Medicare Extra Rx HELP Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-691
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2019-03-07
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance

Medicare

Prescription drugs
Latest action: action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-03-07
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Medicare Extra Rx Higher Eligibility Limits in Part D Act of 2019 or the Medicare Extra Rx HELP Act of 2019</b></p> <p>This bill expands eligibility for certain premium subsidies for low-income beneficiaries under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Specifically, the bill raises the maximum allowable income for beneficiaries to qualify from 135% to 200% of the federal poverty line.</p>

tv_txt: II 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 691 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 7, 2019 Mr. Casey (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal , Mrs. Gillibrand , and Ms. Baldwin ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to enhance prescription drug affordability by expanding access to assistance with out-of-pocket costs under Medicare part D for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Medicare Extra Rx Higher Eligibility Limits in Part D Act of 2019 or the Medicare Extra Rx HELP Act of 2019 . 2. Enhancing prescription drug affordability by expanding access to assistance with out-of-pocket costs under Medicare part D for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities (a) In general Section 1860D–14 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–114 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in the heading, by striking 150 percent and inserting 200 percent ; (B) in paragraph (1)— (i) in the heading, by striking 135 percent and inserting 200 percent ; and (ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)— (I) by striking 135 percent and inserting 200 percent ; and (II) by striking and who meets the resources requirement described in paragraph (3)(D) or who is covered under this paragraph under paragraph (3)(B)(i) and inserting or who is covered under this paragraph under paragraph (3)(B)(v) ; (C) by striking paragraph (2); (D) in paragraph (3)— (i) in subparagraph (A)— (I) in clause (i), by adding and at the end; (II) in clause (ii)— (aa) by striking 150 percent and inserting 200 percent ; and (bb) by striking ; and at the end and inserting a period; and (III) by striking clause (iii); and (ii) by striking subparagraphs (D), (E), and (G); and (E) in paragraph (4), by striking subparagraph (B); and (2) in subsection (c)(1), in the second sentence, by striking subsections (a)(1)(D) and (a)(2)(E) and inserting subsection (a)(1)(D) . (b) Conforming amendment Section 1905(p)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(p)(1) ) is amended by adding at the end the following flush matter: The Secretary shall apply subparagraph (C) as if the amendments made by section 2(a) of the Medicare Extra Rx Higher Eligibility Limits in Part D Act of 2019 had not been enacted and shall continue to calculate the maximum resource level applied for a year under section 1860D–14(a)(3)(D) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of such Act) without regard to such amendments. . (c) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to plan year 2020 and subsequent plan years.