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H.R.3139 / 105th Congress

Stop Medicare Overpayment Act of 1998

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 3, 1998

Stop Medicare Overpayment Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, with respect to reimbursement for drugs and biologicals. Replaces the current reimbursement rate of 95 percent of the wholesale average price with the lowest of the following: (1) the current rate; (2) the actual acquisition cost to the claim submitter of the drug or biological; (3) the amount otherwise determined under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); or (4) for payments for drugs or biologicals furnished on or after January 1, 2000, the median actual acquisition cost of all claims for payment for such drugs or biologicals for the 12-month period beginning July 1, 1998.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Berry, Marion [D-AR-1] · D–AR

Committees

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

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  3. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H302-303)

  4. Referred to House Commerce

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

  6. Referred to House Ways and Means

  7. Introduced in House

  8. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

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

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3139 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3139 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3139 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3139 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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