Senate, House Pass Medicare Drug Bills

Early Friday morning, June 27, the Senate and House of Representatives passed similar but differing versions of legislation which would add a drug benefit to the Medicare program. Of particular interest to ASA members is the fact that the House bill includes a guarantee of 1.5% positive reimbursement updates in both 2004 and 2005, but the Senate bill does not deal with the issue. Both bills contain provisions improving Medicare reimbursement for physicians in rural areas, with the Senate bill providing more generous assistance. A conference between the two bodies is now required in order to resolve differences; the conference is expected to take place in July, with the expectation of Congress passing an agreed bill by the time of its August recess.