PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9835-9839)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Aug 5, 1999
Medicare Ensuring Prescription Drugs for Seniors Act of 1999 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for coverage of certain outpatient prescription drugs under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).Outlines provisions for monthly deductible and payment amounts, with the waiver of deductible for low-income individuals.Details provisions on participating pharmacies.Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish, by January 1, 2001, a point-of-sale electronic system for use by carriers and participating pharmacies in the submission of information respecting covered outpatient drugs dispensed to Medicare part B beneficiaries.Amends Medicare part B to require the Director of the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment (sic) to provide for the appointment of a Prescription Drug Payment Review Commission to be composed of individuals with expertise in the provision and financing of covered outpatient drugs approved by the Director.Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide to the Commission, from amounts appropriated to HHS, necessary sums to carry out its duties, while prohibiting the payment of such sums from amounts appropriated to the Medicare trust funds; and (2) develop a standard claims form, and a standard electronic claims format, to be used in requests for payment for covered outpatient drugs under the Medicare program and other third-party payors, and distribute official sample copies of such form and format to pharmacies and other interested parties.Amends SSA title XI to provide for civil monetary penalties for excessive charges for nonparticipating pharmacies and for other specified violations of this Act.
People & committees
Sen. Grams, Rod [R-MN] · R–MN
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9835-9839)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6253)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10441)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 20, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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