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) In general.—The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services shall conduct a study to determine the potential effects of calculating Medicare Advantage payment rates on a more aggregated geographic basis (such as metropolitan statistical areas or other regional delineations) rather than using county boundaries. In conducting such study, the Administrator shall consider the effect of such alternative geographic basis on the following:

(1) The quality of care received by Medicare Advantage enrollees.

(2) The networks of Medicare Advantage plans, including any implications for providers contracting with Medicare Advantage plans.

(3) The predictability of benchmark amounts for Medicare advantage plans.

(b) Consultations.—In conducting the study, the Administrator shall consult with the following:

(1) Experts in health care financing.

(2) Representatives of foundations and other nonprofit entities that have conducted or supported research on Medicare financing issues.

(3) Representatives from Medicare Advantage plans.

(4) Such other entities or people as determined by the Secretary.

(c) Report.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report to the Congress on the study conducted under this section. The report shall contain a detailed statement of findings and conclusions of the study, together with its recommendations for such legislation and administrative actions as the Administrator considers appropriate.