Medicare Rx Now Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-1568
Sponsor: Rep. Dooley, Calvin M. [D-CA-20]
Introduced: 2003-04-02 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Ambulatory care
Antibiotics
Coinsurance
Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Consumer complaints
Consumer discounts
Drug abuse
Drug interactions
Drugs
Economics and Public Finance
Electronic data interchange
Electronic government information
Employee health benefits
Generic drugs
Government Operations and Politics
Government employees' health insurance
Grievance procedures
Health education
Health insurance
Health maintenance organizations
Identification devices
Indexing (Economic policy)
Insurance premiums
Intergovernmental fiscal relations
Managed care
Medicaid
Medical economics
Medical records
Medicare
Medication abuse
Medigap
Pharmacies
Prescription pricing
Quality of care
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
Vaccines

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-02
text: Medicare Rx Now Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for outpatient prescription drug coverage under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance), along with an annual deductible, adjusted for inflation, with a three-tiered copayment structure (with reduced copayments for generic drugs). Allows for high-deductible outpatient prescription drug coverage under such new program with the provision of benefits through Medicare approved prescription drug plans, including a Medicare+Choice plan under Medicare+Choice (Medicare part C). Directs the Secretary to solicit bids from entities to offer prescription drug discount card plans to individuals enrolled under part B as long as the entity offering a prescription drug discount card plan does not offer benefits to designees of the plan in addition to high-deductible prescription drug coverage, access to negotiated prices, and other required benefits under this Act. Outlines benefits for low-income beneficiaries, including eligibility for low-income subsidies under the Medicaid program (SSA title XIX).
Provides for changes under Medicaid with respect to the enrollment process, including providing for automatic reenrollment without need to reapply.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2003-04-02
text: 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.
action_date: 2003-04-02
text: 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.
action_date: 2003-04-02
text: 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.
action_date: 2003-04-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-04-02
text: Introduced in House