United States 117th Congress Status: Died 1 D cosponsors

HR 6143 — Supporting Health Care Providers During the COVID–19 Pandemic Act

Last action — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. Died in session

This bill died with 117th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Supporting Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Act This bill makes several budgetary and technical changes in relation to Medicare. Specifically, the bill continues to exempt Medicare from sequestration until March 31, 2022. (Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.) The bill also temporarily extends other provisions under Medicare, including a payment increase under the physician fee schedule.

Bill Text

Sections of law this bill changes

4 sections in 2 laws

From the bill's own amending language, matched to the official United States Code (current through Public Law 119-124).

Emergency powers to eliminate budget deficits · 2 U.S.C. ch. 20 1 section
  • § 901a Enforcement of budget goal Amends

    2 U.S.C. § 901a — at 901a(6)

    The law today

    Discretionary appropriations and direct spending accounts shall be reduced in accordance with this section as follows: (1) Calculation of total deficit reduction OMB shall calculate the amount of the deficit reduction required by this section for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2021 by— (A) starting with $1,200,000,000,000; (B) subtracting the amount of deficit reduction achieved by the enactment of a joint committee bill, as provided in section 401(b)(3)(B)(i)(II) of the Budget Control Act of 2011; (C) reducing the difference by 18 percent to account for debt service; (D) dividing the result by 9; and (E) for fiscal year 2013, reducing the amount calculated under subparagraphs (A) through (D) by $24,000,000,000. (2) Allocation to functions On March 1, 2013, for fiscal year 2013, and in its sequestration preview report for fiscal years 2014 through 2021 pursuant to section 904(c) of this title, OMB shall allocate half of the total reduction calculated pursuant to paragraph (1) for that year to discretionary appropriations and direct spending accounts within function 050 (defense function) and half to accounts in all other functions (nondefense functions). (3) Defense function reduction OMB shall calculate the reductions to discretionary appropriations and direct spending for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2021 for defense function spending as follows: (A) Discretionary OMB shall calculate the reduction to discretionary appropriations by— (i) taking the total reduction for the defense function allocated for that year under paragraph (2); (ii) multiplying by the discretionary spending limit for the revised security category for that year; and (iii) dividing by the sum of the discretionary spending limit for the security category and OMB’s baseline estimate of nonexempt outlays for direct spending programs within the defense function for that year. (B) Direct spending OMB shall calculate the reduction to direct spending by taking the total reduction for the defense function required for that year under paragraph (2) and subtracting the discretionary reduction calculated pursuant to subparagraph (A). (4) Nondefense function reduction OMB shall calculate the reduction to discretionary appropriations and to direct spending for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2021 for programs in nondefense functions as follows: (A) Discretionary OMB shall calculate the reduction to discretionary appropriations by— (i) taking the total reduction for nondefense functions allocated for that year under paragraph (2); (ii) multiplying by the discretionary spending limit for the revised nonsecurity category for that year; and (iii) dividing by the sum of the discretionary spending limit for the revised nonsecurity category and OMB’s baseline estimate of nonexempt outlays for direct spending programs in nondefense functions for that year. (B) Direct spending OMB shall calculate the reduction to direct spending programs by taking the total reduction for nondefense functions required for that year under paragraph (2) and subtracting the discretionary reduction calculated pursuant to subparagraph (A). (5) Implementing discretionary reductions (A) Fiscal year 2013 On March 1, 2013, for fiscal year 2013, OMB shall calculate and the President shall order a sequestration, effective upon issuance and under the procedures set forth in section 903(f) of this title, to reduce each account within the security category or nonsecurity category by a dollar amount calculated by multiplying the baseline level of budgetary resources in that account at that time by a uniform percentage necessary to achieve— (i) for the revised security category, an amount equal to the defense function discretionary reduction calculated pursuant to paragraph (3); and (ii) for the revised nonsecurity category, an amount equal to the nondefense function discretionary reduction calculated pursuant to paragraph (4). (B) Fiscal years 2014–2021 Except as provided by paragraphs (10), (11),...

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Social security · 42 U.S.C. ch. 7 3 sections
  • § 1395iii Medicare Improvement Fund Amends

    42 U.S.C. § 1395iii — at 1395iii(b)(1)

    The law today

    (a) Establishment The Secretary shall establish under this subchapter a Medicare Improvement Fund (in this section referred to as the “Fund”) which shall be available to the Secretary to make improvements under the original Medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B for individuals entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part 1 or enrolled under part B including adjustments to payments for items and services furnished by providers of services and suppliers under such original Medicare fee-for-service program. (b) Funding (1) In general There shall be available to the Fund, for expenditures from the Fund for services furnished during and after fiscal year 2027, $2,041,000,000. (2) Payment from Trust Funds The amount specified under paragraph (1) shall be available to the Fund, as expenditures are made from the Fund, from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund in such proportion as the Secretary determines appropriate. (3) Funding limitation Amounts in the Fund shall be available in advance of appropriations but only if the total amount obligated from the Fund does not exceed the amount available to the Fund under paragraph (1). The Secretary may obligate funds from the Fund only if the Secretary determines (and the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the appropriate budget officer certify) that there are available in the Fund sufficient amounts to cover all such obligations incurred consistent with the previous sentence. (4) No effect on payments in subsequent years In the case that expenditures from the Fund are applied to, or otherwise affect, a payment rate for an item or service under this subchapter for a year, the payment rate for such item or service shall be computed for a subsequent year as if such application or effect had never occurred.

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  • § 1395m-1 Improving policies for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests Amends

    42 U.S.C. § 1395m-1 — at 1395m-1(b)(3) and 1395m-1(a)(1)(B)

    The law today

    (a) Reporting of private sector payment rates for establishment of medicare payment rates (1) In general (A) General reporting requirements Subject to subparagraph (B), beginning January 1, 2016, and every 3 years thereafter (or, annually, in the case of reporting with respect to an advanced diagnostic laboratory test, as defined in subsection (d)(5)), an applicable laboratory (as defined in paragraph (2)) shall report to the Secretary, at a time specified by the Secretary (referred to in this subsection as the “reporting period”), applicable information (as defined in paragraph (3)) for a data collection period (as defined in paragraph (4)) for each clinical diagnostic laboratory test that the laboratory furnishes during such period for which payment is made under this part. (B) Revised reporting period In the case of reporting with respect to clinical diagnostic laboratory tests that are not advanced diagnostic laboratory tests, the Secretary shall revise the reporting period under subparagraph (A) such that— (i) no reporting is required during the period beginning January 1, 2020, and ending April 30, 2026; (ii) reporting is required during the period beginning May 1, 2026, and ending July 31, 2026; and (iii) reporting is required every three years after the period described in clause (ii). (2) Definition of applicable laboratory In this section, the term “applicable laboratory” means a laboratory that, with respect to its revenues under this subchapter, a majority of such revenues are from this section, section 1395l(h) of this title, or section 1395w–4 of this title. The Secretary may establish a low volume or low expenditure threshold for excluding a laboratory from the definition of applicable laboratory under this paragraph, as the Secretary determines appropriate. (3) Applicable information defined (A) In general In this section, subject to subparagraph (B), the term “applicable information” means, with respect to a laboratory test for a data collection period, the following: (i) The payment rate (as determined in accordance with paragraph (5)) that was paid by each private payor for the test during the period. (ii) The volume of such tests for each such payor for the period. (B) Exception for certain contractual arrangements Such term shall not include information with respect to a laboratory test for which payment is made on a capitated basis or other similar payment basis during the data collection period. (4) Data collection period defined (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), in this section, the term “data collection period” means a period of time, such as a previous 12 month period, specified by the Secretary. (B) Exception In the case of the reporting period described in paragraph (1)(B)(ii) with respect to clinical diagnostic laboratory tests that are not advanced diagnostic laboratory tests, the term “data collection period” means the period beginning January 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2025. (5) Treatment of discounts The payment rate reported by a laboratory under this subsection shall reflect all discounts, rebates, coupons, and other price concessions, including those described in section 1395w–3a(c)(3) of this title. (6) Ensuring complete reporting In the case where an applicable laboratory has more than one payment rate for the same payor for the same test or more than one payment rate for different payors for the same test, the applicable laboratory shall report each such payment rate and the volume for the test at each such rate under this subsection. Beginning with January 1, 2019, the Secretary may establish rules to aggregate reporting with respect to the situations described in the preceding sentence. (7) Certification An officer of the laboratory shall certify the accuracy and completeness of the information reported under this subsection. (8) Private payor defined In this section, the term “private payor” means the following: (A) A health insurance issuer and a group health plan (as s...

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  • § 1395w-4 Payment for physicians’ services Amends

    42 U.S.C. § 1395w-4

    The law today

    (a) Payment based on fee schedule (1) In general Effective for all physicians’ services (as defined in subsection (j)(3)) furnished under this part during a year (beginning with 1992) for which payment is otherwise made on the basis of a reasonable charge or on the basis of a fee schedule under section 1395m(b) of this title, payment under this part shall instead be based on the lesser of— (A) the actual charge for the service, or (B) subject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, the amount determined under the fee schedule established under subsection (b) for services furnished during that year (in this subsection referred to as the “fee schedule amount”). (2) Transition to full fee schedule (A) Limiting reductions and increases to 15 percent in 1992 (i) Limit on increase In the case of a service in a fee schedule area (as defined in subsection (j)(2)) for which the adjusted historical payment basis (as defined in subparagraph (D)) is less than 85 percent of the fee schedule amount for services furnished in 1992, there shall be substituted for the fee schedule amount an amount equal to the adjusted historical payment basis plus 15 percent of the fee schedule amount otherwise established (without regard to this paragraph). (ii) Limit in reduction In the case of a service in a fee schedule area for which the adjusted historical payment basis exceeds 115 percent of the fee schedule amount for services furnished in 1992, there shall be substituted for the fee schedule amount an amount equal to the adjusted historical payment basis minus 15 percent of the fee schedule amount otherwise established (without regard to this paragraph). (B) Special rule for 1993, 1994, and 1995 If a physicians’ service in a fee schedule area is subject to the provisions of subparagraph (A) in 1992, for physicians’ services furnished in the area— (i) during 1993, there shall be substituted for the fee schedule amount an amount equal to the sum of— (I) 75 percent of the fee schedule amount determined under subparagraph (A), adjusted by the update established under subsection (d)(3) for 1993, and (II) 25 percent of the fee schedule amount determined under paragraph (1) for 1993 without regard to this paragraph; (ii) during 1994, there shall be substituted for the fee schedule amount an amount equal to the sum of— (I) 67 percent of the fee schedule amount determined under clause (i), adjusted by the update established under subsection (d)(3) for 1994 and as adjusted under subsection (c)(2)(F)(ii) and under section 13515(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, and (II) 33 percent of the fee schedule amount determined under paragraph (1) for 1994 without regard to this paragraph; and (iii) during 1995, there shall be substituted for the fee schedule amount an amount equal to the sum of— (I) 50 percent of the fee schedule amount determined under clause (ii) adjusted by the update established under subsection (d)(3) for 1995, and (II) 50 percent of the fee schedule amount determined under paragraph (1) for 1995 without regard to this paragraph. (C) Special rule for anesthesia and radiology services With respect to physicians’ services which are anesthesia services, the Secretary shall provide for a transition in the same manner as a transition is provided for other services under subparagraph (B). With respect to radiology services, “109 percent” and “9 percent” shall be substituted for “115 percent” and “15 percent”, respectively, in subparagraph (A)(ii). (D) “Adjusted historical payment basis” defined (i) In general In this paragraph, the term “adjusted historical payment basis” means, with respect to a physicians’ service furnished in a fee schedule area, the weighted average prevailing charge applied in the area for the service in 1991 (as determined by the Secretary without regard to physician specialty and as adjusted to reflect payments for services with customary charges below the prevailing charge or other payment limitation...

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How this bill changes current law

15 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill extends various Medicare program provisions and modifies certain sequestration payment rates.

  • 2 U.S.C. 901a note

    December 31, 2021 → March 31, 2022

    Extends the temporary suspension of Medicare sequestration reductions until March 31, 2022.

  • 2 U.S.C. 901a(6)

    2 percent → 1.0 percent

    Lowers the sequestration payment reduction for Medicare programs for the period from April 1, 2022, to June 30, 2022.

  • 2 U.S.C. 901a(6)

    2 percent → 2.25 percent

    Adjusts the payment reduction for Medicare programs to 2.25 percent for the first six months of fiscal year 2030.

  • 2 U.S.C. 901a(6)

    3 percent

    Sets the payment reduction for Medicare programs to 3 percent for the second six months of fiscal year 2030.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395w-4

    2021 → 2021 or 2022

    Allows the adjustment for payment related to services for 2021 to also apply for services in 2022.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395w-4

    2021 → 2021 and 2022

    Expands the timeframe for phased-in adjustments to Medicare payment changes to include 2022.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395w-4

    January 1, 2021, and before January 1, 2022, by 3.75 percent. → January 1, 2022, and before January 1, 2023, by 3.0 percent.

    Reduces the payment reduction for services furnished on or after January 1, 2022.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395w-4

    2021 → 2021 and 2022

    Addresses adjustments in the reporting requirements for the years 2021 and 2022.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395m-1(b)(3)

    through 2024 → through 2025

    Extends the phase-in period for reductions from private payor rate implementation to 2025.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395m-1(b)(3)

    for 2021 → for each of 2021 and 2022

    Allows reporting of private sector payment rates for both years 2021 and 2022.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395m-1(b)(3)

    2022 through 2024 → 2023 through 2025

    Changes the implementation year for further reductions to 2025.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395m-1(a)(1)(B)

    December 31, 2021 → December 31, 2022

    Extends the deadline for reporting payment rates to December 31, 2022.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395m-1(a)(1)(B)

    January 1, 2022 → January 1, 2023

    Delays the implementation of new reporting requirements to January 1, 2023.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395m-1(a)(1)(B)

    March 31, 2022 → March 31, 2023

    Extends the deadline for further payment reporting to March 31, 2023.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395iii(b)(1)

    fiscal year 2021 → fiscal year 2021, $101,000,000.

    Appropriates a specific amount to the Medicare Improvement Fund for fiscal year 2021.

Action History

  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  2. Introduced in House

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and the Budget, 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.

  5. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and the Budget, 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.

  6. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and the Budget, 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.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

healthcare health-insurance
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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 6143 do?
Supporting Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Act This bill makes several budgetary and technical changes in relation to Medicare. Specifically, the bill continues to exempt Medicare from sequestration until March 31, 2022. (Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.) The bill also temporarily extends other provisions under Medicare, including a payment increase under the physician fee schedule.
Who sponsors HR 6143?
HR 6143 is sponsored by Schrier, Kim (Democratic).
What is the current status of HR 6143?
This bill died with 117th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HR 6143?
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