Number:104-11
Date: October 26, 1995

THE HOUSE PASSES H.R. 2425
THE "MEDICARE PRESERVATION ACT OF 1995"

 

On October 19, the House passed H.R. 2425, the Medicare Preservation Act of 1995. Some of the provisions of interest to SSA would:

  • Extend beyond the current expiration of September 30, 1998 the Medicare Secondary payer (MSP) data match requirements among SSA, HCFA and the IRS to identify primary payers for Medicare enrollees who have health care coverage in addition to Medicare.

  • Establish a Commission on the Effect of the Baby Boom Generation on the Medicare program. The Commission will examine the fmaneial impact on the Medicare program of the increased number of individuals who will become eligible for Medicare beginning around 2010 and will make financing recommendations to Congress.

  • Increase the Medicare Part B premium for individuals with adjusted gross incomes over $75,000 per individual and $125,000 per couple. The additional premium will be paid through a deduction in an affected individual's Social Security benefit.

This bill will be included in the reconciliation legislation (H.R. 2491, the Seven-Year Balanced Budget Reconciliation Act of 1995) that the House is expected to begin considering on October 26.

The Senate Medicare reform legislation will be included in the omnibus budget reconciliation bill (not yet introduced) which is scheduled for Senate floor action on October 25.