WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the House passed H.R. 5712, the Veterans', Seniors' and Children's Health Technical Corrections Act, by voice vote. The bill consists of technical changes that strengthen the health care programs that cover our nation's veterans, senior citizens, and children. The legislation now moves to the Senate.
“This bill will ensure the smooth operation of health programs serving our nations’ seniors, disabled, children and veterans," said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander M. Levin (D-MI). “It is fully paid for and contains noncontroversial provisions that should receive prompt consideration by the U.S. Senate, whether in the context of important legislation to create jobs for American workers, or as a stand-alone measure, so these provisions can quickly become law."
“This time-sensitive and noncontroversial legislation strengthens the programs that protect the health of our senior citizens, veterans and children," said Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Pete Stark (D-CA). "I urge the Senate to act quickly on this bill."
The bill is completely paid for, and includes provisions to:
* Guarantee payment to skilled nursing facilities under a new payment system;
* Ensure that residency positions shared between teaching hospitals under an "affiliation agreement" won't be redistributed to other hospitals;
* Clarify the enrollment period for veterans who participate in Medicare Part B and TRICARE;
* Ensure that eligible children's hospitals still have access to discounts for expensive drugs that treat rare disorders.
Please of the technical changes in H.R. 5712.
