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HR 2578 108th Congress House

Medicare for the 21st Century Act

Official title: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a voluntary Medicare outpatient prescription drug discount and security program.

Introduced: July 8, 2003 See on congress.gov
Health Accreditation (Medical care)Ambulatory careCase managementCatastrophic health insurance
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 2, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jul 1, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jun 24, 2003
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jun 24, 2003
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 2, 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Medicare for the 21st Century Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to add a new part D (Voluntary Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Discount and Security Program). Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Discount and Security Program under which an eligible beneficiary who voluntarily enrolls in such program is provided: (1) access to negotiated prices through an eligible entity with a contract under the program that has been selected by the beneficiary; (2) catastrophic coverage under the program; and (3) a prescription drug account and a public contribution into such account. Provides that, in estimating the benefits and administrative costs which will be payable from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund for a year for purposes of determining the monthly premium rate under Medicare part B (Federal Supplemental Medical Insurance), the Secretary shall exclude an estimate of any benefits and administrative costs attributable to application of the new part D program.

Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to provide for verification of eligibility for benefits under the new part D program.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2578: Medicare for the 21st Century Act. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2578/
MLA
"H.R. 2578: Medicare for the 21st Century Act." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2578/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2578, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2578/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2578: Medicare for the 21st Century Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2578/)
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