Fair Care Act of 2024

Bill: 118-hr-10409
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4]
Introduced: 2024-12-12
Policy area: Health
Latest action: action_date: 2024-12-12
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and the Workforce, the Judiciary, Oversight and Accountability, Rules, the Budget, Armed Services, and House Administration, 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.

Summaries:

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 10409 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 12, 2024 Mr. Westerman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce , and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means , Education and the Workforce , the Judiciary , Oversight and Accountability , Rules , the Budget , Armed Services , and House Administration , 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 address the high costs of health care services, prescription drugs, and health insurance coverage in the United States, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Fair Care Act of 2024 . (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Title I—Modernization of health savings accounts Subtitle A—Modernization of health savings accounts and contributions Sec. 101. Modernization of health savings accounts. Sec. 102. Unused premium tax credits may be deposited in health savings accounts. Sec. 103. Health Reimbursement Arrangements and Other Account-Based Group Health Plans. Sec. 104. Cost-sharing reduction payments as eligible contributions. Sec. 105. Direct Primary Care. Subtitle B—Assistance to health savings accounts Sec. 111. One-time application of saver’s credit to contributions to health savings accounts. Sec. 112. Grants for health savings account assistance and outreach. Sec. 113. New corporations required to use health savings accounts. Sec. 114. Federal employee health benefits and health savings accounts. Title II—Improving Private Health Insurance Subtitle A—Maintaining Protections for Patients with Preexisting Conditions Sec. 201. Guaranteed availability of coverage; prohibiting discrimination. Subtitle B—Expanding Coverage Options Sec. 211. Definition of employer under ERISA with respect to group health plans. Sec. 212. Short-term limited duration insurance. Subtitle C—Improving Commercial Health Insurance Sec. 221. Invisible Guaranteed Coverage Pool Reinsurance Program; tax on exchange plans. Sec. 222. Employer health insurance mandate repeal. Sec. 223. Refundable credits for coverage under a qualified health plan for individuals offered employer-sponsored insurance. Sec. 224. Inclusion in income of certain costs of employer-provided coverage under health plans. Sec. 225. Change in permissible age variation in health insurance premium rates. Sec. 226. Premium assistance adjustment to reflect age. Sec. 227. Premium assistance. Sec. 228. Adding copper plans to Exchanges. Sec. 229. Copper and bronze plans. Sec. 230. Waivers for State innovation. Sec. 231. Enrollment periods. Sec. 232. State-operated Exchanges flexibility for open enrollment periods. Sec. 233. Promoting health plans that cover individuals in more than one State. Title III—Competition, Transparency and Accountability Subtitle A—Provider and Insurer Competition Sec. 301. Hospital consolidation. Sec. 302. Authority of Federal Trade Commission over certain tax-exempt organizations. Sec. 303. Leveling the playing field between payers and providers. Sec. 304. Banning anticompetitive terms in facility and insurance contracts that limit access to higher quality, lower cost care. Sec. 305. Repealing eligibility of certain ACOs. Sec. 306. Repeal of health care reform provisions limiting Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals. Sec. 307. Alternative payment model for certain shoppable procedures. Subtitle B—Price Transparency Sec. 321. Price transparency requirements. Sec. 322. Ensuring enrollee access to cost-sharing information. Sec. 323. Access of individuals to protected health information. Sec. 324. Timely bills for patients. Sec. 325. Advisory group on reducing burden of hospital administrative requirements. Sec. 326. Data reporting to improve the transparency regarding how 340 B hospital covered entities provide care for patients. Sec. 327. Requiring 340 B drug discount program reports by DSH hospital covered entities on low-income utilization rate of outpatient hospital services. Sec. 328. Employer benefits reports. Sec. 329. Government Accountability Office study on profit- and revenue-sharing in health care. Subtitle C—Prescription Drug Competition and Innovation Sec. 341. Expedited development and priority review for generic complex drug products. Sec. 342. Preventing blocking of generic drugs. Sec. 343. Ensuring timely access to generics. Sec. 344. Preemption of State barriers to the substitution of biosimilar products. Sec. 345. Increasing pharmaceutical options to treat an unmet medical need. Sec. 346. Conditional approval of new human drugs for individuals with rare, progressive, and serious diseases. Sec. 347. Consolidating exclusivity periods for drugs treating rare diseases and conditions. Sec. 348. Exclusivity period for brand name biological products. Sec. 349. Regulation of manufacturer-sponsored co-pay contributions. Sec. 350. Antitrust exemption for private health insurance issuers to negotiate wholesale acquisition prices of prescription drugs purchased from drug manufacturers. Sec. 351. Biological product innovation. Sec. 352. Biosimilar biological products. Sec. 353. Prompt approval of drugs related to safety information. Sec. 354. Congressional review of the Food and Drug Administration rulemaking. Sec. 355. Government Accountability Office study of rules. Subtitle D—Prescription Drug and Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Sec. 361. Patent disclosure requirements. Sec. 362. Requirements with respect to prescription drug benefits. Sec. 363. PBM transparency and elimination of DIR fees. Sec. 364. Health plan oversight of pharmacy benefit manager services. Sec. 365. Study by Comptroller General of United States. Subtitle E—Medicare and Medicaid Prescription Drug Reforms Sec. 371. Medicare part D modernization redesign. Sec. 372. Maximum monthly cap on cost-sharing payments under prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans. Sec. 373. Market based part B pricing index. Sec. 374. Innovation model testing of Medicare drug payments. Sec. 375. Modification of maximum rebate amount under Medicaid drug rebate program. Subtitle F—Medical Malpractice Reform Sec. 381. Definitions. Sec. 382. Encouraging speedy resolution of claims. Sec. 383. Compensating patient injury. Sec. 384. Maximizing patient recovery. Sec. 385. Authorization of payment of future damages to claimants in health care lawsuits. Sec. 386. Product liability for health care providers. Sec. 387. Effect on other laws. Sec. 388. Limitation on expert witness testimony. Sec. 389. Expert witness qualifications. Sec. 390. Communications following unanticipated outcome. Sec. 391. Affidavit of merit. Sec. 392. Notice of intent to commence lawsuit. Sec. 393. Limitation on liability for volunteer health care professionals. Sec. 394. Rules of construction. Sec. 395. Effective date. Title IV—Medicare and Medicaid Reforms Subtitle A—Medicaid Reforms Sec. 401. Medicaid payment reform. Sec. 402. Income limitations for refundable credits for coverage under a qualified health plan. Sec. 403. Medicaid eligibility determinations. Sec. 404. Lowering safe harbor threshold with respect to State taxes on health care providers. Sec. 405. Providing for State approval and implementation of specified waivers under the Medicaid program. Sec. 406. Deduction for qualified charity care. Subtitle B—Medicare Reforms Sec. 411. Off-campus provider-based department Medicare site neutral payment. Sec. 412. Eliminating FEHBP eligibility for annuitants. Sec. 413. Elimination of Medicare eligibility for certain individuals. Sec. 414. Medicare part D tax deduction. Sec. 415. Repeal of net investment income tax. Sec. 416. Medicare coverage of bad debt. Subtitle C—Medicare Choice and Competition Sec. 421. Competitive bidding and premiums under unified Medicare. Sec. 422. New unified eligibility and enrollment rules. Sec. 423. New benefit structure under unified Medicare. Sec. 424. Late enrollment penalty not to apply for months of any health coverage. Sec. 425. Medigap reform. Sec. 426. ACO revision. Sec. 427. Primary care options. Sec. 428. General provisions; effective date. Subtitle D—Telehealth Improvements and Expansion Sec. 431. Expansion of coverage of telehealth services. Sec. 432. Expanding the use of telehealth through the waiver of certain requirements. Sec. 433. Expanding the use of telehealth for mental health services. Sec. 434. Use of telehealth in emergency medical care. Sec. 435. Improvements to the process for adding telehealth services. Sec. 436. Rural health clinics and Federally qualified health centers. Sec. 437. Native American health facilities. Sec. 438. Waiver of telehealth restrictions during national emergencies. Sec. 439. Use of telehealth in recertification for hospice care. Sec. 440. Clarification for fraud and abuse laws regarding technologies provided to beneficiaries. Sec. 441. Study and report on increasing access to telehealth services in the home. Sec. 442. Analysis of telehealth waivers in alternative payment models. Sec. 443. Model to allow additional health professionals to furnish telehealth services. Sec. 444. Testing of models to examine the use of telehealth under the Medicare program. I Modernization of health savings accounts A Modernization of health savings accounts and contributions 101. Modernization of health savings accounts (a) In general Section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows: 223. Health savings accounts (a) Deduction allowed In the case of an individual who is an eligible individual for any month during the taxable year, there shall be allowed as a deduction for the taxable year an amount equal to the aggregate amount paid in cash during such taxable year by or on behalf of such individual to a health savings account of such individual. (b) Limitations (1) In general The amount allowable as a deduction under subsection (a) with respect to any month is 1/12 of the dollar amount in effect under subsection (d)(2)(A) for the taxable year which included such month. (2) Denial of deduction to dependents No deduction shall be allowed under this section to any individual with respect to whom a deduction under section 151 is allowable to another taxpayer for a taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which such individual’s taxable year begins. (3) Increase in limit for individuals becoming eligible individuals after the beginning of the year (A) In general For purposes of computing the limitation under paragraph (1) for any taxable year, an individual who is an eligible individual during the last month of such taxable year shall be treated— (i) as having been an eligible individual during each of the months in such taxable year, and (ii) as having been enrolled, during each of the months such individual is treated as an eligible individual solely by reason of clause (i), in the same qualified plan in which the individual was enrolled for the last month of such taxable year. (B) Failure to maintain qualified plan coverage (i) In general If, at any time during the testing period, the individual is not an eligible individual, then— (I) gross income of the individual for the taxable year in which occurs the first month in the testing period for which such individual is not an eligible individual is increased by the aggregate amount of all contributions to the health savings account of the individual which could not have been made but for subparagraph (A), and (II) the tax imposed by this chapter for any taxable year on the individual shall be increased by 10 percent of the amount of such increase. (ii) Exception for disability or death Subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (i) shall not apply if the individual ceased to be an eligible individual by reason of the death of the individual or the individual becoming disabled (within the meaning of section 72(m)(7)). (iii) Testing period The term testing period means the period beginning with the last month of the taxable year referred to in subparagraph (A) and ending on the last day of the 12th month following such month. (c) Definitions and special rules For purposes of this section— (1) Eligible individual The term eligible individual means, with respect to any month, any individual if such individual is covered under a qualified plan as of the 1st day of such month. (2) Qualified plan (A) In general The term qualified health plan means any health plan, including employer plans, individual plans, short term plans, Medicare, Medicaid, VA health care, TRICARE, Indian health service, health care sharing ministries, and association health plans. (B) Exclusion of certain plans Such term does not include a health plan if substantially all of its coverage is— (i) coverage for any benefit provided by permitted insurance, or (ii) coverage (whether through insurance or otherwise) for accidents, disability, dental care, vision care, or long-term care. (3) Permitted insurance The term permitted insurance means— (A) insurance if substantially all of the coverage provided under such insurance relates to— (i) liabilities incurred under workers’ compensation laws, (ii) tort liabilities, (iii) liabilities relating to ownership or use of property, or (iv) such other similar liabilities as the Secretary may specify by regulations, (B) insurance for a specified disease or illness, and (C) insurance paying a fixed amount per day (or other period) of hospitalization. (4) Family coverage The term family coverage means any coverage other than self-only coverage. (d) Health savings account For purposes of this section— (1) In general The term health savings account means a trust created or organized in the United States as a health savings account exclusively for the purpose of paying the qualified medical expenses of the account beneficiary, but only if the written governing instrument creating the trust meets the following requirements: (A) Except in the case of a rollover contribution described in subsection (f)(5) or section 220(f)(5), no contribution will be accepted— (i) unless it is in cash, or (ii) to the extent such contribution, when added to previous contributions to the trust for the calendar year, exceeds the limitation amount specified in paragraph (2)(A), or (iii) to the extent such contribution, when added to the balance of the account, exceeds the limitation amount specified in paragraph (2)(B). (B) The trustee is a bank (as defined in section 408(n)), an insurance company (as defined in section 816), or another person who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the manner in which such person will administer the trust will be consistent with the requirements of this section. (C) No part of the trust assets will be invested in life insurance contracts. (D) The assets of the trust will not be commingled with other property except in a common trust fund or common investment fund. (E) The interest of an individual in the balance in his account is nonforfeitable. (2) Limitations (A) Annual limitation (i) In general The limitation amount specified in this subparagraph is— (I) $5,000 in the case of a qualified health plan with an actuarial value of less than 40 percent, (II) $4,300 in the case of a qualified health plan with an actuarial value that is 40 percent or more and less than 75 percent, and (III) $3,600 in the case of a qualified health plan with an actuarial value that is 75 percent or more. (ii) Actuarial value of qualified health plan For purposes of clause (i), the actuarial value of a qualified health plan is the percentage of the total average costs of covered benefits under the health plan. (B) Account accumulation limitation The limitation amount specified in this paragraph is $50,000. (C) Indexing (i) In general In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2025, each dollar amount contained in subparagraphs (A)(i) and (B) shall be increased by the medical care cost adjustment of such amount for such calendar year. (ii) Medical care cost adjustment For purposes of clause (i), the medical care cost adjustment for any calendar year is the percentage (if any) by which— (I) the medical care component of the C–CPI–U (as defined in section 1(f)(6)) for August of the preceding calendar year, exceeds (II) such component of the C–CPI–U (as so defined) for August of 2024. (iii) Rounding (I) Annual limitation If any increase in a dollar amount contained in subparagraph (A)(i) determined under clause (i) is not a multiple of $100, such increase shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $100. (II) Account limitation If any increase in the dollar amount contained in subparagraph (B) determined under clause (i) is not a multiple of $1,000, such increase shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000. (D) Coordination with other contributions The limitation which would (but for this paragraph) apply under subparagraphs (A) and (B) to an individual for any taxable year shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the sum of— (i) the aggregate amount contributed to health savings accounts of such individual which is excludable from the taxpayer’s gross income for such taxable year under section 106(d) (and such amount shall not be allowed as a deduction under subsection (a)), and (ii) the aggregate amount contributed to health savings accounts of such individual for such taxable year under section 408(d)(9) (and such amount shall not be allowed as a deduction under subsection (a)). (3) Qualified medical expenses (A) In general The term qualified medical expenses means, with respect to an account beneficiary, amounts paid by such beneficiary for medical care (as defined in section 213(d)) for such individual, the spouse of such individual, and any dependent (as defined in section 152, determined without regard to subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B) thereof) of such individual, but only to the extent such amounts are not compensated for by insurance or otherwise. For purposes of this subparagraph, amounts paid for menstrual care products shall be treated as paid for medical care. (B) Health insurance may not be purchased from account (i) In general Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any payment for insurance. (ii) Exceptions Clause (i) shall not apply to any expense for coverage under— (I) a health plan during any period of continuation coverage required under any Federal law, (II) a qualified long-term care insurance contract (as defined in section 7702B(b)), (III) a health plan during a period in which the individual is receiving unemployment compensation under any Federal or State law, or (IV) in the case of an account beneficiary who has attained the age specified in section 1811 of the Social Security Act, any health insurance other than a medicare supplemental policy (as defined in section 1882 of the Social Security Act). (iii) Exception for integrated health plans Clause (i) shall not apply to any expense for coverage under an integration eligible health plan which is integrated with the health savings account within the meaning of section 106(d). (iv) Exception for direct primary care service arrangements (I) In general A direct primary care service arrangement shall not be treated as insurance for purposes of clause (i). (II) Direct primary care service arrangement defined For purposes of this clause, the term direct primary care service arrangement means an arrangement under which an individual is provided medical care (as defined in section 213(d)(1), determined without regard to subparagraph (E) thereof) consisting solely of primary care services provided by primary care practitioners (as defined in section 1833(x)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act, determined without regard to clause (ii) thereof), if the sole compensation for such care is a fixed periodic fee. (C) Menstrual care product For purposes of this paragraph, the term menstrual care product means a tampon, pad, liner, cup, sponge, or similar product used by individuals with respect to menstruation or other genital-tract secretions. (4) Account beneficiary The term account beneficiary means the individual on whose behalf the health savings account was established. (5) Certain rules to Apply Rules similar to the following rules shall apply for purposes of this section: (A) Section 219(d)(2) (relating to no deduction for rollovers). (B) Section 219(f)(3) (relating to time when contributions deemed made). (C) Except as provided in section 106(d), section 219(f)(5) (relating to employer payments). (D) Section 408(g) (relating to community property laws). (E) Section 408(h) (relating to custodial accounts). (e) Tax treatment of accounts (1) In general A health savings account is exempt from taxation under this subtitle unless such account has ceased to be a health savings account. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any such account is subject to the taxes imposed by section 511 (relating to imposition of tax on unrelated business income of charitable, etc. organizations). (2) Account terminations Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (2) and (4) of section 408(e) shall apply to health savings accounts, and any amount treated as distributed under such rules shall be treated as not used to pay qualified medical expenses. (f) Tax treatment of distributions (1) Amounts used for qualified medical expenses Any amount paid or distributed out of a health savings account which is used exclusively to pay qualified medical expenses of any account beneficiary shall not be includible in gross income. (2) Inclusion of amounts not used for qualified medical expenses Any amount paid or distributed out of a health savings account which is not used exclusively to pay the qualified medical expenses of the account beneficiary shall be included in the gross income of such beneficiary. (3) Excess contributions returned before due date of return (A) In general If any excess contribution is contributed for a taxable year to any health savings account of an individual, paragraph (2) shall not apply to distributions from the health savings accounts of such individual (to the extent such distributions do not exceed the aggregate excess contributions to all such accounts of such individual for such year) if— (i) such distribution is received by the individual on or before the last day prescribed by law (including extensions of time) for filing such individual’s return for such taxable year, and (ii) such distribution is accompanied by the amount of net income attributable to such excess contribution. Any net income described in clause (ii) shall be included in the gross income of the individual for the taxable year in which it is received. (B) Excess contribution For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term excess contribution means any contribution (other than a rollover contribution described in paragraph (5) or section 220(f)(5)) which is neither excludable from gross income under section 106(d) nor deductible under this section. (4) Additional tax on distributions not used for qualified medical expenses (A) In general The tax imposed by this chapter on the account beneficiary for any taxable year in which there is a payment or distribution from a health savings account of such beneficiary which is includible in gross income under paragraph (2) shall be increased by 20 percent of the amount which is so includible. (B) Exception for disability or death Subparagraph (A) shall not apply if the payment or distribution is made after the account beneficiary becomes disabled within the meaning of section 72(m)(7) or dies. (C) Exception for distributions after medicare eligibility Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any payment or distribution after the date on which the account beneficiary attains the age specified in section 1811 of the Social Security Act. (5) Rollover contribution An amount is described in this paragraph as a rollover contribution if it meets the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (B). (A) In general Paragraph (2) shall not apply to any amount paid or distributed from a health savings account to the account beneficiary to the extent the amount received is paid into a health savings account for the benefit of such beneficiary not later than the 60th day after the day on which the beneficiary receives the payment or distribution. (B) Limitation This paragraph shall not apply to any amount described in subparagraph (A) received by an individual from a health savings account if, at any time during the 1-year period ending on the day of such receipt, such individual received any other amount described in subparagraph (A) from a health savings account which was not includible in the individual’s gross income because of the application of this paragraph. (C) Rollover from FSA, Archer MSA, and HRA An amount is described in this subparagraph for a calendar year as a rollover contribution if the amount is the remaining balance in a health flexible spending account, Archer MSA, or health reimbursement arrangement that is contributed to the health savings account for a taxable year ending on or before one year after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph. (6) Coordination with medical expense deduction For purposes of determining the amount of the deduction under section 213, any payment or distribution out of a health savings account for qualified medical expenses shall not be treated as an expense paid for medical care. (7) Transfer of account incident to divorce The transfer of an individual’s interest in a health savings account to an individual’s spouse or former spouse under a divorce or separation instrument described in clause (i) of section 121(d)(3)(C) shall not be considered a taxable transfer made by such individual notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, and such interest shall, after such transfer, be treated as a health savings account with respect to which such spouse is the account beneficiary. (8) Treatment after death of account beneficiary (A) Treatment if designated beneficiary is spouse If the account beneficiary’s surviving spouse acquires such beneficiary’s interest in a health savings account by reason of being the designated beneficiary of such account at the death of the account beneficiary, such health savings account shall be treated as if the spouse were the account beneficiary. (B) Other cases (i) In general If, by reason of the death of the account beneficiary, any person acquires the account beneficiary’s interest in a health savings account in a case to which subparagraph (A) does not apply— (I) such account shall cease to be a health savings account as of the date of death, and (II) an amount equal to the fair market value of the assets in such account on such date shall be includible if such person is not the estate of such beneficiary, in such person’s gross income for the taxable year which includes such date, or if such person is the estate of such beneficiary, in such beneficiary’s gross income for the last taxable year of such beneficiary. (ii) Special rules (I) Reduction of inclusion for predeath expenses The amount includible in gross income under clause (i) by any person (other than the estate) shall be reduced by the amount of qualified medical expenses which were incurred by the decedent before the date of the decedent’s death and paid by such person within 1 year after such date. (II) Deduction for estate taxes An appropriate deduction shall be allowed under section 691(c) to any person (other than the decedent or the decedent’s spouse) with respect to amounts included in gross income under clause (i) by such person. (g) Cost-of-Living adjustment (1) In general In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2025, each dollar amount in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (c) shall be increased by an amount equal to— (A) such dollar amount, multiplied by (B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which such taxable year begins determined by substituting 2024 for 2016 in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof. (2) Rounding If any increase under paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $50, such increase shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $50. (h) Reports The Secretary may require— (1) the trustee of a health savings account to make such reports regarding such account to the Secretary and to the account beneficiary with respect to contributions, distributions, the return of excess contributions, and such other matters as the Secretary determines appropriate, and (2) any person who provides an individual with a qualified health plan to make such reports to the Secretary and to the account beneficiary with respect to such plan as the Secretary determines appropriate. . (b) Employer contributions to health savings accounts (1) In general Section 106(d) is amended to read as follows: (d) Contributions to health savings accounts (1) In general In the case of an employee who is an eligible individual, amounts contributed by such employee’s employer to any health savings account of such employee shall be treated as employer-provided coverage for medical expenses under an accident or health plan to the extent— (A) such amounts do not exceed twice the limitation in effect under section 223(b)(2) (determined without regard to this subsection) which is applicable to such employee for such taxable year, (B) such amounts are contributed to an account which is integrated with an integration eligible health plan, (C) such employer does not offer such employee coverage under any other accident or health plan, (D) such employer offers such amounts only to members of a qualified class of employees and offers such amounts to all members of any such qualified class, (E) such employer offers employees an opportunity to elect not to receive such amounts at least once per year and upon termination from employment, and (F) such employee is not covered under any health insurance offered by an employer of such employee’s spouse. (2) Integration eligible health plan For purposes of this subsection, the term integration eligible health plan means— (A) any bronze, silver, or gold plan offered through an Exchange established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, (B) entitlement to benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act and enrollment under part B of such title, including enrollment under a Medicare Advantage plan under part C of such title, (C) in the case of any individual who has not attained age 30 or is determined by the Secretary (after consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services) to have a hardship, coverage under a catastrophic plan, and (D) in the case of any student, coverage under a health plan which is conditioned on maintaining status as being such a student. (3) Integration of plans and accounts For purposes of this subsection, an account shall be treated as integrated with an integration eligible health plan (and such plan shall be treated as integrated with such account) for any month if— (A) the employee is the account beneficiary of such account and such employee is covered under an integration eligible health plan for such month, (B) the employer verifies that the employee is so covered by requiring the submission of documentation to such employer, and (C) the employer makes contributions to such account for such month which are not less than the excess (if any) of— (i) the adjusted monthly premiums for the applicable second lowest cost silver plan with respect to the taxpayer, over (ii) 1/12 of 9.5 percent of the taxpayer’s household income (within the meaning of section 36B). (4) Qualified class For purposes of this subsection— (A) In general The term qualified class means only the following: All employees; Full-time employees; Part-time employees; Seasonal employees; Employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement; Employees in a waiting period; Foreign employees who work abroad; Employees working in the same geographic location (same insurance rating area, State, or multi-State region); Salaried workers; Non-Salaried workers (such as hourly workers); Temporary employees of staffing firms. (B) Rules related to class size (i) Minimum class size A class shall not be treated as a qualified class unless in consisting of at least the following number of employees: (I) In the case of an employer with fewer than 100 employees, the lesser of 10 employees or all employees of the employer. (II) In the case of an employer with at least 100 and not more than 200 employees, 10 percent of the number of such employees (if not a whole number, rounded down to the next lowest whole number). (III) In the case of an employer with more than 200 employees, 20 employees. (ii) Combination of classes Two or more qualified classes described in subparagraph (A) may be combined if each such class separately would not satisfy the requirement of clause (i). (C) Permitted variation within qualified classes An employer shall not fail to meet the requirements of paragraph (1)(D) solely because the amounts offered to members of a qualified class vary on the basis of— (i) number of dependents, (ii) age, if such variation based on age does not exceed a ratio of 3:1, and (iii) chronic health condition, if such variation based on chronic health condition does not exceed a ratio of 1.2:1. (5) Coordination with ACA provisions In the case of an integration eligible health plan which is integrated with a health savings account— (A) such plan shall be treated as an eligible employer-sponsored plan described in section 5000A(f)(1)(B), (B) if an individual receives contributions to such account which are excludible from the gross income of such individual under this section during any taxable year, no credit shall be allowed under section 36B with respect to such individual for such taxable year, and (C) for purposes of section 36B(c)(2)(C)(i)(II), the employee’s required contribution with respect to such plan shall be treated as being equal to the excess (if any) of— (i) the adjusted monthly premiums for the applicable second lowest cost silver plan with respect to the taxpayer, over (ii) the contributions made the employer to such health savings account which are excludible from the gross income of the employee under this section. (6) No constructive receipt No amount shall be included in the gross income of any employee solely because the employee may choose between the contributions referred to in paragraph (1) and employer contributions to another health plan of the employer. (7) Special rule for deduction of employer contributions Any employer contribution to a health savings account, if otherwise allowable as a deduction under this chapter, shall be allowed only for the taxable year in which paid. (8) Employer health savings account contributions required to be shown on return Every individual required to file a return under section 6012 for the taxable year shall include on such return the aggregate amount contributed by employers to the health savings accounts of such individual or such individual’s spouse for such taxable year. (9) Health savings account contributions not part of COBRA coverage Paragraph (1) shall not apply for purposes of section 4980B. (10) Definitions Terms used in this subsection which are also used in section 223 shall have the same respective meanings as when used in such section. (11) Regulations The Secretaries of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services shall each issue such regulations or other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subsection, including regulations or other guidance to— (A) prevent employers from offering plans integrated with health savings accounts selectively to sicker workers, and (B) establish a safe harbor that helps employers determine whether contributions to health savings accounts with respect to which there is an integrated health plan comply with affordability requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the amendments made by such Act. (12) Cross reference For penalty on failure by employer to make comparable contributions to the health savings accounts of comparable employees, see section 4980G. . (2) Nonapplication of ERISA Contributions by an employer to a health savings account (as defined in section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), and an integration eligible health plan which is integrated with such account (within the meaning of such section), shall not be treated as a plan for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 if— (A) receipt of such contributions by the employee is voluntary, (B) the employer does not select or endorse the integration eligible health plan which is integrated with such account, (C) no premiums, other than premiums for the integration eligible health plan which is integrated with such account, are paid from the account, (D) the employer receives no consideration (money or other benefit) in connection with the employee selecting or renewing a plan, and (E) each participant is notified annually that such contributions and such plan are not subject to the requirements of such Act. (c) Termination of certain other health care related tax benefits (1) Exclusion limited to self-funded major medical plan of employers Section 105(b) of such Code is amended by striking paid, and inserting paid under a self-funded major medical plan of the employer . (2) Exclusion not applicable to health reimbursement arrangements Section 105(h) of such Code is amended to read as follows: (h) Exclusion not applicable to health reimbursement arrangements Subsection (b) shall not apply to health reimbursement arrangements. . (3) Repeal of exclusions from income for Archer MSAs and FSAs Section 106 of such Code is amended by striking subsection (b), (e) and (g). (4) Termination of deduction for contributions to Archer MSAs Section 220(a) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following: No amount shall be allowed as a deduction under the preceding sentence for any taxable year beginning after one year after the date of the enactment of this sentence. . (d) Bankruptcy protections Section 522 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (r) For purposes of this section, any health savings account (as described in section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) shall be treated in the same manner as an individual retirement account described in section 408 of such Code. . (e) Rollover of FSA, Archer MSA, HRA to health savings account Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the remaining balance in a health flexible spending arrangement, Archer MSA, or health reimbursement arrangement is transferred to a health savings account before the end of any taxable year ending on or before one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, such transfer shall be treated as a rollover to the health savings account under section 223(f)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the distribution from the health flexible spending arrangement, Archer MSA, or health reimbursement arrangement shall not be includible in gross income. (f) Effective dates (1) In general The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Termination of certain other health care related tax benefits The amendments made by subsection (c) shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date which is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (3) Bankruptcy protections The amendment made by subsection (d) shall apply to cases commencing under title 11, United States Code, after the date of the enactment of this Act. 102. Unused premium tax credits may be deposited in health savings accounts (a) In general Section 36B is amended by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i) and by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection: (h) Excess credit may be deposited into a health savings account (1) In general If the amount described in subparagraph (B) of subsection (b)(2) exceeds the amount described in subparagraph (A) of such subsection with respect to any coverage month and an election under paragraph (2) is in effect with respect to the applicable taxpayer, the Secretary shall deposit such excess into a health savings account of such taxpayer. (2) Election to deposit excess credit into a health savings account A taxpayer may elect (at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may provide) to have the Secretary deposit the excess described in paragraph (1) into a health savings account of the taxpayer. Any such election shall only be treated as being in effect if the taxpayer provides the Secretary with such information as the Secretary may require to allow the Secretary to make such deposit. (3) Coordination with health savings account rules Any amount deposited in a health savings account by the Secretary under this subsection shall— (A) be includible in the gross income of the applicable taxpayer, and (B) be taken into account as an amount paid to such account for purposes of this section. (4) Treatment of deposits For purposes of section 1324 of title 31, United States Code, any deposit made under this subsection shall be treated as a credit allowed under this section. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. 103. Health Reimbursement Arrangements and Other Account-Based Group Health Plans The rule published by the Internal Revenue Service, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Health and Human Services Department relating to Health Reimbursement Arrangements and Other Account-Based Group Health Plans (June 20, 2019) shall have the force and effect of law. Health Reimbursement Arrangements as described in this rule are subject to all sections in this title. 104. Cost-sharing reduction payments as eligible contributions (a) Alternative waiver for State innovation Section 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18052 ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (f) Alternative waiver for State innovation (1) In general Notwithstanding any preceding provision of this section, a State may apply to the Secretary for the waiver of any requirement of subsection (a)(2) with respect to health insurance coverage within that State for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, if instead of complying with section 1402 the State provides for the distribution of funding received under paragraph (2) to health savings accounts of qualifying individuals with respect to such State. Such application shall be filed at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require, and shall include such information as the Secretary may require (including a 10-year budget plan for such plan that is budget neutral for the Federal Government). (2) Pass-through funding With respect to a State waiver under paragraph (1), under which, due to the structure of such waiver, individuals in the State would not qualify for cost-sharing reductions under section 1402 for which they would otherwise be eligible, the Secretary shall provide for an alternative means by which an amount is transferred to the State equal to the aggregate amount of such reductions that would have been paid on behalf of the participants in the Exchanges established under this title— (A) had the State not received such waiver; (B) had references to eligible insureds under section 1402 referred to qualifying insureds (as defined in section 1332(f)) ; (C) had, after application of clause (ii), in the case of a qualifying insured enrolled in the bronze level of coverage— (i) the percentages specified in subclauses (I), (II), and (III) of section 1402(c)(1)(B) were references to 84 percent, 77 percent, and 63 percent, respectively; and (ii) the references in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of section 1402(c)(2) to 94 percent, 87 percent, and 73 percent, respectively, were references to 84 percent, 77 percent, and 63 percent, respectively; and (D) had, after application of clause (ii), in the case of a qualifying insured enrolled in the copper level of coverage— (i) the percentages specified in subclauses (I), (II), and (III) of section 1402(c)(1)(B) were references to 74 percent, 67 percent, and 53 percent, respectively; and (ii) the references in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of section 1402(c)(2) to 94 percent, 87 percent, and 73 percent, respectively, were references to 74 percent, 67 percent, and 53 percent, respectively. The amount transferred pursuant to the previous sentence shall be determined annually by the Secretary, taking into consideration the experience of other States with respect to participation in an Exchange and reductions provided under such provisions to residents of the other States, and shall be paid to the State for purposes of implementing such waiver. (3) Waiver consideration and transparency The provisions of paragraph (4) of subsection (a) shall apply to an application for a waiver under paragraph (1) in the same manner as such provisions apply with respect to an application for a waiver under subsection (a)(1), except that, for purposes of this paragraph, the provisions of subsection (a)(4)(B)(ii) shall not apply. (4) Determinations; term of waiver The provisions of subsections (d) and (e) shall apply with respect to a determination with respect to an application under paragraph (1), and with respect to the term of a waiver under such paragraph, in the same manner as such provisions apply with respect to a determination with respect to an application under subsection (a)(1), and with respect to the term of a waiver under such subsection. (5) Definitions For purposes of this subsection: (A) Health savings account The term health savings account has the meaning given such term in section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (B) Qualifying insured The term qualifying insured means, with respect to a State and a year, an individual— (i) who is enrolled in a health savings account; (ii) who is enrolled for such year in a silver, bronze, or copper level coverage offered through an Exchange; and (iii) whose household income is not more than 250 percent of the Federal poverty line for a family of the size involved. . (b) Additional amendments Section 1402 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18071 ) is amended by striking not less than 100 percent but and exceeds 100 percent but and more than 100 percent but each place such phrases appear. (c) Conforming amendments Section 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18052 ), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended in subsection (a)(4)— (1) in subparagraph (A) by striking the period and inserting , except in the case of a waiver described in subsection (f). ; and (2) in subparagraph (B)(ii) by inserting after an application the following: (except in the case of a waiver described in subsection (f)) . (d) Appropriation for cost-Sharing payments Section 1402 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18071 ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (g) Funding (1) Appropriations Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated such sums as may be necessary to, subject to paragraph (2), provide health benefits coverage through payment to issuers (under this section or through advance payment by the Secretary of the Treasury under section 1412(c)(3)) of the amounts computed under this section for each of plan years 2025 through 2029. (2) Adjustments Notwithstanding any other provision of law, payments and other actions for adjustments to obligations incurred prior to December 31, 2025, may be made through December 31, 2023. (3) Limitation Amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) for each of plan years 2025 through 2029 are subject to the requirements and limitations under sections 506 and 507 of division H of Public Law 115–31 in the same manner and to the same extent as if such amounts for each such year were appropriated under such division. . 105. Direct Primary Care (a) In general Section 223(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (D) Treatment of direct primary care service arrangements (i) In general A direct primary care service arrangement shall not be treated as a health plan for purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii). (ii) Direct primary care service arrangement For purposes of this paragraph— (I) In general The term direct primary care service arrangement means, with respect to any individual, an arrangement under which such individual is provided medical care (as defined in section 213(d)) consisting solely of primary care services provided by primary care practitioners (as defined in section 1833(x)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act, determined without regard to clause (ii) thereof), if the sole compensation for such care is a fixed periodic fee. (II) Limitation With respect to any individual for any month, such term shall not include any arrangement if the aggregate fees for all direct primary care service arrangements (determined without regard to this subclause) with respect to such individual for such month exceed $150 (twice such dollar amount in the case of an individual with any direct primary care service arrangement (as so determined) that covers more than one individual). (iii) Certain services specifically excluded from treatment as primary care services For purposes of this paragraph, the term primary care services shall not include— (I) procedures that require the use of general anesthesia, and (II) laboratory services not typically administered in an ambulatory primary care setting. The Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall issue regulations or other guidance regarding the application of this clause. . (b) Direct primary care service arrangement fees treated as medical expenses Section 223(d)(2)(C) is amended by striking or at the end of clause (iii), by striking the period at the end of clause (iv) and inserting , or , and by adding at the end the following new clause: (v) any direct primary care service arrangement. . (c) Inflation adjustment Section 223(g)(1) of such Code is amended— (1) by inserting , (c)(1)(D)(ii)(II), after (b)(2), each place such term appears, and (2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting and (iii) after clause (ii) in clause (i), by striking and at the end of clause (i), by striking the period at the end of clause (ii) and inserting , and , and by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause: (iii) in the case of the dollar amount in subsection (c)(1)(D)(ii)(II) for taxable years beginning in calendar years after 2025, calendar year 2024. . (d) Reporting of direct primary care service arrangement fees on W–2 Section 6051(a) of such Code is amended by striking and at the end of paragraph (16), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (17) and inserting , and , and by inserting after paragraph (17) the following new paragraph: (18) in the case of a direct primary care service arrangement (as defined in section 223(c)(1)(D)(ii)) which is provided in connection with employment, the aggregate fees for such arrangement for such employee. . (e) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to months beginning after December 31, 2024, in taxable years ending after such date. B Assistance to health savings accounts 111. One-time application of saver’s credit to contributions to health savings accounts (a) In general In the case of an applicable taxable year, contributions to any health savings account of the taxpayer during such taxable year shall be treated as a qualified retirement savings contribution for purposes of section 25B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (b) Applicable taxable year For purposes of this section, the term applicable taxable year means any taxable year elected by the taxpayer (at such time and in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury may provide) which begins during the 3-year period beginning 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act. A taxpayer may not elect not more than 1 applicable taxable year under this subsection. 112. Grants for health savings account assistance and outreach (a) In general The Administrator shall establish a grant program to provide assistance to eligible entities to carry out the activities described in subsection (c). (b) Application An eligible entity shall submit an application to the Administrator in such time and in such manner as the Administrator may require, providing that such application requires a demonstration of the existence of a relationship with, or the ability to establish a relationship with, an employer, employee, self-employed individual, or consumer eligible to enroll in a health savings account. (c) Use of funds An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall use such funds to— (1) distribute fair and impartial information to consumers about health savings accounts, including the availability of such accounts and how such accounts may be utilized; (2) conduct activities to raise public awareness of health savings accounts; (3) facilitate enrollment in health savings accounts; and (4) refer individuals enrolled in a health savings account to the appropriate official, organization, or State agency for the purpose of addressing a complaint, grievance, or other question with respect to such health savings account. (d) Amount The Administrator may distribute up to $5,000,000 annually to be divided among grant recipients under this section. (e) Report Not later than one year after the date on which the last of the grant periods awarded under this section ends, the Administrator shall submit a report to the Congress on the effectiveness of the grants provided under this section. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) Administrator The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2) Consumer The term consumer means an individual enrolled in, or seeking to enroll in, a health savings account. (3) Eligible entity The term eligible entity includes the following: (A) A State. (B) Trade. (C) Industry. (D) Professional associations. (E) Commercial fishing industry organizations. (F) Ranching and farming organizations. (G) Community and consumer-focused nonprofit groups. (H) Chambers of commerce. (I) Unions. (J) Small business development centers (as defined in section 21 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 648 )). (K) Other entities capable of carrying out the activities described under subsection (b). (4) Health savings account The term health savings account has the meaning given such term in section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (5) State The term State means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, each territory and possession of the United States, and each federally recognized Indian Tribe. 113. New corporations required to use health savings accounts Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a corporation incorporated after December 31, 2024, may not receive tax benefits for offering employees health insurance. The previous sentence shall not apply to health savings account contributions offered by such a corporation. 114. Federal employee health benefits and health savings accounts (a) In general Section 1312(d)(3)(D) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18032(d)(3)(D) ) is amended— (1) in the subparagraph heading, by striking Members of Congress and inserting President, Vice President, Members of Congress, and Federal employees ; (2) in clause (i), in the matter preceding subclause (I)— (A) by striking Members of Congress and congressional staff and inserting the President, Vice President, Members of Congress, and Federal employees ; and (B) by striking a Member of Congress or congressional staff and inserting the President, the Vice President, a Member of Congress, or a Federal employee ; and (3) in clause (ii), by amending subclause (II) to read as follows: (II) Federal employee The term Federal employee means— (aa) an employee , as such term is defined in section 2105 of title 5, United States Code; and (bb) includes an individual to whom subsection (c) or (f) of such section 2105 pertains (whether or not such individual satisfies item (aa)). . (b) Conversion to health savings accounts Each plan offered under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, shall be converted into a health savings account deposit and funded at the level of the second-least expensive silver plan available through the Exchange where the applicable individual resides. II Improving Private Health Insurance A Maintaining Protections for Patients with Preexisting Conditions 201. Guaranteed availability of coverage; prohibiting discrimination (a) In general Subtitle C of title I of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ( Public Law 104–191 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 196. Guaranteed availability of coverage (a) Guaranteed issuance of coverage in the individual and group market Subject to subsections (b) through (d), each health insurance issuer that offers health insurance coverage in the individual or group market in a State must accept every employer and individual in the State that applies for such coverage. (b) Enrollment (1) Restriction A health insurance issuer described in subsection (a) may restrict enrollment in coverage described in such subsection to open or special enrollment periods. (2) Establishment A health insurance issuer described in subsection (a) shall, in accordance with the regulations promulgated under paragraph (3), establish special enrollment periods for qualifying events (under section 603 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974). (3) Regulations The Secretary shall promulgate regulations with respect to enrollment periods under paragraphs (1) and (2). (c) Special rules for network plans (1) In general In the case of a health insurance issuer that offers health insurance coverage in the group and individual market through a network plan, the issuer may— (A) limit the employers that may apply for such coverage to those with eligible individuals who live, work, or reside in the service area for such network plan; and (B) within the service area of such plan, deny such coverage to such employers and individuals if the issuer has demonstrated, if required, to the applicable State authority that— (i) it will not have the capacity to deliver services adequately to enrollees of any additional groups or any additional individuals because of its obligations to existing group contract holders and enrollees; and (ii) it is applying this paragraph uniformly to all employers and individuals without regard to the claims experience of those individuals, employers and their employees (and their dependents), or any health status-related factor relating to such individuals, employees, and dependents. (2) 180-day suspension upon denial of coverage An issuer, upon denying health insurance coverage in any service area in accordance with paragraph (1)(B), may not offer coverage in the group or individual market within such service area for a period of 180 days after the date such coverage is denied. (d) Application of financial capacity limits (1) In general A health insurance issuer may deny health insurance coverage in the group or individual market if the issuer has demonstrated, if required, to the applicable State authority that— (A) it does not have the financial reserves necessary to underwrite additional coverage; and (B) it is applying this paragraph uniformly to all employers and individuals in the group or individual market in the State consistent with applicable State law and without regard to the claims experience of those individuals, employers and their employees (and their dependents) or any health status-related factor relating to such individuals, employees, and dependents. (2) 180-day suspension upon denial of coverage A health insurance issuer upon denying health insurance coverage in connection with group health plans in accordance with paragraph (1) in a State may not offer coverage in connection with group health plans in the group or individual market in the State for a period of 180 days after the date such coverage is denied or until the issuer has demonstrated to the applicable State authority, if required under applicable State law, that the issuer has sufficient financial reserves to underwrite additional coverage, whichever is later. An applicable State authority may provide for the application of this subsection on a service-area-specific basis. (e) Definitions In this section and in sections 197 through 199A: (1) The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (2) The terms genetic information , genetic test , group health plan , group market , health insurance coverage , health insurance issuer , group health insurance coverage , individual health insurance coverage , individual market , and underwriting purpose have the meanings given such terms in section 2791 of the Public Health Service Act. 197. Fair health insurance premiums (a) Prohibiting discriminatory premium rates (1) In general With respect to the premium rate charged by a health insurance issuer for health insurance coverage offered in the individual or small group market— (A) such rate shall vary with respect to the particular plan or coverage involved only by— (i) whether such plan or coverage covers an individual or family; (ii) rating area, as established in accordance with paragraph (2); (iii) age, except that such rate shall not vary by more than 5 to 1 for adults; and (iv) tobacco use, except that such rate shall not vary by more than 1.5 to 1; and (B) such rate shall not vary with respect to the particular plan or coverage involved by any other factor not described in subparagraph (A). (2) Rating area (A) In general Each State shall establish 1 or more rating areas within that State for purposes of applying the requirements of this title. (B) Secretarial review The Secretary shall review the rating areas established by each State under subparagraph (A) to ensure the adequacy of such areas for purposes of carrying out the requirements of this title. If the Secretary determines a State’s rating areas are not adequate, or that a State does not establish such areas, the Secretary may establish rating areas for that State. (3) Permissible age bands The Secretary, in consultation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, shall define the permissible age bands for rating purposes under paragraph (1)(A)(iii). (4) Application of variations based on age or tobacco use With respect to family coverage under a group health plan or health insurance coverage, the rating variations permitted under clauses (iii) and (iv) of paragraph (1)(A) shall be applied based on the portion of the premium that is attributable to each family member covered under the plan or coverage. 198. Prohibiting discrimination against individual participants and beneficiaries based on health status (a) In general A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage may not establish rules for eligibility (including continued eligibility) of any individual to enroll under the terms of the plan or coverage based on any of the following health status-related factors in relation to the individual or a dependent of the individual: (1) Health status. (2) Medical condition (including both physical and mental illnesses). (3) Claims experience. (4) Receipt of health care. (5) Medical history. (6) Genetic information. (7) Evidence of insurability (including conditions arising out of acts of domestic violence). (8) Disability. (9) Any other health status-related factor determined appropriate by the Secretary. (b) In premium contributions (1) In general A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage, may not require any individual (as a condition of enrollment or continued enrollment under the plan) to pay a premium or contribution which is greater than such premium or contribution for a similarly situated individual enrolled in the plan on the basis of any health status-related factor in relation to the individual or to an individual enrolled under the plan as a dependent of the individual. (2) Construction Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed— (A) to restrict the amount that an employer or individual may be charged for coverage under a group health plan except as provided in paragraph (3) or individual health coverage, as the case may be; or (B) to prevent a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage, from establishing premium discounts or rebates or modifying otherwise applicable copayments or deductibles in return for adherence to programs of health promotion and disease prevention. (3) No group-based discrimination on basis of genetic information (A) In general For purposes of this section, a group health plan, and health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, may not adjust premium or contribution amounts for the group covered under such plan on the basis of genetic information. (B) Rule of construction Nothing in subparagraph (A) or in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (d) shall be construed to limit the ability of a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage to increase the premium for an employer based on the manifestation of a disease or disorder of an individual who is enrolled in the plan. In such case, the manifestation of a disease or disorder in one individual cannot also be used as genetic information about other group members and to further increase the premium for the employer. (c) Genetic testing (1) Limitation on requesting or requiring genetic testing A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, shall not request or require an individual or a family member of such individual to undergo a genetic test. (2) Rule of construction Paragraph (1) shall not be construed to limit the authority of a health care professional who is providing health care services to an individual to request that such individual undergo a genetic test. (3) Rule of construction regarding payment (A) In general Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed to preclude a group health plan, or a health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, from obtaining and using the results of a genetic test in making a determination regarding payment (as such term is defined for the purposes of applying the regulations promulgated by the Secretary under part C of title XI of the Social Security Act and section 264 of this Act, as may be revised from time to time) consistent with subsection (a). (B) Limitation For purposes of subparagraph (A), a group health plan, or a health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, may request only the minimum amount of information necessary to accomplish the intended purpose. (4) Research exception Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a group health plan, or a health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, may request, but not require, that a participant or beneficiary undergo a genetic test if each of the following conditions is met: (A) The request is made pursuant to research that complies with part 46 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, or equivalent Federal regulations, and any applicable State or local law or regulations for the protection of human subjects in research. (B) The plan or issuer clearly indicates to each participant or beneficiary, or in the case of a minor child, to the legal guardian of such beneficiary, to whom the request is made that— (i) compliance with the request is voluntary; and (ii) noncompliance will have no effect on enrollment status or premium or contribution amounts. (C) No genetic information collected or acquired under this paragraph shall be used for underwriting purposes. (D) The plan or issuer notifies the Secretary in writing that the plan or issuer is conducting activities pursuant to the exception provided for under this paragraph, including a description of the activities conducted. (E) The plan or issuer complies with such other conditions as the Secretary may by regulation require for activities conducted under this paragraph. (d) Prohibition on collection of genetic information (1) In general A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, shall not request, require, or purchase genetic information for underwriting purposes. (2) Prohibition on collection of genetic information prior to enrollment A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, shall not request, require, or purchase genetic information with respect to any individual prior to such individual's enrollment under the plan or coverage in connection with such enrollment. (3) Incidental collection If a group health plan, or a health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, obtains genetic information incidental to the requesting, requiring, or purchasing of other information concerning any individual, such request, requirement, or purchase shall not be considered a violation of paragraph (2) if such request, requirement, or purchase is not in violation of paragraph (1). (e) Genetic information of a fetus or embryo Any reference in this part to genetic information concerning an individual or family member of an individual shall— (1) with respect to such an individual or family member of an individual who is a pregnant woman, include genetic information of any fetus carried by such pregnant woman; and (2) with respect to an individual or family member utilizing an assisted reproductive technology, include genetic information of any embryo legally held by the individual or family member. (f) Programs of health promotion or disease prevention (1) General provisions (A) General rule For purposes of subsection (b)(2)(B), a program of health promotion or disease prevention (referred to in this subsection as a wellness program ) shall be a program offered by an employer that is designed to promote health or prevent disease that meets the applicable requirements of this subsection. (B) No conditions based on health status factor If none of the conditions for obtaining a premium discount or rebate or other reward for participation in a wellness program is based on an individual satisfying a standard that is related to a health status factor, such wellness program shall not violate this section if participation in the program is made available to all similarly situated individuals and the requirements of paragraph (2) are complied with. (C) Conditions based on health status factor If any of the conditions for obtaining a premium discount or rebate or other reward for participation in a wellness program is based on an individual satisfying a standard that is related to a health status factor, such wellness program shall not violate this section if the requirements of paragraph (3) are complied with. (2) Wellness programs not subject to requirements If none of the conditions for obtaining a premium discount or rebate or other reward under a wellness program as described in paragraph (1)(B) are based on an individual satisfying a standard that is related to a health status factor (or if such a wellness program does not provide such a reward), the wellness program shall not violate this section if participation in the program is made available to all similarly situated individuals. The following programs shall not have to comply with the requirements of paragraph (3) if participation in the program is made available to all similarly situated individuals: (A) A program that reimburses all or part of the cost for memberships in a fitness center. (B) A diagnostic testing program that provides a reward for participation and does not base any part of the reward on outcomes. (C) A program that encourages preventive care related to a health condition through the waiver of the copayment or deductible requirement under a group health plan for the costs of certain items or services related to a health condition (such as prenatal care or well-baby visits). (D) A program that reimburses individuals for the costs of smoking cessation programs without regard to whether the individual quits smoking. (E) A program that provides a reward to individuals for attending a periodic health education seminar. (3) Wellness programs subject to requirements If any of the conditions for obtaining a premium discount, rebate, or reward under a wellness program as described in paragraph (1)(C) is based on an individual satisfying a standard that is related to a health status factor, the wellness program shall not violate this section if the following requirements are complied with: (A) The reward for the wellness program, together with the reward for other wellness programs with respect to the plan that requires satisfaction of a standard related to a health status factor, shall not exceed 30 percent of the cost of employee-only coverage under the plan. If, in addition to employees or individuals, any class of dependents (such as spouses or spouses and dependent children) may participate fully in the wellness program, such reward shall not exceed 30 percent of the cost of the coverage in which an employee or individual and any dependents are enrolled. For purposes of this paragraph, the cost of coverage shall be determined based on the total amount of employer and employee contributions for the benefit package under which the employee is (or the employee and any dependents are) receiving coverage. A reward may be in the form of a discount or rebate of a premium or contribution, a waiver of all or part of a cost-sharing mechanism (such as deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance), the absence of a surcharge, or the value of a benefit that would otherwise not be provided under the plan. The Secretaries of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury may increase the reward available under this subparagraph to up to 50 percent of the cost of coverage if the Secretaries determine that such an increase is appropriate. (B) The wellness program shall be reasonably designed to promote health or prevent disease. A program complies with the preceding sentence if the program has a reasonable chance of improving the health of, or preventing disease in, participating individuals and it is not overly burdensome, is not a subterfuge for discriminating based on a health status factor, and is not highly suspect in the method chosen to promote health or prevent disease. (C) The plan shall give individuals eligible for the program the opportunity to qualify for the reward under the program at least once each year. (D) The full reward under the wellness program shall be made available to all similarly situated individuals. For such purpose, among other things: (i) The reward is not available to all similarly situated individuals for a period unless the wellness program allows— (I) for a reasonable alternative standard (or waiver of the otherwise applicable standard) for obtaining the reward for any individual for whom, for that period, it is unreasonably difficult due to a medical condition to satisfy the otherwise applicable standard; and (II) for a reasonable alternative standard (or waiver of the otherwise applicable standard) for obtaining the reward for any individual for whom, for that period, it is medically inadvisable to attempt to satisfy the otherwise applicable standard. (ii) If reasonable under the circumstances, the plan or issuer may seek verification, such as a statement from an individual's physician, that a health status factor makes it unreasonably difficult or medically inadvisable for the individual to satisfy or attempt to satisfy the otherwise applicable standard. (E) The plan or issuer involved shall disclose in all plan materials describing the terms of the wellness program the availability of a reasonable alternative standard (or the possibility of waiver of the otherwise applicable standard) required under subparagraph (D). If plan materials disclose that such a program is available, without describing its terms, the disclosure under this subparagraph shall not be required. 199. Prohibition of preexisting condition exclusions or other discrimination based on health status (a) In general A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage may not impose any preexisting condition exclusion with respect to such plan or coverage. (b) Definitions For purposes of this section— (1) Preexisting condition exclusion (A) In general The term preexisting condition exclusion means, with respect to coverage, a limitation or exclusion of benefits relating to a condition based on the fact that the condition was present before the date of enrollment for such coverage, whether or not any medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received before such date. (B) Treatment of genetic information Genetic information shall not be treated as a condition described in subsection (a)(1) in the absence of a diagnosis of the condition related to such information. (2) Enrollment date The term enrollment date means, with respect to an individual covered under a group health plan or health insurance coverage, the date of enrollment of the individual in the plan or coverage or, if earlier, the first day of the waiting period for such enrollment. (3) Late enrollee The term late enrollee means, with respect to coverage under a group health plan, a participant or beneficiary who enrolls under the plan other than during— (A) the first period in which the individual is eligible to enroll under the plan; or (B) a special enrollment period under subsection (f). (4) Waiting period The term waiting period means, with respect to a group health plan and an individual who is a potential participant or beneficiary in the plan, the period that must pass with respect to the individual before the individual is eligible to be covered for benefits under the terms of the plan. (c) Rules relating to crediting previous coverage (1) Creditable coverage defined For purposes of this title, the term creditable coverage means, with respect to an individual, coverage of the individual under any of the following: (A) A group health plan. (B) Health insurance coverage. (C) Part A or part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act. (D) Title XIX of the Social Security Act, other than coverage consisting solely of benefits under section 1928. (E) Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code. (F) A medical care program of the Indian Health Service or of a tribal organization. (G) A State health benefits risk pool. (H) A health plan offered under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code. (I) A public health plan (as defined in regulations). (J) A health benefit plan under section 5(e) of the Peace Corps Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2504(e) ). Such term does not include coverage consisting solely of coverage of excepted benefits (as defined in section 2791(c)). (2) Not counting periods before significant breaks in coverage (A) In general A period of creditable coverage shall not be counted, with respect to enrollment of an individual under a group or individual health plan, if, after such period and before the enrollment date, there was a 63-day period during all of which the individual was not covered under any creditable coverage. (B) Waiting period not treated as a break in coverage For purposes of subparagraph (A) and subsection (d)(4), any period that an individual is in a waiting period for any coverage under a group or individual health plan (or for group health insurance coverage) or is in an affiliation period (as defined in subsection (g)(2)) shall not be taken into account in determining the continuous period under subparagraph (A). (C) TAA-eligible individuals In the case of plan years beginning before January 1, 2014— (i) TAA pre-certification period rule In the case of a TAA-eligible individual, the period beginning on the date the individual has a TAA-related loss of coverage and ending on the date that is 7 days after the date of the issuance by the Secretary (or by any person or entity designated by the Secretary) of a qualified health insurance costs credit eligibility certificate for such individual for purposes of section 7527 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall not be taken into account in determining the continuous period under subparagraph (A). (ii) Definitions The terms TAA-eligible individual and TAA-related loss of coverage have the meanings given such terms in section 2205(b)(4). (3) Method of crediting coverage (A) Standard method Except as otherwise provided under subparagraph (B), for purposes of applying subsection (a)(3), a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage, shall count a period of creditable coverage without regard to the specific benefits covered during the period. (B) Election of alternative method A group health plan, or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance, may elect to apply subsection (a)(3) based on coverage of benefits within each of several classes or categories of benefits specified in regulations rather than as provided under subparagraph (A). Such election shall be made on a uniform basis for all participants and beneficiaries. Under such election a group or individual health plan or issuer shall count a period of creditable coverage with respect to any class or category of benefits if any level of benefits is covered within such class or category. (C) Plan notice In the case of an election with respect to a group health plan under subparagraph (B) (whether or not health insurance coverage is provided in connection with such plan), the plan shall— (i) prominently state in any disclosure statements concerning the plan, and state to each enrollee at the time of enrollment under the plan, that the plan has made such election; and (ii) include in such statements a description of the effect of this election. (D) Issuer notice In the case of an election under subparagraph (B) with respect to health insurance coverage offered by an issuer in the individual or group market, the issuer— (i) shall prominently state in any disclosure statements concerning the coverage, and to each employer at the time of the offer or sale of the coverage, that the issuer has made such election; and (ii) shall include in such statements a description of the effect of such election. (4) Establishment of period Periods of creditable coverage with respect to an individual shall be established through presentation of certifications described in subsection (e) or in such other manner as may be specified in regulations. (d) Exceptions (1) Exclusion not applicable to certain newborns Subject to paragraph (4), a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage, may not impose any preexisting condition exclusion in the case of an individual who, as of the last day of the 30-day period beginning with the date of birth, is covered under creditable coverage. (2) Exclusion not applicable to certain adopted children Subject to paragraph (4), a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage, may not impose any preexisting condition exclusion in the case of a child who is adopted or placed for adoption before attaining 18 years of age and who, as of the last day of the 30-day period beginning on the date of the adoption or placement for adoption, is covered under creditable coverage. The previous sentence shall not apply to coverage before the date of such adoption or placement for adoption. (3) Exclusion not applicable to pregnancy A group health plan, and health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage, may not impose any preexisting condition exclusion relating to pregnancy as a preexisting condition. (4) Loss if break in coverage Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall no longer apply to an individual after the end of the first 63-day period during all of which the individual was not covered under any creditable coverage. (e) Certifications and disclosure of coverage (1) Requirement for certification of period of creditable coverage (A) In general A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage, shall provide the certification described in subparagraph (B)— (i) at the time an individual ceases to be covered under the plan or otherwise becomes covered under a COBRA continuation provision; (ii) in the case of an individual becoming covered under such a provision, at the time the individual ceases to be covered under such provision; and (iii) on the request on behalf of an individual made not later than 24 months after the date of cessation of the coverage described in clause (i) or (ii), whichever is later. The certification under clause (i) may be provided, to the extent practicable, at a time consistent with notices required under any applicable COBRA continuation provision. (B) Certification The certification described in this subparagraph is a written certification of— (i) the period of creditable coverage of the individual under such plan and the coverage (if any) under such COBRA continuation provision; and (ii) the waiting period (if any) (and affiliation period, if applicable) imposed with respect to the individual for any coverage under such plan. (C) Issuer compliance To the extent that medical care under a group health plan consists of group health insurance coverage, the plan is deemed to have satisfied the certification requirement under this paragraph if the health insurance issuer offering the coverage provides for such certification in accordance with this paragraph. (2) Disclosure of information on previous benefits In the case of an election described in subsection (c)(3)(B) by a group health plan or health insurance issuer, if the plan or issuer enrolls an individual for coverage under the plan and the individual provides a certification of coverage of the individual under paragraph (1)— (A) upon request of such plan or issuer, the entity which issued the certification provided by the individual shall promptly disclose to such requesting plan or issuer information on coverage of classes and categories of health benefits available under such entity's plan or coverage; and (B) such entity may charge the requesting plan or issuer for the reasonable cost of disclosing such information. (3) Regulations The Secretary shall establish rules to prevent an entity's failure to provide information under paragraph (1) or (2) with respect to previous coverage of an individual from adversely affecting any subsequent coverage of the individual under another group health plan or health insurance coverage. (f) Special enrollment periods (1) Individuals losing other coverage A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, shall permit an employee who is eligible, but not enrolled, for coverage under the terms of the plan (or a dependent of such an employee if the dependent is eligible, but not enrolled, for coverage under such terms) to enroll for coverage under the terms of the plan if each of the following conditions is met: (A) The employee or dependent was covered under a group health plan or had health insurance coverage at the time coverage was previously offered to the employee or dependent. (B) The employee stated in writing at such time that coverage under a group health plan or health insurance coverage was the reason for declining enrollment, but only if the plan sponsor or issuer (if applicable) required such a statement at such time and provided the employee with notice of such requirement (and the consequences of such requirement) at such time. (C) The employee's or dependent's coverage described in subparagraph (A)— (i) was under a COBRA continuation provision and the coverage under such provision was exhausted; or (ii) was not under such a provision and either the coverage was terminated as a result of loss of eligibility for the coverage (including as a result of legal separation, divorce, death, termination of employment, or reduction in the number of hours of employment) or employer contributions toward such coverage were terminated. (D) Under the terms of the plan, the employee requests such enrollment not later than 30 days after the date of exhaustion of coverage described in subparagraph (C)(i) or termination of coverage or employer contribution described in subparagraph (C)(ii). (2) For dependent beneficiaries (A) In general If— (i) a group health plan makes coverage available with respect to a dependent of an individual; (ii) the individual is a participant under the plan (or has met any waiting period applicable to becoming a participant under the plan and is eligible to be enrolled under the plan but for a failure to enroll during a previous enrollment period); and (iii) a person becomes such a dependent of the individual through marriage, birth, or adoption or placement for adoption, the group health plan shall provide for a dependent special enrollment period described in subparagraph (B) during which the person (or, if not otherwise enrolled, the individual) may be enrolled under the plan as a dependent of the individual, and in the case of the birth or adoption of a child, the spouse of the individual may be enrolled as a dependent of the individual if such spouse is otherwise eligible for coverage. (B) Dependent special enrollment period A dependent special enrollment period under this subparagraph shall be a period of not less than 30 days and shall begin on the later of— (i) the date dependent coverage is made available; or (ii) the date of the marriage, birth, or adoption or placement for adoption (as the case may be) described in subparagraph (A)(iii). (C) No waiting period If an individual seeks to enroll a dependent during the first 30 days of such a dependent special enrollment period, the coverage of the dependent shall become effective— (i) in the case of marriage, not later than the first day of the first month beginning after the date the completed request for enrollment is received; (ii) in the case of a dependent's birth, as of the date of such birth; or (iii) in the case of a dependent's adoption or placement for adoption, the date of such adoption or placement for adoption. (3) Special rules for application in case of Medicaid and CHIP (A) In general A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, shall permit an employee who is eligible, but not enrolled, for coverage under the terms of the plan (or a dependent of such an employee if the dependent is eligible, but not enrolled, for coverage under such terms) to enroll for coverage under the terms of the plan if either of the following conditions is met: (i) Termination of Medicaid or CHIP coverage The employee or dependent is covered under a Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act or under a State child health plan under title XXI of such Act and coverage of the employee or dependent under such a plan is terminated as a result of loss of eligibility for such coverage and the employee requests coverage under the group health plan (or health insurance coverage) not later than 60 days after the date of termination of such coverage. (ii) Eligibility for employment assistance under Medicaid or CHIP The employee or dependent becomes eligible for assistance, with respect to coverage under the group health plan or health insurance coverage, under such Medicaid plan or State child health plan (including under any waiver or demonstration project conducted under or in relation to such a plan), if the employee requests coverage under the group health plan or health insurance coverage not later than 60 days after the date the employee or dependent is determined to be eligible for such assistance. (B) Coordination with Medicaid and CHIP (i) Outreach to employees regarding availability of Medicaid and CHIP coverage (I) In general Each employer that maintains a group health plan in a State that provides medical assistance under a State Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act, or child health assistance under a State child health plan under title XXI of such Act, in the form of premium assistance for the purchase of coverage under a group health plan, shall provide to each employee a written notice informing the employee of potential opportunities then currently available in the State in which the employee resides for premium assistance under such plans for health coverage of the employee or the employee's dependents. For purposes of compliance with this subclause, the employer may use any State-specific model notice developed in accordance with section 701(f)(3)(B)(i)(II) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 29 U.S.C. 1181(f)(3)(B)(i)(II) ). (II) Option to provide concurrent with provision of plan materials to employee An employer may provide the model notice applicable to the State in which an employee resides concurrent with the furnishing of materials notifying the employee of health plan eligibility, concurrent with materials provided to the employee in connection with an open season or election process conducted under the plan, or concurrent with the furnishing of the summary plan description as provided in section 104(b) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. (ii) Disclosure about group health plan benefits to States for medicaid and chip eligible individuals In the case of an enrollee in a group health plan who is covered under a Medicaid plan of a State under title XIX of the Social Security Act or under a State child health plan under title XXI of such Act, the plan administrator of the group health plan shall disclose to the State, upon request, information about the benefits available under the group health plan in sufficient specificity, as determined under regulations of the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Secretary that require use of the model coverage coordination disclosure form developed under section 311(b)(1)(C) of the Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2009, so as to permit the State to make a determination (under paragraph (2)(B), (3), or (10) of section 2105(c) of the Social Security Act or otherwise) concerning the cost-effectiveness of the State providing medical or child health assistance through premium assistance for the purchase of coverage under such group health plan and in order for the State to provide supplemental benefits required under paragraph (10)(E) of such section or other authority. (g) Use of Affiliation Period by HMOs as Alternative to Preexisting Condition Exclusion (1) In general A health maintenance organization which offers health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan and which does not impose any preexisting condition exclusion allowed under subsection (a) with respect to any particular coverage option may impose an affiliation period for such coverage option, but only if— (A) such period is applied uniformly without regard to any health status-related factors; and (B) such period does not exceed 2 months (or 3 months in the case of a late enrollee). (2) Affiliation period (A) Defined For purposes of this title, the term affiliation period means a period which, under the terms of the health insurance coverage offered by the health maintenance organization, must expire before the health insurance coverage becomes effective. The organization is not required to provide health care services or benefits during such period and no premium shall be charged to the participant or beneficiary for any coverage during the period. (B) Beginning Such period shall begin on the enrollment date. (C) Runs concurrently with waiting periods An affiliation period under a plan shall run concurrently with any waiting period under the plan. (3) Alternative methods A health maintenance organization described in paragraph (1) may use alternative methods, from those described in such paragraph, to address adverse selection as approved by the State insurance commissioner or official or officials designated by the State to enforce the requirements of this part for the State involved with respect to such issuer. 199A. Extension of dependent coverage (a) In general A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage that provides dependent coverage of children shall continue to make such coverage available for an adult child (who is not married) until the child turns 26 years of age. Nothing in this section shall require a health plan or a health insurance issuer described in the preceding sentence to make coverage available for a child of a child receiving dependent coverage. (b) Regulations The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to define the dependents to which coverage shall be made available under subsection (a). (c) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to modify the definition of dependent as used in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to the tax treatment of the cost of coverage. 199B. Annual limitation on cost-sharing (a) In general (1) 2014 The cost-sharing incurred under a group health plan or group or individual health insurance coverage with respect to self-only coverage or coverage other than self-only coverage for a plan year beginning in 2014 shall not exceed the dollar amounts in effect under section 223(c)(2)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for self-only and family coverage, respectively, for taxable years beginning in 2014. (2) 2015 and later In the case of any plan year beginning in a calendar year after 2014, the limitation under this paragraph shall— (A) in the case of self-only coverage, be equal to the dollar amount under paragraph (1) for self-only coverage for plan years beginning in 2014, increased by an amount equal to the product of that amount and the premium adjustment percentage under subsection (c) for the calendar year; and (B) in the case of other coverage, twice the amount in effect under subparagraph (A). If the amount of any increase under subparagraph (A) is not a multiple of $50, such increase shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $50. (b) Cost-Sharing In this section: (1) In general The term cost-sharing includes— (A) deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, or similar charges; and (B) any other expenditure required of an insured individual which is a qualified medical expense (within the meaning of section 223(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) with respect to essential health benefits covered under the plan. (2) Exceptions Such term does not include premiums, balance billing amounts for non-network providers, or spending for non-covered services. (c) Premium adjustment percentage For purposes of subsection (a)(2)(A), the premium adjustment percentage for any calendar year is the percentage (if any) by which the average per capita premium for health insurance coverage in the United States for the preceding calendar year (as estimated by the Secretary no later than October 1 of such preceding calendar year) exceeds such average per capita premium for 2013 (as determined by the Secretary). 199C. Enforcement of certain health insurance requirements (a) State Enforcement (1) State authority Each State may require that health insurance issuers that issue, sell, renew, or offer health insurance coverage in the State in the individual or group market meet the requirements of this part with respect to such issuers. (2) Failure to implement provisions In the case of a determination by the Secretary that a State has failed to substantially enforce a provision (or provisions) of sections 196 through 199A with respect to health insurance issuers in the State, the Secretary shall enforce such provision (or provisions) under subsection (b) insofar as they relate to the issuance, sale, renewal, and offering of health insurance coverage in connection with group health plans or individual health insurance coverage in such State. (b) Secretarial Enforcement Authority (1) Limitation The provisions of this subsection shall apply to enforcement of a provision (or provisions) described in subsection (a)(2) only— (A) as provided under such subsection; and (B) with respect to individual health insurance coverage or group health plans that are non-Federal governmental plans. (2) Imposition of penalties In the cases described in paragraph (1)— (A) In general Subject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, any non-Federal governmental plan that is a group health plan and any health insurance issuer that fails to meet a provision of this part applicable to such plan or issuer is subject to a civil money penalty under this subsection. (B) Liability for penalty In the case of a failure by— (i) a health insurance issuer, the issuer is liable for such penalty; or (ii) a group health plan that is a non-Federal governmental plan which is— (I) sponsored by 2 or more employers, the plan is liable for such penalty; or (II) not so sponsored, the employer is liable for such penalty. (C) Amount of penalty (i) In general The maximum amount of penalty imposed under this paragraph is $100 for each day for each individual with respect to which such a failure occurs. (ii) Considerations in imposition In determining the amount of any penalty to be assessed under this paragraph, the Secretary shall take into account the previous record of compliance of the entity being assessed with the applicable provisions of this part and the gravity of the violation. (iii) Limitations (I) Penalty not to apply where failure not discovered exercising reasonable diligence No civil money penalty shall be imposed under this paragraph on any failure during any period for which it is established to the satisfaction of the Secretary that none of the entities against whom the penalty would be imposed knew, or exercising reasonable diligence would have known, that such failure existed. (II) Penalty not to apply to failures corrected within 30 days No civil money penalty shall be imposed under this paragraph on any failure if such failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, and such failure is corrected during the 30-day period beginning on the first day any of the entities against whom the penalty would be imposed knew, or exercising reasonable diligence would have known, that such failure existed. (D) Administrative review (i) Opportunity for hearing The entity assessed shall be afforded an opportunity for hearing by the Secretary upon request made within 30 days after the date of the issuance of a notice of assessment. In such hearing the decision shall be made on the record pursuant to section 554 of title 5, United States Code. If no hearing is requested, the assessment shall constitute a final and unappealable order. (ii) Hearing procedure If a hearing is requested, the initial agency decision shall be made by an administrative law judge, and such decision shall become the final order unless the Secretary modifies or vacates the decision. Notice of intent to modify or vacate the decision of the administrative law judge shall be issued to the parties within 30 days after the date of the decision of the judge. A final order which takes effect under this paragraph shall be subject to review only as provided under subparagraph (E). (E) Judicial review (i) Filing of action for review Any entity against whom an order imposing a civil money penalty has been entered after an agency hearing under this paragraph may obtain review by the United States district court for any district in which such entity is located or the United States District Court for the District of Columbia by filing a notice of appeal in such court within 30 days from the date of such order, and simultaneously sending a copy of such notice by registered mail to the Secretary. (ii) Certification of administrative record The Secretary shall promptly certify and file in such court the record upon which the penalty was imposed. (iii) Standard for review The findings of the Secretary shall be set aside only if found to be unsupported by substantial evidence as provided by section 706(2)(E) of title 5, United States Code. (iv) Appeal Any final decision, order, or judgment of the district court concerning such review shall be subject to appeal as provided in chapter 83 of title 28 of such Code. (F) Failure to pay assessment; maintenance of action (i) Failure to pay assessment If any entity fails to pay an assessment after it has become a final and unappealable order, or after the court has entered final judgment in favor of the Secretary, the Secretary shall refer the matter to the Attorney General who shall recover the amount assessed by action in the appropriate United States district court. (ii) Nonreviewability In such action the validity and appropriateness of the final order imposing the penalty shall not be subject to review. (G) Payment of penalties Except as otherwise provided, penalties collected under this paragraph shall be paid to the Secretary (or other officer) imposing the penalty and shall be available without appropriation and until expended for the purpose of enforcing the provisions with respect to which the penalty was imposed. (3) Enforcement authority relating to genetic discrimination (A) General rule In the cases described in paragraph (1), notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (2)(C), the succeeding subparagraphs of this paragraph shall apply with respect to an action under this subsection by the Secretary with respect to any failure of a health insurance issuer in connection with a group health plan, to meet the requirements of subsection (a)(1)(F), (b)(3), (c), or (d) of section 196 or section 197 or 196(b)(1) with respect to genetic information in connection with the plan. (B) Amount (i) In general The amount of the penalty imposed under this paragraph shall be $100 for each day in the noncompliance period with respect to each participant or beneficiary to whom such failure relates. (ii) Noncompliance period For purposes of this paragraph, the term noncompliance period means, with respect to any failure, the period— (I) beginning on the date such failure first occurs; and (II) ending on the date the failure is corrected. (C) Minimum penalties where failure discovered Notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (D): (i) In general In the case of 1 or more failures with respect to an individual— (I) which are not corrected before the date on which the plan receives a notice from the Secretary of such violation; and (II) which occurred or continued during the period involved; the amount of penalty imposed by subparagraph (A) by reason of such failures with respect to such individual shall not be less than $2,500. (ii) Higher minimum penalty where violations are more than de minimis To the extent violations for which any person is liable under this paragraph for any year are more than de minimis, clause (i) shall be applied by substituting $15,000 for $2,500 with respect to such person. (D) Limitations (i) Penalty not to apply where failure not discovered exercising reasonable diligence No penalty shall be imposed by subparagraph (A) on any failure during any period for which it is established to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the person otherwise liable for such penalty did not know, and exercising reasonable diligence would not have known, that such failure existed. (ii) Penalty not to apply to failures corrected within certain periods No penalty shall be imposed by subparagraph (A) on any failure if— (I) such failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect; and (II) such failure is corrected during the 30-day period beginning on the first date the person otherwise liable for such penalty knew, or exercising reasonable diligence would have known, that such failure existed. (iii) Overall limitation for unintentional failures In the case of failures which are due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, the penalty imposed by subparagraph (A) for failures shall not exceed the amount equal to the lesser of— (I) 10 percent of the aggregate amount paid or incurred by the employer (or predecessor employer) during the preceding taxable year for group health plans; or (II) $500,000. (E) Waiver by Secretary In the case of a failure which is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, the Secretary may waive part or all of the penalty imposed by subparagraph (A) to the extent that the payment of such penalty would be excessive relative to the failure involved. (c) Definitions For purposes of this section: (1) Governmental plan The term governmental plan has the meaning given such term under section 3(32) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and any Federal governmental plan. (2) Federal governmental plan The term ‘Federal governmental plan’ means a governmental plan established or maintained for its employees by the Government of the United States or by any agency or instrumentality of such Government. (3) Non-Federal governmental plan The term non-Federal governmental plan means a governmental plan that is not a Federal governmental plan. . (b) Conforming amendment The table of contents under section 1(b) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ( Public Law 104–191 ) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 195 the following: Sec. 196. Guaranteed availability of coverage. Sec. 197. Fair health insurance premiums. Sec. 198. Prohibiting discrimination against individual participants and beneficiaries based on health status. Sec. 199. Prohibition of preexisting condition exclusions or other discrimination based on health status. Sec. 199A. Extension of dependent coverage. Sec. 199B. Annual limitation on cost-sharing. Sec. 199C. Enforcement of certain health insurance requirements. . (c) ERISA and IRC Enforcement (1) ERISA Subpart B of part 7 of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 29 U.S.C. 1185 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 716. Other market reforms Sections 196 and 197 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 shall apply to health insurance issuers providing health insurance coverage in connection with group health plans, and sections 198 through 199B of such Act shall apply to group health plans and health insurance issuers providing health insurance coverage in connection with group health plans, as if included in this subpart, and to the extent that any provision of this part conflicts with a provision of such section 196 or 197 with respect to health insurance issuers providing health insurance coverage in connection with group health plans or of such section 198, 199, 199A, or 199B with respect to group health plans or health insurance issuers providing health insurance coverage in connection with group health plans, the provisions of such sections 196 through 199B shall apply. . (2) IRC Subchapter B of chapter 100 of subtitle K of title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 9816. Other market reforms Sections 196 and 197 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 shall apply to health insurance issuers providing health insurance coverage in connection with group health plans, and sections 198 through 199B of such Act shall apply to group health plans and health insurance issuers providing health insurance coverage in connection with group health plans, as if included in this subchapter, and to the extent that any provision of this chapter conflicts with a provision of such section 196 or 197 with respect to health insurance issuers providing health insurance coverage in connection with group health plans or of such section 198, 199, 199A, or 199B with respect to group health plans or health insurance issuers providing health insurance coverage in connection with group health plans, the provisions of such sections 196 through 199B shall apply. . (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date on which the Supreme Court of the United States issues a decision striking down the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( Public Law 111–148 ) in its entirety. B Expanding Coverage Options 211. Definition of employer under ERISA with respect to group health plans (a) Definition of employer Section 3(5) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 29 U.S.C. 1002(5) ) is amended by striking the period and inserting (which, with respect to a group health plan, shall be determined in accordance with criteria that includes the criteria under section 735). . (b) Group health plans Part 7 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 29 U.S.C. 1181 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 735. Definition of employer with respect to group health plans (a) In general A group or association of employers that meets the criteria under subsection (b) shall be considered an employer under section 3(5) for purposes of sponsoring a group health plan. (b) Requirements The requirements under this subsection are each of the following: (1) The primary purpose of the group or association may be to offer and provide health coverage to its employer members and their employees, if such group or association has at least 1 substantial business purpose, as described in subsection (c), unrelated to offering and providing health coverage or other employee benefits to its employer members and their employees. (2) Each employer member of the group or association participating in the group health plan is a person acting directly as an employer of at least 1 employee who is a participant covered under the plan. (3) The group or association has— (A) a formal organizational structure with a governing body; and (B) by-laws or other similar indications of formality. (4) The functions and activities of the group or association shall be controlled by the employer members of the group or association, and the employer members of the group or association that participate in the group health plan shall control the plan. Control under this paragraph shall be in form and substance. (5) The employer members shall have a commonality of interest as described in subsection (d). (6) (A) The group or association shall not make health coverage through the group health plan available other than to— (i) an employee of a current employer member of the group or association; (ii) a former employee of a current employer member of the group or association who became eligible for coverage under the group health plan when the former employee was an employee of the employer; and (iii) a beneficiary of an individual described in clause (i) or (ii), such as a spouse or dependent child. (B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the group or association shall not make health coverage through the group health plan available to any individual (or beneficiaries of the individual) for any plan year following the plan year in which the plan determines pursuant to reasonable monitoring procedures described in subsection (f)(2)(C) that the individual ceases to meet the conditions described in subsection (f)(2) for being a working owner (unless the individual again meets those conditions), except as may be required by section 601. (7) The group or association, and any health coverage offered by the group or association, shall comply with the nondiscrimination provisions under subsection (e). (8) The group or association shall not be a health insurance issuer, or owned or controlled by such a health insurance issuer or by a subsidiary or affiliate of such a health insurance issuer, other than to the extent such entities participate in the group or association in their capacity as employer members of the group or association. (c) Substantial business purpose (1) In general For purposes of subsection (b)(1), a substantial business purpose shall exist if the group or association would be a viable entity in the absence of sponsoring an employee benefit plan. (2) Business purpose For purposes of subsection (b)(1) and paragraph (1), a business purpose shall— (A) include promoting common business interests of the members of the group or association or the common economic interests in a given trade or employer community; and (B) not be required to be a for-profit activity. (d) Commonality of interest (1) In general Subject to paragraph (3), employer members of the group or association shall be treated as having a commonality of interest for purposes of subsection (b)(5) if— (A) the employers are in the same trade, industry, line of business, or profession; or (B) each employer has a principal place of business in the same region that does not exceed the boundaries of a single State or a metropolitan area (even if the metropolitan area includes more than 1 State). (2) Same trade, industry, or line of business In the case of a group or association that is sponsoring a group health plan under this section and that is itself an employer member of the group or association, the group or association shall be deemed for purposes of paragraph (1)(A) to be in the same trade, industry, line of business, or profession, as applicable, as the other employer members of the group or association. (3) Nondiscrimination The standards under paragraph (1) shall not be implemented in a manner that is subterfuge for discrimination as is prohibited under subsection (e). (e) Nondiscrimination (1) In general A group or association of employers sponsoring a group health plan under this section, and any health coverage sponsored by such group or association, shall comply with each of the following: (A) The group or association shall not condition employer membership in the group or association on any health factor of any individual who is or may become eligible to participate in the group health plan sponsored by the group or association. (B) The group health plan sponsored by the group or association shall comply with the rules under section 2590.702(b) of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on June 21, 2018), with respect to nondiscrimination in rules for eligibility for benefits, subject to subparagraph (D). (C) The group health plan sponsored by the group or association shall comply with the rules under section 2590.702(c) of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on June 21, 2018), with respect to nondiscrimination in premiums or contributions required by any participant or beneficiary for coverage under the plan, subject to subparagraph (D). (D) In applying subparagraphs (B) and (C), the group or association may not treat the employees of different employer members of the group or association as distinct groups of similarly-situated individuals based on a health factor of 1 or more individuals. (2) Definition of health factor For purposes of this subsection, the term health factor has the meaning given such term in section 2590.702(a) of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on June 21, 2018). (f) Dual treatment of working owners as employers and employees (1) In general A person determined in accordance with paragraph (2) to be a working owner of a trade or business may qualify as both an employer and as an employee of the trade or business for purposes of the requirements under subsection (b), including the requirements under paragraphs (2) and (6) of such subsection. (2) Working owner (A) Eligibility A person shall qualify as a working owner if a responsible fiduciary of the group health plan reasonably determines that the person— (i) does not have any common law employees; (ii) has an ownership right of any nature in a trade or business, whether incorporated or unincorporated, including a partner and other self-employed individual; (iii) is earning wages or self-employment income from the trade or business for providing personal services to the trade or business; and (iv) either— (I) works on average at least 20 hours per week, or at least 80 hours per month, providing personal services to the person's trade or business; or (II) has wages or self-employment income from such trade or business that at least equals the person's cost of coverage for participation by the person, and any covered beneficiaries, in the group health plan sponsored by the group or association in which the person is participating. (B) Determination The determination under subparagraph (A) shall be made when the person first becomes eligible for coverage under the group health plan. (C) Reasonable monitoring procedures A responsible fiduciary of the group health plan shall, through reasonable monitoring procedures, periodically confirm the continued eligibility of a person to qualify as a working owner under subparagraph (A) for purposes of meeting the requirements under subsection (b) for the group health plan sponsored under this section. (g) Applicability (1) Fully insured This section shall apply beginning on September 1, 2024, with respect to a group or association of employers sponsoring a group health plan that is fully insured. (2) Plans expanding to include broader group This section shall apply beginning on January 1, 2025, with respect to a group or association of employers sponsoring a group health plan that— (A) is not fully insured; (B) is in existence on June 21, 2024; (C) meets the requirements that applied with respect to such plan before June 21, 2024; and (D) chooses to be a plan sponsored under this section (and subject to the requirements under subsections (b) through (f)). (3) Other association health plans This section shall apply beginning on April 1, 2025, with respect to any other group or association of employers sponsoring a group health plan. (4) Other criteria in advisory opinions The criteria under this section shall not invalidate any criteria provided in an advisory opinion, in effect on or after the date of enactment of the Fair Care Act of 2024 , that the Secretary may use to determine if a group or association of employers is an employer under section 3(5) for purposes of sponsoring a group health plan. (h) Determination of employer or joint employer status (1) In general Participating in or facilitating a group health plan sponsored by a bona fide group or association of employers pursuant to subsection (a) shall not be construed as establishing an employer or joint employer relationship under any Federal or State law. (2) Application of provision Paragraph (1) shall apply to a group health plan sponsored or facilitated by a franchisor and any franchisee, by multiple franchisors for the benefit of the employees of such franchisors and their franchisees, by multiple franchisees for the benefit of the employees of such franchisees, by a franchisor whose franchisee or franchisees participate or participates in the plan, or by a person or entity that contracts with any individual as an independent contractor for whom the plan benefits. (i) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed as repealing or otherwise limiting the application of this Act (including section 712 relating to mental health parity) to group health plans and employee welfare benefit plans. . 212. Short-term limited duration insurance (a) Definition Section 2791(b) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–91(b) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (6) Short-term limited duration insurance The term short-term limited duration insurance means health insurance coverage provided pursuant to a contract with a health insurance issuer that has an expiration date specified in the contract (not taking into account any extensions that may be elected by the policyholder with or without the issuer’s consent) that is less than 12 months after the original effective date of the contract. . (b) Guaranteed renewability Section 2703 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–2 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by inserting or offers short-term limited duration insurance after group market ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (f) Application to short-Term limited duration insurance (1) In general In applying this section in the case of short-term limited duration insurance— (A) a reference to health insurance coverage with respect to such coverage offered in the individual market shall be deemed to include short-term limited duration insurance; and (B) a reference to health insurance issuer with respect to health insurance coverage offered in the individual market shall be deemed to include an issuer of short-term limited duration insurance. (2) Special rule for short-term limited duration insurance In the case of short-term limited duration insurance, at the time of application for enrollment in such insurance coverage, an issuer of such insurance may offer renewability of such coverage, and an individual may decline renewability of such coverage in accordance with this section, and the contract between such individual and the health insurance issuer shall specify whether the individual opted for renewability or no renewability. . (c) Applicability The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply with respect to contracts for short-term limited duration insurance that take effect on or after January 1, 2025. C Improving Commercial Health Insurance 221. Invisible Guaranteed Coverage Pool Reinsurance Program; tax on exchange plans (a) Establishment Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish the Invisible Guaranteed Coverage Pool Reinsurance Program (in this section referred to as the IGCPR program ). (b) State grants Under the IGCPR program, the Secretary shall, from amounts appropriated under subsection (f) for a fiscal year, award grants to States for such fiscal year, in amounts determined in accordance with the allocation methodology specified under subsection (d). Such grants shall be used for the purpose of establishing or maintaining a qualifying Invisible Guaranteed Coverage Pool for the State. (c) Federal default (1) In general In the case of a State that does not, by a date and in a manner specified by the Secretary, choose to be awarded a grant under subsection (b) for a fiscal year to operate a qualifying Invisible Guaranteed Coverage Pool for the State, the Secretary shall, from amounts appropriated under subsection (f) for such fiscal year, use the allocation determined for the State under subsection (d) for participation of such State in the Federal default qualifying Invisible Guaranteed Coverage Pool described in paragraph (2). (2) Federal default qualifying Invisible Guaranteed Coverage Pool The Federal default qualifying high risk pool is, with respect to each State that chooses not to be awarded a grant under subsection (b) with respect to a fiscal year for which funds are appropriated under subsection (f), an Invisible Guaranteed Coverage Pool under which health insurance issuers participating in the Exchange of such a State, with respect to designated individuals who are enrolled in health insurance coverage and are expected to experience higher than average health costs as determined by the insurer, cede risk to the pool, without affecting the premium paid by the designated individuals or their terms of coverage. With respect to such pool— (A) high-risk individuals designated for cession to the pool shall be designated by the ceding issuer; (B) the premium amount the ceding issuer shall pay to the reinsurance pool shall be 90 percent of the premium paid to the issuer for the coverage; (C) the ceding issuer shall retain the same risk under the ceded policies as under any other policy of the issuer with respect to the first $10,000 of benefits for each ceded policy involved and will not retain any risk under ceded policies after such first $10,000 of benefits; and (D) after a ceding issuer, with respect to a ceded policy, no longer retains risk under such policy pursuant to subparagraph (C), the negotiated rate under such policy for items and services shall be payable at the reimbursement rate under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act for such items and services, or in the case of items and services for which payment is available under the policy but not the Medicare program, at a rate determined by the Secretary. (d) Allocation methodology Not later than six months after the establishment of the IGCPR program, the Secretary shall specify an allocation methodology for determining the amount of funds appropriated under subsection (f) for a fiscal year to be allocated for each State for purposes of subsections (b) and (c). Such methodology shall be based on the number of residents of each State and the general health status of such residents. (e) Qualifying Invisible Guaranteed Coverage Pool For purposes of this section, the term qualifying Invisible Guaranteed Coverage Pool means, with respect to a State, a method of designation under which health insurance issuers identify individuals who experience higher than average health costs as determined by the State and are enrolled in health insurance coverage offered in the individual market, and cede the risk of spending more than $10,000 on health care services for a single individual to the pool without affecting the premium paid by the designated individuals or their terms of coverage. With respect to such pool, the State, or an entity operating the pool on behalf of the State, shall establish— (1) the premium amount the ceding issuer shall pay to the reinsurance pool; (2) the applicable attachment points or coinsurance percentages if the ceding issuer retains any portion of the risk under ceded policies, except that the provisions of subparagraphs (C) and (D) of subsection (c)(2) shall apply to such high risk pool in the same manner as such clauses apply to the Federal default high risk pool; and (3) the mechanism by which high-risk individuals are designated for cession to the pool, which may include a list of designated high-cost health conditions. (f) Appropriations There is appropriated to the Secretary of Health and Human Services $200,000,000,000 to carry out this section for the period of the first 10 years after the establishment of the IGCPR program. (g) Tax on health insurance plans sold on exchanges (1) In general Chapter 34 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter: C Additional tax on health insurance plans sold by insurers offering plans on exchanges Sec. 4401. Additional tax on health insurance plans sold by insurers offering plans on exchanges. 4401. Additional tax on health insurance plans sold by insurers offering plans on exchanges (a) Imposition of tax There is imposed a tax of $4 for each policy month of each health insurance policy sold by insurers offering plans through an Exchange established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. (b) Liability The tax imposed by subsection (a) shall be paid by the plan sponsor. . (2) Conforming amendment The table of subchapters for chapter 34 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following item: Subchapter C—Additional tax on health insurance plans sold by insurers offering plans on exchanges . (3) Effective date The amendments made by this subsection shall apply with respect to months beginning after the date of enactment of this Act. (h) Report The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Comptroller General of the United States, shall submit to Congress, not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and again 5 years thereafter, a report on the status of reinsurance pool funding, along with any recommendations with respect to future allocations or funding methods for such pool. 222. Employer health insurance mandate repeal (a) In general Chapter 43 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking section 4980H. (b) Repeal of Related Reporting Requirements Subpart D of part III of subchapter A of chapter 61 of such Code is amended by striking section 6056. (c) Conforming amendments (1) Section 6724(d)(1)(B) of such Code is amended by inserting or at the end of clause (xxiii), by striking or at the end of clause (xxiv), and by striking clause (xxv). (2) Section 6724(d)(2) of such Code is amended by inserting or at the end of subparagraph (GG) and by striking subparagraph (HH). (3) The table of sections for chapter 43 of such Code is amended by striking the item relating to section 4980H. (4) The table of sections for subpart D of part III of subchapter A of chapter 61 of such Code is amended by striking the item relating to section 6056. (5) Section 1513 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is amended by striking subsection (c). (d) Effective date (1) In general Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the amendments made by this section shall apply to months and other periods beginning after December 31, 2024. (2) Repeal of study and report The amendment made by subsection (c)(5) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. 223. Refundable credits for coverage under a qualified health plan for individuals offered employer-sponsored insurance (a) In general Section 36B(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— (1) in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting or section 5000A(f)(1)(B) , and (2) by striking subparagraph (C). (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. 224. Inclusion in income of certain costs of employer-provided coverage under health plans (a) In general Section 106 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (h) Limitation (1) In general Subsection (a) shall not apply to the extent that employer-provided coverage under health plans for an employee for a taxable year exceeds— (A) $10,200 for self-only coverage, and (B) $27,500 for all other coverage. (2) In general In the case of any calendar year after 2025, the dollar amounts in paragraph (1) shall each be increased by an amount equal to— (A) such dollar amount, multiplied by— (B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for such calendar year, determined— (i) by substituting calendar year 2024 for calendar year 2018 in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof, and (ii) by substituting for the C–CPI–U referred to in section 1(f)(3)(A) the amount that such CPI would have been if the annual percentage increase in CPI with respect to each year after 2023 and before 2033 had been one percentage point greater. (3) Terms related to CPI (A) Annual percentage increase For purposes of subparagraph (B)(ii)(II), the term annual percentage increase means the percentage (if any) by which C–CPI–U for any year exceeds the C–CPI–U for the prior year. (B) Other terms Terms used in this paragraph which are also used in section 1(f)(3) shall have the same meanings as when used in such section. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. 225. Change in permissible age variation in health insurance premium rates Section 2701(a)(1)(A)(iii) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg(a)(1)(A)(iii) ) is amended by inserting after (consistent with section 2707(c)) the following: or, for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, as the Secretary may implement through interim final regulation, 5 to 1 for adults (consistent with section 2707(c)) . 226. Premium assistance adjustment to reflect age (a) Modification of applicable percentage Section 36B(b)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows: (A) Applicable percentage (i) In general The applicable percentage for any taxable year shall be the percentage such that the applicable percentage for any taxpayer whose household income is within an income tier specified in the following table shall increase, on a sliding scale in a linear manner, from the initial percentage to the final percentage specified in such table for such income tier with respect to a taxpayer of the age involved: In the case of household income (expressed as a percent of the poverty line) within the following income tier: Up to Age 29 Age 30–39 Age 40–49 Age 50–59 Over Age 59 Initial % Final % Initial % Final % Initial % Final % Initial % Final % Initial % Final % Up to 100% 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100%–133% 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 133%–150% 3 4.3 3 4.3 3 4.3 3 4.3 3 4.3 150%–200% 4.3 6.7 4.3 6.7 4.3 6.7 4.3 6.7 4.3 6.7 200%–250% 6.7 6.7 6.7 7.6 6.7 8.3 6.7 8.3 6.7 8.3 250%–300% 6.7 6.7 7.6 7.6 8.3 9.8 8.3 9.8 8.3 9.8 300%–400% 6.7 7 7.6 8 9.8 10 9.8 10 9.8 10 400%–600% 7 9 8 10 10 15 10 15 10 15 (ii) Age determinations (I) In general For purposes of clause (i), the age of the taxpayer taken into account under clause (i) with respect to any taxable year is the age attained by such taxpayer before the close of such taxable year. (II) Joint returns In the case of a joint return, the age of the older spouse shall be taken into account under clause (i). (iii) Indexing In the case of any taxable year beginning after calendar year 2024, the initial and final percentages contained in clause (i) shall be adjusted to reflect— (I) the excess (if any) of the rate of premium growth for the period beginning with calendar year 2013 and ending with calendar year 2024, over the rate of income growth for such period, and (II) in addition to any adjustment under subclause (I), the excess (if any) of the rate of premium growth for calendar year 2024, over the rate of growth in the consumer price index for calendar year 2024. (iv) Failsafe Clause (iii)(II) shall apply only if the aggregate amount of premium tax credits under this section and cost-sharing reductions under section 1402 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act for the preceding calendar year exceeds an amount equal to 0.504 percent of the gross domestic product for such calendar year. . (b) Expansion of eligibility Section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— (1) in subsection (c)(1)(A), by striking 400 and inserting 600 ; and (2) in subsection (f)(2)(B)(i), by striking 400 each place such reference appears and inserting 600 in each such place. (c) Effective date The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. 227. Premium assistance Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Treasury shall calculate the credit allowable under section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 based on the taxpayer’s prior year tax return and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide for open enrollment periods that end on April 15. 228. Adding copper plans to Exchanges (a) In general Section 1302 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18022 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(3), by inserting copper, after either the ; (2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5) Special rule for copper plans A health plan in the copper level of coverage (as described in subsection (d)(1)(E)) shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this subsection. ; (3) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (E) Copper level A plan in the copper level shall provide a level of coverage that is designed to provide benefits that are actuarially equivalent to 50 percent of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the plan and will have out-of-pocket limits that are 30 percent higher than bronze plans. ; and (B) in paragraph (4)— (i) by inserting copper, after any reference to a ; and (ii) by inserting copper, after providing a ; and (4) in subsection (e)(1), by inserting copper, after not providing a . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. 229. Copper and bronze plans Notwithstanding any other provision of law, refundable credits for coverage under a qualified health plan and cost-sharing reductions may be used to purchase bronze and copper plans. 230. Waivers for State innovation (a) Streamlining the State Application Process Section 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18052 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(1)(C), by striking the law and inserting a law or has in effect a certification ; and (2) in subsection (b)(2)— (A) in the paragraph heading, by inserting or certify after law ; (B) in subparagraph (A)— (i) by striking A law and inserting the following: (i) Laws A law ; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: (ii) Certifications A certification described in this paragraph is a document, signed by the Governor of the State, that certifies that such Governor has the authority under existing Federal and State law to take action under this section, including implementation of the State plan under subsection (a)(1)(B). ; and (C) in subparagraph (B)— (i) in the subparagraph heading, by striking of opt out ; and (ii) by striking may repeal a law and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: “may terminate the authority provided under the waiver with respect to the State by— (i) repealing a law described in subparagraph (A)(i); or (ii) terminating a certification described in subparagraph (A)(ii), through a certification for such termination signed by the Governor of the State. . (b) Providing expedited approval of State waivers Section 1332(d) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18052(d) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1) by striking 180 and inserting 90 ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (3) Expedited determination (A) In general With respect to any application under subsection (a)(1) submitted on or after the date of this paragraph or any such application submitted prior to such date of enactment and under review by the Secretary on such date of enactment, the Secretary shall make a determination on such application, using the criteria for approval otherwise applicable under this section, not later than 45 days after the receipt of such application, and shall allow the public notice and comment at the State and Federal levels described under subsection (a)(4) to occur concurrently if such State application— (i) is submitted in response to an urgent situation, with respect to areas in the State that the Secretary determines are at risk for excessive premium increases or having no health plans offered in the applicable health insurance market for the current or following plan year; or (ii) is for a waiver that is the same or substantially similar to a waiver that the Secretary already has approved for another State. (B) Approval (i) Urgent situations (I) Provisional approval A waiver approved under the expedited determination process under subparagraph (A)(i) shall be in effect for a period of 3 years, unless the State requests a shorter duration. (II) Full approval Subject to the requirements for approval otherwise applicable under this section, not later than 1 year before the expiration of a provisional waiver period described in subclause (I) with respect to an application described in subparagraph (A)(i), the Secretary shall make a determination on whether to extend the approval of such waiver for the full term of the waiver requested by the State, for a total approval period not to exceed 6 years. The Secretary may request additional information as the Secretary determines appropriate to make such determination. (ii) Approval of same or similar applications An approval of a waiver under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be subject to the terms of subsection (e). (C) GAO study Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review of all waivers approved pursuant to an application under subparagraph (A)(ii) to evaluate whether such waivers met the requirements of subsection (b)(1) and whether the applications should have qualified for such expedited process. . (c) Providing certainty for State-Based reforms Section 1332(e) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18052(e) ) is amended by striking No waiver and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: “A waiver under this section— (1) shall be in effect for a period of 6 years unless the State requests a shorter duration; (2) may be renewed, subject to the State meeting the criteria for approval otherwise applicable under this section, for unlimited additional 6-year periods upon application by the State; and (3) may not be suspended or terminated, in whole or in part, by the Secretary at any time before the date of expiration of the waiver period (including any renewal period under paragraph (2)), unless the Secretary determines that the State materially failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the waiver. . (d) Ensuring Patient Access to More Flexible Health Plans Section 1332(b)(1)(B) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18052(b)(1)(B) ) is amended by striking at least as affordable and inserting of comparable affordability, including for low-income individuals, individuals with serious health needs, and other vulnerable populations, . (e) Applicability The amendments made by this Act to section 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18052 )— (1) with respect to applications for waivers under such section 1332 submitted after the date of enactment of this Act and applications for such waivers submitted prior to such date of enactment and under review by the Secretary on the date of enactment, shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) with respect to applications for waivers approved under such section 1332 before the date of enactment of this Act, shall not require reconsideration of whether such applications meet the requirements of such section 1332, except that, at the request of a State, the Secretary shall recalculate the amount of funding provided under subsection (a)(3) of such section. 231. Enrollment periods (a) Exchanges Paragraph (7) of section 1311(c) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18031(c) ), as added by section 106, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (B) Enrollments other than during initial, open, and special enrollment periods Beginning with plan year 2025, an Exchange may provide for enrollments during periods in addition to open enrollment periods described in subparagraph (A) or paragraph (6) and special enrollment periods described in paragraph (6). . (b) Health plans Subpart I of part A of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 2710. Enrollment outside of initial, open, and special enrollment period Beginning with plan year 2025, a group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage may provide for enrollment in such plan or coverage during periods in addition to initial, open, or special enrollment periods. In the case that an individual enrolls in such plan or coverage during a period pursuant to the previous sentence, the plan or issuer may charge the individual a one-time enrollment fee. . 232. State-operated Exchanges flexibility for open enrollment periods Section 1311(c) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18031(c) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (6), by striking The Secretary and inserting Subject to paragraph (7), the Secretary ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (7) Flexibility for enrollment periods (A) State-operated Exchanges open enrollment periods In the case of an Exchange operated by a State, beginning with plan years of 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Exchange may provide for open enrollment periods (after the initial enrollment period) every 12, 24, or 36 months, as determined by the State. . 233. Promoting health plans that cover individuals in more than one State There are appropriated, out of amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $10,000,000 to be made available by no later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, to the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation to fund new research or pilot programs dedicated to pursuing viable methods of enrolling individuals in health insurance programs that cross State lines. III Competition, Transparency and Accountability A Provider and Insurer Competition 301. Hospital consolidation (a) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $160,000,000 to the Federal Trade Commission to hire staff to investigate, as consistent with the Sherman Antitrust Act and other relevant Federal laws, anti-competitive mergers and practices under such laws to the extent such mergers and practices relate to providers of inpatient and outpatient health care services, as defined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (b) Medicare Advantage rates applied to certain HHI hospitals (1) In general Section 1866(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a) ) is amended— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in subparagraph (X), by striking and at the end; (ii) in subparagraph (Y), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (Y) the following new subparagraph: (Z) subject to paragraph (4), in the case of a hospital located in a county whose population density is above the median population density for all counties in the United States with respect to which there is a Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) of greater than 4,000, to apply the average reimbursement rate with respect to individuals (regardless of whether such an individual is entitled to or eligible for benefits under this title, but excluding individuals eligible for medical assistance under a State plan under title XIX) furnished items and services at such hospital that would be billable under this title for such items and services if furnished by such hospital to an individual enrolled under part C. ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4) (A) The requirement under paragraph (1)(Z) shall not apply in the case of a hospital in a hospital referral region if— (i) the HRR market share of such hospital (as determined under subparagraph (B)) is less than 0.15; or (ii) the hospital is located in a rural area (as defined in section 1886(d)(2)(D)). (B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the HRR market share of a hospital in a hospital referral region is equal to— (i) the total revenue of the hospital, divided by (ii) the total revenue of all hospitals in the hospital referral region. . (2) Effective date The amendments made by this subsection shall apply with respect to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2025. (c) Grants for hospital infrastructure improvement (1) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall carry out a grant program under which the Secretary shall provide grants to eligible States, in accordance with this subsection. (2) Uses An eligible State receiving a grant under this subsection may use such grant to improve the State hospital infrastructure and to supplement any other funds provided for a purpose authorized under a State or local hospital grant program under State law. (3) Eligibility (A) In general An eligible State may receive not more than one grant under this subsection with respect to each qualifying criterion described in subparagraph (B) that is met by the State. (B) Eligible State For purposes of this subsection, the term eligible State means a State that meets any one or more of the following qualifying criteria: (i) The State does not have in effect any State certificate of need law that requires a health care provider to provide to a regulatory body a certification that the community needs the services provided by the health care provider. (ii) The State has in effect State scope of practice laws that— (I) allow advanced practice providers (such as nurse practitioners, advanced practice registered nurses, clinical nurse specialists, and physician assistants) to evaluate patients; diagnose, order, and interpret diagnostic tests; and initiate and manage treatments; or (II) provide that the only justification for limiting the scope of practice of a health care provider is safety to the public. (iii) The State does not have in effect any State laws that require managed care plans to accept into the network of such plan any qualified provider who is willing to accept the terms and conditions of the managed care plan. (iv) The State does not have in effect any Certificate of Public Advantage laws that clearly articulate the State’s intent to displace competition in favor of regulation or that violate State or Federal antitrust laws. (v) The State does not have in effect any network adequacy laws regulating a health plan’s ability to deliver benefits by providing reasonable access to a sufficient number of in-network primary care and specialty physicians, as well as all health care services included under the terms of an insuree’s contract with a health insurer. (4) Funding There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $1,000,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2025 through 2034. Funds appropriated under this paragraph shall remain available until expended. (d) Critical access hospital reimbursement rates (1) Part A Section 1814(l)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395f(l)(1) ) is amended by inserting (or, for 2025, 102, plus 1 percentage point for each subsequent year through 2033, and 110 for each subsequent year thereafter) after 101 . (2) Part B Section 1834(g)(1) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(g)(1) ) is amended by inserting (or, for 2025, 102, plus 1 percentage point for each subsequent year through 2033, and 110 for each subsequent year thereafter) after 101 . 302. Authority of Federal Trade Commission over certain tax-exempt organizations Section 4 of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 44 ) is amended, in the undesignated paragraph relating to the definition of the term Corporation — (1) by striking , and any and inserting , any ; and (2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: , and any organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code . 303. Leveling the playing field between payers and providers (a) Exemption It shall not be a violation of the antitrust laws for one or more private health insurer issuers or their designated agents to jointly negotiate prices of particular hospital services with a hospital provider with regards to the reimbursement policies of the insurers for those services. (b) Definitions For purposes of this section: (1) Antitrust laws The term antitrust laws has the meaning given it in subsection (a) of the 1st section of the Clayton Act ( 15 U.S.C. 12(a) ), except that such term includes section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 45 ) to the extent such section 5 applies to unfair methods of competition. (2) Health insurance issuer The term health insurance issuer means an insurance company, insurance service, or insurance organization (including a health maintenance organization, as defined in subparagraph (C)) which is licensed to engage in the business of insurance in a State and which is subject to State law which regulates insurance (within the meaning of section 514(b)(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 29 U.S.C. 1144(b)(2) ). Such term does not include a group health plan. (3) Health maintenance organization The term health maintenance organization means— (A) a Federally qualified health maintenance organization (as defined in section 300e(a) of title 42 of the United States Code), (B) an organization recognized under State law as a health maintenance organization, or (C) a similar organization regulated under State law for solvency in the same manner and to the same extent as such a health maintenance organization. (c) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act but shall not apply with respect to conduct that occurs before such date. 304. Banning anticompetitive terms in facility and insurance contracts that limit access to higher quality, lower cost care (a) In general Section 2729B of the Public Health Service Act, as added by section 301, is amended by adding at the end the following: (b) Protecting Health Plans Network Design Flexibility (1) In general A group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall not enter into an agreement with a provider, network or association of providers, or other service provider offering access to a network of service providers if such agreement, directly or indirectly— (A) restricts the group health plan or health insurance issuer from— (i) directing or steering enrollees to other health care providers; or (ii) offering incentives to encourage enrollees to utilize specific health care providers; (B) requires the group health plan or health insurance issuer to enter into any additional contract with an affiliate of the provider, such as an affiliate of the provider, as a condition of entering into a contract with such provider; (C) requires the group health plan or health insurance issuer to agree to payment rates or other terms for any affiliate not party to the contract of the provider involved; or (D) restricts other group health plans or health insurance issuers not party to the contract from paying a lower rate for items or services than the contracting plan or issuer pays for such items or services. (2) Additional requirement for self-insured plans A self-insured group health plan shall not enter into an agreement with a provider, network or association of providers, third-party administrator, or other service provider offering access to a network of providers if such agreement directly or indirectly requires the group health plan to certify, attest, or otherwise confirm in writing that the group health plan is bound by restrictive contracting terms between the service provider and a third-party administrator that the group health plan is not party to, without a disclosure that such terms exist. (3) Exception for certain group model issuers Paragraph (1)(A) shall not apply to a group health plan or health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage with respect to— (A) a health maintenance organization (as defined in section 2791(b)(3)), if such health maintenance organization operates primarily through exclusive contracts with multi-specialty physician groups, nor to any arrangement between such a health maintenance organization and its affiliates; or (B) a value-based network arrangement, such as an exclusive provider network, accountable care organization, center of excellence, a provider sponsored health insurance issuer that operates primarily through aligned multi-specialty physician group practices or integrated health systems, or such other similar network arrangements as determined by the Secretary through rulemaking. (4) Attestation A group health plan or health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall annually submit to, as applicable, the applicable authority described in section 2723 or the Secretary of Labor, an attestation that such plan or issuer is in compliance with the requirements of this subsection. (c) Maintenance of existing HIPAA, GINA, and ADA protections Nothing in this section shall modify, reduce, or eliminate the existing privacy protections and standards provided by reason of State and Federal law, including the requirements of parts 160 and 164 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations). (d) Regulations The Secretary, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Fair Care Act of 2024 , shall promulgate regulations to carry out this section. (e) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit network design or cost or quality initiatives by a group health plan or health insurance issuer, including accountable care organizations, exclusive provider organizations, networks that tier providers by cost or quality or steer enrollees to centers of excellence, or other pay-for-performance programs. (f) Clarification with respect to antitrust laws Compliance with this section does not constitute compliance with the antitrust laws, as defined in subsection (a) of the first section of the Clayton Act ( 15 U.S.C. 12(a) ). . (b) Effective date Section 2729B of the Public Health Service Act (as added by section 301 and amended by subsection (a)) shall apply with respect to any contract entered into on or after the date that is 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act. With respect to an applicable contract that is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, such section 2729B shall apply on the earlier of the date of renewal of such contract or 3 years after such date of enactment. 305. Repealing eligibility of certain ACOs (a) In general Section 1899(b)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395jjj(b)(1) ) is amended by striking subparagraphs (C) through (E). (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on January 1, 2025. 306. Repeal of health care reform provisions limiting Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals Sections 6001 and 10601 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( Public Law 111–148 ; 124 Stat. 684, 1005) and section 1106 of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 ( Public Law 111–152 ; 124 Stat. 1049) are repealed and the provisions of law amended by such sections are restored as if such sections had never been enacted. 307. Alternative payment model for certain shoppable procedures (a) In general A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage (as such terms are defined in section 2791 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–91 )) may elect, with respect to a plan year, to provide a set payment amount to an enrollee under such plan or coverage for certain shoppable procedures (as defined in subsection (b)) in accordance with the provisions of this section in lieu of otherwise providing coverage for such a procedure under such plan or coverage, but only if the enrollee so agrees to such set payment amount. (b) Definition For purposes of this section, the term shoppable procedure means a procedure specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary ) with respect to which individuals may be expected to compare prices for such procedure of health care providers and facilities, including primary and preventive services, prenatal care and childbirth, common surgeries that can be scheduled, and other similar services. (c) Set payment rules A set payment described in subsection (a) under a group health plan or group or individual health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer shall— (1) be disclosed prior to beginning of each plan year such payment is in effect and shall not vary during such plan year; (2) be the same amount with respect to the same shoppable procedure furnished in a geographic area (as defined by the Secretary); (3) not be less than the median negotiated rate for all group health plans and health insurance coverage offered in such area for such procedure; (4) be made available to an enrollee under such plan or such coverage regardless of the provider or facility furnishing the shoppable procedure; (5) represent the entirety of the payment obligation of such plan or such issuer with respect to such procedure; and (6) may be retained by such enrollee to the extent that the amount of such payment exceeds the amount charged by such provider or facility for such procedure. (d) Provision of price information Each health care provider and facility that may furnish a shoppable procedure during a year shall post in a public area a notice containing the prices that will be charged by such provider of facility with respect to each such procedure to individuals making payment for such services pursuant to a set payment amount described in subsection (a). (e) EHB waiver authority The Secretary may waive such provisions of section 1302(b) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18022(b) ) with respect to a group health plan, health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage, and a plan year as the Secretary determines necessary to allow for the provision of set payment amounts described in subsection (a). B Price Transparency 321. Price transparency requirements (a) Hospitals Section 2718(e) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–18(e) ) is amended— (1) by striking Each hospital and inserting the following: (1) In general Each hospital ; (2) by inserting , in a machine-readable format, via open application program interfaces (APIs) after a list ; (3) by inserting , along with such additional information as the Secretary may require with respect to such charges for purposes of promoting public awareness of hospital pricing in advance of receiving a hospital item or service before the period; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (2) Definition of standard charges Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes of paragraph (1), the term standard charges means the rates hospitals, including providers or entities that contract with or practice at a hospital, charge for all items and services at a minimum, chargemaster rates, rates that hospitals negotiate with third party payers across all plans, including those related to a patient’s specific plan, discounted cash prices, and other rates determined by the Secretary. (3) Enforcement In addition to any other enforcement actions or penalties that may apply under subsection (b)(3) or another provision of law, a hospital that fails to provide the information required by this subsection and has not completed a corrective action plan to comply with the requirements of such subsection shall be subject to a civil monetary penalty of an amount not to exceed $300 per day that the violation is ongoing as determined by the Secretary. Such penalty shall be imposed and collected in the same manner as civil money penalties under subsection (a) of section 1128A of the Social Security Act are imposed and collected. . (b) Transparency in coverage Section 1311(e)(3) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18031(e)(3) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A)— (A) in clause (vii), by inserting before the period the following: , including, for all items and services covered under the plan, aggregate information on specific payments the plan has made to out-of-network health care providers on behalf of plan enrollees ; (B) by designating clause (ix) as clause (x); and (C) by inserting after clause (viii), the following: (ix) Information on the specific negotiated payment rates between the plan and health care providers for all items and services covered under the plan. ; (2) in subparagraph (B)— (A) in the heading, by striking use and inserting delivery methods and use ; (B) by inserting , as applicable, after English proficiency ; and (C) by inserting after the second sentence, the following: The Secretary shall establish standards for electronic delivery and access to such information by individuals, free of charge, in machine readable format, through an Internet website and via open APIs. ; (3) in subparagraph (C)— (A) in the first sentence, by inserting or out-of-network provider after item or service by a participating provider ; (B) in the second sentence, by striking through an Internet website and inserting free of charge, in machine readable format, through an Internet website, and via open APIs, in accordance with standards established by the Secretary, ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: Such information shall include specific negotiated rates that allow for comparison between providers and across plans, and related to a patient’s specific plan, including after an enrollee has exceeded their deductible responsibility. ; and (4) in subparagraph (D) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) . 322. Ensuring enrollee access to cost-sharing information (a) In general Subpart II of part A of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–11 et seq. ), as amended by the preceding sections, is further amended by adding at the end the following: 2729F. Provision of cost-sharing information (a) Provider disclosures A provider that is in-network with respect to a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall provide to an enrollee in the plan or coverage who submits a request for the information described in paragraph (1) or (2), together with accurate and complete information about the enrollee’s coverage under the applicable plan or coverage— (1) as soon as practicable and not later than 2 business days after the enrollee requests such information, a good faith estimate of the expected enrollee cost-sharing for the provision of a particular health care service (including any service that is reasonably expected to be provided in conjunction with such specific service); and (2) as soon as practicable and not later than 2 business days after an enrollee requests such information, the contact information for any ancillary providers for a scheduled health care service. (b) Insurer disclosures A group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall provide an enrollee in the plan or coverage with a good faith estimate of the enrollee's cost-sharing (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance) for which the enrollee would be responsible for paying with respect to a specific health care service (including any service that is reasonably expected to be provided in conjunction with such specific service), as soon as practicable and not later than 2 business days after a request for such information by an enrollee. (c) Enforcement (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), a health care provider that violates a requirement under subsection (a) shall be subject to a civil monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for each act constituting such violation. (2) Procedure The provisions of section 1128A of the Social Security Act, other than subsections (a) and (b) and the first sentence of subsection (c)(1) of such section, shall apply to civil money penalties under this subsection in the same manner as such provisions apply to a penalty or proceeding under section 1128A of the Social Security Act. . (b) Effective date Section 2729G of the Public Health Service Act, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after the date that is 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act. 323. Access of individuals to protected health information The provisions of section 164.524 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, shall have the force and effect of law. 324. Timely bills for patients (a) In general (1) Amendment Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 280g et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 399V–7. Timely bills for patients (a) In general The Secretary shall require— (1) health care facilities, or in the case of practitioners providing services outside of such a facility, practitioners, to provide to patients a list of services rendered during the visit to such facility or practitioner, and, in the case of a facility, the name of the provider for each such service, upon discharge or end of the visit or by postal or electronic communication as soon as practicable and not later than 5 calendar days after discharge or date of visit; and (2) health care facilities and practitioners to furnish all adjudicated bills to the patient as soon as practicable, but not later than 45 calendar days after discharge or date of visit. (b) Payment after billing No patient may be required to pay a bill for health care services any earlier than 35 days after the postmark date of a bill for such services. (c) Effect of violation (1) Notification and refund requirements (A) Provider lists If a facility or practitioner fails to provide a patient a list as required under subsection (a)(1), such facility or practitioner shall report such failure to the Secretary. (B) Billing If a facility or practitioner bills a patient after the 45-calendar-day period described in subsection (a)(2), such facility or practitioner shall— (i) report such bill to the Secretary; and (ii) refund the patient for the full amount paid in response to such bill with interest, at a rate determined by the Secretary. (2) Civil monetary penalties (A) In general The Secretary may impose civil monetary penalties of up to $10,000 a day on any facility or practitioner that— (i) fails to provide a list required under subsection (a)(1) more than 10 times, beginning on the date of such tenth failure; (ii) submits more than 10 bills outside of the period described in subsection (a)(2), beginning on the date on which such facility or practitioner sends the tenth such bill; (iii) fails to report to the Secretary any failure to provide lists as required under paragraph (1)(A), beginning on the date that is 45 calendar days after discharge or visit; or (iv) fails to send any bill as required under subsection (a)(2), beginning on the date that is 45 calendar days after the date of discharge or visit, as applicable. (B) Procedure The provisions of section 1128A of the Social Security Act, other than subsections (a) and (b) and the first sentence of subsection (c)(1) of such section, shall apply to civil money penalties under this subsection in the same manner as such provisions apply to a penalty or proceeding under section 1128A of the Social Security Act. (3) Safe harbor The Secretary may exempt a practitioner or facility from the penalties under paragraph (2)(A) or extend the period of time specified under subsection (a)(2) for compliance with such subsection if a practitioner or facility— (A) makes a good-faith attempt to send a bill within 30 days but is unable to do so because of an incorrect address; or (B) experiences extenuating circumstances (as defined by the Secretary), such as a hurricane or cyberattack, that may reasonably delay delivery of a timely bill. . (2) Rulemaking Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate final regulations to define the term extenuating circumstance for purposes of section 399V–7(c)(3)(B) of the Public Health Service Act, as added by paragraph (1). (b) Group health plan and health insurance issuer requirements Subpart II of part A of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–11 ), as amended by the preceding sections, is further amended by adding at the end the following: 2729D. Timely bills for patients (a) In general A group health plan or health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall have in place business practices with respect to in-network facilities and practitioners to ensure that claims are adjudicated in order to facilitate facility and practitioner compliance with the requirements under section 399V–7(a). (b) Clarification Nothing in subsection (a) prohibits a provider and a group health plan or health insurance issuer from establishing in a contract the timeline for submission by either party to the other party of billing information, adjudication, sending of remittance information, or any other coordination required between the provider and the plan or issuer necessary for meeting the deadline described in section 399V–7(a)(2). . (c) Effective date The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act. 325. Advisory group on reducing burden of hospital administrative requirements (a) In general Not later than January 1, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall convene an advisory group to provide, in accordance with this section, recommendations on ways the Federal Government could reduce the burden of administrative requirements on hospitals. (b) Recommendations Not later than January 1, 2026, the advisory board convened under this section shall— (1) submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services recommendations described under subsection (a) for executive action and any recommendations for State actions for potential consideration in making grants under section 2(c) to States; and (2) submit to Congress recommendations described under subsection (a) for legislative proposals. (c) Membership The advisory board under this section shall consist of the following members: (1) Three representatives of companies that have— (A) geographically distributed workforces; (B) at least 10,000 employees; and (C) no more than 10 percent of such employees in any single State. (2) Three representatives of health insurance issuers and health plans, consisting of— (A) one representative of for-profit health insurance issuers and health plans with at least 20,000,000 enrollees in the employer-sponsored market; (B) one representative of non-profit health insurance issuers and health plans operating in at least 5 States; and (C) one representative of non-profit health insurance issuers and health plans operating in a rural State (as defined by the Census Bureau). (3) Seven public policy experts in the field of hospital consolidation. 326. Data reporting to improve the transparency regarding how 340 B hospital covered entities provide care for patients Section 340B of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 256b ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (f) Data reporting To improve the transparency regarding how hospital covered entities provide care for patients (1) In general Beginning on the date that is 14 months after the date of the enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, subject to subparagraph (C), a covered entity described in subparagraph (L) or (M) of subsection (a)(4), unless otherwise indicated, shall report on the following, with respect to the previous year, in such a manner and form as specified by the Secretary: (A) The following information: (i) With respect to such covered entity and with respect to each child site of such entity (as referenced in paragraph (11)), the number and percentage of individuals who are dispensed or administered drugs that are subject to an agreement under this section, organized by form of health insurance coverage of such individuals (including at least by the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, the Medicaid program under title XIX of such Act, health insurance coverage offered in the individual or group market or a group health plan (as such terms are defined in section 2791), and uninsured). (ii) With respect to each such child site of such entity, the total costs incurred at each such site and the cost incurred at each such site for charity care as defined in line 23 of worksheet S–10 to the Medicare cost report or in any successor form. (B) The aggregate amount of gross reimbursement received by each such covered entity (including child sites of such entity) described in such subparagraph (L) or (M) for all drugs purchased that are subject to an agreement under this section and the entity’s aggregate acquisition cost for such drugs. (C) In the case of covered entity described in subparagraph (L) of subsection (a)(4), at the time of application and recertification (and at least annually thereafter), the contract that is the basis for eligibility under the requirement under clause (i) of such subparagraph and any modifications to such contract for purposes of review by the Secretary. (D) With respect to such covered entity and with respect to each child site of such entity, the name of all third-party vendors or other similar entities that the covered entity contracts with to provide services associated with the program under this section. (2) Availability of information (A) In general The Secretary shall make data reported by covered entities under subparagraphs (A), (C), and (D) of paragraph (1) available on the public website of the Department of Health and Human Services in an electronic and searchable format, which may include the 340B Office of Pharmacy Affairs Information System or a successor to such system. (B) Format Data made available under subparagraph (A) shall be made available in a manner that shows each category of data reported both in the aggregate and identified by covered entities described in subparagraphs (L) and (M) of subsection (a)(4) and child sites of such covered entities. In carrying out this paragraph, with respect to data reported pursuant to paragraph (1)(C), the Secretary shall ensure that any proprietary information shall be redacted from contracts submitted pursuant to such paragraph (1)(C) before posting such data. (3) Interim final regulations The Secretary shall issue interim final regulations no later than the date that is 6 months after the date of the enactment of this subsection, to carry out this subsection and shall finalize such regulations prior to the end of the moratorium period to which subsection (a)(11) applies. (4) Reports to Congress (A) OIG report Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Office of the Inspector General shall submit to Congress a final report on the level of charity care provided by covered entities described in subparagraphs (L) and (M) of subsection (a)(4) and separately by child sites of such covered entities, as reported in paragraph (1)(A). (B) GAO reports (i) Initial report Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report— (I) analyzing the State and local government contracts intended to satisfy the requirement under subsection (a)(4)(L)(i) for a covered entity to qualify as an entity described in subparagraph (L) of subsection (a)(4); (II) assessing the amount of care such contracts obligate such entity to provide to low-income individuals ineligible for Medicare under title XVIII of the Social Security Act and Medicaid under title XIX of such Act; and (III) analyzing how these contracts define low-income individuals and whether the Secretary reviews such determinations. (ii) Subsequent report Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a final report on the information collected under paragraph (1)(B) regarding the difference between the aggregate gross reimbursement and aggregate acquisition costs received by each such covered entity (including child sites of such entity) for drugs subject to an agreement under this section. . 327. Requiring 340 B drug discount program reports by DSH hospital covered entities on low-income utilization rate of outpatient hospital services (a) In general Section 340B(d)(2) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 256b(d)(2) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting before the period at the end the following: , including, with respect to such updates made on or after one year after the date of enactment of the Act, by requiring covered entities described in subsection (a)(4)(L) to submit (and to so regularly update) information described in subparagraph (C) ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (C) Information on low-income utilization rate of outpatient hospital services (i) In general For purposes of subparagraph (B)(i), the information described in this subparagraph, with respect to a covered entity described in subsection (a)(4)(L) and an update under such subparagraph (B)(i), is— (I) the low-income outpatient utilization rate of such covered entity for the most recent fiscal year; and (II) the low-income outpatient utilization rate of off-site outpatient facilities, clinics, eligible off-site locations, and associated sites of such entity identified as child sites of such entity pursuant to the identification system under subparagraph (B)(iv) for the most recent fiscal year. (ii) Low-income outpatient utilization rate defined In this subparagraph, the term low-income outpatient utilization rate has the meaning given the term low-income utilization rate under paragraph (3) of section 1923(b) of the Social Security Act, except that— (I) clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) of such paragraph shall be applied as if— (aa) each reference to patient services were a reference to patient services furnished on an outpatient basis ; and (bb) for purposes of clause (i)(II) of this subparagraph, each reference to hospital were a reference to off-site outpatient facilities, clinics, eligible off-site locations, and associated sites of the hospital that are identified as child sites of the hospital pursuant to the identification system under section 340B(d)(2)(B)(iv) of the Public Health Service Act ; and (II) clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) of such paragraph shall be applied as if— (aa) each reference to inpatient hospital services were a reference to outpatient hospital services ; and (bb) for purposes of clause (i)(II) each reference to hospital’s charges were a reference to charges of the off-site outpatient facilities, clinics, eligible off-site locations, and associated sites of the hospital that are identified as child sites of the hospital pursuant to the identification system under section 340B(d)(2)(B)(iv) of the Public Health Service Act . . (b) Annual reports Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration shall submit to Congress a report on information submitted by covered entities for the previous year pursuant to the amendments made by subsection (a). 328. Employer benefits reports (a) In general Subject to subsection (b), for each plan year beginning on or after 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, a group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage shall provide to each individual enrolled in such plan or such coverage for such plan year a notification containing the following: (1) The amount the sponsor of such group health plan expended with respect to such individual under such plan for such plan year (or, in the case of a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage, the amount the employer of such individual contributed for such coverage for such individual for such plan year). (2) The amount the sponsor of such group health plan expended with respect to such individual under such plan for each previous plan year (or, in the case of a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage, the amount the employer of such individual contributed for such coverage for such individual for each previous plan year), if applicable. (b) Limitation Subsection (a) shall not apply to a group health plan, or a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage, for a plan year if, for such plan year, the number of individuals enrolled under such plan or such coverage was less than 100. (c) Penalty In the case that the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance failed to provide the notice required under subsection (a), the Secretary may impose a civil monetary penalty on the sponsor of such plan or such issuer, as applicable, in an amount not to exceed $100 per individual enrolled in such plan or such coverage per day that such sponsor or issuer failed to provide such notification to such individual. (d) Definitions In this section, the terms group health plan , group health insurance coverage , health insurance issuer , and sponsor have the meaning given such terms in section 2791 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–91 ). 329. Government Accountability Office study on profit- and revenue-sharing in health care (a) Study Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to— (1) describe what is known about profit- and revenue-sharing relationships in the commercial health care markets, including those relationships that— (A) involve one or more— (i) physician groups that practice within a hospital included in the profit- or revenue-sharing relationship, or refer patients to such hospital; (ii) laboratory, radiology, or pharmacy services that are delivered to privately insured patients of such hospital; (iii) surgical services; (iv) hospitals or group purchasing organizations; or (v) rehabilitation or physical therapy facilities or services; and (B) include revenue- or profit-sharing whether through a joint venture, management or professional services agreement, or other form of gain-sharing contract; (2) describe Federal oversight of such relationships, including authorities of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Trade Commission to review such relationships and their potential to increase costs for patients, and identify limitations in such oversight; and (3) as appropriate, make recommendations to improve Federal oversight of such relationships. (b) Report Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall prepare and submit a report on the study conducted under subsection (a) to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor and Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. C Prescription Drug Competition and Innovation 341. Expedited development and priority review for generic complex drug products Subchapter A of chapter V of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 351 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 524C. Expedited development and priority review for generic complex drug products (a) Establishment of program The Secretary shall establish a program to expedite the development of, and provide priority review under section 505(j) for, generic complex drug products. (b) Request for designation A sponsor of a generic complex drug product may request that the Secretary designate such product for expedited development and priority review under this section. (c) Designation process (1) In general Not later than 60 calendar days after the receipt of a request under subsection (b), the Secretary shall determine whether the product that is the subject of the request meets the criteria under subsection (e) to be considered a generic complex drug product. If the Secretary determines that the product meets the criteria, the Secretary shall designate the product for expedited development and priority review. (2) Review Review of a request under subsection (b) shall be undertaken by a team that is composed of experienced staff and senior managers of the Food and Drug Administration. (3) Withdrawal The Secretary may not withdraw a designation granted under this section on the basis of the criteria under subsection (e) no longer applying because of the subsequent clearance or approval of any other product. (d) Expedited development and priority review guidance (1) Content Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue guidance on the implementation of this section. Such guidance shall— (A) set forth the process by which a person may seek a designation under subsection (c); (B) provide a template for requests under subsection (b); (C) identify the criteria the Secretary will use in evaluating a request for designation under this section; and (D) identify the criteria and processes the Secretary will use to expedite the development and review of products designated under this section. (2) Process Prior to finalizing the guidance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall seek public comment on a draft version of that guidance. (e) Generic complex drug product defined In this section, the term generic complex drug product means a product that represents a complex therapy that consists of or includes a drug that has been approved under section 505(j) and that— (1) (A) contains complex active ingredients (such as peptides, polymeric compounds, complex mixtures of active ingredients, and naturally sourced ingredients); (B) is composed of complex formulations (such as liposomes or colloids); (C) requires a complex route of delivery (such as locally acting drugs such as dermatological products and complex ophthalmological products and otic dosage forms that are formulated as suspensions, emulsions, or gels); or (D) involves a complex dosage form (such as transdermals, metered dose inhalers, or extended release injectables); (2) presents as a complex drug-device combination product (such as auto injectors or metered dose inhalers); or (3) is a product that would benefit from early scientific engagement due to complexity or uncertainty concerning the approval pathway under section 505(j). . 342. Preventing blocking of generic drugs (a) In general Section 505(j)(5)(B)(iv) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 355(j)(5)(B)(iv) ) is amended— (1) in subclause (I), by striking 180 days after the date and all that follows through by any first applicant and inserting 180 days after the earlier of the dates described in items (aa) and (bb) of subclause (II) ; (2) by redesignating subclause (II) as subclause (III); and (3) by inserting after subclause (I) the following: (II) Dates described (aa) First date The date described in this item is the date of the first commercial marketing of the drug (including the commercial marketing of the listed drug) by any first applicant. (bb) Second date The date described in this item is the date on which all of the following conditions are first met, provided no application submitted by any first applicant is approved on or before such date: (AA) An application for the drug submitted by an applicant other than a first applicant has received tentative approval and could receive approval, if no first applicant were eligible for 180-day exclusivity under this clause, and such applicant has not entered into an agreement that would prevent commercial marketing upon approval and has submitted a notification to the Secretary documenting that it has not entered into an agreement that would prevent commercial marketing. (BB) Thirty-three months have passed since the date of submission of an application for the drug by one first applicant, if there is only one first applicant, or, in the case of more than one first applicant, 33 months have passed since the date of submission of all such applications. (CC) Approval of an application for the drug submitted by at least one first applicant would not be precluded under clause (iii). . (b) Information Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this subsection as the Secretary ) shall publish, as appropriate and available, information sufficient to allow applicants to assess whether the conditions described in subitems (AA) through (CC) of section 505(j)(5)(B)(iv)(II)(bb) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as amended by subsection (a)) have been or will be satisfied for all applications where the exclusivity period under (iv)(I) of section 505(j)(5)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as so amended) has not expired, and shall provide updates to reflect the most recent information available to the Secretary. 343. Ensuring timely access to generics Section 505(q) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 355(q) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by inserting , 10.31, after 10.30 ; (B) in subparagraph (E)— (i) by striking application and and inserting application or ; (ii) by striking If the Secretary and inserting the following: (i) In general If the Secretary ; (iii) by striking the second sentence and inserting the following: (ii) Primary purpose of delaying (I) In general In determining whether a petition was submitted with the primary purpose of delaying an application, the Secretary may consider the following factors: (aa) Whether the petition was submitted in accordance with paragraph (2)(B), based on when the petitioner knew or reasonably should have known the relevant information relied upon to form the basis of such petition. (bb) Whether the petitioner has submitted multiple or serial petitions or supplements to petitions raising issues that reasonably could have been known to the petitioner at the time of submission of the earlier petition or petitions. (cc) Whether the petition was submitted close in time to a known, first date upon which an application under subsection (b)(2) or (j) of this section or section 351(k) of the Public Health Service Act could be approved. (dd) Whether the petition was submitted without relevant data or information in support of the scientific positions forming the basis of such petition. (ee) Whether the petition raises the same or substantially similar issues as a prior petition to which the Secretary has responded substantively already, including if the subsequent submission follows such response from the Secretary closely in time. (ff) Whether the petition requests changing the applicable standards that other applicants are required to meet, including requesting testing, data, or labeling standards that are more onerous or rigorous than the standards the Secretary has determined to be applicable to the listed drug, reference product, or petitioner’s version of the same drug. (gg) The petitioner's record of submitting petitions to the Food and Drug Administration that have been determined by the Secretary to have been submitted with the primary purpose of delay. (hh) Other relevant and appropriate factors, which the Secretary shall describe in guidance. (II) Guidance The Secretary may issue or update guidance, as appropriate, to describe factors the Secretary considers in accordance with subclause (I). ; and (iv) by adding at the end the following: (iii) Referral to the Federal Trade Commission The Secretary shall establish procedures for referring to the Federal Trade Commission any petition or supplement to a petition that the Secretary determines was submitted with the primary purpose of delaying approval of an application. Such procedures shall include notification to the petitioner by the Secretary. ; (C) by striking subparagraph (F); (D) by redesignating subparagraphs (G) through (I) as subparagraphs (F) through (H), respectively; and (E) in subparagraph (H), as so redesignated, by striking submission of this petition and inserting submission of this document ; (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) as subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively; (B) by inserting before subparagraph (C), as so redesignated, the following: (A) In general A person shall submit a petition to the Secretary under paragraph (1) before filing a civil action in which the person seeks to set aside, delay, rescind, withdraw, or prevent submission, review, or approval of an application submitted under subsection (b)(2) or (j) of this section or section 351(k) of the Public Health Service Act. Such petition and any supplement to such a petition shall describe all information and arguments that form the basis of the relief requested in any civil action described in the previous sentence. (B) Timely submission of citizen petition A petition and any supplement to a petition shall be submitted not later than 60 days after the date on which the person first knew, or reasonably should have known, the information that forms the basis of the request made in the petition or supplement. ; (C) in subparagraph (C), as so redesignated— (i) in the heading, by striking within 150 days ; (ii) in clause (i), by striking during the 150-day period referred to in paragraph (1)(F), ; and (iii) by amending clause (ii) to read as follows: (ii) on or after the date that is 151 days after the date of submission of the petition, the Secretary approves or has approved the application that is the subject of the petition without having made such a final decision. ; (D) by amending subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, to read as follows: (D) Dismissal of certain civil actions (i) Petition If a person files a civil action against the Secretary in which a person seeks to set aside, delay, rescind, withdraw, or prevent submission, review, or approval of an application submitted under subsection (b)(2) or (j) of this section or section 351(k) of the Public Health Service Act without complying with the requirements of subparagraph (A), the court shall dismiss without prejudice the action for failure to exhaust administrative remedies. (ii) Timeliness If a person files a civil action against the Secretary in which a person seeks to set aside, delay, rescind, withdraw, or prevent submission, review, or approval of an application submitted under subsection (b)(2) or (j) of this section or section 351(k) of the Public Health Service Act without complying with the requirements of subparagraph (B), the court shall dismiss with prejudice the action for failure to timely file a petition. (iii) Final response If a civil action is filed against the Secretary with respect to any issue raised in a petition timely filed under paragraph (1) in which the petitioner requests that the Secretary take any form of action that could, if taken, set aside, delay, rescind, withdraw, or prevent submission, review, or approval of an application submitted under subsection (b)(2) or (j) of this section or section 351(k) of the Public Health Service Act before the Secretary has taken final agency action on the petition within the meaning of subparagraph (C), the court shall dismiss without prejudice the action for failure to exhaust administrative remedies. ; and (E) in clause (iii) of subparagraph (E), as so redesignated, by striking as defined under subparagraph (2)(A) and inserting within the meaning of subparagraph (C) ; and (3) in paragraph (4)— (A) by striking Exceptions and all that follows through This subsection does and inserting Exceptions.— This subsection does ; (B) by striking subparagraph (B); and (C) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly. 344. Preemption of State barriers to the substitution of biosimilar products No State, or any political subdivision thereof, may, under any circumstances, prohibit a pharmacy or pharmacist from dispensing, in place of a biological reference product, any biosimilar that the Food and Drug Administration has designated as an interchangeable product for that biological reference product. 345. Increasing pharmaceutical options to treat an unmet medical need Subsection (b) of section 506 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 356 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (4) Unmet medical need For purposes of paragraph (1), a drug to address an unmet medical need for a disease or condition shall be deemed to address such medical need if fewer than 3 available drugs exist for the treatment of such disease or condition. . 346. Conditional approval of new human drugs for individuals with rare, progressive, and serious diseases (a) In general Subchapter A of chapter V of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 351 et seq. ), as amended by section 341, is further amended by adding at the end of the following: 524D. Conditional approval of human drugs for individuals with rare, progressive, and serious diseases (a) Conditional approval; priority review; other designations (1) In general The sponsor of a drug may file with the Secretary an application for conditional approval of an eligible drug described in subsection (b). The Secretary shall approve or deny such application in accordance with subsection (c). (2) Priority review The Secretary shall give priority review to an application for conditional approval of an eligible drug described in subsection (b). (3) Other designations If a drug that is granted conditional approval under this section is eligible for a special designation by the Secretary under this Act, including as a drug for a rare disease or condition under section 526, all applicable benefits of such other designation shall be available for use under such conditional approval, including any tax credits and waiving of fees under chapter VII. (4) Other programs A sponsor of a drug seeking conditional approval of such drug under this section may also seek designation, exclusivity, or approval, as applicable, of such drug under other applicable provisions of this Act or the Public Health Service Act, subject to the requirements of such provisions. (b) Eligibility (1) In general A drug may be eligible for conditional approval under this section if such drug is intended to treat a disease or condition that is— (A) rapidly progressive, terminal, and has substantial unmet medical need, as determined by the Secretary; or (B) a rare disease or condition (as defined in section 526(a)(2)) that results in a substantially shortened lifespan, substantial reduction in quality of life, or other substantial adverse health effects, as determined by the Secretary. (2) Exclusion from eligibility A drug that is intended to treat or respond to a material threat identified by the Secretary of Homeland Security under section 319F–2(c)(2)(A)(ii) of the Public Health Service Act shall not be eligible for conditional approval under this section. (c) Standard of review for conditional approval (1) Requirements The Secretary shall only approve an application for conditional approval of a drug under this section if— (A) the Secretary determines that— (i) (I) evidence of safety for the drug has been established by— (aa) the completion of a phase 1 clinical investigation of the drug (as described in section 312.21 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)); or (bb) another demonstration of safety, as determined appropriate by the Secretary; and (II) evidence of effectiveness in treating a given indication (which indication is congruent with the eligibility requirements of subsection (b)), as established by an ongoing or completed phase 2 clinical investigation of the drug (as described in section 312.21 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)); or (ii) in the case of a drug that is intended to treat a terminal pediatric rare disease or condition (as defined in section 526(a)(2)) that does not predominately affect adults— (I) evidence of safety for the drug has been established in accordance with clause (i)(I); and (II) the drug shows preliminary evidence of clinical effectiveness based upon studies in animal models; and (B) the sponsor has provided a written affirmation of the sponsor’s intent to pursue under section 505 of this Act or section 351 of the Public Health Service Act approval of the drug, which affirmation shall include a justification and a plan for pursuing such approval. (2) Rolling, real-time review (A) In general If the Secretary determines, after preliminary evaluation of data submitted by the sponsor, that a drug may meet the standard for conditional approval, the sponsor may submit portions of an application for conditional approval of a drug under this section for evaluation by the Secretary before the sponsor submits a complete application, which submission shall include— (i) a schedule for submission of information necessary to make the application complete; and (ii) a payment of any fee that may be required under section 736. (B) Review The Secretary— (i) shall evaluate each application submitted under subparagraph (A) to assess whether such application is complete or ready to be filed; and (ii) may commence review of portions of such application for approval. (3) Use of real-world evidence (A) In general The Secretary shall allow the use of real-world evidence (as defined in section 505F(b)), including real-world data used to generate real-world evidence, and of external sources of data, including prospective or retrospective natural history data, to support an application for conditional approval under this section. (B) Data integrity requirements In using evidence described in subparagraph (A) to support an application for conditional approval under this section, the sponsor shall consider the guidance of the Food and Drug Administration entitled Data Standards for Drug and Biological Product Submissions Containing Real-World Data and dated December 2023 (or successor guidance). (d) FDA authority To withdraw conditional approval (1) In general The Secretary may withdraw the conditional approval of a drug under this section if— (A) after adequate review of appropriate safety data, including data from an observational registry established under subsection (g), the Secretary determines that such data no longer supports conditional approval; (B) the Secretary determines that the application for conditional approval submitted under subsection (a)(1) contained an untrue statement of material fact; or (C) the Secretary determines that the drug is no longer eligible under subsection (b). (2) FDA examination authority (A) In general For purposes of determining whether to withdraw the conditional approval of a drug under paragraph (1), the Secretary may— (i) review any available clinical data made available through clinical trials or an observational registry under subsection (g), applicable to such drug; and (ii) determine whether the sponsor of such drug is in violation of a requirement established under paragraph (3) or (4) of section 505(o) or section 505–1 with respect to the drug. (B) Transparency (i) In general The Secretary may require drug sponsors and observational registries under subsection (g) to submit the data described in subparagraph (A) for the purposes of the review under that subparagraph. (ii) Fines The Secretary may levy fines on sponsors and observational registries that do not comply with a request for data under clause (i) within such reasonable timeframe as is established by the Secretary. (3) Effect of withdrawal (A) Availability to new patients (i) In general If a conditional approval is withdrawn under this subsection, the sponsor may not make the drug available to any new patients, but may continue to make such drug available to patients who started taking the drug prior to the date of withdrawal. (ii) Effect Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to require— (I) a patient to continue taking a conditionally approved drug if such patient decides to stop taking such drug; or (II) the sponsor to ensure such drug continues to be manufactured after the date of withdrawal. (B) Civil monetary penalty Any sponsor who makes available to new patients a drug for which conditional approval has been withdrawn under this subsection shall be subject to such civil monetary penalty as is determined by the Secretary. (4) Withdrawal notice Upon determining to withdraw the conditional approval of a drug under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit written notice to the sponsor of such drug and such withdrawal shall be effective on the date that is 14 days after the date of such submission of notice. (5) Appeals Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary, by rule, shall establish a process by which a sponsor of a drug for which conditional approval was withdrawn under paragraph (1) may appeal such withdrawal. (6) Automatic withdrawal (A) In general If the sponsor of a drug that receives conditional approval under this section does not submit an application for renewal of such conditional approval under subsection (f)(2) by the deadline under that subsection, such conditional approval shall automatically be withdrawn in accordance with paragraph (3) on the date on which such conditional approval expires. (B) Marketing requirement If any drug that receives conditional approval under this section is not brought to market within 1 year of the date on which the conditional approval is granted, such conditional approval, along with any benefits described in subsection (a)(3), shall automatically be withdrawn in accordance with paragraph (3) on such date. (C) No right to appeal; effect of automatic withdrawal (i) In general A sponsor shall not have the right to appeal an automatic withdrawal under this paragraph. (ii) Effect The Secretary shall have no means or power to prevent an automatic withdrawal under this paragraph from occurring. (e) Labeling; review of materials (1) In general Sponsors may not make available to patients a drug conditionally approved under this section, unless— (A) all labeling and advertising of such drug contains the statement conditionally approved for a limited population in a prominent manner and adjacent to, and not more prominent than— (i) the proprietary name of such drug, if any; or (ii) if there is no proprietary name, the established name of such drug, if any, as defined in section 502(e)(3), or, in the case of a drug that is a biological product, the proper name, as defined by regulation; and (B) the prescribing information for the drug required by section 201.57 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation) includes the following statement: This drug is conditionally approved for use in a limited and specific population. This drug has not received full approval by the Food and Drug Administration. Conditional approval of this drug may be withdrawn at short notice. . (2) Submission Not later than 45 days before such materials are distributed, all promotional, educational, and marketing materials for such drug shall be submitted to the Secretary for review. (3) Public list The Secretary shall maintain a list of all drugs conditionally approved under this section on a publicly accessible website. Such website shall briefly describe what each conditionally approved drug is and list the 1 or more diseases or conditions for which the drug is indicated. (f) Renewal of conditional approval; requirement To bring drug to market (1) Duration; renewals The conditional approval for a drug under this section is effective for a 2-year period. The sponsor may request renewal of such conditional approval for up to 3 subsequent 2-year periods. Conditional approval with respect to a drug shall not exceed a total of 8 years from the initial date the drug was granted conditional approval. (2) Applications for renewal of conditional approval (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the sponsor of a drug seeking a renewal of conditional approval for such drug under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary, not later than 180 days before the date on which such conditional approval expires, an application that contains the applicable information described in paragraph (3) in a standardized format determined by the Secretary. (B) Process for granting renewals Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary, by rule, shall establish the process for granting a renewal under this subsection. (C) Exemption for small population diseases (i) In general The Secretary shall exempt from the requirements of subparagraph (A) and paragraph (3) an application for a renewal of conditional approval for a drug under this subsection if the Secretary determines that the population affected by the disease or condition that the drug is intended to treat does not support additional preliminary evidence of effectiveness (as defined in paragraph (3)(D)). (ii) Application for exemption Sponsors may submit an application for exemption under this subparagraph not later than 180 days before the date on which the conditional approval expires. (iii) Application process Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a standardized application process for purposes of this subparagraph. (iv) Deadline The Secretary shall approve or deny an application under this subparagraph before the date on which the conditional approval expires. (v) Appeals Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a process under which a sponsor my appeal a denial of an application under this subparagraph. (3) Additional preliminary evidence of effectiveness The information described in this paragraph is the following: (A) For the first approval renewal With respect to an application under paragraph (2) for the first renewal of conditional approval for a drug under this subsection, additional preliminary evidence of effectiveness of the drug, as compared to the evidence provided in the initial application for conditional approval for the drug under subsection (c). (B) For the second approval renewal With respect to an application under paragraph (2) for the second renewal of conditional approval for a drug under this subsection, additional preliminary evidence of effectiveness of the drug, as compared to the evidence provided in the renewal application described in subparagraph (A). (C) For the final approval renewal With respect to an application under paragraph (2) for the third renewal of conditional approval for a drug under this subsection, a written affirmation from the head of the drug’s review division of the Office of New Drugs or the Office of Therapeutic Products asserting that a third renewal is necessary— (i) for patients who have benefitted from such drug to retain access to such drug; and (ii) to generate additional preliminary evidence of effectiveness for the purposes of attaining approval under section 505 of this Act or section 351 of the Public Health Service Act. (D) Definition In this paragraph, the term preliminary evidence of effectiveness means— (i) clinical evidence generated by an ongoing or completed clinical trial conducted in accordance with section 11.22 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); (ii) real-world evidence (as defined in section 505F(b)); or (iii) evidence from an observational registry under subsection (g). (4) Denial of renewal on the basis of data fraud The Secretary may deny the application for renewal of conditional approval for a drug under this subsection if the Secretary, in conducting a review under subsection (d)(2), finds that the evidence provided in such application under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (3) was fraudulently manipulated by the applicable observational registry and that such application substantially relies on such data. (g) Observational registries (1) Establishment (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (C), the sponsor of a drug conditionally approved under this section shall establish an observational registry, for patients who are or will be treated with such drug, that pertains to the disease or condition that the drug is intended to treat. (B) Registries In establishing an observational registry for a drug under subparagraph (A), the sponsor may— (i) establish a new observational registry; (ii) use an existing observational registry that pertains to the disease or condition such drug is intended to treat; (iii) combine 1 or more existing observational registries that pertain to the disease or condition such drug is intended to treat with a new observational registry; or (iv) combine 2 or more existing observational registries that pertain to the disease or condition such drug is intended to treat. (C) Approval of registry and right to appeal Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish— (i) a process to approve or deny the establishment of an observational registry under subparagraph (A); and (ii) a process for sponsors that received such a denial to appeal the denial. (2) Requirement for patients to enroll in observational registry (A) In general A drug conditionally approved under this section shall not be made available to a patient unless such patient is enrolled in the applicable observational registry described in paragraph (1). (B) Informed consent (i) In general Prior to enrolling in an observational registry under subparagraph (A), a patient shall provide informed consent in accordance with clause (ii). (ii) Application of certain requirements The requirements for informed consent under part 50 of subchapter A of chapter I of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), shall apply to enrollment an observational registry under this paragraph. (3) Submission of patient data (A) In general The sponsor of a drug conditionally approved under this section shall be responsible for obtaining and submitting patient data to the applicable observational registry described in paragraph (1). (B) Submission standards Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish data submission standards for sponsors to comply with for purposes of subparagraph (A) to ensure that registry data is consistent and clinically informed. (4) Requirements for registries An observational registry described in paragraph (1) for a drug conditionally approved under this section may be operated by the sponsor of such drug or, at the sponsor’s discretion, a third party, for-profit organization, or nonprofit organization. (5) Risk and benefit data (A) In general The sponsor of a drug conditionally approved under this section shall submit relevant risk and benefit data to the applicable observational registry described in paragraph (1). (B) Online portal The Secretary shall operate an online portal on an existing website of the Secretary for sponsors to submit data described in subparagraph (A). (6) Accessibility (A) In general An observational registry described in paragraph (1) shall— (i) not later than 30 days after receipt of a request, provide patients (or their designated representatives) with access to such patient’s personal registry information; and (ii) provide approved researchers and medical professionals access to de-identified and aggregated data from the registry for the purposes of indication- and disease-specific and translational research into conditions and diseases relating to the disease or condition that the drug tracked by the observational registry is intended to treat. (B) Approved researchers and medical professionals Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary, by rule, shall establish a process for approving researchers and medical professionals for purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii). (7) Effect Nothing in this section shall be construed to modify or limit the Secretary’s authority to require for a drug conditionally approved under this section any type of postapproval study under any other provision of law, including sections 505(o)(3), 505B, and 506. (h) Pursuit of a different indication (1) In general In the case of a drug conditionally approved under this section for which such approval was withdrawn under subsection (d), expired under subsection (f)(1), or was denied for renewal under subsection (f)(4), not later than 2 years after the date of withdrawal, expiration, or denial, as applicable, the sponsor of such drug shall have the opportunity to petition the Secretary to receive conditional approval of such drug, in accordance with this section, for a different indication. (2) Process Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a process for petitions under paragraph (1). (i) Transition to other forms of approval (1) In general A drug that receives conditional approval under this section may be granted approval under section 505 of this Act or section 351 of the Public Health Service Act during the period in which such conditional approval is in effect. Effective on the date on which approval for such drug is granted under section 505 of this Act or section 351 of the Public Health Service Act, such conditional approval shall be automatically withdrawn in accordance with subsection (d)(3). (2) Consideration of certain evidence In determining whether to approve under section 505 of this Act or section 351 of the Public Health Service Act a drug that has received conditional approval under this section, the Secretary may consider evidence from the observational registry for the drug under subsection (g). (j) Informed consent (1) In general Prior to being prescribed a drug conditionally approved under this section, a patient shall provide informed consent in accordance with paragraph (2). (2) Application of certain requirements The requirements for informed consent under part 50 of subchapter A of chapter I of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), shall apply to drugs conditionally approved under this section. (3) Observational registries An observational registry established for a drug in accordance with subsection (g) may obtain, and maintain records of, informed consent of a patient on behalf of the drug sponsor, in accordance with paragraph (2). (4) Common rule Drugs conditionally approved under this section shall comply with subpart A of part 46 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations (commonly known as the Common Rule ) (or successor regulations), if applicable. (k) Limitation on liability With respect to any claim under State law relating to a drug made available pursuant to a grant of conditional approval under this section, no liability shall lie against a sponsor or manufacturer of the drug, or any health care provider who prescribes or administers the drug, absent intentional wrongdoing. (l) Report to Congress (1) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, and once every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary, in collaboration with drug sponsors, shall submit a report to Congress on all drugs granted conditional approval under this section. Such report shall include— (A) an estimated number of patients treated with each such drug, and the number of patients tracked in an observational registry under subsection (g) with respect to each such drug, if applicable; (B) a discussion, at an aggregate level, of the types and amounts of data obtained through observational registries under subsection (g), such as patient treatments and uses, length of use, side effects encountered, relevant biomarkers, scan results, cause of death and how long the patient lived, and adverse drug effects; (C) a list of all such drugs for which an application for approval under this section, or an application for an extension of conditional approval under this section, has been submitted; and (D) the number of all applications granted and denied conditional approval under this section. (2) Sponsor participation Not later than 180 days before the date on which the Secretary submits a report under paragraph (1), the sponsor of a drug conditionally approved under this section shall provide to the Secretary the information described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1), as applicable. (3) Notice authority The Secretary may notify sponsors of drugs conditionally approved under this section and observational registries under subsection (g) as necessary to complete a report under paragraph (1). . (b) Conforming amendment Section 505(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 355(a) ) is amended by inserting , or there is in effect a conditional approval under section 524C with respect to such drug before the period. (c) Reimbursement (1) Private health insurers Section 2719A of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–19a ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (f) Coverage of certain drugs A group health plan or health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall provide coverage for, and shall not impose any cost sharing requirements for, drugs conditionally approved under section 524D of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for patients who have the disease or condition the drug is intended to treat. . (2) Federal health care programs The requirement under subsection (f) of section 2719A of the Public Health Service Act (as added by paragraph (1)) shall apply with respect to coverage determinations under a Federal health care program (as defined in section 1128B(f) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a–7b(f))) in the same manner such requirement applies under such subsection (f). (3) Conforming amendment Section 1927(k)(2)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396r–8(k)(2)(A)(i) ) is amended— (A) by striking or which and inserting , which ; and (B) by inserting , or which is conditionally approved under section 524D of such Act before the semicolon. 347. Consolidating exclusivity periods for drugs treating rare diseases and conditions (a) In general Section 527(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 360cc(a) ) is amended to read as follows: (a) Exclusivity (1) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), if the Secretary approves an application filed pursuant to section 505, or issues a license under section 351 of the Public Health Service Act, for a drug designated under section 526 for a rare disease or condition, the Secretary may not approve an application filed pursuant to section 505, or issue a license under section 351 of the Public Health Service Act, for the same drug for the same disease or condition for a person who is not the holder of such approved application or of such license until the expiration of the exclusivity period described in paragraph (2). (2) Exclusivity period described The exclusivity period described in this paragraph, with respect to a drug designated under section 526 for a rare disease or condition, is— (A) a single 7-year period of exclusivity with respect to the first designation of such drug under such section for that rare disease or condition; or (B) in the case of a drug that has previously received a period of exclusivity under paragraph (1), a single 3-year period of exclusivity with respect to any subsequent designation of such drug under such section for any other rare disease or condition. (3) Limitation In the case of a drug that has received two periods of exclusivity pursuant to paragraph (1), no additional exclusivity period under this section is available with respect to such drug, regardless of whether such drug has been designated under section 526 for a rare disease or condition that is distinct from the rare disease or condition for which such exclusivity periods were granted. . (b) Conforming amendments (1) Section 505(j)(5)(B)(iv)(II)(dd)(AA) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 360cc ) is amended by striking 7-year period and inserting period . (2) Section 505A(b)(1)(A)(ii) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 360cc ) is amended by striking rather than seven years; and inserting , or three years and six months, rather than seven years or three years, respectively; . (3) Section 505A(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 360cc ) is amended by striking rather than seven years; and inserting , or three years and six months, rather than seven years or three years, respectively; . (4) Section 505E(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 360cc ) is amended by striking 7-year period and inserting exclusivity periods . (5) Section 527(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 360cc ) is amended by striking the 7-year period and inserting any exclusivity period . (6) Section 351(m)(2)(B) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262 ) is amended by striking rather than 7 years and inserting or 3 years and 6 months, rather than 7 years or 3 years, respectively . (7) Section 351(m)(3)(B) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262 ) is amended by striking rather than 7 years and inserting or 3 years and 6 months, rather than 7 years or 3 years, respectively . 348. Exclusivity period for brand name biological products (a) In general Section 351(k)(7)(A) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262(k)(7)(A) ) is amended by striking 12 years and inserting 5 years . (b) Conforming changes Paragraphs (2)(A) and (3)(A) of section 351(m) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262(m) ) is amended by striking 12 years each place it appears and inserting 5 years . (c) Applicability This section and the amendments made by this section apply only with respect to a biological product for which the reference product (as such term is used in section 351 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262 )) is licensed under subsection (a) of such section on or after the date of enactment of this Act. 349. Regulation of manufacturer-sponsored co-pay contributions Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may establish a mechanism to regulate drug manufacturers’ financial contributions to patient out-of-pocket costs, such as drug co-pays. 350. Antitrust exemption for private health insurance issuers to negotiate wholesale acquisition prices of prescription drugs purchased from drug manufacturers (a) Exemption It shall not be a violation of the antitrust laws for one or more private health insurance issuers or their designated agents to jointly negotiate wholesale acquisition prices of a prescription drug with a manufacturer of a prescription drug with regards to the reimbursement policies of the insurers of the manufacturer’s drugs so long as no one single wholesale acquisition price is jointly determined between the insurance issuers or their designated agents. (b) Definitions For purposes of this section: (1) Antitrust laws The term antitrust laws has the meaning given such term in subsection (a) of the 1st section of the Clayton Act ( 15 U.S.C. 12(a) ), except that such term includes section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 45 ) to the extent such section 5 applies to unfair methods of competition. (2) Health insurance issuer The term health insurance issuer means an insurance company, insurance service, or insurance organization (including a health maintenance organization) which is licensed to engage in the business of insurance in a State and which is subject to State law which regulates insurance (within the meaning of section 514(b)(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 29 U.S.C. 1144(b)(2) )). Such term does not include a group health plan. (3) Health maintenance organization The term health maintenance organization means— (A) a health maintenance organization (as defined in section 1301(a) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300e(a) ); (B) an organization recognized under State law as a health maintenance organization; or (C) a similar organization regulated under State law for solvency in the same manner and to the same extent as such a health maintenance organization. (4) Manufacturer The term manufacturer means any person who is engaged in manufacturing, preparing, propagating, compounding, processing, packaging, repackaging, or labeling of a prescription drug. (5) Prescription drug The term prescription drug means any human drug required by Federal law or regulation to be dispensed only by a prescription, including finished dosage forms and active ingredients subject to section 503(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 353(b) ). (c) Effective date This section shall not apply with respect to any conduct that occurs before the date of enactment of this Act. 351. Biological product innovation Section 351(j) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262(j) ) is amended— (1) by striking except that a product and inserting “except that— (1) a product ; (2) by striking Act. and inserting Act; and ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (2) no requirement under such Act regarding an official compendium (as defined in section 201(j) of such Act), or other reference in such Act to an official compendium (as so defined), shall apply with respect to a biological product subject to regulation under this section. . 352. Biosimilar biological products (a) In general Section 351(k) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262(k) ) is amended— (1) in the subsection heading, by striking or Interchangeable ; (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by striking subparagraph (B); (B) by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A) as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly; (C) in subparagraph (A)— (i) in clause (i), by redesignating subclauses (I) through (V) as clauses (i) through (v), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly; (ii) in clause (i), as so redesignated by clause (i) of this subparagraph, by redesignating items (aa) through (cc) as subclauses (I) through (III), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly; and (iii) by striking (A) IN GENERAL and all that follows through An application submitted under this subsection shall include information and inserting the following: (A) In general An application submitted under this subsection shall include information ; (D) in subparagraph (B), as so redesignated by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, by striking clause (i)(I) and inserting subparagraph (A)(i) ; and (E) in subparagraph (C), as so redesignated by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, by redesignating subclauses (I) through (III) as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively, and by adjusting the margins accordingly; (3) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows: (4) Interchangeability (A) In general A biological product licensed under this subsection shall be deemed to be interchangeable with the reference product. (B) Congressional briefing prior to certain study requirements The Secretary may require the sponsor of an application submitted under this section to conduct a study to evaluate the risk, in terms of safety, purity, or potency, of alternating or switching between the use of the biological product that is the subject of the application and the reference product, if, before requiring such a study, the Secretary first holds a private briefing with the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the chair and the ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, to explain why such a study is necessary for the biological product, what information the Secretary expects such a study to reveal, what alternatives to such study have been considered, and why those alternatives are not sufficient. ; (4) by striking paragraph (6); (5) in paragraph (8)(D)— (A) in clause (i), by striking class; and and inserting class. ; (B) by striking clause (ii); and (C) by striking description of— and all that follows through criteria that the Secretary and inserting description of the criteria that the Secretary ; and (6) in paragraph (9)(A)(iv), by striking paragraph (6) or . (b) Conforming amendments (1) Section 351(i)(3) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262(i)(3) ) is amended by striking that is shown to meet the standards described in subsection (k)(4) and inserting licensed under subsection (k) . (2) Section 352A of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 263–1 ) is amended by striking and interchangeable biosimilar biological products each place it appears. (3) Section 744G(14) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 379j–51(14) ) is amended by striking , including a supplement requesting that the Secretary determine that the biosimilar biological product meets the standards for interchangeability described in section 351(k)(4) of the Public Health Service Act . (4) Section 505B(l) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 355c(l) ) is amended to read as follows: (l) Biosimilar biological products A biological product for which an application is submitted under section 351(k) of the Public Health Service Act shall be considered to have a new active ingredient for purposes of this section, except that a pediatric assessment shall not be required for a claimed indication in a relevant pediatric population if the assessment would involve— (1) a condition of use that has not been previously approved for the reference product; or (2) a dosage form, strength, or route of administration that differs from that of the reference product. . (c) Application The amendment made by subsection (a)(4) to section 351(k)(6) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262(k)(6) ) shall apply only with respect to applications approved under section 351(k) of such Act on or after the date of enactment of this Act. Any period of exclusivity granted under section 351(k)(6) of such Act with respect to an application approved under such section 351(k) before the date of enactment of this Act shall apply in accordance with such section 351(k)(6), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act. 353. Prompt approval of drugs related to safety information Section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 355 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (aa) Prompt Approval of Drugs When safety information Is Added to Labeling (1) General rule A drug for which an application has been submitted or approved under subsection (b)(2) or (j) shall not be considered ineligible for approval under this section or misbranded under section 502 on the basis that the labeling of the drug omits safety information, including contraindications, warnings, precautions, dosing, administration, or other information pertaining to safety, when the omitted safety information is protected by exclusivity under clause (iii) or (iv) of subsection (j)(5)(F), clause (iii) or (iv) of subsection (c)(3)(E), or section 527(a), or by an extension of such exclusivity under section 505A or 505E. (2) Labeling Notwithstanding clauses (iii) and (iv) of subsection (j)(5)(F), clauses (iii) and (iv) of subsection (c)(3)(E), or section 527, the Secretary shall require that the labeling of a drug approved pursuant to an application submitted under subsection (b)(2) or (j) that omits safety information described in paragraph (1) include a statement of any appropriate safety information that the Secretary considers necessary to assure safe use. (3) Availability and scope of exclusivity This subsection does not affect— (A) the availability or scope of exclusivity or an extension of exclusivity described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 505A(o)(3); (B) the question of the eligibility for approval under this section of any application described in subsection (b)(2) or (j) that omits any other aspect of labeling protected by exclusivity under— (i) clause (iii) or (iv) of subsection (j)(5)(F); (ii) clause (iii) or (iv) of subsection (c)(3)(E); or (iii) section 527(a); or (C) except as expressly provided in paragraphs (1) and (2), the operation of this section or section 527. . 354. Congressional review of the Food and Drug Administration rulemaking (a) Congressional review Part I of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 8 the following: 8a Congressional Review of Food and Drug Administration Rulemaking Sec. 810. Applicability. 811. Congressional review. 812. Congressional approval procedure for major rules. 813. Congressional disapproval procedure for nonmajor rules. 814. Definitions. 815. Judicial review. 816. Exemption for monetary policy. 817. Effective date of certain rules. 818. Regulatory cut-go requirement. 819. Review of rules currently in effect. 810. Applicability This chapter applies in lieu of chapter 8 with respect to the Food and Drug Administration. 811. Congressional review (a) (1) (A) Before a rule may take effect, the Food and Drug Administration shall satisfy the requirements of section 818 and shall publish in the Federal Register a list of information on which the rule is based, including data, scientific and economic studies, and cost-benefit analyses, and identify how the public can access such information online, and shall submit to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General a report containing— (i) a copy of the rule; (ii) a concise general statement relating to the rule; (iii) a classification of the rule as a major or nonmajor rule, including an explanation of the classification specifically addressing each criteria for a major rule contained within sections 814(2)(A), 814(2)(B), and 814(2)(C); (iv) a list of any other related regulatory actions intended to implement the same statutory provision or regulatory objective as well as the individual and aggregate economic effects of those actions; and (v) the proposed effective date of the rule. (B) On the date of the submission of the report under subparagraph (A), the Food and Drug Administration shall submit to the Comptroller General and make available to each House of Congress— (i) a complete copy of the cost-benefit analysis of the rule, if any, including an analysis of any jobs added or lost, differentiating between public and private sector jobs; (ii) the Food and Drug Administration’s actions pursuant to sections 603, 604, 605, 607, and 609 of this title; (iii) the Food and Drug Administration’s actions pursuant to sections 202, 203, 204, and 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995; and (iv) any other relevant information or requirements under any other Act and any relevant Executive orders. (C) Upon receipt of a report submitted under subparagraph (A), each House shall provide copies of the report to the chairman and ranking member of each standing committee with jurisdiction under the rules of the House of Representatives or the Senate to report a bill to amend the provision of law under which the rule is issued. (2) (A) The Comptroller General shall provide a report on each major rule to the committees of jurisdiction by the end of 15 calendar days after the submission or publication date. The report of the Comptroller General shall include an assessment of the Food and Drug Administration’s compliance with procedural steps required by paragraph (1)(B) and an assessment of whether the major rule imposes any new limits or mandates on private-sector activity. (B) The Food and Drug Administration shall cooperate with the Comptroller General by providing information relevant to the Comptroller General’s report under subparagraph (A). (3) A major rule relating to a report submitted under paragraph (1) shall take effect upon enactment of a joint resolution of approval described in section 812 or as provided for in the rule following enactment of a joint resolution of approval described in section 812, whichever is later. (4) A nonmajor rule shall take effect as provided by section 813 after submission to Congress under paragraph (1). (5) If a joint resolution of approval relating to a major rule is not enacted within the period provided in subsection (b)(2), then a joint resolution of approval relating to the same rule may not be considered under this chapter in the same Congress by either the House of Representatives or the Senate. (b) (1) A major rule shall not take effect unless the Congress enacts a joint resolution of approval described under section 812. (2) If a joint resolution described in subsection (a) is not enacted into law by the end of 70 session days or legislative days, as applicable, beginning on the date on which the report referred to in section 811(a)(1)(A) is received by Congress (excluding days either House of Congress is adjourned for more than 3 days during a session of Congress), then the rule described in that resolution shall be deemed not to be approved and such rule shall not take effect. (c) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section (except subject to paragraph (3)), a major rule may take effect for one 90-calendar-day period if the President makes a determination under paragraph (2) and submits written notice of such determination to the Congress. (2) Paragraph (1) applies to a determination made by the President by Executive order that the major rule should take effect because such rule is— (A) necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency; (B) necessary for the enforcement of criminal laws; (C) necessary for national security; or (D) issued pursuant to any statute implementing an international trade agreement. (3) An exercise by the President of the authority under this subsection shall have no effect on the procedures under section 812. (d) (1) In addition to the opportunity for review otherwise provided under this chapter, in the case of any rule for which a report was submitted in accordance with subsection (a)(1)(A) during the period beginning on the date occurring— (A) in the case of the Senate, 60 session days; or (B) in the case of the House of Representatives, 60 legislative days, before the date the Congress is scheduled to adjourn a session of Congress through the date on which the same or succeeding Congress first convenes its next session, sections 812 and 813 shall apply to such rule in the succeeding session of Congress. (2) (A) In applying sections 812 and 813 for purposes of such additional review, a rule described under paragraph (1) shall be treated as though— (i) such rule were published in the Federal Register on— (I) in the case of the Senate, the 15th session day; or (II) in the case of the House of Representatives, the 15th legislative day, after the succeeding session of Congress first convenes; and (ii) a report on such rule were submitted to Congress under subsection (a)(1) on such date. (B) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to affect the requirement under subsection (a)(1) that a report shall be submitted to Congress before a rule can take effect. (3) A rule described under paragraph (1) shall take effect as otherwise provided by law (including other subsections of this section). 812. Congressional approval procedure for major rules (a) (1) For purposes of this section, the term joint resolution means only a joint resolution addressing a report classifying a rule as major pursuant to section 811(a)(1)(A)(iii) that— (A) bears no preamble; (B) bears the following title (with blanks filled as appropriate): Approving the rule submitted by ___ relating to ___. ; (C) includes after its resolving clause only the following (with blanks filled as appropriate): That Congress approves the rule submitted by ___ relating to ___. ; and (D) is introduced pursuant to paragraph (2). (2) After a House of Congress receives a report classifying a rule as major pursuant to section 811(a)(1)(A)(iii), the majority leader of that House (or his or her respective designee) shall introduce (by request, if appropriate) a joint resolution described in paragraph (1)— (A) in the case of the House of Representatives, within 3 legislative days; and (B) in the case of the Senate, within 3 session days. (3) A joint resolution described in paragraph (1) shall not be subject to amendment at any stage of proceeding. (b) A joint resolution described in subsection (a) shall be referred in each House of Congress to the committees having jurisdiction over the provision of law under which the rule is issued. (c) In the Senate, if the committee or committees to which a joint resolution described in subsection (a) has been referred have not reported it at the end of 15 session days after its introduction, such committee or committees shall be automatically discharged from further consideration of the resolution and it shall be placed on the calendar. A vote on final passage of the resolution shall be taken on or before the close of the 15th session day after the resolution is reported by the committee or committees to which it was referred, or after such committee or committees have been discharged from further consideration of the resolution. (d) (1) In the Senate, when the committee or committees to which a joint resolution is referred have reported, or when a committee or committees are discharged (under subsection (c)) from further consideration of a joint resolution described in subsection (a), it is at any time thereafter in order (even though a previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed to) for a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution, and all points of order against the joint resolution (and against consideration of the joint resolution) are waived. The motion is not subject to amendment, or to a motion to postpone, or to a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution is agreed to, the joint resolution shall remain the unfinished business of the Senate until disposed of. (2) In the Senate, debate on the joint resolution, and on all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith, shall be limited to not more than 2 hours, which shall be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the joint resolution. A motion to further limit debate is in order and not debatable. An amendment to, or a motion to postpone, or a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business, or a motion to recommit the joint resolution is not in order. (3) In the Senate, immediately following the conclusion of the debate on a joint resolution described in subsection (a), and a single quorum call at the conclusion of the debate if requested in accordance with the rules of the Senate, the vote on final passage of the joint resolution shall occur. (4) Appeals from the decisions of the Chair relating to the application of the rules of the Senate to the procedure relating to a joint resolution described in subsection (a) shall be decided without debate. (e) In the House of Representatives, if any committee to which a joint resolution described in subsection (a) has been referred has not reported it to the House at the end of 15 legislative days after its introduction, such committee shall be discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution, and it shall be placed on the appropriate calendar. On the second and fourth Thursdays of each month it shall be in order at any time for the Speaker to recognize a Member who favors passage of a joint resolution that has appeared on the calendar for at least 5 legislative days to call up that joint resolution for immediate consideration in the House without intervention of any point of order. When so called up a joint resolution shall be considered as read and shall be debatable for 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and the previous question shall be considered as ordered to its passage without intervening motion. It shall not be in order to reconsider the vote on passage. If a vote on final passage of the joint resolution has not been taken by the third Thursday on which the Speaker may recognize a Member under this subsection, such vote shall be taken on that day. (f) (1) If, before passing a joint resolution described in subsection (a), one House receives from the other a joint resolution having the same text, then— (A) the joint resolution of the other House shall not be referred to a committee; and (B) the procedure in the receiving House shall be the same as if no joint resolution had been received from the other House until the vote on passage, when the joint resolution received from the other House shall supplant the joint resolution of the receiving House. (2) This subsection shall not apply to the House of Representatives if the joint resolution received from the Senate is a revenue measure. (g) If either House has not taken a vote on final passage of the joint resolution by the last day of the period described in section 811(b)(2), then such vote shall be taken on that day. (h) This section and section 813 are enacted by Congress— (1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, and as such is deemed to be part of the rules of each House, respectively, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in that House in the case of a joint resolution described in subsection (a) and superseding other rules only where explicitly so; and (2) with full recognition of the Constitutional right of either House to change the rules (so far as they relate to the procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that House. 813. Congressional disapproval procedure for nonmajor rules (a) For purposes of this section, the term joint resolution means only a joint resolution introduced in the period beginning on the date on which the report referred to in section 811(a)(1)(A) is received by Congress and ending 60 days thereafter (excluding days either House of Congress is adjourned for more than 3 days during a session of Congress), the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: That Congress disapproves the nonmajor rule submitted by the ___ relating to ___, and such rule shall have no force or effect. (The blank spaces being appropriately filled in). (b) A joint resolution described in subsection (a) shall be referred to the committees in each House of Congress with jurisdiction. (c) In the Senate, if the committee to which is referred a joint resolution described in subsection (a) has not reported such joint resolution (or an identical joint resolution) at the end of 15 session days after the date of introduction of the joint resolution, such committee may be discharged from further consideration of such joint resolution upon a petition supported in writing by 30 Members of the Senate, and such joint resolution shall be placed on the calendar. (d) (1) In the Senate, when the committee to which a joint resolution is referred has reported, or when a committee is discharged (under subsection (c)) from further consideration of a joint resolution described in subsection (a), it is at any time thereafter in order (even though a previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed to) for a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution, and all points of order against the joint resolution (and against consideration of the joint resolution) are waived. The motion is not subject to amendment, or to a motion to postpone, or to a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution is agreed to, the joint resolution shall remain the unfinished business of the Senate until disposed of. (2) In the Senate, debate on the joint resolution, and on all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith, shall be limited to not more than 10 hours, which shall be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the joint resolution. A motion to further limit debate is in order and not debatable. An amendment to, or a motion to postpone, or a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business, or a motion to recommit the joint resolution is not in order. (3) In the Senate, immediately following the conclusion of the debate on a joint resolution described in subsection (a), and a single quorum call at the conclusion of the debate if requested in accordance with the rules of the Senate, the vote on final passage of the joint resolution shall occur. (4) Appeals from the decisions of the Chair relating to the application of the rules of the Senate to the procedure relating to a joint resolution described in subsection (a) shall be decided without debate. (e) In the Senate, the procedure specified in subsection (c) or (d) shall not apply to the consideration of a joint resolution respecting a nonmajor rule— (1) after the expiration of the 60 session days beginning with the applicable submission or publication date; or (2) if the report under section 811(a)(1)(A) was submitted during the period referred to in section 811(d)(1), after the expiration of the 60 session days beginning on the 15th session day after the succeeding session of Congress first convenes. (f) If, before the passage by one House of a joint resolution of that House described in subsection (a), that House receives from the other House a joint resolution described in subsection (a), then the following procedures shall apply: (1) The joint resolution of the other House shall not be referred to a committee. (2) With respect to a joint resolution described in subsection (a) of the House receiving the joint resolution— (A) the procedure in that House shall be the same as if no joint resolution had been received from the other House; but (B) the vote on final passage shall be on the joint resolution of the other House. 814. Definitions For purposes of this chapter: (1) The term major rule means any rule of the Food and Drug Administration, including an interim final rule, that the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget finds has resulted in or is likely to result in— (A) an annual cost on the economy of $100,000,000 or more, adjusted annually for inflation; (B) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government agencies, or geographic regions; or (C) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export markets. (2) The term nonmajor rule means any rule of the Food and Drug Administration that is not a major rule. (3) The term rule has the meaning given such term in section 551, except that such term does not include— (A) any rule of particular applicability; (B) any rule relating to agency management or personnel; or (C) any rule of agency organization, procedure, or practice that does not substantially affect the rights or obligations of non-agency parties. (4) The term submission date or publication date , except as otherwise provided in this chapter, means— (A) in the case of a major rule, the date on which the Congress receives the report submitted under section 811(a)(1); and (B) in the case of a nonmajor rule, the later of— (i) the date on which the Congress receives the report submitted under section 811(a)(1); and (ii) the date on which the nonmajor rule is published in the Federal Register, if so published. 815. Judicial review (a) No determination, finding, action, or omission under this chapter shall be subject to judicial review. (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a court may determine whether the Food and Drug Administration has completed the necessary requirements under this chapter for a rule to take effect. (c) The enactment of a joint resolution of approval under section 812 shall not be interpreted to serve as a grant or modification of statutory authority by Congress for the promulgation of a rule, shall not extinguish or affect any claim, whether substantive or procedural, against any alleged defect in a rule, and shall not form part of the record before the court in any judicial proceeding concerning a rule except for purposes of determining whether or not the rule is in effect. 816. Exemption for monetary policy Nothing in this chapter shall apply to rules that concern monetary policy proposed or implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Open Market Committee. 817. Effective date of certain rules Notwithstanding section 811, any rule other than a major rule which the Food and Drug Administration for good cause finds (and incorporates the finding and a brief statement of reasons therefore in the rule issued) that notice and public procedure thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest, shall take effect at such time as the Food and Drug Administration determines. 818. Regulatory cut-go requirement In making any new rule, the Food and Drug Administration shall identify a rule or rules that may be amended or repealed to completely offset any annual costs of the new rule to the United States economy. Before the new rule may take effect, the Food and Drug Administration shall make each such repeal or amendment. In making such an amendment or repeal, the Food and Drug Administration shall comply with the requirements of subchapter II of chapter 5, but the Food and Drug Administration may consolidate proceedings under subchapter II (of chapter 5) with proceedings on the new rule. 819. Review of rules currently in effect (a) Annual review Beginning on the date that is 6 months after the date of enactment of this section and annually thereafter for the 9 years following, the Food and Drug Administration shall designate not less than 10 percent of eligible rules made by the Food and Drug Administration for review, and shall submit a report including each such eligible rule in the same manner as a report under section 811(a)(1). Section 811, section 812, and section 813 shall apply to each such rule, subject to subsection (c) of this section. No eligible rule previously designated may be designated again. (b) Sunset for eligible rules not extended Beginning after the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this section, if Congress has not enacted a joint resolution of approval for that eligible rule, that eligible rule shall not continue in effect. (c) Consolidation; severability In applying sections 811, 812, and 813 to eligible rules under this section, the following shall apply: (1) The words take effect shall be read as continue in effect . (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), a single joint resolution of approval shall apply to all eligible rules in a report designated for a year, and the matter after the resolving clause of that joint resolution is as follows: That Congress approves the rules submitted by the __ for the year __. (The blank spaces being appropriately filled in). (3) It shall be in order to consider any amendment that provides for specific conditions on which the approval of a particular eligible rule included in the joint resolution is contingent. (4) A member of either House may move that a separate joint resolution be required for a specified rule. (d) Definition In this section, the term eligible rule means a rule that is in effect as of the date of enactment of this section. . (b) Budgetary effects of rules subject to section 922 of title 5, United States Code Section 257(b)(2) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (E) Budgetary effects of rules subject to section 922 of title 5, United States Code Any rules subject to the congressional approval procedure set forth in section 922 of chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, affecting budget authority, outlays, or receipts shall be assumed to be effective unless it is not approved in accordance with such section. . (c) Government Accountability Office study of rules (1) In general The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to determine, as of the date of the enactment of this Act— (A) how many rules (as such term is defined in section 814 of title 5, United States Code) of the Food and Drug Administration were in effect; (B) how many major rules (as such term is defined in section 814 of title 5, United States Code) of the Food and Drug Administration were in effect; and (C) the total estimated economic cost imposed by all such rules. (2) Report Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress that contains the findings of the study conducted under paragraph (1). (d) Effective date Subsections (a) and (b), and the amendments made by such sections, shall take effect beginning on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. 355. Government Accountability Office study of rules (a) In general The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to determine, as of the date of the enactment of this Act— (1) how many rules (as such term is defined in section 804 of title 5, United States Code) were in effect; (2) how many major rules (as such term is defined in section 804 of title 5, United States Code) were in effect; and (3) the total estimated economic cost imposed by all such rules. (b) Report Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress that contains the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a). D Prescription Drug and Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency 361. Patent disclosure requirements (a) In general Section 351 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (o) Additional requirements with respect to patents (1) Approved application holder listing requirements (A) In general Beginning on the date of enactment of this subsection, within 30 days of approval of an application under subsection (a) or (k), the holder of such approved application shall submit to the Secretary a list of each patent required to be disclosed (as described in paragraph (3)). (B) Previously approved or licensed biological products (i) Products approved under section 351 of the PHSA Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of the Fair Care Act of 2024 , the holder of a biological product license that was approved under subsection (a) or (k) before the date of enactment of such Act shall submit to the Secretary a list of each patent required to be disclosed (as described in paragraph (3)). (ii) Products approved under section 505 of the FFDCA Not later than 30 days after March 23, 2021, the holder of an approved application for a biological product under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that is deemed to be a license for the biological product under this section on March 23, 2021, shall submit a list of each patent required to be disclosed (as described in paragraph (3)). (C) Updates The holder of a biological product license approved under subsection (a) or (k) shall submit to the Secretary a list that includes— (i) any patent first required to be disclosed (as described in paragraph (3)) after the submission under subparagraph (A) or (B), as applicable, within 30 days of the earlier of— (I) the date of issuance of such patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office; or (II) the date of approval of a supplemental application for the biological product; and (ii) any patent, or any claim with respect to a patent, included on the list pursuant to this paragraph with respect to the biological product subsequently determined to be invalid or unenforceable, within 30 days of a determination of patent invalidity. (2) Publication of information (A) In general Within 1 year of the date of enactment of the Fair Care Act of 2024 , the Secretary shall publish and make available to the public a single, easily searchable, list that includes— (i) the official and proprietary name of each biological product licensed under subsection (a) or (k), and of each biological product application approved under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and deemed to be a license for the biological product under this section on March 23, 2021; (ii) with respect to each biological product described in clause (i), each patent submitted in accordance with paragraph (1); (iii) the date of licensure and application number for each such biological product; (iv) the marketing status, dosage form, route of administration, strength, and, if applicable, reference product, for each such biological product; (v) the licensure status for each such biological product, including whether the license at the time of listing is approved, withdrawn, or revoked; (vi) any period of any exclusivity under subsection (k)(7)(A) or subsection (k)(7)(B) of this section or section 527 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and any extension of such period in accordance with subsection (m) of this section with respect to each such biological product, and the date on which such exclusivity expires; (vii) information regarding any determination related to biosimilarity or interchangeability for each such biological product; and (viii) information regarding approved indications for each such biological product, in such manner as the Secretary determines appropriate. (B) Updates Every 30 days after the publication of the first list under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall revise the list to include— (i) (I) each biological product licensed under subsection (a) or (k) during the 30-day period; and (II) with respect to each biological product described in subclause (I), the information described in clauses (i) through (viii) of subparagraph (A); and (ii) any updates to information previously published in accordance with subparagraph (A). (3) Patents required to be disclosed In this section, a patent required to be disclosed is any patent for which the holder of a biological product license approved under subsection (a) or (k), or a biological product application approved under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and deemed to be a license for a biological product under this section on March 23, 2021, believes a claim of patent infringement could reasonably be asserted by the holder, or by a patent owner that has granted an exclusive license to the holder with respect to the biological product that is the subject of such license, if a person not licensed by the holder engaged in the making, using, offering to sell, selling, or importing into the United States of the biological product that is the subject of such license. . (b) Disclosure of patents Section 351(l)(3)(A)(i) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262(l)(3)(A)(i) ) is amended by inserting included in the list provided by the reference product sponsor under subsection (o)(1) after a list of patents . (c) Restriction on claims of patent infringement Section 271(e) of title 35, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (7) The owner of a patent that should have been included in the list described in section 351(o)(1) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262(o)(1) ), including any updates required under subparagraph (C) of that section, but was not timely included in such list, may not bring an action under this section for infringement of the patent. . (d) Regulations The Secretary of Health and Human Services may promulgate regulations to carry out subsection (o) of section 351 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262 ), as added by subsection (a). (e) Rule of construction Nothing in this Act, including an amendment made by this Act, shall be construed to require or allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to delay the licensing of a biological product under section 351 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262 ). 362. Requirements with respect to prescription drug benefits (a) In general Subpart II of part A of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–11 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 2729A. Requirements with respect to prescription drug benefits A group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall not, and shall ensure that any entity that provides pharmacy benefits management services under a contract with any such health plan or health insurance coverage does not, receive from a drug manufacturer a reduction in price or other remuneration with respect to any prescription drug received by an enrollee in the plan or coverage and covered by the plan or coverage, unless— (1) any such reduction in price is reflected at the point of sale to the enrollee; and (2) any such other remuneration is a flat fee-based service fee that a manufacturer of prescription drugs pays to a pharmacy benefit manager for services rendered to the manufacturer that relate to arrangements by the pharmacy benefit manager to provide pharmacy benefit management services to a health plan or health insurance issuer, if certain conditions established by the Secretary are met, including requirements that the fees are transparent to the health plan or health insurance issuer. . (b) Effective date Section 2729A of the Public Health Service Act, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on January 1, 2025. 363. PBM transparency and elimination of DIR fees (a) Prohibiting medicare PDP sponsors and MA–PD organizations from retroactively reducing payment on clean claims submitted by pharmacies (1) In general Section 1860D–12(b)(4)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–112(b)(4)(A) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new clause: (iv) Prohibiting retroactive reductions in payments on clean claims Each contract entered into with a PDP sponsor under this part with respect to a prescription drug plan offered by such sponsor shall provide that after the date of receipt of a clean claim submitted by a pharmacy, the PDP sponsor (or an agent of the PDP sponsor) may not retroactively reduce payment on such claim directly or indirectly through aggregated effective rate or otherwise except in the case such claim is found to not be a clean claim (such as in the case of a claim lacking required substantiating documentation) during the course of a routine audit as permitted pursuant to written agreement between the PDP sponsor (or such an agent) and such pharmacy. The previous sentence shall not prohibit any retroactive increase in payment to a pharmacy pursuant to a written agreement between a PDP sponsor (or an agent of such sponsor) and such pharmacy. . (2) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2025. (b) Elimination of DIR fees (1) Pharmacy benefits manager standards under the Medicare program for prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans (A) In general Section 1860D–12(b) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–112(b) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (7) Pharmacy benefits manager transparency requirements Each contract entered into with a PDP sponsor under this part with respect to a prescription drug plan offered by such sponsor or with an MA organization offering an MA–PD plan under part C shall provide that the sponsor or organization, respectively, may not enter into a contract with any pharmacy benefits manager (referred to in this paragraph as a PBM ) to manage the prescription drug coverage provided under such plan, or to control the costs of the prescription drug coverage under such plan, unless the PBM adheres to the following criteria when handling personally identifiable utilization and claims data or other sensitive patient data: (A) The PBM may not transmit any personally identifiable utilization, protected health information, or claims data, with respect to a plan enrollee, to a pharmacy owned by a PBM if the plan enrollee has not voluntarily elected in writing or via secure electronic means to fill that particular prescription at the PBM-owned pharmacy. (B) The PBM may not require that a plan enrollee use a retail pharmacy, mail order pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, or other pharmacy entity providing pharmacy services in which the PBM has an ownership interest or that has an ownership interest in the PBM, or provide an incentive to a plan enrollee to encourage the enrollee to use a retail pharmacy, mail order pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, or other pharmacy entity providing pharmacy services in which the PBM has an ownership interest or that has an ownership interest in the PBM, if the incentive is applicable only to such pharmacies. . (B) Regular update of prescription drug pricing standard Paragraph (6) of section 1860D–12(b) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–112(b) ) is amended to read as follows: (6) Regular update of prescription drug pricing standard (A) In general If the PDP sponsor of a prescription drug plan (or MA organization offering an MA–PD plan) uses a standard for reimbursement (as described in subparagraph (B)) of pharmacies based on the cost of a drug, each contract entered into with such sponsor under this part (or organization under part C) with respect to the plan shall provide that the sponsor (or organization) shall— (i) update such standard not less frequently than once every 7 days, beginning with an initial update on January 1 of each year, to accurately reflect the market price of acquiring the drug; (ii) disclose to applicable pharmacies and the contracting entities of such pharmacies the sources used for making any such update immediately without requirement of request; (iii) if the source for such a standard for reimbursement is not publicly available, disclose to the applicable pharmacies and the respective contracting entities of such pharmacies all individual drug prices to be so updated in advance of the use of such prices for the reimbursement of claims; (iv) establish a process to appeal, investigate, and resolve disputes regarding individual drug prices that are less than the pharmacy acquisition price for such drug, which must be adjudicated within 7 days of the pharmacy filing its appeal; and (v) provide all such pricing data in an .xml spreadsheet format or a comparable easily accessible and complete spreadsheet format. (B) Prescription drug pricing standard defined For purposes of subparagraph (A), a standard for reimbursement of a pharmacy is any methodology or formula for varying the pricing of a drug or drugs during the term of the pharmacy reimbursement contract that is based on the cost of the drug involved, including drug pricing references and amounts that are based upon average wholesale price, wholesale average cost, average manufacturer price, average sales price, maximum allowable cost (MAC), or other costs, whether publicly available or not. . (C) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. (2) Regular update of prescription drug pricing standard under TRICARE retail pharmacy program Section 1074g(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) To the extent practicable, with respect to the TRICARE retail pharmacy program described in subsection (a)(2)(E)(ii), the Secretary shall ensure that a contract entered into with a TRICARE managed care support contractor includes requirements described in section 1860D–12(b)(6) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–112(b)(6) ) to ensure the provision of information regarding the pricing standard for prescription drugs. . (3) Prescription drug transparency in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program (A) In general Section 8902 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsections: (p) A contract may not be made or a plan approved under this chapter under which a carrier has an agreement with a pharmacy benefits manager (in this subsection referred to as a PBM ) to manage prescription drug coverage or to control the costs of the prescription drug coverage unless the carrier and PBM adhere to the following criteria: (1) The PBM may not transmit any personally identifiable utilization, protected health information, or claims data with respect to an individual enrolled under such contract or plan to a pharmacy owned by the PBM if the individual has not voluntarily elected in writing or via secure electronic means to fill that particular prescription at such a pharmacy. (2) The PBM may not require that an individual enrolled under such contract or plan use a retail pharmacy, mail order pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, or other pharmacy entity providing pharmacy services in which the PBM has an ownership interest or that has an ownership interest in the PBM or provide an incentive to a plan enrollee to encourage the enrollee to use a retail pharmacy, mail order pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, or other pharmacy entity providing pharmacy services in which the PBM has an ownership interest or that has an ownership interest in the PBM, if the incentive is applicable only to such pharmacies. (q) (1) If a contract made or plan approved under this chapter provides for a standard for reimbursement (as described in paragraph (2)) with respect to a prescription drug plan, such contract or plan shall provide that the applicable carrier— (A) update such standard not less frequently than once every 7 days, beginning with an initial update on January 1 of each year, to accurately reflect the market price of acquiring the drug; (B) disclose to applicable pharmacies and the contracting entities of such pharmacies the sources used for making any such update immediately without requirement of request; (C) if the source for such a standard for reimbursement is not publicly available, disclose to the applicable pharmacies and contracting entities of such pharmacies all individual drug prices to be so updated in advance of the use of such prices for the reimbursement of claims; (D) establish a process to appeal, investigate, and resolve disputes regarding individual drug prices that are less than the pharmacy acquisition price for such drug, which must be adjudicated within 7 days of the pharmacy filing its appeal; and (E) provide all such pricing data in an .xml spreadsheet format or a comparable easily accessible and complete spreadsheet format. (2) For purposes of paragraph (1), a standard for reimbursement of a pharmacy is any methodology or formula for varying the pricing of a drug or drugs during the term of the pharmacy reimbursement contract that is based on the cost of the drug involved, including drug pricing references and amounts that are based upon average wholesale price, wholesale average cost, average manufacturer price, average sales price, maximum allowable cost, or other costs, whether publicly available or not. . (B) Application The amendment made by subparagraph (A) shall apply to any contract entered into under section 8902 of title 5, United States Code, on or after the date of enactment of this section. 364. Health plan oversight of pharmacy benefit manager services Subpart II of part A of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–11 et seq. ), as amended by the preceding sections, is further amended by adding at the end the following: 2729E. Health plan oversight of pharmacy benefit manager services (a) In general A group health plan or health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage or an entity or subsidiary providing pharmacy benefits management services shall not enter into a contract with a drug manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, subcontractor, rebate aggregator, or any associated third party that limits the disclosure of information to plan sponsors in such a manner that prevents the plan or coverage, or an entity or subsidiary providing pharmacy benefits management services on behalf of a plan or coverage from making the reports described in subsection (b). (b) Reports to group plan sponsors (1) In general Beginning with the first plan year that begins after the date of enactment of the Fair Care Act of 2024 , not less frequently than once every 6 months, a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage or an entity providing pharmacy benefits management services on behalf of a group health plan shall submit to the plan sponsor (as defined in section 3(16)(B) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) of such group health plan or health insurance coverage a report in accordance with this subsection and make such report available to the plan sponsor in a machine-readable format. Each such report shall include, with respect to the applicable group health plan or health insurance coverage— (A) information collected from drug manufacturers by such issuer or entity on the total amount of copayment assistance dollars paid, or copayment cards applied, that were funded by the drug manufacturer with respect to the enrollees in such plan or coverage; (B) a list of each covered drug dispensed during the reporting period, including, with respect to each such drug during the reporting period— (i) the brand name, chemical entity, and National Drug Code; (ii) the number of enrollees for whom the drug was filled during the plan year, the total number of prescription fills for the drug (including original prescriptions and refills), and the total number of dosage units of the drug dispensed across the plan year, including whether the dispensing channel was by retail, mail order, or specialty pharmacy; (iii) the wholesale acquisition cost, listed as cost per days supply and cost per pill, or in the case of a drug in another form, per dose; (iv) the total out-of-pocket spending by enrollees on such drug, including enrollee spending through copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles; and (v) for any drug for which gross spending of the group health plan or health insurance coverage exceeded $10,000 during the reporting period— (I) a list of all other available drugs in the same therapeutic category or class, including brand name drugs and biological products and generic drugs or biosimilar biological products that are in the same therapeutic category or class; and (II) the rationale for preferred formulary placement of a particular drug or drugs in that therapeutic category or class; (C) a list of each therapeutic category or class of drugs that were dispensed under the health plan or health insurance coverage during the reporting period, and, with respect to each such therapeutic category or class of drugs, during the reporting period— (i) total gross spending by the plan, before manufacturer rebates, fees, or other manufacturer remuneration; (ii) the number of enrollees who filled a prescription for a drug in that category or class; (iii) if applicable to that category or class, a description of the formulary tiers and utilization mechanisms (such as prior authorization or step therapy) employed for drugs in that category or class; (iv) the total out-of-pocket spending by enrollees, including enrollee spending through copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles; and (v) for each therapeutic category or class under which 3 or more drugs are included on the formulary of such plan or coverage— (I) the amount received, or expected to be received, from drug manufacturers in rebates, fees, alternative discounts, or other remuneration— (aa) to be paid by drug manufacturers for claims incurred during the reporting period; or (bb) that is related to utilization of drugs, in such therapeutic category or class; (II) the total net spending, after deducting rebates, price concessions, alternative discounts or other remuneration from drug manufacturers, by the health plan or health insurance coverage on that category or class of drugs; and (III) the net price per course of treatment or 30-day supply incurred by the health plan or health insurance coverage and its enrollees, after manufacturer rebates, fees, and other remuneration for drugs dispensed within such therapeutic category or class during the reporting period; (D) total gross spending on prescription drugs by the plan or coverage during the reporting period, before rebates and other manufacturer fees or remuneration; (E) total amount received, or expected to be received, by the health plan or health insurance coverage in drug manufacturer rebates, fees, alternative discounts, and all other remuneration received from the manufacturer or any third party, other than the plan sponsor, related to utilization of drug or drug spending under that health plan or health insurance coverage during the reporting period; (F) the total net spending on prescription drugs by the health plan or health insurance coverage during the reporting period; and (G) amounts paid directly or indirectly in rebates, fees, or any other type of remuneration to brokers, consultants, advisors, or any other individual or firm who referred the group health plan's or health insurance issuer's business to the pharmacy benefit manager. (2) Privacy requirements Health insurance issuers offering group health insurance coverage and entities providing pharmacy benefits management services on behalf of a group health plan shall provide information under paragraph (1) in a manner consistent with the privacy, security, and breach notification regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (or successor regulations), and shall restrict the use and disclosure of such information according to such privacy regulations. (3) Disclosure and redisclosure (A) Limitation to business associates A group health plan receiving a report under paragraph (1) may disclose such information only to business associates of such plan as defined in section 160.103 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (B) Clarification regarding public disclosure of information Nothing in this section prevents a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage or an entity providing pharmacy benefits management services on behalf of a group health plan from placing reasonable restrictions on the public disclosure of the information contained in a report described in paragraph (1), except that such issuer or entity may not restrict disclosure of such report to governmental agencies pursuant to an investigation or enforcement action. (C) Limited form of report The Secretary shall define through rulemaking a limited form of the report under paragraph (1) required of plan sponsors who are drug manufacturers, drug wholesalers, or other direct participants in the drug supply chain, in order to prevent anti-competitive behavior. (c) Limitations on spread pricing (1) Prescription drug transactions with pharmacies independent of the issuer or pharmacy benefits manager If the pharmacy that dispenses a prescription drug to an enrollee in a group health plan or group or individual health insurance coverage is not wholly or partially owned by such plan, such issuer, or an entity providing pharmacy benefit management services under such plan or coverage, such plan, issuer, or entity shall not charge the plan, issuer, or enrollee a price for such prescription drug that exceeds the price paid to the pharmacy. (2) Intra-company prescription drug transactions If the mail order, specialty, or retail pharmacy that dispenses a prescription drug to an enrollee in a group health plan or health insurance coverage is wholly or partially owned by, and submits claims to, such health insurance issuer or an entity providing pharmacy benefit management services under a group health plan or group or individual health insurance coverage, the price charged for such drug by such pharmacy to such group health plan or health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage may not exceed the lesser of— (A) the amount paid to the pharmacy for acquisition of the drug; or (B) the median price charged to the group health plan or health insurance issuer when the same drug is dispensed to enrollees in the plan or coverage by other similarly situated pharmacies not wholly or partially owned by the health insurance issuer or entity providing pharmacy benefits management services, as described in paragraph (1). (3) Supplementary reporting for intra-company prescription drug transactions A health insurance issuer of group health insurance coverage or an entity providing pharmacy benefits management services under a group health plan or group health insurance coverage that conducts transactions with a wholly or partially owned pharmacy, as described in paragraph (2), shall submit, together with the report under subsection (b), a supplementary report every 6 months to the plan sponsor that includes— (A) an explanation of any benefit design parameters that encourage enrollees in the plan or coverage to fill prescriptions at mail order, specialty, or retail pharmacies that are wholly or partially owned by that issuer or entity; (B) the percentage of total prescriptions charged to the plan, coverage, or enrollees in the plan or coverage, that were dispensed by mail order, specialty, or retail pharmacies that are wholly or partially owned by the issuer or entity providing pharmacy benefits management services; and (C) a list of all drugs dispensed by such wholly or partially-owned pharmacy and charged to the plan or coverage, or enrollees of the plan or coverage, during the applicable quarter, and, with respect to each drug— (i) the amount charged per course of treatment or 30-day supply with respect to enrollees in the plan or coverage, including amounts charged to the plan or coverage and amounts charged to the enrollee; (ii) the median amount charged to the plan or coverage, per course of treatment or 30-day supply, including amounts paid by the enrollee, when the same drug is dispensed by other pharmacies that are not wholly or partially owned by the issuer or entity and that are included in the pharmacy network of that plan or coverage; (iii) the interquartile range of the costs, per course of treatment or 30-day supply, including amounts paid by the enrollee, when the same drug is dispensed by other pharmacies that are not wholly or partially owned by the issuer or entity and that are included in the pharmacy network of that plan or coverage; and (iv) the lowest cost per course of treatment or 30-day supply, for such drug, including amounts charged to the plan or issuer and enrollee, that is available from any pharmacy included in the network of the plan or coverage. (d) Full rebate pass-Through to plan (1) In general A pharmacy benefits manager, a third-party administrator of a group health plan, a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage, or an entity providing pharmacy benefits management services under such health plan or health insurance coverage shall remit 100 percent of rebates, fees, alternative discounts, and all other remuneration received from a pharmaceutical manufacturer, distributor or any other third party, that are related to utilization of drugs under such health plan or health insurance coverage, to the group health plan. (2) Form and manner of remittance Such rebates, fees, alternative discounts, and other remuneration shall be— (A) remitted to the group health plan in a timely fashion after the period for which such rebates, fees, or other remuneration is calculated, and in no case later than 90 days after the end of such period; (B) fully disclosed and enumerated to the group health plan sponsor, as described in (b)(1); (C) available for audit by the plan sponsor, or a third party designated by a plan sponsor no less than once per plan year; and (D) returned to the issuer or entity providing pharmaceutical benefit management services by the group health plan if audits by such issuer or entity indicate that the amounts received are incorrect after such amounts have been paid to the group health plan. (3) Audit of rebate contracts A pharmacy benefits manager, a third-party administrator of a group health plan, a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage, or an entity providing pharmacy benefits management services under such health plan or health insurance coverage shall make rebate contracts with drug manufacturers available for audit by such plan sponsor or designated third party, subject to confidentiality agreements to prevent re-disclosure of such contracts. (e) Enforcement (1) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of the Treasury, shall enforce this section. (2) Failure to provide timely information A health insurance issuer or an entity providing pharmacy benefit management services that violates subsection (a), fails to provide information required under subsection (b), engages in spread pricing as defined in subsection (c), or fails to comply with the requirements of subsection (d), or a drug manufacturer that fails to provide information under subsection (b)(1)(A), in a timely manner shall be subject to a civil monetary penalty in the amount of $10,000 for each day during which such violation continues or such information is not disclosed or reported. (3) False information A health insurance issuer, entity providing pharmacy benefit management services, or drug manufacturer that knowingly provides false information under this section shall be subject to a civil money penalty in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for each item of false information. Such civil money penalty shall be in addition to other penalties as may be prescribed by law. (4) Procedure The provisions of section 1128A of the Social Security Act, other than subsection (a) and (b) and the first sentence of subsection (c)(1) of such section shall apply to civil monetary penalties under this subsection in the same manner as such provisions apply to a penalty or proceeding under section 1128A of the Social Security Act. (5) Safe harbor The Secretary may waive penalties under paragraph (2), or extend the period of time for compliance with a requirement of this section, for an entity in violation of this section that has made a good-faith effort to comply with this section. (f) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit payments to entities offering pharmacy benefits management services for bona fide services using a fee structure not contemplated by this section, provided that such fees are transparent to group health plans and health insurance issuers. (g) Definitions In this section— (1) the term similarly situated pharmacy means, with respect to a particular pharmacy, another pharmacy that is approximately the same size (as measured by the number of prescription drugs dispensed), and that serves patients in the same geographical area, whether through physical locations or mail order; and (2) the term wholesale acquisition cost has the meaning given such term in section 1847A(c)(6)(B) of the Social Security Act. . 365. Study by Comptroller General of United States (a) In general The Comptroller General of the United States (referred to in this section as the Comptroller General ) shall, in consultation with appropriate stakeholders, conduct a study on the role of pharmacy benefit managers. (b) Permissible examination In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General may examine various qualitative and quantitative aspects of the role of pharmacy benefit managers, such as the following: (1) The role that pharmacy benefit managers play in the pharmaceutical supply chain. (2) The state of competition among pharmacy benefit managers, including the market share for the Nation’s largest pharmacy benefit managers. (3) The use of rebates and fees by pharmacy benefit managers, including— (A) the extent to which rebates are passed on to health plans and whether such rebates are passed on to individuals enrolled in such plans; (B) the extent to which rebates are kept by such pharmacy benefit managers; and (C) the role of any fees charged by such pharmacy benefit managers. (4) Whether pharmacy benefit managers structure their formularies in favor of high-rebate prescription drugs over lower-cost, lower-rebate alternatives. (5) The average prior authorization approval time for pharmacy benefit managers. (6) Factors affecting the use of step therapy by pharmacy benefit managers. (c) Report Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report containing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), including policy recommendations. E Medicare and Medicaid Prescription Drug Reforms 371. Medicare part D modernization redesign (a) Benefit structure redesign Section 1860D–2(b) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–102(b) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting for a year preceding 2025 and for costs above the annual deductible specified in paragraph (1) and up to the annual out-of-pocket threshold specified in paragraph (4)(B) for 2025 and each subsequent year after paragraph (3) ; (B) in subparagraph (C)— (i) in clause (i), in the matter preceding subclause (I), by inserting for a year preceding 2025, after paragraph (4), ; and (ii) in clause (ii)(III), by striking and each subsequent year and inserting , 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 ; and (C) in subparagraph (D)— (i) in clause (i)— (I) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by inserting for a year preceding 2025, after paragraph (4), ; and (II) in subclause (I)(bb), by striking a year after 2018 and inserting each of years 2018 through 2024 ; and (ii) in clause (ii)(V), by striking 2019 and each subsequent year and inserting each of years 2019 through 2024 ; (2) in paragraph (3)(A)— (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting for a year preceding 2025, after and (4), ; and (B) in clause (ii), by striking for a subsequent year and inserting for each of years 2007 through 2024 ; (3) in paragraph (4)— (A) in subparagraph (A)— (i) in clause (i)— (I) by redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) as items (aa) and (bb), respectively, and indenting appropriately; (II) in the matter preceding item (aa), as redesignated by subclause (I), by striking is equal to the greater of— and inserting “is equal to— (I) for a year preceding 2025, the greater of— ; (III) by striking the period at the end of item (bb), as redesignated by subclause (I), and inserting ; and ; and (IV) by adding at the end the following: (II) for 2025 and each succeeding year, $0. ; and (ii) in clause (ii)— (I) by striking clause (i)(I) and inserting clause (i)(I)(aa) ; and (II) by adding at the end the following new sentence: The Secretary shall continue to calculate the dollar amounts specified in clause (i)(I)(aa), including with the adjustment under this clause, after 2024 for purposes of section 1860D–14(a)(1)(D)(iii). ; (B) in subparagraph (B)— (i) in clause (i)— (I) in subclause (V), by striking or at the end; (II) in subclause (VI)— (aa) by striking for a subsequent year and inserting for 2021 through 2024 ; and (bb) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (III) by adding at the end the following new subclauses: (VII) for 2025, is equal to $3,100; or (VIII) for a subsequent year, is equal to the amount specified in this subparagraph for the previous year, increased by the annual percentage increase described in paragraph (6) for the year involved. ; and (ii) in clause (ii), by striking clause (i)(II) and inserting clause (i) ; (C) in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking and for amounts and inserting and for a year preceding 2025 for amounts ; and (D) in subparagraph (E), by striking In applying and inserting For each of 2011 through 2024, in applying . (b) Reduction in beneficiary coinsurance (1) In general Section 1860D–2(b)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–102(b)(2)(A) ), as amended by subsection (a), is amended— (A) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subclauses (I) and (II) and moving such subclauses 2 ems to the right; (B) by striking 25 percent coinsurance .—Subject to and inserting “ Coinsurance .— (i) In general Subject to ; (C) in each of subclauses (I) and (II), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), by striking 25 percent and inserting the applicable percentage (as defined in clause (ii)) ; and (D) by adding at the end the following new clause: (ii) Applicable percentage defined For purposes of clause (i), the term applicable percentage means— (I) for a year preceding 2025, 25 percent; and (II) for 2025 and each subsequent year, 20 percent. . (2) Conforming amendment Section 1860D–14(a)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–114(a)(2)(D) ) is amended by striking 25 percent and inserting the applicable percentage . (c) Decreasing reinsurance payment amount Section 1860D–15(b) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–115(b) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) by striking equal to 80 percent and inserting “equal to— (A) for a year preceding 2025, 80 percent ; (B) in subparagraph (A), as added by paragraph (1), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (B) for 2025 and each subsequent year, the sum of— (i) an amount equal to the applicable percentage specified in paragraph (5)(A) of such allowable reinsurance costs attributable to that portion of gross prescription drug costs as specified in paragraph (3) incurred in the coverage year after such individual has incurred costs that exceed the annual out-of-pocket threshold specified in section 1860D–2(b)(4)(B) with respect to applicable drugs (as defined in section 1860D–14B(g)(2)); and (ii) an amount equal to the applicable percentage specified in paragraph (5)(B) of allowable reinsurance costs attributable to that portion of gross prescription drug costs as specified in paragraph (3) incurred in the coverage year after such individual has incurred costs that exceed the annual out-of-pocket threshold specified in section 1860D–2(b)(4)(B) with respect to covered part D drugs that are not applicable drugs (as so defined). ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5) Applicable percentage specified For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), the applicable percentage specified in this paragraph is— (A) with respect to applicable drugs (as defined in section 1860D–14B(g)(2))— (i) for 2025, 60 percent; (ii) for 2026, 40 percent; and (iii) for 2027 and each subsequent year, 20 percent; and (B) with respect to covered part D drugs that are not applicable drugs (as so defined)— (i) for 2025, 80 percent; (ii) for 2026, 60 percent; and (iii) for 2027 and each subsequent year, 40 percent. . (d) Manufacturer discount program during initial and catastrophic phases of coverage (1) In general Part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act is amended by inserting after section 1860D–14A ( 42 U.S.C. 1495w–114 ) the following new section: 1860D–14B. Manufacturer discount program (a) Establishment The Secretary shall establish a manufacturer discount program (in this section referred to as the program ). Under the program, the Secretary shall enter into agreements described in subsection (b) with manufacturers and provide for the performance of the duties described in subsection (c). The Secretary shall establish a model agreement for use under the program by not later than January 1, 2025, in consultation with manufacturers, and allow for comment on such model agreement. (b) Terms of agreement (1) In general (A) Agreement An agreement under this section shall require the manufacturer to provide applicable beneficiaries access to discounted prices for applicable drugs of the manufacturer that are dispensed on or after January 1, 2025. (B) Provision of discounted prices at the point-of-sale The discounted prices described in subparagraph (A) shall be provided to the applicable beneficiary at the pharmacy or by the mail order service at the point-of-sale of an applicable drug. (2) Provision of appropriate data Each manufacturer with an agreement in effect under this section shall collect and have available appropriate data, as determined by the Secretary, to ensure that it can demonstrate to the Secretary compliance with the requirements under the program. (3) Compliance with requirements for administration of program Each manufacturer with an agreement in effect under this section shall comply with requirements imposed by the Secretary or a third party with a contract under subsection (d)(3), as applicable, for purposes of administering the program, including any determination under subparagraph (A) of subsection (c)(1) or procedures established under such subsection (c)(1). (4) Length of agreement (A) In general An agreement under this section shall be effective for an initial period of not less than 12 months and shall be automatically renewed for a period of not less than 1 year unless terminated under subparagraph (B). (B) Termination (i) By the Secretary The Secretary may provide for termination of an agreement under this section for a knowing and willful violation of the requirements of the agreement or other good cause shown. Such termination shall not be effective earlier than 30 days after the date of notice to the manufacturer of such termination. The Secretary shall provide, upon request, a manufacturer with a hearing concerning such a termination, and such hearing shall take place prior to the effective date of the termination with sufficient time for such effective date to be repealed if the Secretary determines appropriate. (ii) By a manufacturer A manufacturer may terminate an agreement under this section for any reason. Any such termination shall be effective, with respect to a plan year— (I) if the termination occurs before January 30 of a plan year, as of the day after the end of the plan year; and (II) if the termination occurs on or after January 30 of a plan year, as of the day after the end of the succeeding plan year. (iii) Effectiveness of termination Any termination under this subparagraph shall not affect discounts for applicable drugs of the manufacturer that are due under the agreement before the effective date of its termination. (iv) Notice to third party The Secretary shall provide notice of such termination to a third party with a contract under subsection (d)(3) within not less than 30 days before the effective date of such termination. (5) Effective date of agreement An agreement under this section shall take effect on a date determined appropriate by the Secretary, which may be at the start of a calendar quarter. (c) Duties described The duties described in this subsection are the following: (1) Administration of program Administering the program, including— (A) the determination of the amount of the discounted price of an applicable drug of a manufacturer; (B) the establishment of procedures under which discounted prices are provided to applicable beneficiaries at pharmacies or by mail order service at the point-of-sale of an applicable drug; (C) the establishment of procedures to ensure that, not later than the applicable number of calendar days after the dispensing of an applicable drug by a pharmacy or mail order service, the pharmacy or mail order service is reimbursed for an amount equal to the difference between— (i) the negotiated price of the applicable drug; and (ii) the discounted price of the applicable drug; (D) the establishment of procedures to ensure that the discounted price for an applicable drug under this section is applied before any coverage or financial assistance under other health benefit plans or programs that provide coverage or financial assistance for the purchase or provision of prescription drug coverage on behalf of applicable beneficiaries as the Secretary may specify; and (E) providing a reasonable dispute resolution mechanism to resolve disagreements between manufacturers, applicable beneficiaries, and the third party with a contract under subsection (d)(3). (2) Monitoring compliance (A) In general The Secretary shall monitor compliance by a manufacturer with the terms of an agreement under this section. (B) Notification If a third party with a contract under subsection (d)(3) determines that the manufacturer is not in compliance with such agreement, the third party shall notify the Secretary of such noncompliance for appropriate enforcement under subsection (e). (3) Collection of data from prescription drug plans and ma–pd plans The Secretary may collect appropriate data from prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans in a timeframe that allows for discounted prices to be provided for applicable drugs under this section. (d) Administration (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide for the implementation of this section, including the performance of the duties described in subsection (c). (2) Limitation In providing for the implementation of this section, the Secretary shall not receive or distribute any funds of a manufacturer under the program. (3) Contract with third parties The Secretary shall enter into a contract with 1 or more third parties to administer the requirements established by the Secretary in order to carry out this section. At a minimum, the contract with a third party under the preceding sentence shall require that the third party— (A) receive and transmit information between the Secretary, manufacturers, and other individuals or entities the Secretary determines appropriate; (B) receive, distribute, or facilitate the distribution of funds of manufacturers to appropriate individuals or entities in order to meet the obligations of manufacturers under agreements under this section; (C) provide adequate and timely information to manufacturers, consistent with the agreement with the manufacturer under this section, as necessary for the manufacturer to fulfill its obligations under this section; and (D) permit manufacturers to conduct periodic audits, directly or through contracts, of the data and information used by the third party to determine discounts for applicable drugs of the manufacturer under the program. (4) Performance requirements The Secretary shall establish performance requirements for a third party with a contract under paragraph (3) and safeguards to protect the independence and integrity of the activities carried out by the third party under the program under this section. (5) Administration Chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, shall not apply to the program under this section. (6) Funding For purposes of carrying out this section, the Secretary shall provide for the transfer, from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund under section 1841 to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Program Management Account, of $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2027, to remain available until expended.”. (e) Enforcement (1) Audits Each manufacturer with an agreement in effect under this section shall be subject to periodic audit by the Secretary. (2) Civil money penalty (A) In general The Secretary shall impose a civil money penalty on a manufacturer that fails to provide applicable beneficiaries discounts for applicable drugs of the manufacturer in accordance with such agreement for each such failure in an amount the Secretary determines is commensurate with the sum of— (i) the amount that the manufacturer would have paid with respect to such discounts under the agreement, which will then be used to pay the discounts which the manufacturer had failed to provide; and (ii) 25 percent of such amount. (B) Application The provisions of section 1128A (other than subsections (a) and (b)) shall apply to a civil money penalty under this paragraph in the same manner as such provisions apply to a penalty or proceeding under section 1128A(a). (f) Clarification regarding availability of other covered part d drugs Nothing in this section shall prevent an applicable beneficiary from purchasing a covered part D drug that is not an applicable drug (including a generic drug or a drug that is not on the formulary of the prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan that the applicable beneficiary is enrolled in). (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Applicable beneficiary The term applicable beneficiary means an individual who, on the date of dispensing a covered part D drug— (A) is enrolled in a prescription drug plan or an MA–PD plan; (B) is not enrolled in a qualified retiree prescription drug plan; and (C) has incurred costs for covered part D drugs in the year that are above the annual deductible specified in section 1860D–2(b)(1) for such year. (2) Applicable drug The term applicable drug means, with respect to an applicable beneficiary, a covered part D drug— (A) approved under a new drug application under section 505(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or, in the case of a biologic product, licensed under section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (including a product licensed under subsection (k) of such section 351); and (B) (i) if the PDP sponsor of the prescription drug plan or the MA organization offering the MA–PD plan uses a formulary, which is on the formulary of the prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan that the applicable beneficiary is enrolled in; (ii) if the PDP sponsor of the prescription drug plan or the MA organization offering the MA–PD plan does not use a formulary, for which benefits are available under the prescription drug plan or MA–PD plan that the applicable beneficiary is enrolled in; or (iii) is provided through an exception or appeal. (3) Applicable number of calendar days The term applicable number of calendar days means— (A) with respect to claims for reimbursement submitted electronically, 14 days; and (B) with respect to claims for reimbursement submitted otherwise, 30 days. (4) Discounted price (A) In general The term discounted price means— (i) with respect to an applicable drug dispensed for an applicable beneficiary who has incurred costs that are below the annual out-of-pocket threshold specified in section 1860D–2(b)(4)(B) for the year, 93 percent of the negotiated price of the applicable drug of a manufacturer; and (ii) with respect to an applicable drug dispensed for an applicable beneficiary who has incurred costs for covered part D drugs in the year that are equal to or exceed the annual out-of-pocket threshold specified in section 1860D–2(b)(4)(B) for the year, 86 percent of the negotiated price of the applicable drug of a manufacturer. (B) Clarification Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the responsibility of an applicable beneficiary for payment of a dispensing fee for an applicable drug. (C) Clarification for certain claims With respect to the amount of the negotiated price of an individual claim for an applicable drug with respect to an applicable beneficiary, the manufacturer of the applicable drug shall provide— (i) the discounted price under clause (i) of subparagraph (A) only on the portion of the negotiated price of the applicable drug that falls above the deductible specified in section 1860D–2(b)(1) for the year and below the annual out-of-pocket threshold specified in section 1860D–2(b)(4)(B) for the year; and (ii) the discounted price under clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) only on the portion of the negotiated price of the applicable drug that falls at or above such annual out-of-pocket threshold. (5) Manufacturer The term manufacturer means any entity which is engaged in the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion, or processing of prescription drug products, either directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of natural origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis. Such term does not include a wholesale distributor of drugs or a retail pharmacy licensed under State law. (6) Negotiated price The term negotiated price has the meaning given such term in section 1860D–2(d)(1)(B), except that such negotiated price shall not include any dispensing fee for the applicable drug. (7) Qualified retiree prescription drug plan The term qualified retiree prescription drug plan has the meaning given such term in section 1860D–22(a)(2). . (2) Sunset of Medicare coverage gap discount program Section 1860D–14A of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395–114a ) is amended— (A) in subsection (a), in the first sentence, by striking The Secretary and inserting Subject to subsection (h), the Secretary ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (h) Sunset of program (1) In general The program shall not apply to applicable drugs dispensed on or after January 1, 2025, and, subject to paragraph (2), agreements under this section shall be terminated as of such date. (2) Continued application for applicable drugs dispensed prior to sunset The provisions of this section (including all responsibilities and duties) shall continue to apply after January 1, 2025, with respect to applicable drugs dispensed prior to such date. . (3) Inclusion of actuarial value of manufacturer discounts in bids Section 1860D–11 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–111 ) is amended— (A) in subsection (b)(2)(C)(iii)— (i) by striking assumptions regarding the reinsurance and inserting “assumptions regarding— (I) the reinsurance ; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: (II) for 2025 and each subsequent year, the manufacturer discounts provided under section 1860D–14B subtracted from the actuarial value to produce such bid; and ; and (B) in subsection (c)(1)(C)— (i) by striking an actuarial valuation of the reinsurance and inserting “an actuarial valuation of— (i) the reinsurance ; (ii) in clause (i), as added by clause (i) of this subparagraph, by adding and at the end; and (iii) by adding at the end the following: (ii) for 2025 and each subsequent year, the manufacturer discounts provided under section 1860D–14B; . (4) Clarification regarding exclusion of manufacturer discounts from TrOOP Section 1860D–2(b)(4) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–102(b)(4) ) is amended— (A) in subparagraph (C), by inserting and subject to subparagraph (F) after subparagraph (E) ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (F) Clarification regarding exclusion of manufacturer discounts In applying subparagraph (A), incurred costs shall not include any manufacturer discounts provided under section 1860D–14B. . (e) Determination of allowable reinsurance costs Section 1860D–15(b) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–115(b) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) by striking costs .—For purposes and inserting “ costs .— (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), for purposes ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (B) Inclusion of manufacturer discounts on applicable drugs For purposes of applying subparagraph (A), the term allowable reinsurance costs shall include the portion of the negotiated price (as defined in section 1860D–14B(g)(6)) of an applicable drug (as defined in section 1860D–14B(g)(2)) that was paid by a manufacturer under the manufacturer discount program under section 1860D–14B. ; and (2) in paragraph (3)— (A) in the first sentence, by striking For purposes and inserting Subject to paragraph (2)(B), for purposes ; and (B) in the second sentence, by inserting or, in the case of an applicable drug, by a manufacturer after by the individual or under the plan . (f) Updating risk adjustment methodologies To account for part D modernization redesign Section 1860D–15(c) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–115(c) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) Updating risk adjustment methodologies to account for part D modernization redesign The Secretary shall update the risk adjustment methodologies used to adjust bid amounts pursuant to this subsection as appropriate to take into account changes in benefits under this part pursuant to the amendments made by section 371 of the Fair Care Act of 2024 . . (g) Conditions for coverage of drugs under this part Section 1860D–43 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–153 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (2), by striking and at the end; (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (4) participate in the manufacturer discount program under section 1860D–14B; (5) have entered into and have in effect an agreement described in subsection (b) of such section 1860D–14B with the Secretary; and (6) have entered into and have in effect, under terms and conditions specified by the Secretary, a contract with a third party that the Secretary has entered into a contract with under subsection (d)(3) of such section 1860D–14B. ; (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: (b) Effective date Paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a) shall apply to covered part D drugs dispensed under this part on or after January 1, 2011, and before January 1, 2025, and paragraphs (4) through (6) of such subsection shall apply to covered part D drugs dispensed on or after January 1, 2025. ; and (3) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: (2) the Secretary determines that in the period beginning on January 1, 2011, and ending on December 31, 2011 (with respect to paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a)), or the period beginning on January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2025 (with respect to paragraphs (4) through (6) of such subsection), there were extenuating circumstances. . (h) Conforming amendments (1) Section 1860D–2 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–102 ) is amended— (A) in subsection (a)(2)(A)(i)(I), by striking , or an increase in the initial and inserting or for a year preceding 2025 an increase in the initial ; (B) in subsection (c)(1)(C)— (i) in the subparagraph heading, by striking at initial coverage limit ; and (ii) by inserting for a year preceding 2025 or the annual out-of-pocket threshold specified in subsection (b)(4)(B) for the year for 2025 and each subsequent year after subsection (b)(3) for the year each place it appears; and (C) in subsection (d)(1)(A), by striking or an initial and inserting or for a year preceding 2025 an initial . (2) Section 1860D–4(a)(4)(B)(i) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–104(a)(4)(B)(i) ) is amended by striking the initial and inserting for a year preceding 2025, the initial . (3) Section 1860D–14(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–114(a) ) is amended— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in subparagraph (C), by striking The continuation and inserting For a year preceding 2025, the continuation ; (ii) in subparagraph (D)(iii), by striking 1860D–2(b)(4)(A)(i)(I) and inserting 1860D–2(b)(4)(A)(i)(I)(aa) ; and (iii) in subparagraph (E), by striking The elimination and inserting For a year preceding 2025, the elimination ; and (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in subparagraph (C), by striking The continuation and inserting For a year preceding 2025, the continuation ; and (ii) in subparagraph (E)— (I) by inserting for a year preceding 2025, after subsection (c) ; and (II) by striking 1860D–2(b)(4)(A)(i)(I) and inserting 1860D–2(b)(4)(A)(i)(I)(aa) . (4) Section 1860D–21(d)(7) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–131(d)(7) ) is amended by striking section 1860D–2(b)(B)(4)(B)(i) and inserting section 1860D–2(b)(B)(4)(C)(i) . (5) Section 1860D–22(a)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–132(a)(2)(A) ) is amended— (A) by striking the value of any discount and inserting the following: “the value of— (i) for years prior to 2025, any discount ; (B) in clause (i), as inserted by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new clause: (ii) for 2025 and each subsequent year, any discount provided pursuant to section 1860D–14B. . (6) Section 1860D–41(a)(6) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–151(a)(6) ) is amended— (A) by inserting for a year before 2025 after 1860D–2(b)(3) ; and (B) by inserting for such year before the period. (i) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to plan year 2025 and subsequent plan years. 372. Maximum monthly cap on cost-sharing payments under prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans (a) In general Section 1860D–2(b) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–102(b) ), as amended by section 121, is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking and (D) and inserting , (D), and (E) ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (E) Maximum monthly cap on cost-sharing payments (i) In general For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, the Secretary shall, through notice and comment rulemaking, establish a process under which each PDP sponsor offering a prescription drug plan and each MA organization offering an MA–PD plan shall provide to any enrollee, including an enrollee who is a subsidy eligible individual (as defined in paragraph (3) of section 1860D–14(a)), the option to elect with respect to a plan year to have their monthly cost-sharing payments under the plan capped in accordance with this subparagraph. (ii) Determination of maximum monthly cap For each month in the plan year after an enrollee in a prescription drug plan or an MA–PD plan has made an election pursuant to clause (i), the PDP sponsor or MA organization shall determine a maximum monthly cap (as defined in clause (iv)) for such enrollee. (iii) Beneficiary monthly payments With respect to an enrollee who has made an election pursuant to clause (i), for each month described in clause (ii), the PDP sponsor or MA organization shall bill such enrollee an amount (not to exceed the maximum monthly cap) for the out-of-pocket costs of such enrollee in such month. (iv) Maximum monthly cap defined In this subparagraph, the term maximum monthly cap means, with respect to an enrollee— (I) for the first month in which this subparagraph applies, an amount determined by calculating— (aa) the annual out-of-pocket threshold specified in paragraph (4)(B) minus the incurred costs of the enrollee as described in paragraph (4)(C); divided by (bb) the number of months remaining in the plan year; and (II) for a subsequent month, an amount determined by calculating— (aa) the sum of any remaining out-of-pocket costs owed by the enrollee from a previous month that have not yet been billed to the enrollee and any additional costs incurred by the enrollee; divided by (bb) the number of months remaining in the plan year. (v) Additional requirements The following requirements shall apply with respect to the option to make an election pursuant to clause (i) under this subparagraph: (I) Secretarial responsibilities The Secretary shall provide information to part D eligible individuals on the option to make such election through educational materials, including through the notices provided under section 1804(a). (II) Timing of election An enrollee in a prescription drug plan or an MA–PD plan may make such an election— (aa) prior to the beginning of the plan year; or (bb) in any month during the plan year. (III) PDP sponsor and MA organization responsibilities Each PDP sponsor offering a prescription drug plan or MA organization offering an MA–PD plan— (aa) may not limit the option for an enrollee to make such an election to certain covered part D drugs; (bb) shall, prior to the plan year, notify prospective enrollees of the option to make such an election in promotional materials; (cc) shall include information on such option in enrollee educational materials; (dd) shall have in place a mechanism to notify a pharmacy during the plan year when an enrollee incurs out-of-pocket costs with respect to covered part D drugs that make it likely the enrollee may benefit from making such an election; (ee) shall provide that a pharmacy, after receiving a notification described in item (dd) with respect to an enrollee, informs the enrollee of such notification; (ff) shall ensure that such an election by an enrollee has no effect on the amount paid to pharmacies (or the timing of such payments) with respect to covered part D drugs dispensed to the enrollee; and (gg) shall have in place a financial reconciliation process to correct inaccuracies in payments made by an enrollee under this subparagraph with respect to covered part D drugs during the plan year. (IV) Failure to pay amount billed If an enrollee fails to pay the amount billed for a month as required under this subparagraph, the election of the enrollee pursuant to clause (i) shall be terminated and enrollee shall pay the cost-sharing otherwise applicable for any covered part D drugs subsequently dispensed to the enrollee up to the annual out-of-pocket threshold specified in paragraph (4)(B). (V) Clarification regarding past due amounts Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as prohibiting a PDP sponsor or an MA organization from billing an enrollee for an amount owed under this subparagraph. (VI) Treatment of unsettled balances Any unsettled balances with respect to amounts owed under this subparagraph shall be treated as plan losses and the Secretary shall not be liable for any such balances outside of those assumed as losses estimated in plan bids. ; and (2) in paragraph (4)— (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking and subject to subparagraph (F) and inserting and subject to subparagraphs (F) and (G) ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (G) Inclusion of costs paid under maximum monthly cap option In applying subparagraph (A), with respect to an enrollee who has made an election pursuant to clause (i) of paragraph (2)(E), costs shall be treated as incurred if such costs are paid by a PDP sponsor or an MA organization under the process provided under such paragraph. . (b) Application to alternative prescription drug coverage Section 1860D–2(c) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–102(c) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4) Same maximum monthly cap on cost-sharing For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, the maximum monthly cap on cost-sharing payments under the process provided under subsection (b)(2)(E) shall apply to such coverage. . 373. Market based part B pricing index Notwithstanding any provision of part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may make payments for drugs payable under such part based on an international pricing index. In using such an index, the Secretary shall take into account whether the market of each country included in such index is a price-controlled or free market and give more weight under such index to countries with market-based drug policies. 374. Innovation model testing of Medicare drug payments Notwithstanding any provision of section 1115A, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may, under such section, test a model to integrate benefits provided for drugs under parts A, B, and D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act. 375. Modification of maximum rebate amount under Medicaid drug rebate program (a) In general Subparagraph (D) of section 1927(c)(2) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396r–8(c)(2) ) is amended to read as follows: (D) Maximum rebate amount (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), in no case shall the sum of the amounts applied under paragraph (1)(A)(ii) and this paragraph with respect to each dosage form and strength of a single source drug or an innovator multiple source drug for a rebate period exceed— (I) for rebate periods beginning after December 31, 2009, and before September 30, 2025, 100 percent of the average manufacturer price of the drug; and (II) for rebate periods beginning on or after October 1, 2025, 125 percent of the average manufacturer price of the drug. (ii) No maximum amount for drugs if AMP increases outpace inflation (I) In general If the average manufacturer price with respect to each dosage form and strength of a single source drug or an innovator multiple source drug increases on or after October 1, 2025, and such increased average manufacturer price exceeds the inflation-adjusted average manufacturer price determined with respect to such drug under subclause (II) for the rebate period, clause (i) shall not apply and there shall be no limitation on the sum of the amounts applied under paragraph (1)(A)(ii) and this paragraph for the rebate period with respect to each dosage form and strength of the single source drug or innovator multiple source drug. (II) Inflation-adjusted average manufacturer price defined In this clause, the term inflation-adjusted average manufacturer price means, with respect to a single source drug or an innovator multiple source drug and a rebate period, the average manufacturer price for each dosage form and strength of the drug for the calendar quarter beginning July 1, 1990 (without regard to whether or not the drug has been sold or transferred to an entity, including a division or subsidiary of the manufacturer, after the 1st day of such quarter), increased by the percentage by which the consumer price index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the month before the month in which the rebate period begins exceeds such index for September 1990. . (b) Treatment of subsequently approved drugs Section 1927(c)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396r–8(c)(2)(B) ) is amended by inserting and clause (ii)(II) of subparagraph (D) after clause (ii)(II) of subparagraph (A) . (c) Technical amendments Section 1927(c)(3)(C)(ii)(IV) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396r–9(c)(3)(C)(ii)(IV) ) is amended— (1) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting paragraph (3)(A) ; and (2) by striking this subparagraph and inserting paragraph (3)(C) . F Medical Malpractice Reform 381. Definitions In this Act: (1) Alternative dispute resolution system; ADR The term alternative dispute resolution system or ADR means a system that provides for the resolution of health care lawsuits in a manner other than through a civil action brought in a State or Federal court. (2) Claimant The term claimant means any person who brings a health care lawsuit, including a person who asserts or claims a right to legal or equitable contribution, indemnity, or subrogation, arising out of a health care liability claim or action, and any person on whose behalf such a claim is asserted or such an action is brought, whether deceased, incompetent, or a minor. (3) Collateral source benefits The term collateral source benefits means any amount paid or reasonably likely to be paid in the future to or on behalf of the claimant, or any service, product, or other benefit provided or reasonably likely to be provided in the future to or on behalf of the claimant, as a result of the injury or wrongful death, pursuant to— (A) any State or Federal health, sickness, income-disability, accident, or workers’ compensation law; (B) any health, sickness, income-disability, or accident insurance that provides health benefits or income-disability coverage; (C) any contract or agreement of any group, organization, partnership, or corporation to provide, pay for, or reimburse the cost of medical, hospital, dental, or income-disability benefits; and (D) any other publicly or privately funded program. (4) Contingent fee The term contingent fee includes all compensation to any person or persons which is payable only if a recovery is effected on behalf of one or more claimants. (5) Economic damages The term economic damages means objectively verifiable monetary losses incurred as a result of the provision or use of (or failure to provide or use) health care services or medical products, such as past and future medical expenses, loss of past and future earnings, cost of obtaining domestic services, loss of employment, and loss of business or employment opportunities, unless otherwise defined under applicable State law. In no circumstances shall damages for health care services or medical products exceed the amount actually paid or incurred by or on behalf of the claimant. (6) Future damages The term future damages means any damages that are incurred after the date of judgment, settlement, or other resolution (including mediation, or any other form of alternative dispute resolution). (7) Health care lawsuit The term health care lawsuit means any health care liability claim concerning the provision of goods or services for which coverage was provided in whole or in part via a Federal program, subsidy or tax benefit, or any health care liability action concerning the provision of goods or services for which coverage was provided in whole or in part via a Federal program, subsidy or tax benefit, brought in a State or Federal court or pursuant to an alternative dispute resolution system, against a health care provider regardless of the theory of liability on which the claim is based, or the number of claimants, plaintiffs, defendants, or other parties, or the number of claims or causes of action, in which the claimant alleges a health care liability claim. Such term does not include a claim or action which is based on criminal liability; which seeks civil fines or penalties paid to Federal, State, or local government; or which is grounded in antitrust. (8) Health care liability action The term health care liability action means a civil action brought in a State or Federal court or pursuant to an alternative dispute resolution system, against a health care provider regardless of the theory of liability on which the claim is based, or the number of plaintiffs, defendants, or other parties, or the number of causes of action, in which the claimant alleges a health care liability claim. (9) Health care liability claim The term health care liability claim means a demand by any person, whether or not pursuant to ADR, against a health care provider, including, but not limited to, third-party claims, cross-claims, counter-claims, or contribution claims, which are based upon the provision or use of (or the failure to provide or use) health care services or medical products, regardless of the theory of liability on which the claim is based, or the number of plaintiffs, defendants, or other parties, or the number of causes of action. (10) Health care provider The term health care provider means any person or entity required by State or Federal laws or regulations to be licensed, registered, or certified to provide health care services, and being either so licensed, registered, or certified, or exempted from such requirement by other statute or regulation, as well as any other individual or entity defined as a health care provider, health care professional, or health care institution under State law. (11) Health care services The term health care services means the provision of any goods or services (including safety, professional, or administrative services directly related to health care) by a health care provider, or by any individual working under the supervision of a health care provider, that relates to the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any human disease or impairment, or the assessment or care of the health of human beings. (12) Medical product The term medical product means a drug, device, or biological product intended for humans, and the terms drug , device , and biological product have the meanings given such terms in sections 201(g)(1) and 201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1) and (h)) and section 351(a) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 262(a) ), respectively, including any component or raw material used therein, but excluding health care services. (13) Noneconomic damages The term noneconomic damages means damages for physical and emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of society and companionship, loss of consortium (other than loss of domestic service), hedonic damages, injury to reputation, and all other nonpecuniary losses of any kind or nature incurred as a result of the provision or use of (or failure to provide or use) health care services or medical products, unless otherwise defined under applicable State law. (14) Recovery The term recovery means the net sum recovered after deducting any disbursements or costs incurred in connection with prosecution or settlement of the claim, including all costs paid or advanced by any person. Costs of health care incurred by the plaintiff and the attorneys’ office overhead costs or charges for legal services are not deductible disbursements or costs for such purpose. (15) Representative The term representative means a legal guardian, attorney, person designated to make decisions on behalf of a patient under a medical power of attorney, or any person recognized in law or custom as a patient’s agent. (16) State The term State means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States, or any political subdivision thereof. 382. Encouraging speedy resolution of claims (a) Statute of limitations (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), the time for the commencement of a health care lawsuit shall be, whichever occurs first of the following: (A) Three years after the date of the occurrence of the breach or tort. (B) Three years after the date the medical or health care treatment that is the subject of the claim is completed. (C) One year after the claimant discovers, or through the use of reasonable diligence should have discovered, the injury. (2) Tolling In no event shall the time for commencement of a health care lawsuit exceed 3 years after the date of the occurrence of the breach or tort or 3 years after the date the medical or health care treatment that is the subject of the claim is completed (whichever occurs first) unless tolled for any of the following— (A) upon proof of fraud; (B) intentional concealment; or (C) the presence of a foreign body, which has no therapeutic or diagnostic purpose or effect, in the person of the injured person. (3) Actions by a minor Actions by a minor shall be commenced within 3 years after the date of the occurrence of the breach or tort or 3 years after the date of the medical or health care treatment that is the subject of the claim is completed (whichever occurs first) except that actions by a minor under the full age of 6 years shall be commenced within 3 years after the date of the occurrence of the breach or tort, 3 years after the date of the medical or health care treatment that is the subject of the claim is completed, or 1 year after the injury is discovered, or through the use of reasonable diligence should have been discovered, or prior to the minor’s 8th birthday, whichever provides a longer period. Such time limitation shall be tolled for minors for any period during which a parent or guardian and a health care provider have committed fraud or collusion in the failure to bring an action on behalf of the injured minor. (b) State flexibility No provision of subsection (a) shall be construed to preempt any State law (whether effective before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act) that— (1) specifies a time period of less than 3 years after the date of injury or less than 1 year after the claimant discovers, or through the use of reasonable diligence should have discovered, the injury, for the filing of a health care lawsuit; (2) that specifies a different time period for the filing of lawsuits by a minor; (3) that triggers the time period based on the date of the alleged negligence; or (4) establishes a statute of repose for the filing of a health care lawsuit. 383. Compensating patient injury (a) Unlimited amount of damages for actual economic losses in health care lawsuits In any health care lawsuit, nothing in this Act shall limit a claimant’s recovery of the full amount of the available economic damages, notwithstanding the limitation in subsection (b). (b) Additional noneconomic damages In any health care lawsuit, the amount of noneconomic damages, if available, shall not exceed $250,000, regardless of the number of parties against whom the action is brought or the number of separate claims or actions brought with respect to the same injury. (c) No discount of award for noneconomic damages For purposes of applying the limitation in subsection (b), future noneconomic damages shall not be discounted to present value. The jury shall not be informed about the maximum award for noneconomic damages. An award for noneconomic damages in excess of $250,000 shall be reduced either before the entry of judgment, or by amendment of the judgment after entry of judgment, and such reduction shall be made before accounting for any other reduction in damages required by law. If separate awards are rendered for past and future noneconomic damages and the combined awards exceed $250,000, the future noneconomic damages shall be reduced first. (d) Fair share rule In any health care lawsuit, each party shall be liable for that party’s several share of any damages only and not for the share of any other person. Each party shall be liable only for the amount of damages allocated to such party in direct proportion to such party’s percentage of responsibility. Whenever a judgment of liability is rendered as to any party, a separate judgment shall be rendered against each such party for the amount allocated to such party. For purposes of this section, the trier of fact shall determine the proportion of responsibility of each party for the claimant’s harm. (e) State flexibility No provision of this section shall be construed to preempt any State law (whether effective before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act) that specifies a particular monetary amount of economic or noneconomic damages (or the total amount of damages) that may be awarded in a health care lawsuit, regardless of whether such monetary amount is greater or lesser than is provided for under this section. 384. Maximizing patient recovery (a) Court supervision of share of damages actually paid to claimants In any health care lawsuit, the court shall supervise the arrangements for payment of damages to protect against conflicts of interest that may have the effect of reducing the amount of damages awarded that are actually paid to claimants. In particular, in any health care lawsuit in which the attorney for a party claims a financial stake in the outcome by virtue of a contingent fee, the court shall have the power to restrict the payment of a claimant’s damage recovery to such attorney, and to redirect such damages to the claimant based upon the interests of justice and principles of equity. In no event shall the total of all contingent fees for representing all claimants in a health care lawsuit exceed the following limits: (1) Forty percent of the first $50,000 recovered by the claimant(s). (2) Thirty-three and one-third percent of the next $50,000 recovered by the claimant(s). (3) Twenty-five percent of the next $500,000 recovered by the claimant(s). (4) Fifteen percent of any amount by which the recovery by the claimant(s) is in excess of $600,000. (b) Applicability The limitations in this section shall apply whether the recovery is by judgment, settlement, mediation, arbitration, or any other form of alternative dispute resolution. In a health care lawsuit involving a minor or incompetent person, a court retains the authority to authorize or approve a fee that is less than the maximum permitted under this section. The requirement for court supervision in the first two sentences of subsection (a) applies only in civil actions. (c) State flexibility No provision of this section shall be construed to preempt any State law (whether effective before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act) that specifies a lesser percentage or lesser total value of damages which may be claimed by an attorney representing a claimant in a health care lawsuit. 385. Authorization of payment of future damages to claimants in health care lawsuits (a) In general In any health care lawsuit, if an award of future damages, without reduction to present value, equaling or exceeding $50,000 is made against a party with sufficient insurance or other assets to fund a periodic payment of such a judgment, the court shall, at the request of any party, enter a judgment ordering that the future damages be paid by periodic payments, in accordance with the Uniform Periodic Payment of Judgments Act promulgated by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. (b) Applicability This section applies to all actions which have not been first set for trial or retrial before the effective date of this Act. (c) State Flexibility No provision of this section shall be construed to preempt any State law (whether effective before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act) that specifies periodic payments for future damages at any amount other than $50,000 or that mandates such payments absent the request of either party. 386. Product liability for health care providers A health care provider who prescribes, or who dispenses pursuant to a prescription, a medical product approved, licensed, or cleared by the Food and Drug Administration shall not be named as a party to a product liability lawsuit involving such product and shall not be liable to a claimant in a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer, distributor, or seller of such product. 387. Effect on other laws (a) Vaccine injury (1) To the extent that title XXI of the Public Health Service Act establishes a Federal rule of law applicable to a civil action brought for a vaccine-related injury or death— (A) this Act does not affect the application of the rule of law to such an action; and (B) any rule of law prescribed by this subtitle in conflict with a rule of law of such title XXI shall not apply to such action. (2) If there is an aspect of a civil action brought for a vaccine-related injury or death to which a Federal rule of law under title XXI of the Public Health Service Act does not apply, then this subtitle or otherwise applicable law (as determined under this subtitle) will apply to such aspect of such action. (b) Other Federal law Except as provided in this section, nothing in this subtitle shall be deemed to affect any defense available to a defendant in a health care lawsuit or action under any other provision of Federal law. 388. Limitation on expert witness testimony (a) In general No person in a health care profession requiring licensure under the laws of a State shall be competent to testify in any court of law to establish the following facts— (1) the recognized standard of acceptable professional practice and the specialty thereof, if any, that the defendant practices, which shall be the type of acceptable professional practice recognized in the defendant’s community or in a community similar to the defendant’s community that was in place at the time the alleged injury or wrongful action occurred; (2) that the defendant acted with less than or failed to act with ordinary and reasonable care in accordance with the recognized standard; and (3) that as a proximate result of the defendant’s negligent act or omission, the claimant suffered injuries which would not otherwise have occurred, unless the person was licensed to practice, in the State or a contiguous bordering State, a profession or specialty which would make the person’s expert testimony relevant to the issues in the case and had practiced this profession or specialty in one of these States during the year preceding the date that the alleged injury or wrongful act occurred. (b) Applicability The requirements set forth in subsection (a) shall also apply to expert witnesses testifying for the defendant as rebuttal witnesses. (c) Waiver authority The court may waive the requirements in this subsection if it determines that the appropriate witnesses otherwise would not be available. 389. Expert witness qualifications (a) In general In any health care lawsuit, an individual shall not give expert testimony on the appropriate standard of practice or care involved unless the individual is licensed as a health professional in one or more States and the individual meets the following criteria: (1) If the party against whom or on whose behalf the testimony is to be offered is or claims to be a specialist, the expert witness shall specialize at the time of the occurrence that is the basis for the lawsuit in the same specialty or claimed specialty as the party against whom or on whose behalf the testimony is to be offered. If the party against whom or on whose behalf the testimony is to be offered is or claims to be a specialist who is board certified, the expert witness shall be a specialist who is board certified in that specialty or claimed specialty. (2) During the 1-year period immediately preceding the occurrence of the action that gave rise to the lawsuit, the expert witness shall have devoted a majority of the individual’s professional time to one or more of the following: (A) The active clinical practice of the same health profession as the defendant and, if the defendant is or claims to be a specialist, in the same specialty or claimed specialty. (B) The instruction of students in an accredited health professional school or accredited residency or clinical research program in the same health profession as the defendant and, if the defendant is or claims to be a specialist, in an accredited health professional school or accredited residency or clinical research program in the same specialty or claimed specialty. (3) If the defendant is a general practitioner, the expert witness shall have devoted a majority of the witness’s professional time in the 1-year period preceding the occurrence of the action giving rise to the lawsuit to one or more of the following: (A) Active clinical practice as a general practitioner. (B) Instruction of students in an accredited health professional school or accredited residency or clinical research program in the same health profession as the defendant. (b) Lawsuits against entities If the defendant in a health care lawsuit is an entity that employs a person against whom or on whose behalf the testimony is offered, the provisions of subsection (a) apply as if the person were the party or defendant against whom or on whose behalf the testimony is offered. (c) Power of court Nothing in this section shall limit the power of the trial court in a health care lawsuit to disqualify an expert witness on grounds other than the qualifications set forth under this subsection. (d) Limitation An expert witness in a health care lawsuit shall not be permitted to testify if the fee of the witness is in any way contingent on the outcome of the lawsuit. (e) State flexibility No provision of this section shall be construed to preempt any State law (whether effective before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act) that places additional qualification requirements upon any individual testifying as an expert witness. 390. Communications following unanticipated outcome (a) Provider communications In any health care liability action, any and all statements, affirmations, gestures, or conduct expressing apology, fault, sympathy, commiseration, condolence, compassion, or a general sense of benevolence which are made by a health care provider or an employee of a health care provider to the patient, a relative of the patient, or a representative of the patient and which relate to the discomfort, pain, suffering, injury, or death of the patient as the result of the unanticipated outcome of medical care shall be inadmissible for any purpose as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission against interest. (b) State flexibility No provision of this section shall be construed to preempt any State law (whether effective before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act) that makes additional communications inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission against interest. 391. Affidavit of merit (a) Required filing Subject to subsection (b), the plaintiff in a health care lawsuit alleging negligence or, if the plaintiff is represented by an attorney, the plaintiff’s attorney shall file simultaneously with the health care lawsuit an affidavit of merit signed by a health professional who meets the requirements for an expert witness under section 242 of this Act. The affidavit of merit shall certify that the health professional has reviewed the notice and all medical records supplied to him or her by the plaintiff’s attorney concerning the allegations contained in the notice and shall contain a statement of each of the following: (1) The applicable standard of practice or care. (2) The health professional’s opinion that the applicable standard of practice or care was breached by the health professional or health facility receiving the notice. (3) The actions that should have been taken or omitted by the health professional or health facility in order to have complied with the applicable standard of practice or care. (4) The manner in which the breach of the standard of practice or care was the proximate cause of the injury alleged in the notice. (5) A listing of the medical records reviewed. (b) Filing extension Upon motion of a party for good cause shown, the court in which the complaint is filed may grant the plaintiff or, if the plaintiff is represented by an attorney, the plaintiff’s attorney an additional 28 days in which to file the affidavit required under subsection (a). (c) State flexibility No provision of this section shall be construed to preempt any State law (whether effective before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act) that establishes additional requirements for the filing of an affidavit of merit or similar pre-litigation documentation. 392. Notice of intent to commence lawsuit (a) Advance notice A person shall not commence a health care lawsuit against a health care provider unless the person has given the health care provider 90 days written notice before the action is commenced. (b) Exceptions A health care lawsuit against a health care provider filed within 6 months of the statute of limitations expiring as to any claimant, or within 1 year of the statute of repose expiring as to any claimant, shall be exempt from compliance with this section. (c) State flexibility No provision of this section shall be construed to preempt any State law (whether effective before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act) that establishes a different time period for the filing of written notice. 393. Limitation on liability for volunteer health care professionals (a) In general Title II of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 202 et seq. ) is amended by inserting after section 224 the following: 224A. Limitation on liability for volunteer health care professionals (a) Limitation on liability A physician shall not be liable under Federal or State law in any civil action for any harm caused by an act or omission of such physician, or attending medical personnel supporting such physician, if such act or omission— (1) occurs in the course of furnishing qualified charity care (as such term is defined in section 199B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986); and (2) was not grossly negligent. (b) Preemption This section preempts the laws of a State or any political subdivision of a State to the extent that such laws are inconsistent with this section, unless such laws provide greater protection from liability for a defendant. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Physician The term physician has the meaning given such term by section 1861(r) of the Social Security Act. (2) Attending medical personnel The term attending medical personnel means an individual who is licensed to directly support a physician in furnishing medical services. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to any claim filed to the extent that it is with respect to acts or omissions occurring after the date of the enactment of this Act. 394. Rules of construction (a) Health care lawsuits Unless otherwise specified in this subtitle, the provisions governing health care lawsuits set forth in this subtitle preempt, subject to subsections (b) and (c), State law to the extent that State law prevents the application of any provisions of law established by or under this subtitle. The provisions governing health care lawsuits set forth in this subtitle supersede chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, to the extent that such chapter— (1) provides for a greater amount of damages or contingent fees, a longer period in which a health care lawsuit may be commenced, or a reduced applicability or scope of periodic payment of future damages, than provided in this subtitle; or (2) prohibits the introduction of evidence regarding collateral source benefits, or mandates or permits subrogation or a lien on collateral source benefits. (b) Protection of States’ rights and other laws Any issue that is not governed by any provision of law established by or under this subtitle (including State standards of negligence) shall be governed by otherwise applicable State or Federal law. (c) State Flexibility No provision of this subtitle shall be construed to preempt any defense available to a party in a health care lawsuit under any other provision of State or Federal law. 395. Effective date This subtitle shall apply to any health care lawsuit brought in a Federal or State court, or subject to an alternative dispute resolution system, that is initiated on or after the date of the enactment of this subtitle, except that any health care lawsuit arising from an injury occurring prior to the date of the enactment of this subtitle shall be governed by the applicable statute of limitations provisions in effect at the time the cause of action accrued. IV Medicare and Medicaid Reforms A Medicaid Reforms 401. Medicaid payment reform (a) In general Title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ) is amended by inserting after section 1903 the following section: 1903A. Reformed payment to States (a) Reformed payment system (1) In general For quarters beginning on or after the implementation date (as defined in subsection (k)(1)), in the case of a State that elects (in a time and manner specified by the Secretary) to apply this section, in lieu of amounts otherwise payable to such State under this title (including any payments attributable to section 1923), except as otherwise provided in this section, the amount payable to such State shall be equal to the sum of the following: (A) Adjusted aggregate beneficiary-based amount The aggregate beneficiary-based amount specified in subsection (b) for the quarter and the State, adjusted under subsection (e) . (B) Chronic care quality bonus The amount (if any) of the chronic care quality bonus payment specified in subsection (f) for the quarter for the State. (2) Requirement of State share (A) In general A State shall make, from non-Federal funds, expenditures in an amount equal to its State share (as determined under subparagraph (B)) for a quarter for items, services, and other costs for which, but for paragraph (1) , Federal funds would have been payable under this title. (B) State share The State share for a State for a quarter in a fiscal year is equal to the product of— (i) the aggregate beneficiary-based amount specified in subsection (b) for the quarter and the State; and (ii) the ratio of— (I) the State percentage described in subparagraph (D)(ii) for such State and fiscal year; to (II) the Federal percentage described in subparagraph (D)(i) for such State and fiscal year. (C) Nonpayment for failure to pay state share (i) In general If a State fails to expend the amount required under subparagraph (A) for a quarter in a fiscal year, the amount payable to the State under paragraph (1) shall be reduced by the product of the amount by which the State payment is less than the State share and the ratio of— (I) the Federal percentage described in subparagraph (D)(i) for such State and fiscal year; to (II) the State percentage described in subparagraph (D)(ii) for such State and fiscal year. (ii) Grace period A State shall not be considered to have failed to provide payment of its required State share for a quarter under subparagraph (A) if the aggregate State payment towards the State’s required State share for the 4-quarter period beginning with such quarter exceeds the required State share amount for such 4-quarter period. (D) Federal and State percentages In this paragraph, with respect to a State and a fiscal year: (i) Federal percentage The Federal percentage described in this clause is 75 percent or, if higher, the Federal medical assistance percentage for such State for such fiscal year. (ii) State percentage The State percentage described in this clause is 100 percent minus the Federal percentage described in clause (i) . (E) Rules for crediting toward State share (i) General limitation to matchable expenditures A payment for expenditures shall not be counted toward the State share under subparagraph (A) unless Federal payments may be used for such expenditures consistent with paragraph (3)(B). (ii) Further limitations on allowable expenditures A payment for expenditures shall not be counted towards the State share under subparagraph (A) if the expenditure is for any of the following: (I) Abortion Expenditures for an abortion. (II) Intergovernmental transfers An expenditure that is attributable to an intergovernmental transfer. (III) Certified public expenditures An expenditure that is attributable to certified public expenditures. (iii) Crediting fraud and abuse recoveries Amounts recovered by a State through the operation of its Medicaid fraud and abuse control unit described in section 1903(q) shall be fully counted toward the State share under subparagraph (A) . (F) Construction Nothing in the paragraph shall be construed as preventing a State from expending, from non-Federal funds, an amount under this title in excess of the amount of the State share. (G) Determination based upon submitted claims In applying this paragraph with respect to expenditures of a State for a quarter, the determination of the expenditures for such State for such quarter shall be made after the end of the period (which, as of the date of the enactment of this section, is 2 years) for which the Secretary accepts claims for payment under this title with respect to such quarter. (3) Use of Federal payments (A) Application of Medicaid limitations A State may only use Federal payments received under subsection (a) for expenditures for which Federal funds would have been payable under this title but for this section. (B) Limitation for certain eligibles (i) Application of 100 percent federal poverty line limit on eligibility Subject to clause (iii), a State may not use such Federal payments to provide medical assistance for an individual who has an income (as determined under clause (ii)) that exceeds 100 percent of the poverty line (as defined in section 2110(c)(5)) applicable to a family of the size involved. (ii) Determination of income using modified adjusted gross income without any 5 percent increase In determining income for purposes of clause (i) under section 1902(e)(14) (relating to modified adjusted gross income), the following rules shall apply: (I) Application of spend down The State shall take into account the costs incurred for medical care or for any other type of remedial care recognized under State law in the same manner and to the same extent that such State takes such costs into account for purposes of section 1902(a)(17). (II) Disregard of 5 percent increase Subparagraph (I) of section 1902(e)(14) (relating to a 5 percent reduction) shall not apply. (iii) Exception Clause (i) shall not apply to an individual who is— (I) a woman described in clause (i) of section 1903(v)(4)(A); (II) a child who is an individual described in clause (i) of section 1905(a); (III) enrolled in a State plan under this title as of the date of the enactment of this section for the period of continuous enrollment; or (IV) described in section 1902(e)(14)(D) (relating to modified adjusted gross income). (iv) Clarification related to community spouse Nothing in this subparagraph shall supersede the application of section 1924 (related to community spouse income and assets). (4) Exceptions for pass-through payments (A) In general Paragraph (1) shall not apply, and amounts shall continue to be payable under this title (and not under subsection (a) ), in the case of the following payments (and related administrative costs and expenditures): (i) Payments to territories Payments to a State other than the 50 States and the District of Columbia. (ii) Medicare cost-sharing Payments attributable to Medicare cost-sharing under section 1905(p). (iii) Pediatric vaccines Payments attributable to section 1928. (iv) Emergency services for certain individuals Payments for treatment of emergency medical conditions attributable to the application of section 1903(v)(2). (v) Indian health care facilities Payments for medical assistance described in the third sentence of section 1905(b). (vi) Employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) Payments for medical assistance attributable to payments to employers for employer-sponsored health benefits coverage. (vii) Other populations with limited benefit coverage Other payments that are determined by the Secretary to be related to a specified population for which the medical assistance under this title is limited and does not include any inpatient, nursing facility, or long-term care services. (B) Certain expenses Paragraph (1) shall not apply, and amounts shall continue to be payable under this title (and not under subsection (a) ), in the case of the following: (i) Administration of medicare prescription drug benefit Expenditures described in section 1935(b) (relating to administration of the Medicare prescription drug benefit). (ii) Payments for HIT bonuses Payments under section 1903(a)(3)(F) (relating to payments to encourage the adoption and use of certified EHR technology). (iii) Payments for design, development, and installation of MMIS and eligibility systems Payments under subparagraphs (A)(i) and (H)(i) of section 1903(a)(3) for expenditures for design, development, and installation of the Medicaid management information systems and mechanized verification and information retrieval systems (related to eligibility). (5) Payment of amounts (A) In general Except as the Secretary may otherwise provide, amounts shall be payable to a State under subsection (a) in the same manner as amounts are payable under subsection (d) of section 1903 to a State under subsection (a) of such section. (B) Information and forms (i) Submission As a condition of receiving payment under subsection (a) , a State shall submit such information, in such form, and manner, as the Secretary shall specify, including information necessary to make the computations under subsections (c)(2)(C) and (e). (ii) Uniform reporting The Secretary shall develop such forms as may be needed to assure a system of uniform reporting of such information across States. (C) Required reporting of information on medical loss ratios for managed care The information required to be reported under subparagraph (B)(i) shall include information on the medical loss ratio with respect to coverage provided under each Medicaid managed care plan with a contract with the State under section 1903(m) or 1932. (b) Aggregate beneficiary-Based amount (1) In general The aggregate beneficiary-based amount specified in this subsection for a State for a quarter is equal to the sum of the products, for each of the categories of Medicaid beneficiaries specified in paragraph (2) , of the following: (A) Beneficiary-based quarterly amount The beneficiary-based quarterly amount for such category computed under subsection (c) for such State for such quarter. (B) Number of individuals in category Subject to subsection (d) , the average number of Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled in such category in the State in such quarter. (2) Categories The categories specified in this paragraph are the following: (A) Elderly A category of Medicaid beneficiaries who are 65 years of age or older. (B) Blind or disabled A category of Medicaid beneficiaries not described in subparagraph (A) who are described in section 1937(a)(2)(B)(ii). (C) Children A category of Medicaid beneficiaries not described in subparagraph (B) who are under 21 years of age. (D) Other adults A category of any Medicaid beneficiaries who are not described in a previous subparagraph of this paragraph. (c) Computation of per beneficiary, per category quarterly amount (1) In general For a State, for each category of beneficiary for a quarter— (A) First reform year For quarters in the first reform year (as defined in subsection (k)(2)), the beneficiary-based quarterly amount is equal to 1/4 of the base average per beneficiary Federal payments for such State for such category determined under paragraph (2) , increased by a factor that reflects the sum of the following: (i) Historical medical care component of CPI through previous reform year The percentage increase in the historical medical care component of the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) from the midpoint of the base fiscal year (as defined in paragraph (6) ) to the midpoint of the fiscal year preceding the first reform year. (ii) Projected medical care component of CPI for the first reform year The percentage increase in the projected medical care component of the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) from the midpoint of the previous fiscal year referred to in clause (i) to the midpoint of the first reform year. (B) Second and third reform years The beneficiary-based quarterly amount for a State for a category for quarters in the second reform year or the third reform year is equal to the beneficiary-based quarterly amount under this paragraph for such State and category for the previous reform year increased by the per beneficiary percentage increase (as defined in subparagraph (E)) for such category and reform year. (C) Fourth through tenth reform years The beneficiary-based quarterly amount for a State for a category for quarters in a reform year beginning with the fourth reform year and ending with the tenth reform year is— (i) in the case of a State that is a high per beneficiary State or a low per beneficiary State (as defined in paragraph (4)(B)(iii)) for the category, the amount determined under clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (4)(B) for such State, category, and reform year; or (ii) in the case of any other State, the beneficiary-based quarterly amount under this paragraph for such State and category for the previous reform year increased by the per beneficiary percentage increase for such category and reform year. (D) Eleventh reform year and subsequent reform years The beneficiary-based quarterly amount for a State for a category for quarters in a reform year beginning with the eleventh reform year is equal to the beneficiary-based quarterly amount under this paragraph for such State and category for the previous reform year increased by the per beneficiary percentage increase for such category and reform year. (E) Annual percentage increase beginning with second reform year For purposes of this subsection, the term per beneficiary percentage increase means, for a reform year, the sum of— (i) the projected percentage change in nominal gross domestic product from the midpoint of the previous reform year to the midpoint of the reform year for which the percentage increase is being applied; and (ii) one percentage point. (2) Base per beneficiary, per category amount for each State (A) Average per category (i) In general The Secretary shall determine, consistent with this paragraph and paragraph (3) , a base per beneficiary, per category amount for each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia equal to the average amount, per Medicaid beneficiary, of Federal payments under this title, including payments attributable to disproportionate share hospital payments under section 1923, for each of the categories of beneficiaries under subsection (b)(2) for the base fiscal year for each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia. (ii) Best available data The determination under clause (i) shall initially be estimated by the Secretary, based upon the best available data at the time the determination is made. (iii) Updates The determination under clause (i) shall be updated by the Secretary on an annual basis based upon improved data. The Secretary shall adjust the amounts under subsection (a)(1)(A) to reflect changes in the amounts so determined based on such updates. (B) Exclusion of pass-through payments In computing base per beneficiary, per category amounts under subparagraph (A)(i) the Secretary shall exclude payments described in subsection (a)(4) . (C) Standardization (i) In general In computing each such amount, the Secretary shall standardize the amount in order to remove the variation attributable to the following: (I) Risk factors Such risk factors as age, health and disability status (including high cost medical conditions), gender, institutional status, and such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, so as to ensure actuarial equivalence. (II) Geographic Variations in costs on a county-by-county basis. (ii) Method of standardization (I) Consultation in development of risk standardization In developing the methodology for risk standardization for purposes of clause (i)(I), the Secretary shall consult with the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, and the National Association of Medicaid Directors. (II) Method for risk standardization In carrying out clause (i)(I) , the Secretary may apply the hierarchal condition category methodology under section 1853(a)(1)(C). If the Secretary uses such methodology, the Secretary shall adjust the application of such methodology to take into account the differences in services provided under this title compared to title XVIII, such as the coverage of long term care, pregnancy, and pediatric services. (III) Method for geographic standardization The Secretary shall apply the standardization under clause (i)(II) in a manner similar to that applied under section 1853(c)(4)(A)(iii). (iii) Application on a national, budget neutral basis The standardization under clause (i) shall be designed and implemented on a uniform national basis and shall be budget neutral so as to not result in any aggregate change in payments under subsection (a) . (iv) Response to new risk Subject to clause (iii) , the Secretary may adjust the standardization under clause (i) to respond promptly to new instances of communicable diseases and other public health hazards. (v) Reference to application of risk adjustment For rules related to the application of risk adjustment to amounts under subsection (a)(1)(A), see subsection (e). (D) Adjustment for temporary FMAP increases In computing each base per beneficiary, per category amounts under subparagraph (A)(i) the Secretary shall disregard portions of payments that are attributable to a temporary increase in the Federal matching rates, including those attributable to the following: (i) PPACA disaster FMAP Section 1905(aa). (ii) ARRA Section 5001 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d note). (iii) Extraordinary employer pension contribution Section 614 of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d note). (3) Allocation of nonmedical assistance payments The Secretary shall establish rules for the allocation of payments under this title (other than those payments described in paragraph (1) or (5) of section 1903(a) and including such payments attributable to section 1923)— (A) among different categories of beneficiaries; and (B) between payments included under subsection (a)(1) and payments described in subsection (a)(4). (4) Transition to a corridor around the national average (A) Determination of national average base per beneficiary, per category amount Subject to subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall determine a national average base per beneficiary, per category amount equal to the average of the base per beneficiary, per category amounts for each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia determined under paragraph (2) , weighted by the average number of beneficiaries in each such category and State as determined by the Secretary consistent with subsection (d) for the base fiscal year. (B) Transition adjustment (i) High per beneficiary states In the case of a high per beneficiary State (as defined in clause (iii)(I) ) for a category, the beneficiary-based quarterly amount for such State and category for a quarter in a reform year (beginning with the fourth reform year and ending with the tenth reform year) is equal to the sum of— (I) the product of the State-specific factor for such reform year (as defined in clause (iv) ) and the beneficiary-based quarterly amount that would otherwise be determined under paragraph (1) for such State and category if the State were a State described in clause (ii) of paragraph (1)(C), instead of a State described in clause (i) of such paragraph; and (II) the product of 1 minus the State-specific factor for such reform year and the beneficiary-based quarterly amount that would otherwise be determined under paragraph (1) for a State and category if the base per beneficiary, per category amount determined under paragraph (2) for the State and category were equal to 110 percent of the national average base per beneficiary, per category amount determined under subparagraph (A) for such category. (ii) Low per beneficiary states In the case of a low per beneficiary State (as defined in clause (iii)(II) ) for a category, the beneficiary-based quarterly amount for such State and category for a quarter in a reform year (beginning with the fourth reform year and ending with the tenth reform year) is equal to the sum of— (I) the product of the State-specific factor for such reform year and the beneficiary-based quarterly amount that would otherwise be determined under paragraph (1) for such State and category if the State were a State described in clause (ii) of paragraph (1)(C), instead of a State described in clause (i) of such paragraph; and (II) the product of 1 minus the State-specific factor for such reform year and the beneficiary-based quarterly amount that would otherwise be determined under paragraph (1) for a State and category if the base per beneficiary, per category amount determined under paragraph (2) for the State and category were equal to 90 percent of the national average base per beneficiary, per category amount determined under subparagraph (A) for such category. (iii) High and low per beneficiary States defined In this subparagraph: (I) High per beneficiary State The term high per beneficiary State means, with respect to a category, a State for which the base per beneficiary, per category amount determined under paragraph (2) for such category is greater than 110 percent of the national average base per beneficiary, per category amount determined under subparagraph (A) for such category. (II) Low per beneficiary State The term low per beneficiary State means, with respect to a category, a State for which the base per beneficiary, per category amount determined under paragraph (2) for such category is less than 90 percent of the national average base per beneficiary, per category amount determined under subparagraph (A) for such category. (iv) State-specific factor In this subparagraph, the term State-specific factor means— (I) for the fourth reform year, 7/8 ; and (II) for a subsequent reform year, the State-specific factor under this clause for the previous reform year minus 1/8. (C) No additional expenditures (i) Determination of increase in Federal expenditures For each category for each reform year (beginning with the fourth reform year and ending with the tenth reform year), the Secretary shall determine whether the application of this paragraph— (I) to the category for the reform year will result in an aggregate increase in the aggregate Federal expenditures under subsection (a) ; and (II) to all the categories for the reform year will result in a net aggregate increase in the aggregate Federal expenditures under subsection (a) . (ii) Adjustment If the Secretary determines under clause (i)(II) that the application of this paragraph to all the categories for a reform year will result in a net aggregate increase in the aggregate Federal expenditures under subsection (a), the Secretary shall reduce the national average base per beneficiary, per category amount computed under subparagraph (A) for each of the categories determined under clause (i)(I) for which there will be an aggregate increase in the aggregate Federal expenditures under subsection (a) by such uniform percentage as will ensure that there is no net aggregate Federal expenditure increase described in clause (i)(II) for the reform year. (5) Reports on per beneficiary rates; appeals (A) Report to states Not later than 8 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to each State the Secretary’s initial determination of— (i) the base per beneficiary, per category amounts under paragraph (2) for such State; and (ii) the national average base per beneficiary, per category amounts under paragraph (4)(A) . (B) Opportunity to appeal Not later than 3 months after the date a State receives notice of the Secretary’s initial determination of such base per beneficiary, per category amounts for such State under subparagraph (A)(i) , the State may file with the Secretary, in a form and manner specified by the Secretary, an appeal of such determination. (C) Determination on appeal Not later than 3 months after receiving such an appeal, the Secretary shall make a final determination on such amounts for such State. If no such appeal is received for a State, the Secretary’s initial determination under subparagraph (A)(i) shall become final. (6) Base fiscal year defined In this section, the term base fiscal year means the latest fiscal year, ending before the date of the enactment of this section, for which the Secretary determines that adequate data are available to make the computations required under this subsection. (d) Not counting individuals To account for excluded payments Under rules specified by the Secretary, individuals shall not be counted as Medicaid beneficiaries for purposes of subsection (b)(1)(B) and subsection (c)(2)(A) to the extent that such individuals— (1) are receiving medical assistance for which payments described under subsection (a)(4)(A) are made; or (2) would not have been eligible to enroll under the State plan (or waiver of such plan) in the State in which such individual is so enrolled if the rules for eligibility for enrollment under such plan (or waiver) were the same as such rules for eligibility in effect as of January 1, 2009. (e) Risk Adjustment (1) In general The amount under subsection (a)(1)(A) shall be adjusted under this subsection in an appropriate manner, specified by the Secretary and consistent with paragraph (2) , to take into account— (A) the factors described in subsection (c)(2)(C)(i)(I) within a category of beneficiaries; and (B) variations in costs on a county-by-county basis for medical assistance and administrative expenses. (2) Method of adjustment (A) In general The adjustments under paragraph (1) shall be made in a manner similar to the manner in which similar adjustments are made under subsection (c)(2)(C) and consistent with the requirements of clause (iii) of such subsection and subparagraph (B). (B) Biannual update of risk adjustment methodology In applying clause (i)(I) of subsection (c)(2)(C) for purposes of subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall, in consultation with the entities described in clause (ii)(I) of such subsection, update the risk adjustment methodology applied as appropriate not less often than every 2 years. (f) Chronic care quality bonus payments (1) Determination of bonus payments If the Secretary determines that, based on the reports under paragraph (5) , with respect to categories of chronic disease for which chronic care performance targets had been established under paragraph (3) for each category of Medicaid beneficiaries specified under subsection (b)(2) such targets have been met by a State for a reform year, the Secretary shall make an additional payment to such State in the amount specified in paragraph (6) for each quarter in the succeeding reform year. Such payments shall be made in a manner specified by the Secretary and may only be used consistent with subsection (a)(3) . (2) Identification of categories of chronic disease The Secretary shall determine the categories of chronic disease for which bonus payments may be available under this subsection for each category of Medicaid beneficiaries. (3) Adoption of quality measurement system and identification of performance targets (A) System and data With respect to the categories of chronic disease under paragraph (2) , the Secretary shall adopt a quality measurement system that uses data described in paragraph (4) and is similar to the Five-Star Quality Rating System used to indicate the performance of Medicare Advantage plans under part C of title XVIII. (B) Targets Using such system and data, the Secretary shall establish for each reform year the chronic care performance targets for purposes of the payments under paragraph (1) . Such performance targets shall be established in consultation with States, associations representing individuals with chronic illnesses, entities providing treatment to such individuals for such chronic illnesses, and other stakeholders, including the National Association of Medicaid Directors and the National Governors Association. (4) Data to be used The data to be used under paragraph (3) shall include— (A) data collected through methods such as— (i) the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (also known as HEDIS ) (or an appropriate successor performance measurement tool); (ii) the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (also known as CAHPS ) (or an appropriate successor performance measurement tool); and (iii) the Health Outcomes Survey (also known as HOS ) (or an appropriate successor performance measurement tool); and (B) other data collected by the State. (5) Reports (A) In general Each State shall collect, analyze, and report to the Secretary, at a frequency and in a manner to be established by the Secretary, data described in paragraph (4) that permit the Secretary to monitor the State’s performance relative to the chronic care performance targets established under paragraph (3) . (B) Review and verification The Secretary may review the data collected by the State under subparagraph (A) to verify the State’s analysis of such data with respect to the performance targets under paragraph (3) . (6) Amount of bonus payments (A) In general Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), with respect to each category of Medicaid beneficiaries, in the case of a State that the Secretary determines, based on the chronic care performance targets set under paragraph (3) for a reform year for such category, performs— (i) in the top five States in such category, subject to subparagraph (C)(ii), the amount of the bonus for each quarter in the succeeding reform year shall be 10 percent of the payment amount otherwise paid to the State under subsection (a) for individuals enrolled under the plan within such category; (ii) in the next five States in such category, subject to subparagraph (C)(ii), the amount of the bonus for each such quarter shall be 5 percent of the payment amount otherwise paid to the State under subsection (a) for individuals enrolled under the plan within such category; (iii) in the next five States in such category, subject to clauses (i) and (iii) of subparagraph (C), the amount of the bonus for each such quarter shall be 3 percent of the payment amount otherwise paid to the State under subsection (a) for individuals enrolled under the plan within such category; (iv) in the next five States in such category, subject to clauses (i) and (iii) of subparagraph (C), the amount of the bonus for each such quarter shall be 2 percent of the payment amount otherwise paid to the State under subsection (a) for individuals enrolled under the plan within such category; and (v) in the next five States in such category, subject to clauses (i) and (iii) of subparagraph (C), the amount of the bonus for each such quarter shall be 1 percent of the payment amount otherwise paid to the State under subsection (a) for individuals enrolled under the plan within such category. (B) Aggregate annual limit for each category of Medicaid beneficiaries (i) In general In no case may the aggregate amount of bonuses under this subsection for quarters in a reform year for a category of Medicaid beneficiaries exceed the limit specified in clause (ii) for the reform year. (ii) Limit The limit specified in this clause— (I) for the second reform year is equal to $250,000,000; or (II) for a subsequent reform year is equal to the limit specified in this clause for the previous reform year increased by the per beneficiary percentage increase determined under paragraph (1)(E) of subsection (c). (C) Limitation and proration of bonuses based on application of aggregate limit (i) No bonus for third or subsequent tiers unless aggregate limit not reached on first two tiers No bonus shall be payable under clause (iii), (iv), or (v) of subparagraph (A) for a category of Medicaid beneficiaries for a quarter in a reform year unless the aggregate amount of bonuses under clauses (i) and (ii) of such subparagraph for such category and reform year is less than the limit specified in subparagraph (B)(ii) for the reform year. (ii) Proration for first two tiers If the aggregate amount of bonuses under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) for a category of Medicaid beneficiaries for quarters in a reform year exceeds the limit specified in subparagraph (B)(ii) for the reform year, the amount of each such bonus shall be prorated in a manner so the aggregate amount of such bonuses is equal to such limit. (iii) Proration for next three tiers If the aggregate amount of bonuses under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) for a category of Medicaid beneficiaries for quarters in a reform year is less than the limit specified in subparagraph (B)(ii) for the reform year, but the aggregate amount of bonuses under clauses (i) through (v) of subparagraph (A) for the category and such quarters in the reform year exceeds the limit specified in subparagraph (B)(ii) for the reform year, the amount of each bonus in clauses (iii), (iv), and (v) of subparagraph (A) shall be prorated in a manner so the aggregate amount of all the bonuses under subparagraph (A) is equal to such limit. (g) State option for receiving Medicare payments for full-Benefit dual eligible individuals (1) In general Under this subsection a State may elect for quarters beginning on or after the implementation date in a reform year to receive payment from the Secretary under paragraph (3) . As a condition of receiving such payment, the State shall agree to provide to full-benefit dual eligible individuals eligible for medical assistance under the State plan— (A) the medical assistance to which such eligible individuals would otherwise be entitled under this title; and (B) any items and services which such eligible individuals would otherwise receive under title XVIII. (2) Provider payment requirement (A) In general A State electing the option under this subsection shall provide payment to health care providers for the items and services described under paragraph (1)(B) at a rate that is not less than the rate at which payments would be made to such providers for such items and services under title XVIII. (B) Flexibility in payment methods Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed as preventing a State from using alternative payment methodologies (such as bundled payments or the use of accountable care organizations (as such term is used in section 1899)) for purposes of making payments to health care providers for items and services provided to dual eligible individuals in the State under the option under this subsection. (3) Payments to States in lieu of Medicare payments With respect to a full-benefit dual eligible individual, in the case of a State that elects the option under paragraph (1) for quarters in a reform year— (A) the Secretary shall not make any payment under title XVIII for items and services furnished to such individual for such quarters; and (B) the Secretary shall pay to the State, in addition to the amounts paid to such State under subsection (a) , the amount that the Secretary would, but for this subsection, otherwise pay under title XVIII for items and services furnished to such an individual in such State for such quarters. (4) Full-benefit dual eligible individual defined In this subsection, the term full-benefit dual eligible individual means an individual who meets the requirements of section 1935(c)(6)(A)(ii). (h) Audits The Secretary shall conduct such audits on the number and classification of Medicaid beneficiaries under such subsections and expenditures under this section as may be necessary to ensure appropriate payments under this section. (i) Treatment of waivers (1) No impact on current waivers In the case of a waiver of requirements of this title pursuant to section 1115 or other law that is in effect as of the date of the enactment of this section, nothing in this section shall be construed to affect such waiver for the period of the waiver as approved as of such date. (2) Application of budget neutrality to subsequent waivers and renewals taking section into account In the case of a waiver of requirements of this title pursuant to section 1115 or other law that is approved or renewed after the date of the enactment of this section, to the extent that such approval or renewal is conditioned upon a demonstration of budget neutrality, budget neutrality shall be determined taking into account the application of this section. (j) Report to Congress Not later than January 1 of the second reform year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of this section. (k) Definitions In this section: (1) Implementation date The term implementation date means— (A) July 1, 2025, if this section is enacted on or before July 1, 2024; or (B) July 1, 2026, if this section is enacted after July 1, 2024. (2) Reform years (A) The term reform year means a fiscal year beginning with the first reform year. (B) The term first reform year means the fiscal year in which the implementation date occurs. (C) The terms second , third , and successive similar terms mean, with respect to a reform year, the second, third, or successive reform year, respectively, succeeding the first reform year. . (b) Conforming amendments (1) Continued application of clawback provisions (A) Continued application Subsections (a) and (c)(1)(C) of section 1935 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396u–5 ) are each amended by inserting or 1903A(a) after 1903(a) . (B) Technical amendment Section 1935(d)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396u–5(d)(1) ) is amended by inserting except as provided in section 1903A(g) after any other provision of this title . (2) Payment rules under section 1903 (A) Section 1903(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(a) ) is amended, in the matter before paragraph (1), by inserting and section 1903A after except as otherwise provided in this section . (B) Section 1903(d) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(d) ) is amended— (i) in paragraph (1), by inserting and under section 1903A after subsections (a) and (b) ; (ii) in paragraph (2)— (I) in subparagraph (A), by inserting or section 1903A after was made under this section ; and (II) in subparagraph (B), by inserting or section 1903A after under subsection (a) ; (iii) in paragraph (4)— (I) by striking under this subsection and inserting , with respect to this section or section 1903A, under this subsection ; and (II) by striking under this section and inserting under the respective section ; and (iv) in paragraph (5), by inserting or section 1903A after overpayment under this section . (3) Conforming waiver authority Section 1115(a)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1315(a)(2)(A) ) is amended by striking or 1903 and inserting 1903, or 1903A . (4) Report on additional conforming amendments needed Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress a report that includes a description of any additional technical and conforming amendments to law that are required to properly carry out this Act. 402. Income limitations for refundable credits for coverage under a qualified health plan (a) In general Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 36B(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 are amended by inserting after 100 percent each place such term appears the following: (or, in the case of a taxpayer enrolled through an Exchange utilized by such State that makes the election described in section 1903A of the Social Security Act, the percentage established by such State under part A of title IV of such Act for purposes of eligibility under title XIX of such Act as of January 1, 2009) . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. 403. Medicaid eligibility determinations (a) State flexibility To use contractors To make eligibility determinations on behalf of State Section 1902(a)(5) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(5) ) is amended by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: , but such determinations of eligibility may be made, at the option of a State, under a contract with another State or local agency or a contractor so long as the contract does not provide incentives for the agency or contractor to delay eligibility determinations or to deny eligibility for individuals otherwise eligible for medical assistance . (b) Frequency of eligibility redeterminations Section 1902(e)(14) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)(14) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (L) Frequency of eligibility redeterminations Beginning on October 1, 2024, and notwithstanding subparagraph (H), in the case of an individual whose eligibility for medical assistance under the State plan under this title (or a waiver of such plan) is determined based on the application of modified adjusted gross income under subparagraph (A) and who is so eligible on the basis of clause (i)(VIII), (ii)(XX), or (ii)(XXIII) of subsection (a)(10)(A), at the option of the State, the State plan may provide that the individual’s eligibility shall be redetermined every 6 months (or such shorter number of months as the State may elect). . 404. Lowering safe harbor threshold with respect to State taxes on health care providers Section 1903(w)(4)(C)(ii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(w)(4)(C)(ii) ) is amended— (1) by striking of fiscal years beginning and inserting of fiscal years— (I) beginning ; and (2) by striking it appears. and inserting the following: it appears; (II) beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and before January 1, 2034, 4 percent shall be substituted for 6 percent each place it appears; (III) beginning on or after January 1, 2034, and before January 1, 2039, 3 percent shall be substituted for 6 percent each place it appears; (IV) beginning on or after January 1, 2039, and before January 1, 2044, 2 percent shall be substituted for 6 percent each place it appears; (V) beginning on or after January 1, 2044, and before January 1, 2049, 1 percent shall be substituted for 6 percent each place it appears; and (VI) beginning on or after January 1, 2049, 0 percent shall be substituted for 6 percent each place it appears. . 405. Providing for State approval and implementation of specified waivers under the Medicaid program Section 1115 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1315 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking An application and inserting Subject to paragraph (4), an application ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4) (A) An experimental, pilot, or demonstration project undertaken under subsection (a) may be approved or renewed by a State if such project is described in subparagraph (B). (B) An experimental, pilot, or demonstration project is described in this subparagraph if such project provides for a waiver of requirements with respect to a State plan (or a waiver of such plan) under title XIX such that— (i) individuals enrolled under such plan (or such waiver) may elect to participate in such project with respect to a year; and (ii) such individuals who elect to so participate are furnished with primary care services (as described in section 223(c)(1)(D)(ii)(I) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) through a direct primary care service arrangement (as defined in such section). (C) For purposes of a State’s approval or renewal of an experimental, pilot, or demonstration project under subparagraph (A), each reference to the Secretary in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the State . ; and (2) in subsection (e), by inserting (other than such a project that is described in paragraph (4)(B)) before the period at the end. 406. Deduction for qualified charity care (a) In general Part VI of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 199B. Qualified charity care (a) In general There shall be allowed as a deduction for the taxable year an amount equal to— (1) in the case of a direct primary care physician, an amount equal to the sum of— (A) the fee (as published on a publicly available website of such physician) for physicians’ services that are qualified charity care furnished by such taxpayer during such year, and (B) for each visit by a patient to such physician during which qualified charity care is furnished, half of so much of the lowest subscription fee of such physician that is attributable to a month, and (2) in the case of any other individual, the unreimbursed Medicare-based value of qualified charity care furnished by such taxpayer during such year. (b) Definitions For purposes of this section: (1) Unreimbursed medicare-based value The term unreimbursed Medicare-based value means, with respect to physicians’ services, the amount payable for such services under the physician fee schedule established under section 1848 of the Social Security Act. (2) Qualified charity care The term qualified charity care means physicians’ services that are furnished— (A) without expectation of reimbursement, and (B) to an individual enrolled— (i) under a State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (or a waiver of such plan), or (ii) under a State child health plan under title XXI of the Social Security Act (or a waiver of such plan). (3) Direct primary care physician The term direct primary care physician means a physician (as defined in section 1861(r) of the Social Security Act) who provides primary care— (A) to individuals who have paid a periodic subscription fee, and (B) in exchange for a fee that is published on a publicly available website of such physician. (4) Physicians’ services The term physicians services’ has the meaning given such term by section 1861(q) of the Social Security Act. (c) Limitation The amount allowed as a deduction under subsection (a) for a taxable year shall not exceed the gross receipts attributable to physicians’ services furnished by the taxpayer during the taxable year. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for part VI of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new item: Sec. 199B. Qualified charity care. . B Medicare Reforms 411. Off-campus provider-based department Medicare site neutral payment (a) In general Section 1834 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (x) Off-Campus provider-Based department Medicare site neutral payment (1) In general With respect to items and services furnished in an off-campus provider-based department, payment under this section for such items and services shall be the amount determined under the fee schedule under section 1848 for such items and services furnished if furnished in a physician office setting. (2) Off-campus provider-based department For purposes of this subsection, the term off-campus provider-based department has such meaning as specified by the Secretary. . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2025. 412. Eliminating FEHBP eligibility for annuitants Section 8905(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking An and inserting Consistent with the last sentence of this subsection, an ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: . An individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395c et seq. ) by reason of section 226 or 226A of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 426 , 426–1), or otherwise eligible to enroll under such part pursuant to section 1818 or 1818A of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395i–2 , 1395i–2a), and who first becomes an annuitant after the date of enactment of this sentence may not continue enrollment in any health benefits plan under this chapter. . 413. Elimination of Medicare eligibility for certain individuals (a) Enrollment prohibition (1) Part B Section 1836 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395o ) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting , except that an individual who attains age 65 on or after January 1, 2032, and is an individual who, upon attaining such age, has earned $10,000,000 or more in lifetime wages, shall not be eligible to so enroll. . (2) Part D Section 1860D–1(a)(3)(A) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–101(a)(3)(A) ) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting , excluding an individual who, upon attaining age 65, has earned $10,000,000 or more in lifetime wages. . (b) Medigap Section 1882 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395ss ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (aa) Additional limitation on newly eligible beneficiaries (1) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, on or after January 1, 2032, a medicare supplemental policy may not be sold or issued to a targeted newly eligible Medicare beneficiary. (2) Targeted newly eligible Medicare beneficiary For purposes of this subsection, the term targeted newly eligible Medicare beneficiary means an individual who, upon attaining the age of 65, has earned $10,000,000 or more in lifetime wages. . 414. Medicare part D tax deduction (a) In general Section 139A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following: This section shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining whether any deduction is allowable with respect to any cost taken into account in determining such payment. . (b) Effective date The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022. 415. Repeal of net investment income tax (a) In general Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking chapter 2A. (b) Effective date The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. 416. Medicare coverage of bad debt Section 1861(v)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395(v)(1) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (T)— (A) in clause (iv), by striking and at the end; (B) in clause (v)— (i) by striking during fiscal year and inserting during fiscal years ; (ii) by striking or a subsequent fiscal year and inserting through 2024 ; and (iii) by striking the period at the end and inserting , and ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new clause: (vi) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2025 or a subsequent fiscal year, by the percent applicable for cost reporting periods beginning during the previous fiscal year, increased (through fiscal year 2027) by 10 percentage points. ; (2) in subparagraph (V)— (A) in clause (i)— (i) in subclause (III), by striking and at the end; (ii) in subclause (IV)— (I) by striking during fiscal year and inserting during fiscal years 2017 through 2024 ; and (II) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (iii) by adding at the end the following new subclause: (V) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2025 or a subsequent fiscal year, the percent applicable for cost reporting periods beginning during the previous fiscal year, increased (through fiscal year 2027) by 10 percentage points. ; and (B) in clause (ii)— (i) in subclause (III), by striking and at the end; and (ii) in subclause (IV)— (I) by striking a subsequent fiscal year and inserting fiscal years 2015 through 2024 ; (II) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (III) by adding at the end the following new subclause: (V) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2025 or a subsequent fiscal year, shall be reduced by the percent applicable for cost reporting periods beginning during the previous fiscal year, increased (through fiscal year 2027) by 10 percentage points. ; and (3) in subparagraph (W)(i)— (A) in subclause (II), by striking and at the end; (B) in subclause (III)— (i) by striking during a subsequent fiscal year and inserting during fiscal years 2015 through 2024 ; and (ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new subclause: (IV) for cost reporting periods beginning during fiscal year 2025 or a subsequent fiscal year, by the percent applicable for cost reporting periods beginning during the previous fiscal year, increased (through fiscal year 2027) by 10 percentage points. . C Medicare Choice and Competition 421. Competitive bidding and premiums under unified Medicare (a) In general Part E of title XVIII of the Social Security Act, as added by section 101 and amended by section 103, is further amended by adding at the end the following: 3 Competitive bidding and premiums 1860E–31. Application of competitive bidding in enrollment (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the Secretary shall, beginning with plan year 2025, establish a method whereby individuals enrolling under this title so enroll through an online process designed to highlight enrollment options for such individuals and allow such individuals to compare costs of enrollment in such options. (b) Enrollment options For purposes of subsection (a), the Secretary shall make the following options available to individuals for enrollment under this title: (1) Traditional fee-for-service coverage. (2) provider-led risk-bearing plans (also known as ACOs). (3) Medicare Advantage plans. (c) Medicare advantage plan actuarial value requirement Each Medicare Advantage plan offered through the process described in subsection (a) shall have an actuarial value equal to traditional fee-for-service coverage under parts A and B. (d) MA direct deposit of certain rebates In the case of an Medicare Advantage plan with a bid for a year that involves a premium differential between such bid and the benchmark for such year and plan, such plan shall provide for a direct deposit of such differential if the applicable enrollee in such plan does not elect any supplemental coverage under such plan. (e) Enrollment in prescription drug coverage As part of the method described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a process to allow an individual to enroll in prescription drug coverage. In the case of an individual who enrolls in a Medicare Advantage plan, such coverage shall be provided under such plan. In a case of an individual who enrolls in an ACO, such coverage shall be provided under such network. In the case of an individual who enrolls under traditional fee-for-service coverage, such drug coverage shall be provided through a prescription drug plan. (f) Supplemental benefits (1) MA plans An MA plan is allowed to offer two different packages of supplemental benefits (these packages are available only to individuals who select such plans). (2) A CO s ACOs may limit supplemental options for their enrollees to Medigap plans with contractual ties. (3) Fee-for-service Fee-for-service individuals may select supplemental coverage from Medigap policies. 1860E–32. Competition (a) Bid areas Market areas used for bid submissions for Medicare Advantage plans, ACOs, and for calculation per person fee-for-services costs shall be metropolitan statistical regions plus associated regions. (b) Premiums Medicare payment benchmark by market area shall be calculated based on weighted average (by enrollment in previous year) of the premium bids from MA plans, ACOs, and the per person costs of fee-for-service, less the statutory part B premium. (c) Beneficiary responsibility Beneficiaries shall pay the difference between Medicare payment and required premium of the plan they choose, and get 100 percent of the savings by choosing a plan with a premium below the benchmark. (d) Transition For beneficiaries who are in fee-for-service at the time of the enactment of this section, there shall be a limit on the amount of a premium increase allowable by year of no more than $20 per month compared to what such premium would have otherwise been if this subpart had not been enacted for each year through the fifth year. (e) Multiyear contracts A Medicare Advantage plan may offer to beneficiaries multiyear contracts with guaranteed premiums over such years, bearing the risk of any change in payments from the Secretary in subsequent years. A beneficiary enrolling under such a contract shall be exempt from the method described in subsection (a). . (b) Conforming amendments (1) Section 1853(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act is amended by striking and section 1859(e)(4) and inserting , section 1859(e)(4), and subpart 3 of part E . (2) Section 1853(j) of such Act is amended by inserting and subpart 3 of part E after subsection (o) . (3) Section 1854 of such Act is amended— (A) in subsection (a), after the heading, by inserting Subject to subpart 3 of part E: ; (B) in subsection (b), after the heading, by inserting Subject to subpart 3 of part E: ; (C) in subsection (d), after the heading, by inserting Subject to subpart 3 of part E: ; and (D) in subsection (e), after the heading, by inserting Subject to subpart 3 of part E: . 422. New unified eligibility and enrollment rules (a) In general Title XVIII of the Social Security Act is amended— (1) by redesignating part E as part F; and (2) by inserting after part D the following new part: E Medicare with Choice and Competition 1 Opt-Out and auto-Enrollment 1860E–11. Part A opt-out and MA auto-enrollment (a) Permitting individuals To opt out of part A coverage without losing social security benefits (1) In general The Secretary shall establish— (A) a process by which an individual otherwise entitled to benefits under part A may elect (at a time and in a manner specified under the process) to waive such entitlement; and (B) a process by which an individual who elects to waive such entitlement may revoke (at a time and in a manner specified under the process) such waiver. The process under subparagraph (B) shall be coordinated with the enrollment process under section 1837 for part B. (2) Application of late enrollment penalty An individual who revokes a waiver under paragraph (1)(B) shall be subject to a late enrollment penalty as applied under section 1860E–32(c)(2)(C). (3) No impact on title II benefits Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an election of an individual to waive entitlement to benefits under part A under paragraph (1)(A) shall not result in any loss of benefits under title II. (4) Deemed opt-out (A) An election of an individual to waive entitlement to benefits under part A under paragraph (1)(A) is also deemed the filing of a notice of termination of benefits under part B pursuant to section 1838(b)(1). (B) The termination of benefits under part B pursuant to section 1838(b) is also deemed to be a waiver of any entitlement to benefits under part A. (b) Special open enrollment period without late enrollment penalty for current part A only or part B only enrollees Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the case of an individual who as of the general effective date, is entitled to benefits under part A but not enrolled under part B, or who is enrolled under part B but not entitled to benefits (or enrolled) under part A, beginning as of such date, such individual shall be deemed to be enrolled under part B or part A, respectively, unless such individual elects to be enrolled (or entitled to benefits) under neither of such parts during a special open enrollment period specified by the Secretary. No increase in the monthly premium of an individual pursuant to section 1839(b) or section 1818(c) shall be effected in the case of any such individual who is deemed enrolled under part B or part A pursuant to the previous sentence with respect to any period prior to the date of such enrollment. (c) Auto enrollment of dual eligible individuals under Medicare Advantage plans (1) In general Except in the case of a State that has elected the maintenance of effort option described in section 1944(b)(2), in the case of an individual described in subparagraph (A)(ii) of section 1935(c)(6) (taking into account the application of subparagraph (B) of such section), the Secretary shall establish a process for the enrollment in an MA–PD plan that is a managed care plan under part C that has a monthly beneficiary premium that does not exceed the premium assistance available under section 1860E–41(b)(1)(A). If there is more than one such plan available, the Secretary shall enroll such an individual on a random basis among all such plans in the PDP region. (2) Right to disenroll Nothing in paragraph (1) shall prevent such an individual from declining enrollment in any such plan (and thereby obtaining coverage under Medicare fee-for-service) or from changing enrollment in such a plan to another MA–PD plan. 1860E–12. Coordination with part D (a) Deemed enrollment under part D (1) In general The Secretary shall establish a process that, beginning as of the general effective date, provides for the enrollment in a prescription drug plan that has a monthly base beneficiary premium that does not exceed the weighted average of premiums for such plans that provide standard prescription drug coverage (as defined in section 1860D–2(b)) with respect to the area involved (on a random basis among all such plans in the applicable PDP region) of each Medicare enrollee (as defined in section 1860E–51) who— (A) failed to enroll in such a prescription drug plan during the applicable enrollment or coverage election period under section 1860D–1(b); and (B) failed to elect not to enroll in such a prescription drug plan during an applicable opt-out period described in paragraph (2). Nothing in the previous sentence shall prevent such an individual from declining or changing such enrollment. Such process shall be carried out in the same manner as the process described in section 1860D–1(b)(1)(C). (2) Opt-out periods The process under paragraph (1) shall provide for the opportunity to make an election described in subparagraph (B) of such paragraph during an opt-out period that is coordinated with the relevant enrollment or coverage election period under section 1860D–1. (3) Late enrollment penalties In the case of an individual who makes an election described in paragraph (1)(B) and then enrolls in a prescription drug plan, the late enrollment penalty under section 1860D–13(b) shall apply to the monthly beneficiary premium of such individual, except that in applying such section, any reference to the initial enrollment period of such individual shall be deemed to be a reference to the opt-out period under paragraph (2) during which the individual elected not to enroll in a prescription drug plan. (4) No late enrollment penalty for current fee-for-service beneficiaries without drug coverage In the case of an individual who is a Medicare enrollee before the date of enactment of this section and who was not enrolled under a prescription drug plan before being enrolled under such a plan pursuant to paragraph (1), there shall be no increase in the base beneficiary premium of an individual under section 1860D–13 by a late enrollment penalty under subsection (b) of such section with respect to any period prior to the date of such enrollment. (b) Reference to required prescription drug coverage under part C For provision requiring coverage under MA plans to include prescription drug coverage, see section 1860E–26. . (b) Limitation on Medicaid benefits for full-Benefit dual eligible individuals Section 1902 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (ll) Limitation on benefits for full-Benefit dual eligible individuals Effective as of the general effective date (as specified in section 1860E–62), except in the case of a State which has elected the option described in section 1944(b)(2), in the case of an individual described in subparagraph (A)(ii) of section 1935(c)(6) (taking into account the application of subparagraph (B) of such section), notwithstanding any other provision of law, medical assistance shall not be available under this title for any items and services for which payment may be made under title XVIII. . (c) Medicaid maintenance of effort and alternatives Title XIX of the Social Security Act is amended by inserting after section 1943 the following new section: 1944. Maintenance of effort options for full-benefit dual eligible individuals (a) In general Effective as of the general effective date (as specified in section 1860E–62), a State shall elect, in a form and manner specified by the Secretary, a maintenance of effort option described in subsection (b). In the case of a State that fails to make such an election, the State shall be deemed to have elected the option described in subsection (b)(3). (b) Maintenance of effort options described The following are maintenance of effort options described in this subsection for a State, which shall apply to all individuals described in subparagraph (A)(ii) of section 1935(c)(6) (taking into account the application of subparagraph (B) of such section) for such State: (1) Enrollment of dual eligibles in comprehensive Medicaid managed care plan (A) In general The State enrolls all such individuals in a comprehensive Medicaid managed care plan offered by a managed care entity under section 1932. (B) Payment of subsidy amount to State In the case of a State that elects the option under this paragraph with respect to an individual, the Secretary established under section 1860E–51 shall pay to the State the same amount that the individual would be entitled to have paid as an income-related premium subsidy under section 1860E–41(b)(1)(A) plus the amount that the Secretary estimates would have been paid with respect to the individual under part D (including the actuarial value of subsidy payments under sections 1860D–13 and 1860D–14). Such payment shall be made in appropriate part from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under section 1817 and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund under section 1841. (C) Relation to part D rules In the case of a State that has elected the option under this paragraph, notwithstanding any other provision of law— (i) the coverage provided under this option shall be in lieu of any coverage that may otherwise be provided under part D; and (ii) the payment to the State under subparagraph (B) shall be in lieu of any payments otherwise made with respect to such individual under such part. (2) Other innovative alternatives (A) In general The State submits to the Secretary, and has approved by the Secretary, an innovative alternative proposal relating to coordinating coverage of such individuals under Medicare and the State plan under title XIX. (B) Process for review With respect to proposals submitted to the Secretary under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall approve such a proposal if the State demonstrates with respect to the proposal that— (i) there would be no increased cost to the Federal Government if it were approved; and (ii) there would be no reduction in the quality of care provided to such individuals if the proposal were approved. . (d) Conforming amendments (1) Section 226 Section 226 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 426 ) is amended— (A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting , subject to section 1860E–11(a) after individual who ; (B) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting , subject to section 1860E–11(a) after individual who ; and (C) in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting , subject to section 1860E–11(a) after subsection (a) . (2) Section 226A Section 226A(a) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 426–1(a) ) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting and subject to section 1860E–11(a) after or title XVIII . (3) Section 1932 Section 1932(a)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396u–2(a)(2)(B) ) is amended by striking A State and inserting Except in the case of a State that has elected the maintenance of effort option described in section 1944(b)(2), a State . 423. New benefit structure under unified Medicare (a) In general Part E of title XVIII of the Social Security Act, as added by section 251, is amended by adding at the end the following: 2 Out-of-Pocket limit 1860E–21. Out-of-pocket limit (a) In general Beginning with 2025, in the case of a Medicare enrollee, if the amount of the out-of-pocket cost-sharing of such enrollee for a calendar year equals or exceeds the catastrophic limit under subsection (b) for that year— (1) the enrollee shall not be responsible for additional out-of-pocket cost-sharing incurred during that year; and (2) the Secretary shall establish procedures under which the Secretary shall, in appropriate part from the Part A Medicare FFS Account under section 1817 and the Part B Medicare FFS Account under section 1841— (A) pay on behalf of the enrollee the amount of the additional out-of-pocket cost-sharing described in paragraph (1) attributable to deductibles and coinsurance described in subsection (c)(1); and (B) reimburse the enrollee the amount of the additional out-of-pocket cost-sharing described in paragraph (1) attributable to deductibles and coinsurance described in subsection (c)(2). (b) Catastrophic limit The amount of the catastrophic limit under this subsection for a year shall be the dollar amount in effect under section 223(c)(2)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for self-only coverage for taxable years beginning in such year. (c) Out-of-Pocket cost-Sharing defined In this section, the term out-of-pocket cost-sharing means, with respect to an individual, the amount of costs incurred by the individual that are attributable to— (1) deductibles and coinsurance imposed under part A or part B; and (2) deductibles and coinsurance imposed under standard prescription drug coverage pursuant to section 1860D–2(b) or alternative prescription drug coverage pursuant to section 1860D–2(c) offered by a prescription drug plan. . (b) Application of out-of-Pocket limit to MA–PD plans (1) In general Section 1852(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–22(a)(1)(B) ) is amended— (A) in clause (i), by striking clause (iii) and inserting clauses (iii) and (vi) ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new clause: (vi) Out-of-pocket limit The provisions of section 1860E–21— (I) shall apply to individuals enrolled under an MA–PD plan in the same manner as such provisions apply to Medicare enrollees under such section, except that in lieu of the application of subsection (a)(2) of such section the MA–PD plan shall establish procedures to provide for payment of any additional out-of-pocket cost-sharing described in subsection (a)(1) of such section incurred by individuals enrolled under the MA–PD plan; and (II) as applied under subclause (I), may not be waived by application of this subparagraph. In applying subsection (b) of section 1860E–21 pursuant to the previous sentence, an MA–PD plan may substitute a dollar amount that is less than the dollar amount specified under such subsection. . (2) Exempting MA–PD plans offering alternative prescription drug coverage from part D deductible and out-of-pocket limit requirements Section 1860D–2(c) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–102(c) ) is amended— (A) in paragraph (2), by striking The deductible and inserting In the case of a prescription drug plan, the deductible ; and (B) in paragraph (3), by striking The coverage provides and inserting In the case of a prescription drug plan, the coverage provides . (c) Prescription drug plans required To report enrollees’ out-of-Pocket cost-Sharing Section 1860D–12(b) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–112(b) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (7) Out-of-pocket cost-sharing reports Each contract entered into with a PDP sponsor under this part with respect to a prescription drug plan offered by such sponsor shall require that, with respect to each claim submitted for items or services furnished to an individual enrolled under the plan pursuant to the contract, the sponsor submits to the Secretary information on the amount of out-of-pocket cost-sharing (as defined in section 1860E–23(c)) applicable to such enrollee for such items or services. . (d) Conforming amendments (1) Section 1813 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395e ) is amended— (A) in subsection (a), by inserting Subject to subpart 2 of part E: before paragraph (1); and (B) in subsection (b), by inserting Subject to subpart 2 of part E: before paragraph (1). (2) Section 1833 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395l ) is amended— (A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting and subpart 2 of part E after succeeding provisions of this section ; (B) in subsection (b), in the first sentence, by striking Before applying and inserting Subject to subpart 2 of part E, before applying ; (C) in subsection (c)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting subject to subpart 2 of part E, after this part, ; (D) in subsection (f), by striking In establishing and inserting Subject to subpart 2 of part E, in establishing ; and (E) in subsection (g)(1), by inserting and subpart 2 of part E and paragraphs (4) and (5) . (3) Section 1882(a)(2) of such Act is amended by striking No medicare and inserting Subject to section 1860E–24(c), no medicare . 424. Late enrollment penalty not to apply for months of any health coverage (a) In general Section 1839(b) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395r ) is amended in the second sentence, by inserting before the period at the end the following: or months during which the individual has any other health coverage . (b) Effective date The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply for months of coverage beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. 425. Medigap reform Notwithstanding any provision of section 1882 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395ss ), as of the date of the enactment of this Act, no policy may be offered under such section that does not provide guaranteed coverage (without regard to an individual’s preexisting conditions, if any) to all individuals eligible to enroll under such policy. 426. ACO revision (a) Enrollment Enrollment in such an ACO under such title shall be based on the method established under part E of such title. Such a network shall bear full risk in the event payments under such title do not equal or exceed liabilities under such network. (b) Direction of payment An ACO may direct that any payments under such title be made to a centralized entity rather than to an individual provider or supplier. (c) Bids The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish a process whereby such networks compete using a bidding process similar to that described in part E of such title for Medicare Advantage plans. 427. Primary care options (a) Selection of primary care physician The Secretary shall establish a mechanism under which an individual enrolled under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act may select such individual’s primary care physician. Such an individual shall not be liable for more than $5 for each visit to such selected physician. (b) Payment to physician A physician selected under subsection (a) shall receive a monthly fee in lieu of any other payment under such part B for evaluation and monitoring of such individual. The Secretary shall provide a list of standardized benefits that are included in such payment, including telephone and email communications, office visits, preventive care, and vaccinations. 428. General provisions; effective date Part E of title XVIII of the Social Security Act, as inserted by section 101(a)(2) and as previously amended, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subpart: 5. General provisions 1860E–51. Applicability; definitions (a) In general The provisions of this Act are superseded to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of this part. (b) Terminology For purposes of this part: (1) Medicare enrollee (A) In general The term Medicare enrollee means— (i) an individual entitled to (or enrolled for benefits) under part A and enrolled under part B; and (ii) except as otherwise specified, an individual described in section 1860E–11(a)(3). (B) Treatment Any reference in this Act (or any other Act) in effect before the date of the enactment of this part, to an individual entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B shall be deemed a reference to a Medicare enrollee. (2) Medicare fee-for-service The term Medicare fee-for-service means the original Medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B, as modified by this part, and does not include part C or part D. (3) Medicare fee-for-service enrollee The term Medicare fee-for-service enrollee means a Medicare enrollee who is not enrolled under a Medicare Advantage plan under part C. 1860E–61. General effective date Except as otherwise specified, the provisions of this part shall apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2025, and to plan years beginning on or after such date (referred to in this title as the general effective date ). . D Telehealth Improvements and Expansion 431. Expansion of coverage of telehealth services (a) Covered services Section 1834(m)(4)(F)(i) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(F)(i) ) is amended— (1) by striking and office and inserting office ; and (2) by inserting: respiratory services, audiology services (as defined in section 1861(ll)), outpatient therapy services (including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services) after the Secretary)), . (b) Providers Subsection (m) of section 1834 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking or a practitioner (described in section 1842(b)(18)(C)) and inserting , a practitioner (described in section 1842(b)(18)(C)), or an applicable professional (as defined in paragraph (4)(G)) ; (2) by striking physician or practitioner each time it appears in such subsection and inserting physician, practitioner, or applicable professional ; (3) in paragraph (3)(A)— (A) in the heading, by striking Physician and practitioner and inserting Physician, practitioner, and applicable professional ; and (B) by striking physicians or practitioners and inserting physicians, practitioners, or applicable professionals ; and (4) in paragraph (4), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (G) Applicable professional The term applicable professional means, with respect to services furnished on or after the date that is 6 months after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, a certified diabetes educator or licensed— (i) respiratory therapist; (ii) audiologist; (iii) occupational therapist; (iv) physical therapist; or (v) speech language pathologist. . (c) Home-Based monitoring services for congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (1) Coverage of remote patient monitoring services for certain chronic health conditions Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2) ) is amended— (A) in subparagraph (GG), by striking and at the end; (B) in subparagraph (HH), by inserting and at the end; and (C) by inserting after subparagraph (HH) the following new subparagraph: (II) applicable remote patient monitoring services (as defined in paragraph (1)(A) of subsection (iii)); . (2) Services described Section 1861 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (kkk) Remote Patient Monitoring Services for Chronic Health Conditions (1) (A) The term applicable remote patient monitoring services means remote patient monitoring services (as defined in subparagraph (B)) furnished to provide for the monitoring, evaluation, and management of an individual with a covered chronic condition (as defined in paragraph (2)), insofar as such services are for the management of such chronic condition. (B) The term remote patient monitoring services means services furnished through remote patient monitoring technology (as defined in subparagraph (C)). (C) The term remote patient monitoring technology means a coordinated system that uses one or more home-based or mobile monitoring devices that automatically transmit vital sign data or information on activities of daily living and may include responses to assessment questions collected on the devices wirelessly or through a telecommunications connection to a server that complies with the Federal regulations (concerning the privacy of individually identifiable health information) promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as part of an established plan of care for that patient that includes the review and interpretation of that data by a health care professional. (2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term covered chronic health condition means applicable conditions (as defined in and applied under section 1886(q)(5)) when under chronic care management (identified as of July 1, 2015, by HCPCS code 99490 (and as subsequently modified by the Secretary)). (3) (A) Payment may be made under this part for applicable remote patient monitoring services provided to an individual during a period of up to 90 days and such additional period as provided for under subparagraph (B). (B) The 90-day period described in subparagraph (A), with respect to an individual, may be renewed by the physician who provides chronic care management to such individual if the individual continues to qualify for such management. . (3) Payment under the physician fee schedule Section 1848 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–4 ) is amended— (A) in subsection (c)— (i) in paragraph (2)(B)— (I) in clause (ii)(II), by striking and (v) and inserting (v), and (vii) ; and (II) by adding at the end the following new clause: (vii) Budgetary treatment of certain services The additional expenditures attributable to services described in section 1861(s)(2)(II) shall not be taken into account in applying clause (ii)(II). ; and (ii) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (7) Treatment of applicable remote patient monitoring services (A) In determining relative value units for applicable remote patient monitoring services (as defined in section 1861(iii)(1)(A)), the Secretary, in consultation with appropriate physician groups, practitioner groups, and supplier groups, shall take into consideration— (i) physician or practitioner resources, including physician or practitioner time and the level of intensity of services provided, based on— (I) the frequency of evaluation necessary to manage the individual being furnished the services; (II) the complexity of the evaluation, including the information that must be obtained, reviewed, and analyzed; and (III) the number of possible diagnoses and the number of management options that must be considered; (ii) practice expense costs associated with such services, including the direct costs associated with installation and information transmission, costs of remote patient monitoring technology (including equipment and software), device delivery costs, and resource costs necessary for patient monitoring and followup (but not including costs of any related item or non-physician service otherwise reimbursed under this title); and (iii) malpractice expense resources. (B) Using the relative value units determined in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall provide for separate payment for such services and shall not adjust the relative value units assigned to other services that might otherwise have been determined to include such separately paid remote patient monitoring services. ; and (B) in subsection (j)(3), by inserting (2)(II), after health risk assessment), . 432. Expanding the use of telehealth through the waiver of certain requirements (a) In general Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (4)(C)(i), by striking and (7) and inserting (7), and (8) ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (8) Authority to waive requirements and limitations if certain conditions met (A) In general Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subsection, in the case of telehealth services furnished on or after January 1, 2025, the Secretary may waive any restriction applicable to payment for telehealth services under this subsection that is described in subparagraph (B), but only if the Secretary determines that such waiver would not deny or limit the coverage or provision of benefits under this title, and— (i) the Secretary determines that the waiver is expected to reduce spending under this title without reducing the quality of care or improve the quality of patient care without increasing spending; or (ii) the waiver would apply to telehealth services furnished in originating sites located in a high-need health professional shortage area (as designated pursuant to section 332(a)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254e(a)(1)(A) )). (B) Restrictions described For purposes of this paragraph, restrictions applicable to payment for telehealth services under paragraph (1) are— (i) requirements relating to qualifications for an originating site under paragraph (4)(C)(ii); (ii) any geographic limitations under paragraph (4)(C)(i) (other than applicable State law requirements, including State licensure requirements); (iii) any limitation on the type of technology used to furnish telehealth services; (iv) any limitation on the type of provider of services or supplier who may furnish telehealth services (other than the requirement that the provider of services or supplier is enrolled under this title); (v) any limitation on specific services designated as telehealth services pursuant to this subsection (provided the Secretary determines that such services are clinically appropriate to furnish remotely); or (vi) any other limitation relating to the furnishing of telehealth services under this title identified by the Secretary. (C) Public comment The Secretary shall establish a process by which stakeholders may (on at least an annual basis) provide public comment for waivers under this paragraph. (D) Periodic review of waivers The Secretary shall periodically, but not more often than every 3 years, reassess each waiver under this paragraph to determine whether the waiver continues to meet the conditions applicable under subparagraph (A). . (b) Posting of information Not later than 2 years after the date on which a waiver under section 1834(m)(8) of the Social Security Act, as added by subsection (a), first becomes effective, and at least biennially thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall post on the internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services— (1) the number of Medicare beneficiaries receiving telehealth services by reason of each waiver under such section; (2) the impact of such waivers on expenditures and utilization under title XVIII of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq. ); and (3) other outcomes, as determined appropriate by the Secretary. 433. Expanding the use of telehealth for mental health services (a) In general Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) ), as amended by the preceding sections, is amended— (1) in paragraph (4)(C)(i), by striking and (8) and inserting (8), and (9) ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (9) Treatment of mental health services furnished through telehealth The geographic requirements described in paragraph (4)(C)(i) (other than applicable State law requirements, including State licensure requirements) shall not apply with respect to telehealth services that are mental health services (as determined by the Secretary) furnished on or after January 1, 2025, to an eligible telehealth individual at an originating site described in paragraph (4)(C)(ii) (other than an originating site described in subclause (IX) of such paragraph). . (b) Inclusion of the home as an originating site Section 1834(m)(4)(C)(ii)(X) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(C)(ii)(X) ) is amended by striking paragraph (7) and inserting paragraphs (7) and (9) . (c) Additional services As part of the implementation of the amendments made by this section, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consider whether additional services should be added to the services specified in paragraph (4)(F)(i) of section 1834(m) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m ) for authorized payment under paragraph (1) of such section. 434. Use of telehealth in emergency medical care (a) In general Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) ), as amended by the preceding sections, is amended— (1) in paragraph (4)(C)(i), by striking and (9) and inserting (9), and (10) ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (10) Treatment of emergency medical care furnished through telehealth The geographic requirements described in paragraph (4)(C)(i) (other than applicable State law requirements, including State licensure requirements) shall not apply with respect to telehealth services that are services for emergency medical care (as determined by the Secretary) furnished on or after January 1, 2025, to an eligible telehealth individual at an originating site described in subclause (II), (V), or (VII) of paragraph (4)(C)(ii). . (b) Additional services As part of the implementation of the amendments made by this section, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consider whether additional services should be added to the services specified in paragraph (4)(F)(i) of section 1834(m) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m ) for authorized payment under paragraph (1) of such section. 435. Improvements to the process for adding telehealth services The Secretary shall undertake a review of the process established pursuant to section 1834(m)(4)(F)(ii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(F)(ii) ), and based on the results of such review— (1) implement revisions to the process so that the criteria to add services prioritizes, as appropriate, improved access to care through telehealth services; and (2) provide clarification on what requests to add telehealth services under such process should include. 436. Rural health clinics and Federally qualified health centers (a) Expansion of originating sites Section 1834(m)(4)(C) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(C) ), as amended by the preceding sections, is amended— (1) in clause (i), by striking and (10) and inserting and (10), and subject to clause (iii), ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new clause: (iii) Rural health clinics and Federally qualified health centers The term originating site shall also include any Federally qualified health center and any rural health clinic (as such terms are defined in section 1861(aa)) at which the eligible telehealth individual is located at the time the service is furnished via a telecommunications system, whether or not the individual is located in an area described in clause (i), insofar as such sites are not otherwise included in the definition of originating site under such clause, subject to applicable State law requirements, including State licensure requirements. . (b) Expansion of distant sites Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) ) is amended— (1) in the first sentence of paragraph (1)— (A) by striking or a practitioner (described in section 1842(b)(18)(C)) and inserting , a practitioner (described in section 1842(b)(18)(C)), a Federally qualified health center, or a rural health clinic ; and (B) by striking or practitioner and inserting , practitioner, Federally qualified health center, or rural health clinic ; (2) in paragraph (2)(A)— (A) by inserting or to a Federally qualified health center or rural health clinic that serves as a distant site after a distant site ; and (B) by striking such physician or practitioner and inserting such physician, practitioner, Federally qualified health center, or rural health clinic ; and (3) in paragraph (4)— (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting and includes a Federally qualified health center or rural health clinic that furnishes a telehealth service to an eligible individual before the period at the end; and (B) in subparagraph (F), by adding at the end the following new clause: (iii) Inclusion of rural health clinic services and Federally qualified health center services furnished using telehealth For purposes of this subparagraph, the term telehealth services includes a rural health clinic service or Federally qualified health center service that is furnished using telehealth to the extent that payment codes corresponding to services identified by the Secretary under clause (i) or (ii) are listed on the corresponding claim for such rural health clinic service or Federally qualified health center service. . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2023. 437. Native American health facilities (a) In general Section 1834(m)(4)(C) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(C) ), as amended by the preceding sections, is amended— (1) in clause (i), by striking clause (iii) and inserting clauses (iii) and (iv) ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new clause: (iv) Native American health facilities The originating site requirements described in clauses (i) and (ii) shall not apply with respect to a facility of the Indian Health Service, whether operated by such Service, or by an Indian tribe (as that term is defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act ( 25 U.S.C. 1603 )) or a tribal organization (as that term is defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 )), or a facility of the Native Hawaiian health care systems authorized under the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11701 et seq. ). . (b) No originating site facility fee for new sites Section 1834(m)(2)(B)(i) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(2)(B)(i) ) is amended, in the matter preceding subclause (I), by inserting (other than an originating site that is only described in clause (iv) of paragraph (4)(C), and does not meet the requirement for an originating site under clause (i) of such paragraph) after the originating site . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2025. 438. Waiver of telehealth restrictions during national emergencies Section 1135(b) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1320b–5(b) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (6), by striking and after the semicolon; (2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (8) requirements for payment for telehealth services under section 1834(m). . 439. Use of telehealth in recertification for hospice care (a) In general Section 1814(a)(7)(D)(i) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395f(a)(7)(D)(i) ) is amended by inserting (including through use of telehealth, notwithstanding the requirements in section 1834(m)(4)(C)) after face-to-face encounter . (b) GAO report Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress evaluating the impact of the amendment made by subsection (a) on— (1) the number and percentage of beneficiaries recertified for the Medicare hospice benefit at 180 days and for subsequent benefit periods; (2) the appropriateness for hospice care of the patients recertified through the use of telehealth; and (3) any other factors determined appropriate by the Comptroller General. 440. Clarification for fraud and abuse laws regarding technologies provided to beneficiaries Section 1128A(i)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a–7a(i)(6)) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (I), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; (2) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (K) the provision of technologies (as defined by the Secretary) on or after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, by a provider of services or supplier (as such terms are defined for purposes of title XVIII) directly to an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII, enrolled under part B of such title, or both, for the purpose of furnishing telehealth services, remote patient monitoring services, or other services furnished through the use of technology (as defined by the Secretary), if— (i) the technologies are not offered as part of any advertisement or solicitation; and (ii) the provision of the technologies meets any other requirements set forth in regulations promulgated by the Secretary. . 441. Study and report on increasing access to telehealth services in the home (a) MedPAC study The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (in this section referred to as the Commission ) shall conduct a study on increasing access under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq. ) to telehealth services in the home. Such study shall include an analysis of the following: (1) How different payers allow the home to be an originating site for telehealth services. (2) Particular types of telehealth services or subgroups of beneficiaries with respect to which allowing the home to be an originating site under the Medicare program would be suitable. (b) Report Not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the Commission determines appropriate. 442. Analysis of telehealth waivers in alternative payment models The second sentence of section 1115A(g) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1315a(g) ) is amended by inserting an analysis of waivers under section (d)(1) related to telehealth and the impact on quality and spending under the applicable titles of such waivers, after subsection (c), . 443. Model to allow additional health professionals to furnish telehealth services Section 1115A(b)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1315a(b)(2)(B) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new clause: (xxviii) Allowing health professionals who are not otherwise eligible under section 1834(m) to furnish telehealth services to furnish such services. . 444. Testing of models to examine the use of telehealth under the Medicare program Section 1115A(b)(2) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1315a(b)(2) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (D) Testing models to examine use of telehealth under Medicare The Secretary shall consider testing under this subsection models to examine the use of telehealth under title XVIII. .