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S 873 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: April 21, 2005 Introduced by: Durbin, Richard J. Democratic · Illinois See on congress.gov
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 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 S10525-1052 6)
Apr 22, 2005
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 90.
Apr 21, 2005
Introduced in Senate
Apr 21, 2005
Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4114)
 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 offer one or more Medicare operated prescription drug plans nationally that provide qualified prescription drug coverage and access to negotiated prices. Allows the plan to offer supplemental prescription drug coverage in the same manner as other qualified prescription drug coverage by other prescription drug plans.

Requires the Secretary to negotiate 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, with a formula for determining premium adjustments in subsequent years.

What's happening now September 27, 2005

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10525-1052 6)