PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Aug 6, 2019
Sustaining Excellence in Medicaid Act of 2019
This bill extends several health care programs and requirements and revises certain Medicare drug payment methodologies.
(Sec. 2) The bill temporarily extends the Medicaid demonstration program for certified community behavioral health clinics.
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(Sec. 3) The bill also temporarily extends the applicability of Medicaid eligibility criteria that protect against spousal impoverishment for recipients of home- and community-based services.
(Sec. 4) The bill increases appropriations for FY2019 for the Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration Program. (Under this program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) may award grants to state Medicaid programs to assist states in increasing the use of home and community care for long-term care and decreasing the use of institutional care.)
(Sec. 5) Additionally, the bill extends the Family-to-Family Health Information Centers Program, which is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration. The program awards grants to family-run organizations to support the provision of information and peer support to families of children with special health care needs.
(Sec. 6) Finally, the bill provides statutory authority for a Medicare payment methodology that applies an add-on payment of up to 3% for new drugs or biologics (furnished on or after January 1, 2019) when the average sales price is unavailable and payment is instead based on the wholesale acquisition cost (WAC). (Effective January 1, 2019, the CMS reduced the WAC add-on payment in such situations from 6% to 3%.)
People & committees
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12] · D–MI
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 116-39.
Became Public Law No: 116-39.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H7477-7478)
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.(text: CR H7477-7478)
Ms. Norton asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's Table and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H7477-7478)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5114)
Received in the Senate, read twice.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 371 - 46 (Roll no. 333). (text: CR H4706-4707)
House roll call 333 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 371 - 46 (Roll no. 333).(text: CR H4706-4707)
House roll call 333 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4751)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3253.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4706-4710)
Mrs. Dingell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: May 28, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.3253 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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