Oct. 17 Deadline for Medicare
Conferees Slips; Discussions Continue
October 17, 2003 - With the Senate returning from
their week-long recess, Medicare conferees continued to meet
the week of Oct. 13 and focused on ways to means-test and
prevent employers from dropping health care coverage for retirees.
With many issues still undecided, the self-imposed Oct. 17
deadline for completion of conference talks will not be met.
Some Members of Congress suggest that the end of the month
(Oct. 31) may now be the new goal.
While conferees were originally scheduled to discuss provider
provisions this week, such discussions have been postponed.
The conferees focused their attention on ways to allow wealthy
seniors to pay more for their Part B premium. Conferees have
reportedly agreed in principle that wealthier seniors should
indeed pay more for doctor visits and other outpatient care,
but details have not yet been released. Recently, Sens. Don
Nickles (R-Okla.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) put forward
a proposal to require Medicare beneficiaries to pay higher
share of premiums based on a sliding scale.
The conferees have also been discussing giving employers
a tax credit to help ensure they do not drop Medicare beneficiaries
from their health plans. According to Sen. Charles Grassley
(R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, a tax
credit would encourage pre-funded employer health care plans
and would provide a benefit to companies that currently receive
funding for retirement plans. Such employer tax credits are
reportedly being scored based on different numbers of employees.
Information:
Lynne Davis Boyle, Assistant Vice President
AAMC Office of Governmental Relations
ldavisboyle@aamc.org
(202) 828-0526
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