required by section 
3. 
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 to 
carry out this Act. 
Æ 
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