HR 4557 IH
106th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4557
To amend the Social Security Act to waive the 24-month waiting period
for Medicare coverage of individuals disabled with acquired immune deficiency
syndrome (AIDS), and to provide Medicare coverage of drugs used for treatment of
AIDS.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 25, 2000
Mr. COBURN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Commerce, 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
A BILL
To amend the Social Security Act to waive the 24-month waiting period
for Medicare coverage of individuals disabled with acquired immune deficiency
syndrome (AIDS), and to provide Medicare coverage of drugs used for treatment of
AIDS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `AIDS Treatment and Assistance Act of
2000'.
SEC. 2. WAIVER OF 24-MONTH WAITING PERIOD FOR MEDICARE COVERAGE OF
INDIVIDUALS DISABLED WITH ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS).
(a) IN GENERAL- Section 226 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 426) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (j) and by moving such
subsection to the end of the section, and
(2) by inserting after subsection (g) the following new
subsection:
`(h) For purposes of applying this section in the case of an individual
medically determined to have acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), the
following special rules apply:
`(1) Subsection (b) shall be applied as if there were no requirement for
any entitlement to benefits, or status, for a period longer than 1
month.
`(2) The entitlement under such subsection shall begin with the first
month (rather than twenty-fifth month) of entitlement or status.
`(3) Subsection (f) shall not be applied.'.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 1837 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395p) is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
`(j) In applying this section in the case of an individual who is entitled
to benefits under part A pursuant to the operation of section 226(h), the
following special rules apply:
`(1) The initial enrollment period under subsection (d) shall begin on
the first day of the first month in which the individual satisfies the
requirement of section 1836(1).
`(2) In applying subsection (g)(1), the initial enrollment period shall
begin on the first day of the first month of entitlement to disability
insurance benefits referred to in such subsection.'.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this section shall apply to
benefits for months beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. MEDICARE COVERAGE OF DRUGS TO TREAT ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY
SYNDROME (AIDS).
(a) IN GENERAL- Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395x(s)(2)) is amended--
(1) by striking `and' at the end of subparagraph (S),
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (T) and inserting
`; and', and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
`(U) any drug (which is approved by the Federal Food and Drug
Administration) prescribed for use in the treatment or alleviation of
symptoms relating to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).'.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to
drugs furnished on or after the first day of the first month beginning after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
END