US Congress Senate Bill 3 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: Introduced on January 3 2019 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2019-01-03 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Pending: Senate Finance Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]

Alters and establishes several programs relating to health insurance and prescription drugs. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a public health insurance option through health insurance exchanges. The bill sets forth corresponding implementing provisions, including criteria for payment rates and provider participation. (For example, initial payment rates for providers and services must be set at the same rates as under Medicare; HHS may subsequently alter payment rates in accordance with a specified administrative process.) The bill also expands eligibility for (1) the health insurance premium tax credit, and (2) repayment limitations for excess advance payments of the premium tax credit. Additionally, the bill requires drug manufacturers, as a condition of participation in the Medicare prescription drug benefit, to issue rebates to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for drugs dispensed to certain low-income enrollees. The bill also requires the CMS to (1) negotiate with pharmaceutical companies regarding prices for drugs covered under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, and (2) serve as a prescription drug plan sponsor for a nationwide prescription drug plan under Medicare.

Keeping Health Insurance Affordable Act of 2019

Sen. Benjamin Cardin [D-MD]

Date	Chamber	Action
2019-01-03	Senate	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

HB1419 (Related) 2019-03-01 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/s3/BILLS-116s3is.pdf