A resolution to express the sense of the Senate regarding the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make adjustments to payments made to skilled nursing facilities under the medicare program.

Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in making payments under the prospective payment system (PPS) for skilled nursing facilities under Medicare, has the authority under such PPS to provide for an appropriate adjustment to account for case mix which reflects a patient's medical needs requiring the provision of non-therapy ancillary services (such as respiratory therapy, pharmacy, laboratory, X-ray, and parenteral and enteral services, and covered durable medical supplies). Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary should: (1) gather sufficient data on the provision of non-therapy ancillary services by skilled nursing facilities paid under the PPS in order to develop the appropriate case mix adjustment; and (2) periodically report to the Congress on the development of such an adjustment which reflects a patient's medical needs requiring such ancillary services.