United States. Congress

“ ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS- In developing and submitting each proposal under this section in a proposal year, the Board shall, to the extent feasible-- (i) give priority to recommendations that extend Medicare solvency; (ii) include recommendations that-- (I) improve the health care delivery system and health outcomes, including by promoting integrated care, care coordination, prevention and wellness, and quality and efficiency improvement; and (II) protect and improve Medicare beneficiaries' access to necessary and evidence-based items and services, including in rural and frontier areas ”

“ Subclause (I) shall not apply in a year where the adjustment to the fee schedules determined under clause (i) is 0.0 or a percentage decrease for a year. The application of the productivity adjustment under subclause (I) shall not result in an adjustment to the fee schedules under clause (i) being less than 0.0 for a year. The application of subclause (II) may result in an adjustment to the fee schedules under clause (i) being less than 0.0 for a year, and may result in payment rates for a year being less than such payment rates for the preceding year.'. ”

“ SUBSEQUENT STUDIES AND REPORTS- The Comptroller General shall periodically conduct such additional studies and submit reports to Congress on changes to Medicare payments policies, methodologies, and rates and coverage policies and methodologies as the Comptroller General determines appropriate, in consultation with the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate. ”

“ IN GENERAL- The appointed membership of the Board shall include individuals with national recognition for their expertise in health finance and economics, actuarial science, health facility management, health plans and integrated delivery systems, reimbursement of health facilities, allopathic and osteopathic physicians, and other providers of health services, and other related fields, who provide a mix of different professionals, broad geographic representation, and a balance between urban and rural representatives. ”

“ The productivity adjustment described in this subclause, with respect to a percentage, factor, or update for a fiscal year, year, cost reporting period, or other annual period, is a productivity adjustment equal to the 10-year moving average of changes in annual economy-wide private nonfarm business multi-factor productivity (as projected by the Secretary for the 10-year period ending with the applicable fiscal year, year, cost reporting period, or other annual period) . ”

“ The Chairperson shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level II of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code. (2) TRAVEL EXPENSES- The appointed members shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Board. ”

“ Medicare beneficiary access to providers and items and services; (ii) the affordability of Medicare premiums and cost-sharing (including deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) ; (iii) the potential impact of changes on other government or private-sector purchasers and payers of care; and (iv) quality of patient care, including patient experience, outcomes, and other measures of care. ”

“ A motion further to limit debate is in order and not debatable. An amendment to, or a motion to postpone, or a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business, or a motion to recommit the joint resolution is not in order. (iii) PASSAGE- In the Senate, immediately following the conclusion of the debate on a joint resolution described in paragraph (1) , and a single quorum call at the conclusion of the debate if requested in accordance with the rules of the Senate, the vote on passage of the joint resolution shall occur. ”