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S 345 109th Congress Senate Health Commerce Drug industry Drugs Finance and Financial Sector Insurance premiums Medical economics Medicare Prescription pricing Social Welfare

Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2005

Introduced: February 10, 2005 Introduced by: Durbin, Richard J. Democratic · Illinois See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 27, 2005
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10525-10526)
Feb 10, 2005
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1273)
Feb 10, 2005
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1272-1273)
Feb 10, 2005
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2005 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) offer one or more Medicare operated prescription drug plans nationally that offer qualified prescription drug coverage and access to negotiated prices, while allowing the plan to offer supplemental prescription drug coverage in the same manner as other qualified prescription drug coverage offered by other prescription drug plans; and (2) enter into negotiations with pharmaceutical manufacturers to reduce the purchase cost of covered Medicare part D drugs for eligible part D individuals, and encourage the use of more affordable therapeutic equivalents.

Requires the monthly beneficiary premium charged under such a plan to be uniform nationally. Makes the premium for months in 2006 $35. Bases the premium for months in succeeding years on the average monthly per capita actuarial cost of offering the Medicare operated prescription drug plan for the year involved, including administrative expenses. Allows for adjustment of such premium amount in case of supplemental prescription drug coverage.


What's happening now September 27, 2005

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10525-10526)

 Committees of jurisdiction 1