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<PRE>[DOCID: f:h3092ih.txt]






107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3092

  To amend part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand 
 coverage of durable medical equipment to include physician prescribed 
  equipment necessary so unpaid caregivers can effectively and safely 
                           care for patients.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 11, 2001

Mr. Brown of Ohio introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee 
 on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
  Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jursidiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To amend part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand 
 coverage of durable medical equipment to include physician prescribed 
  equipment necessary so unpaid caregivers can effectively and safely 
                           care for patients.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. EXPANDING MEDICARE COVERAGE OF DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO 
              INCLUDE PHYSICIAN PRESCRIBED EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO 
              ENSURE UNPAID CAREGIVERS CAN EFFECTIVELY AND SAFELY CARE 
              FOR PATIENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 1861(n) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1395x(n)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``Such 
term includes equipment that is prescribed by a physician who is 
primarily responsible for the ongoing care of the patient and that 
ensures that an unpaid caregiver can effectively and safely care for 
the patient.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) applies 
to equipment furnished on or after January 1, 2002.
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