2000
[DOCID: f:h2627ih.txt]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2627
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to permit uninsured
families and individuals to obtain coverage under the medicaid program,
to assure coverage of doctor's visits, prescription drugs, mental
health services, long-term care services, alcohol and drug abuse
treatment services, and all other medically necessary services, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 25, 2001
Mr. Conyers (for himself, Mrs. Christensen, Mr. Bonior, Mrs. Jones of
Ohio, Ms. Solis, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Ms. Lee, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr.
Thompson of Mississippi, and Mr. Rush) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to permit uninsured
families and individuals to obtain coverage under the medicaid program,
to assure coverage of doctor's visits, prescription drugs, mental
health services, long-term care services, alcohol and drug abuse
treatment services, and all other medically necessary services, and for
other purposes.
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 ``Working American Families Access to
Health Care Act of 2001'' or ``Medi-Access Act of 2001''.
SEC. 2. MEDI-ACCESS PROGRAM PROVIDING INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR LOW TO
MODERATE INCOME UNINSURED WORKING FAMILIES .
(a) Availability of Medicaid Coverage for Uninsured Families Under
Medi-Access.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Coverage for families with income below 200
percent of the poverty line with no premium required.--
Section 1916 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1396o) is amended--
(i) in subsection (a), by striking
``Subject to subsection (g)'' and inserting
``Subject to subsections (g) and (h)''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``(h)(1) With respect to an individual provided medical assistance
only under subclause (VIII) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i), if the
individual's family income--
``(A) does not exceed 200 percent of the poverty line (as
defined in section 2110(c)(5)) applicable to a family of the
size involved, a State shall not require payment of any monthly
premium;''.
(B) Coverage for uninsured lower middle class
families.--Section 1916(h) of such Act, as so added, is
amended--
(i) by adding at the end of paragraph (1)
the following new subparagraphs:
``(B) exceeds 200 percent (but does not exceed 250 percent)
of such poverty line applicable to a family of the size
involved, a State shall require such individuals to pay a
monthly premium equal to $15 per month for each individual in
the family so covered, but not to exceed $25 per month for all
individuals in the family;
``(C) exceeds 250 percent (but does not exceed 300 percent)
of such poverty line applicable to a family of the size
involved, a State shall require such individuals to pay a
monthly premium equal to $25 per month for each individual in
the family so covered, but not to exceed $50 per month for all
individuals in the family;
``(D) exceeds 300 percent (but does not exceed 350 percent)
of such poverty line, the State shall require such individuals
to pay a monthly premium equal to $50 per month for each
individual in the family so covered, but not to exceed $150 per
month for all individuals in the family;''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following new
paragraphs:
``(2) A State may enter into an arrangement with an employer that
employs at least 2, but fewer than 51, employees under which the
employer will pay directly for premiums established under this
subsection.
``(3) A State shall provide for billing for premiums under this
subsection once every month. The State shall include in such a billing
information on any changes or information alerts relevant to coverage
under this title. The State shall have a toll-free number where an
enrollee may call for any information about the Medi-Access program or
in the event that the State seeks to terminate coverage of a family or
individual under this title due to nonpayment of a premium or any other
reason.
``(4) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as authorizing
the use of premiums collected under this subsection for vouchers for
the purchase of private health insurance.''.
(C) Expansion of eligibility for uninsured middle
class families with income between 350 and 600 percent
of the poverty line.--Section 1902 of such Act (42
U.S.C. 1396a) is amended--
(i) in subsection (a)(10)(A)(i)--
(I) by striking ``or'' at the end
of subclause (VI);
(II) by striking the semicolon at
the end of subclause (VII) and
inserting ``, or''; and
(III) by adding at the end the
following new subclause:
``(VIII) described in subsection
(cc);''; and
(ii) by adding at the end, as amended by
section 2(a) of the Breast and Cervical Cancer
Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000 (Public
Law 106-354; 114 Stat. 1381) and section 702(b)
of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits
Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (as
enacted into law by section 1(a)(6) of Public
Law 106-554), the following new subsection:
``(cc)(1) For purposes of (a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII), individuals
described in this subsection are individuals who meet the following
requirements:
``(A) The income of the individual's family does not exceed
350 percent of the poverty line (as defined in section
2110(c)(5)) applicable to a family of the size involved; except
that beginning on January 1, 2004, the requirement of this
subparagraph shall or may be waived under paragraph (2).
``(B) The individual is not otherwise described or covered
under this title under any other provision.
``(C) Subject to paragraph (2), the individual does not
have creditable coverage (described in section 2701(c)(1) of
the Public Health Service Act, but not taking into account
subparagraph (F) of that section or eligibility for benefits
under title XXI).
``(2) The requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (C) of paragraph
(1) shall not apply, on or after January 1, 2004, in the case of a
family or individual the income of which does not exceed 600 percent of
the poverty line (as defined in section 2110(c)(5)), if any of the
following is demonstrated with respect to that family or individual:
``(A) The family or individual has applied for and been
denied in writing coverage under private health insurance
coverage for reasons re
2000
lating to medical underwriting.
``(B) The family or individual is covered under private
health insurance coverage, has sought benefits under the
coverage for specific procedures, medications, or tests
recommended by a physician, but has been denied in writing such
benefits, whether or not such denial is due to limitations of
such coverage, the application of any pre-existing condition
exclusion, or any other reason.
``(C) Because of pre-existing conditions or risks of the
family, the premiums for coverage of the family or individual
under private health insurance coverage are at least 200
percent of the average private market premium rate for the same
or similar coverage of such a family or individual in the area
involved.
``(3) An individual who is described in this subsection is eligible
for medical assistance without regard to the value of the individual's
or individual family's automobiles, land, or home or the amount of any
other assets or resources of the individual or the individual's
family.''.
(D) Expansion of eligibility on a case-by-case
hardship basis for uninsured families with income above
600 percent of the poverty line who cannot otherwise
access health insurance coverage and who have serious
or life-threatening illnesses.--Section 1902(cc)(1) of
such Act, as added by subparagraph (C)(ii), is
amended--
(i) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ``or
(4)'' after ``paragraph (2)''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(4) A State may, in the State's discretion and effective on and
after January 1, 2004, waive the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and
(C) on a case-by-case basis based on hardship for individuals and
families the income of which exceeds 600 percent of the poverty line
(as defined in section 2110(c)(5)) and who meet any of the conditions
described in paragraph (2).''.
(E) Premiums for uninsured individuals with incomes
higher than 350 percent of the poverty line.--Effective
January 1, 2004, section 1916(h)(1) of the Social
Security Act, as added by subparagraph (A), is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(E) exceeds 350 percent (but does not exceed 400 percent)
of such poverty line, the State shall require such individuals
to pay a monthly premium equal to $50 per month for each
individual in the family so covered, but not to exceed $150 per
month for all individuals in the family;
``(F) exceeds 400 percent (but does not exceed 500 percent)
of such poverty line, the State shall require such individuals
to pay a monthly premium equal to $100 per month for each
individual in the family so covered, but not to exceed $250 per
month for all individuals in the family;
``(G) exceeds 500 percent (but does not exceed 600 percent)
of such poverty line, the State shall require such individuals
to pay a monthly premium equal to $150 per month for each
individual in the family so covered, but not to exceed $350 per
month for all individuals in the family; or
``(H) exceeds 600 percent of such poverty line, the State
shall require such individuals to pay a monthly premium equal
to $200 per month for each individual in the family so covered,
but not to exceed $550 per month for all individuals in the
family.''.
(F) Miscellaneous conforming amendment.--(i)
Section 1903(f)(4) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(f)(4))
is amended by inserting ``1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII),''
after ``1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VII),''.
(G) Technical amendments.--(i) Section 1902 of such
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a), as amended by section 702(b) of
the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement
and Protection Act of 2000 (as enacted into law by
section 1(a)(6) of Public Law 106-554), is amended by
redesignating the subsection (aa) added by such section
as subsection (bb).
(ii) Section 1902(a)(15) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1396a(a)(15)), as added by section 702(a)(2) of the
Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and
Protection Act of 2000 (as so enacted into law), is
amended by striking ``subsection (aa)'' and inserting
``subsection (bb)''.
(iii) Section 1915(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1396n(b)), as amended by section 702(c)(2) of the
Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and
Protection Act of 2000 (as so enacted into law), is
amended by striking ``1902(aa)'' and inserting
``1902(bb)''.
(2) Clarification of coverage of uninsured men and women,
regardless of marital status.--Section 1905(a) of such Act (42
U.S.C. 1396d(a)) is amended, in the matter before paragraph
(1)--
(A) by striking ``or'' at the end of clause (xi);
(B) by adding ``or'' at the end of clause (xii);
and
(C) by inserting after clause (xii) the following
new clause:
``(xiii) individuals described in section 1902(cc) (which
includes uninsured men and women, regardless of marital
status),''.
(3) Making presumptive eligibility mandatory.--
(A) In general.--Sections 1920 and 1920A of such
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r-1, 1396r-1a) are each amended by
striking ``may provide'' and inserting ``shall
provide''.
(B) Expansion of presumptive eligibility to all
individuals.--Title XIX of the Act is amended by
inserting after section 1920A the following new
section:
``presumptive eligibility for other individuals
``Sec. 1920B. (a) A State plan approved under section 1902 shall
provide for making medical assistance with respect to health care items
and services covered under the State plan available to all individuals
during a presumptive eligibility period.
``(b) For purposes of this section:
``(1) The term `presumptive eligibility period' means, with
respect to an individual, the period that--
``(A) begins with the date on which a qualified
entity determines, on the basis of preliminary
information, that the family income of the individual
does not exceed the applicable income level of
eligibility under the State plan, and
``(B) ends with (and includes) the earlier of--
``(i) the day on which a determination is
made with respect to the eligibility of the
individual for medical assistance under the
State plan, or
``(ii) in the case of an individual on
whose behalf an application is not filed by the
last day of the month following the month
during which the entity makes the determination
referred to in subparagraph (A), such last day.
``(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the term `qualified
entity' means any entity that--
``(i)(I) is eligible for payments under a State
plan approved under this tit
2000
le and provides items and
services described in subsection (a) or (II) is a
qualified provider described in section 1920(b)(2); and
``(ii) is determined by the State agency to be
capable of making determinations of the type described
in paragraph (1)(A).
``(B) The Secretary may issue regulations further limiting
those entities that may become qualified entities in order to
prevent fraud and abuse and for other reasons.
``(C) Nothing in this section shall be construed as
preventing a State from limiting the classes of entities that
may become qualified entities, consistent with any limitations
imposed under subparagraph (B).
``(c)(1) The State agency shall provide qualified entities with--
``(A) such forms as are necessary for an application to be
made on behalf of a child for medical assistance under the
State plan, and
``(B) information on how to assist parents, guardians, and
other persons in completing and filing such forms.
``(2) A qualified entity that determines under subsection (b)(1)(A)
that an individual is presumptively eligible for medical assistance
under a State plan shall--
``(A) notify the State agency of the determination within 5
working days after the date on which determination is made, and
``(B) inform the individual at the time the determination
is made that an application for medical assistance under the
State plan is required to be made by not later than the last
day of the month following the month during which the
determination is made.
``(3) In the case of an individual who is determined by a qualified
entity to be presumptively eligible for medical assistance under a
State plan, the individual shall make application for medical
assistance under such plan by not later than the last day of the month
following the month during which the determination is made.
``(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, medical
assistance for items and services described in subsection (a) that--
``(1) are furnished to an individual--
``(A) during a presumptive eligibility period,
``(B) by an entity that is eligible for payments
under the State plan; and
``(2) are included in the care and services covered by a
State plan;
shall be treated as medical assistance provided by such plan for
purposes of section 1903.''.
(C) Conforming amendment.--Section 1902(a)(47) of
such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(47)) is amended by
striking ``at the option of the State,''.
(4) Minimum eligibility period for categorically needy.--
Section 1902(e) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)) is amended by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(13) The State plan shall provide that an individual who is
determined to be eligible for benefits under a State plan approved
under this title under subsection (a)(10)(A) shall remain eligible for
those benefits until the end of the 12-month period following the date
of such determination.''.
(5) Coverage of legal immigrants.--Section 1902 of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 1396a), as amended by paragraph (1)(C)(ii), is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(dd) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the provisions
of title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996 (and of section 213A of the Immigration and
Nationality Act) shall not apply to eligibility for medical assistance
under this title for individuals who are lawful permanent residents of
the United States.''.
(6) Mail-in and on-line application process.--Section
1902(a)(8) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(8)) is amended after
``opportunity to do so'' the following: ``and may do so through
an application submitted by mail or through electronic means
through the Internet, provide that applications are not longer
than 2 pages and are made available in different languages in
order to provide a fair and accessible application process,''.
(7) Limitations on other cost-sharing.--Section 1916 of
such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396o), as amended by paragraph (1)(A), is
further amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``(g) and (h)''
and inserting ``(g), (h), and (i)''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(i) With respect to an individual provided medical assistance
only under subclause (VIII) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i),
notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, if the
individual's family income--
``(1) does not exceed 200 percent of the poverty line (as
defined in section 2110(c)(5)) applicable to a family of the
size involved, a State shall not impose any deduction, cost
sharing or similar charge; or
``(2) exceeds 200 percent of such poverty line, a State
shall impose--
``(A) a copayment of $10 for each chiropractic
service visit; and
``(B) $5 for each doctor's visit, prescription
dispensed, laboratory test, or other item or service;
except that no copayment shall be imposed under this paragraph
with respect to preventive services (including pap smears,
immunizations, vaccinations, flu shots, annual check-ups,
screening mammography, and pre-natal and post-natal care), or
with respect to early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and
treatment services under section 1905(a)(4)(B) and the total of
such copayments may not exceed $30 in a month for a family the
income of which does not exceed 300 percent of such poverty
line. No individual may be denied benefits under this title by
virtue of a failure to pay a copayment under this section.''.
(8) Conforming termination of schip.--With respect to items
and services furnished on or after October 1, 2002, no Federal
payments shall be made under section 2105(a) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397ee(a)).
(9) Requiring crowd-out plan.--No payment may be made to a
State under title XIX of the Social Security Act under the
amendments made by this subsection unless the State has
developed and implemented a plan that, to the maximum extent
possible, would minimize businesses terminating private group
health coverage for employees who would be eligible for medical
assistance under the Medi-Access program provided under such
amendments.
(b) Requiring Coverage of Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic,
and Treatment Services (EPSDT), Coverage of Rehabilitative Services for
Disabled or Developmentally Delayed Children, Prescription Drugs,
Mental Health and Psychiatric Services, Assistive Technology Devices
and Services, Durable Medical Equipment, Drug and Alcohol Treatment
Services for All Medicaid Eligible Individuals, Assistive Technology
Devices and Services, Durable Medical Equipment, Prenatal and Postnatal
Care, Reproductive Health Services, and Personal Assistive Services.--
(1) Requiring coverage of screening, dental, vision,
hearing, and followup services (epsdt) for individuals of all
ages.--
(A) In general.--Section 1905(a)(4)(B) of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)(4)(B)) is amended by striking ``
and are under the age of 21''.
(B) Conforming amendments.--Section 1905(r) of such
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(r)) is amended, in each of
paragraphs (1)(A)(i), (2)(A)(i)
2000
, (3)(A)(i), and
(4)(A)(i), by inserting ``, including for children,
organizations'' after ``organizations''.
(2) Requiring coverage of rehabilitative services and
assistive technologies for disabled or developmentally delayed
children.--Section 1905(r)(5) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1396d(r)(5)) is amended by inserting before the period at the
end the following: ``, and including rehabilitative services
and assistive technologies for disabled or developmentally
disabled children, regardless of whether the disability was
discovered by the screening services''.
(3) Requiring coverage of prescription drugs, including
drugs and services for treatment of hiv infection or aids.--
Section 1902(a)(10) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)) is
amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``(12),''
after ``(5),'';
(B) in subparagraph (D)(iv), by inserting ``,
(12),'' after ``(5)'';
(C) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph
(F);
(D) by adding ``and'' at the end of subparagraph
(G); and
(E) by inserting after subparagraph (G) the
following new subparagraph:
``(H) that the plan shall not deny medical
assistance for prescribed drugs for individuals
described in subparagraph (A)(i) if the drugs have been
prescribed by a treating physician (or any other
treating health care professional authorized under law
to prescribe the drugs), including drugs and services
prescribed for treatment of HIV infection or AIDS;''.
(4) Requiring coverage of drug and alcohol treatment
services.--
(A) Requirement.--Section 1902(a)(10) of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)) is amended--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``(17)
and (21)'' and inserting ``(10), (17), (21),
and (27)''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (D)(iv), by striking
``and (17)'' and inserting ``(10), (17), and
(27)'' and by striking ``through (24)'' and
inserting ``through (27)''.
(B) Drug and alcohol treatment services
described.--Section 1905(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1396d(a)) is amended--
(i) by striking ``and'' at the end of
paragraph (26);
(ii) by redesignating paragraph (27) as
paragraph (28); and
(iii) by inserting after paragraph (26) the
following new paragraph:
``(27) alcohol and drug treatment services, including
coverage of inpatient and outpatient treatment without
durational restriction; and''.
(5) Requiring coverage of inpatient and outpatient mental
health and psychiatric services.--Section 1905(a)(5) of such
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)(5)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``and'' before ``(B)''; and
(B) by inserting before the semicolon at the end
the following: ``, and (C) mental health services and
psychiatric services furnished by a physician or other
qualified mental health professional, whether furnished
on an inpatient or outpatient basis''.
(6) Requiring coverage of mental health services without
durational restriction.--Section 1902(a)(10) of such Act (42
U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph
(F);
(B) by adding ``and'' at the end of subparagraph
(G); and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (G) the
following new subparagraph:
``(H) that does not impose durational limits with
respect to medical assistance for mental health
services;''.
(7) Requiring coverage of some chiropractic services.--
Section 1902(a)(10)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A))
is amended, in the matter before clause (i), by inserting ``and
professional services of chiropractors (other than electrical
stimulation and for up to 2 visits per month)'' after ``(21) of
section 1905(a)''.
(8) Requiring coverage of assistive technology devices and
services, durable medical equipment, sexually-transmitted
disease (std) diagnosis and treatment, and prenatal and post-
natal care.--Section 1905(a)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1396d(a)(3)) is amended by inserting before the semicolon at
the end the following: ``, assistive technology devices and
services, durable medical equipment, diagnosis and treatment
for sexually-transmitted disease, and prenatal and postnatal
care''.
(9) Requiring coverage of reproductive health services.--
Section 1905(a)(4)(C) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)(4)(C)) is
amended by inserting ``, including reproductive health services
such as fertility drugs and contraceptives'' after ``such
services and supplies''.
(10) Requiring coverage for licensed personal assistive
services (home health aides) for the physically or mentally
disabled who need assistance with daily living chores.--
(A) Requirement.--Section 1902(a)(10) of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)), as amended by paragraph
(4)(A), is amended--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and
(27)'' and inserting ``(27), and (28); and
(ii) in subparagraph (D)(iv), by striking
``and (27)'' and inserting ``(27), and (28)''
and by striking ``through (27)'' and inserting
``through (28)''.
(B) Personal assistive services described.--Section
1905(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)), as amended by
paragraph (4)(B), is amended--
(i) by striking ``and'' at the end of
paragraph (27);
(ii) by redesignating paragraph (28) as
paragraph (29); and
(iii) by inserting after paragraph (27) the
following new paragraph:
``(28) licensed personal assistive services provided by a
home health aide or similarly trained individual for the
physically or mentally disabled who need assistance with daily
living chores; and''.
(c) FMAP.--
(1) Federal assumption of increased expenses.--Section 1903
of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b) is amended by inserting after
subsection (g) the following new subsection:
``(h) Notwithstanding subsection (a), with respect to expenditures
incurred under the plan which are attributable to additional
populations, or services, covered as a result of the implementation of
the amendments made by the Working American Families Access to Health
Care Act of 2001 (including administrative costs related to such
implementation), the percentages otherwise specified under such
subsection with respect to such expenditures shall be increased to 100
percent. For purposes of applying the previous sentence, the fact that
a population or service was covered under this title under a waiver
under section 1115 shall not be taken into account and shall not
prevent such sentence a
11d6
pplying to such population or service.''.
(2) Special rules in applying to territories.--(A) Section
1905(b)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(b)(2)) is amended by
striking ``50 percent'' and inserting ``70 percent''.
(B) Section 1108 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1308) is amended--
(i) in subsection (f), by striking ``subsection
(g)'' and inserting ``subsections (g) and (h)''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(h) The limitations under subsection (f)--
``(1) shall not apply with respect to expenditures
described in section 1903(h); and
``(2) with respect to other expenditures made for fiscal
years beginning with fiscal year 2002 with respect to a
territory shall be 250 percent of the amount otherwise
permitted under such subsection and subsection (g) with respect
to such territory.''.
(d) State-Like Treatment of Territories.--Section 1108 of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 1308) is amended--
(1) in subsection (f), by striking ``subsection (g)'' and
inserting ``subsections (g) and (h)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(h) Exemption of Certain Expenditures From Limitation.--Amounts
of expenditures attributable to medical assistance provided under
section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) (or otherwise required to carry out the
amendments made by the Working American Families Access to Health Care
Act of 2001) shall not be taken into account in applying subsections
(f) and (g).''.
(e) Required Use of Community-Based Organizations in Expenditures
for Outreach and Media.--Section 1903(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1396b(i)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (8) the following new
paragraph:
``(9) with respect to amounts expended for outreach and
media education campaigns (including amounts expended for
assistance to those applying for medical assistance), unless at
least 25 percent of such amounts are made available for such
expenditures through community-based organizations; or''.
(f) Floor for Medicaid HMO Payment for All Services; Access to
Specialists.--Section 1932(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396u-2(b)) is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(9) Payment floor for all services.--A medicaid managed
care organization shall not reimburse a hospital or other
health care provider or professional for the provision of
services under this section at a rate that is less the fee-for-
service rate provided by the State for payment for such a
hospital, provider, or professional for such services under
this title in the case of individuals who are not enrolled with
such an organization under this section.
``(10) Access to specialists.--A medicaid managed care
organization shall assure access to specialty care with
appropriate competence and expertise to provide all specialty
care required by members enrolled under this section. The State
shall establish safeguards and access to specialists of an
enrollee's choice in case of a failure to provide timely access
through the organization.''.
(g) Toll-Free Number.--Section 1902 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a)
is amended by inserting after subsection (j) the following new
subsection:
``(k) The Secretary shall establish a toll-free telephone number at
which individuals who are eligible for medical assistance under this
title may file complaints concerning health care providers who do not
accept medical assistance under this title for services they provide or
concerning other problems they have with the program under this
title.''.
(h) Collection of Data by Race and Ethnicity.--The Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall provide for the collection of data on
enrollment, receipt of services, and health outcomes under the medicaid
program under title XIX of the Social Security Act, broken down at
least by the race and ethnicity of medicaid recipients. The Director of
the Office of Management and Budget shall make such revisions in data
collection standards as may be necessary to carry out this subsection.
(i) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on January 1, 2002.
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