PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 17, 2001
New Insurance Coverage Equity (NICE) Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new Medicare part D (NICE Drug Benefit Program) (NICE program), administered by the NICE Board, also charged with running a New Insurance Coverage Equity Office established within the Department of Health and Human Services, under which all individuals entitled to Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) benefits and enrolled in Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) shall be provided access to coverage of outpatient prescription drugs that meet specified requirements. Grants such access via either enrollment in a Medicare+Choice (Medicare part C) plan, enrollment in a NICE Medicare supplemental policy, or enrollment in a group health plan. Provides for financial assistance to enable covered beneficiaries to obtain enrollment coverage.Vests the NICE Board with outreach and other specified duties, such as establishing procedures for enrollment and enhanced financial assistance.Outlines requirements for the offering of NICE program coverage, which include prohibiting pre-existing condition exclusions.Establishes in the Treasury the NICE Trust Fund, consisting in part of amounts from the on-budget surplus, to be available only for expenditures to carry out the NICE program.Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to include with Medicare supplemental policy (Medigap) comparison information for Medigap policies, information on the NICE program for purposes of State grant application plans for State-wide health insurance, counseling, and assistance grants.
People & committees
Rep. Maloney, James H. [D-CT-5] · D–CT
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 19, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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