Index for HR3962: Affordable Health Care for America Act

To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes.

Mr. Dingell (for himself, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Waxman, Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. Stark, Mr. Pallone, and Mr. Andrews) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, Oversight and Government Reform, and the Budget, 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

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

(a) Study.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to evaluate the potential establishment of a program under Medicare under title XVIII of the Social Security Act to acquire durable medical equipment and supplies through a competitive bidding process among manufacturers of such equipment and supplies. Such study shall address the following:

(1) Identification of types of durable medical equipment and supplies that would be appropriate for bidding under such a program.

(2) Recommendations on how to structure such an acquisition program in order to promote fiscal responsibility while also ensuring beneficiary access to high quality equipment and supplies.

(3) Recommendations on how such a program could be phased-in and on what geographic level would bidding be most appropriate.

(4) In addition to price, recommendations on criteria that could be factored into the bidding process.

(5) Recommendations on how suppliers could be compensated for furnishing and servicing equipment and supplies acquired under such a program.

(6) Comparison of such a program to the current competitive bidding program under Medicare for durable medical equipment, as well as any other similar Federal acquisition programs, such as the General Services Administration’s vehicle purchasing program.

(7) Any other consideration relevant to the acquisition, supply, and service of durable medical equipment and supplies that is deemed appropriate by the Comptroller General.

(b) Report.—Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of the study under subsection (a).