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Medicare Preventive Benefit Improvement Act of 1997

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 7, 1997

Medicare Preventive Benefit Improvement Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for expanded coverage of preventive benefits under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program. Makes all women over age 49 eligible for annual screening mammography benefit coverage. Waives the deductible co-payment on such benefit. Makes women of childbearing age (if they have not had a negative result in such a test in each of the preceding three years), or at high risk of developing cervical cancer, eligible for yearly pap smears, by suspending in their cases a specified three-year frequency limitation on benefit coverage for screening pap smears. Makes such women eligible also for yearly screening pelvic exams, including a clinical breast exam. Makes other women eligible for triennial screening pelvic exams. Waives the deductible co-payment for such exams. Adds coverage of screening procedures, with specified payment and frequency limitations, for early detection of colorectal cancer, including fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy for high risk individuals, as well as a barium enema if the Secretary of Health and Human Services finds that to be an appropriate alternative to a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy. Directs the Secretary to make a decision within two years about covering screening barium enemas as such an alternative. Adds biennial coverage of certain prostate cancer screening procedures for men over 50 years of age, including a digital rectal examination and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Adds coverage of the following diabetes screening benefits: (1) diabetes outpatient self-management training services; and (2) blood-testing strips (with payment based on inexpensive, routinely purchased durable medical equipment). Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish outcome measures to evaluate improvement of the health of Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes mellitus; and (2) submit recommendations to the Congress regarding modifications to the Medicare coverage of services for such beneficiaries.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Thomas, William M. [R-CA-21] · R–CA

Committees

  • Ways and Means Committee
  • Energy and Commerce Committee
146 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Subcommittee Hearings Held.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.

  3. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  4. Referred to House Ways and Means

  5. Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.

  6. Referred to House Commerce

  7. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E68-69)

  8. Introduced in House

  9. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Jun 3, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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