H.R.3665 - Medicare Economic Security Solutions Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3665, the Medicare Economic Security Solutions Act, aims to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, focusing on Medicare Part B late enrollment penalties. The bill seeks to limit the penalty to 15% of the monthly premium for twice the period of non-enrollment. It also excludes periods of COBRA, retiree, and VA coverage from the late enrollment penalty calculation.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would reduce the financial burden on individuals who enroll in Medicare Part B late. It would also provide relief to those who had alternative coverage through COBRA, retiree plans, or the VA, ensuring these periods don't count towards late enrollment penalties. This could lead to increased enrollment in Medicare Part B.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced financial burden for late enrollees in Medicare Part B.
- Exclusion of COBRA, retiree, and VA coverage periods from penalty calculations.
- Potential for increased Medicare Part B enrollment.
- Simplification of the enrollment process and penalty calculation.
- Addresses concerns about fairness in the application of late enrollment penalties.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increased costs to the Medicare program due to reduced penalty revenue.
- May incentivize some individuals to delay enrollment, potentially impacting the risk pool.
- Complexity in implementing the new rules and ensuring accurate tracking of coverage periods.
- Possible need for additional administrative resources to manage the changes.
- The 15% penalty, while lower, could still be a burden for some low-income individuals.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill falls under the purview of Congress's power to provide for the general welfare, as outlined in the Preamble of the US Constitution. Specifically, it relates to healthcare, which is a component of general welfare. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations. The bill is an amendment to an existing law, and thus falls under the powers granted to Congress in Article 1, Section 8.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).