PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.4986 / 107th Congress

To amend part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve payments for physicians' services and other outpatient services furnished under the Medicare Program, and for other purposes.

Committee on Ways and Means discharged.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 21, 2002

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise updates for physicians' services for 2003 through 2005.Mandates that the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission submit to Congress a described report on the effect of refinements to the practice expense component of payments for physicians' services in the case of services for which there are no physician work relative value units, after the transition to a full resource-based payment system in 2002.Provides that, for purposes of payment under the physician fee schedule, for physicians' services furnished during 2004, in no case may the work geographic index otherwise calculated be less than 0.985.Amends SSA title XVIII to replace provisions under Medicare part B for a limited number of demonstration projects for competitive acquisition of items and services with provisions for a permanent program for the establishment of programs for competitive acquisition of described items and services, including provisions for a demonstration project for application of competitive acquisition to clinical diagnostic laboratory tests.Substitutes a new phase-in methodology for the ambulance fee schedule amount portion of the phase-in and lengthens the phase-in schedule, including in such methodology adjustment in payment for certain long trips.Extends the moratorium on application of the therapy caps for an additional two years.Modifies the limitation on copayment amount for hospital outpatient department services.Provides for coverage of an initial preventive physical examination.Increases the composite rate 1.2 percent for renal dialysis services furnished in 2004.Amends BIPA (sic) to specify that the prohibition on exceptions to the composite rate would not apply to pediatric facilities that, as of October 1, 2002, do not have an exception rate as of such date. Defines "pediatric facility" as a renal facility at least 50 percent of whose patients are individuals under 18 years of age.Amends SSA title XVIII to exclude payment for screening mammography and unilateral and bilateral diagnostic mammography under the system for hospital outpatient services.Provides that for diagnostic mammography performed on or after January 1, 2004, for which payment is made under the physician fee schedule, the Secretary, based on the most recent cost data available, shall provide for an appropriate adjustment in the payment amount for the technical component of the diagnostic mammography.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Tauzin, W. J. (Billy) [R-LA-3] · R–LA

Committees

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

    Actions

    A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

    1. Committee on Ways and Means discharged.

    2. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 332.

    3. Committee on Ways and Means discharged.

    4. House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 28, 2002.

    5. Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 107-549, Part I.

    6. Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 107-549, Part I.

    7. Referred to the Committee on Energy and 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.

    8. Referred to the Committee on Energy and 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.

    9. Referred to the Committee on Energy and 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.

    10. Introduced in House

    11. 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: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

    Explore the bill from different angles

    Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

    Neutral evidence review

    Objective

    Analyze H.R.4986 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.

    View full prompt & sources
    Fairness and public impact

    Progressive lens

    Examine H.R.4986 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.

    View full prompt & sources
    Institutions and government scope

    Conservative lens

    Examine H.R.4986 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.

    View full prompt & sources
    Individual rights and government power

    Liberty lens

    Examine H.R.4986 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.

    View full prompt & sources