Senate Debates Prescription
Drug Measure; Medicare Provider Amendment May Be Offered
July 19, 2002 - The Senate July 15 began what could
be a two-week debate on prescription drug legislation. The
"Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act of
2002" (S.
812), which was passed by the Senate Health Education
Labor and Pensions Committee July 11, amends the federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide greater access to affordable
pharmaceuticals through increased access to generics. The
bill is being used as a base legislative vehicle for Senators
to offer competing amendments to expand the prescription drug
benefit under Medicare. Amendments to increase Medicare provider
payments for hospitals, physicians and other providers may
be offered as well.
At press time, no provider amendment had yet been offered,
as much of the focus has been on issues surrounding allowing
pharmacists and wholesalers to re-import prescriptions drug
from Canada. A number of Senators reportedly have been working
on provider related amendments, including Senate Majority
Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus
(D-Mont.), Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), Sen. James Jeffords
(I-Vt.) and Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.).
The AAMC is encouraging that any provider amendment offered
include preserving the Medicare Indirect Medical Education
(IME) payment at 6.5 percent for at least five years.
Lynne Davis Boyle, Assistant Vice President
AAMC Office of Governmental Relations
ldavisboyle@aamc.org
(202) 828-0526
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