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.—Section 1905 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d), as amended by section 1713(a), is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) by redesignating paragraph (29) as paragraph (30);

(B) in paragraph (28), by striking at the end “and”; and

(C) by inserting after paragraph (28) the following new paragraph:

“(29) freestanding birth center services (as defined in subsection (l)(3)(A)) and other ambulatory services that are offered by a freestanding birth center (as defined in subsection (l)(3)(B)) and that are otherwise included in the plan; and”; and

(2) in subsection (l), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(3)(A) The term ‘freestanding birth center services’ means services furnished to an individual at a freestanding birth center (as defined in subparagraph (B)), including by a licensed birth attendant (as defined in subparagraph (C)) at such center.

“(B) The term ‘freestanding birth center’ means a health facility—

“(i) that is not a hospital; and

“(ii) where childbirth is planned to occur away from the pregnant woman’s residence.

“(C) The term ‘licensed birth attendant’ means an individual who is licensed or registered by the State involved to provide health care at childbirth and who provides such care within the scope of practice under which the individual is legally authorized to perform such care under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law), regardless of whether the individual is under the supervision of, or associated with, a physician or other health care provider. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as changing State law requirements applicable to a licensed birth attendant.”.

(b) Effective date.—The amendments made by this section shall apply to items and services furnished on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.