A resolution to express the sense of the Senate regarding the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make adjustments to payments made to skilled nursing facilities under the medicare program.
Latest action (21 Oct 1998): Introduced
What this bill does
S.Res. 314 is a Senate resolution stating the Senate's position on how Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities should be handled, rather than a binding law. It expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Health and Human Services already has authority, under the Medicare prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities (section 1888(e) of the Social Security Act), to adjust payments based on a patient's "case mix"—specifically to account for medical needs requiring non-therapy ancillary services such as respiratory therapy, pharmacy, laboratory work, X-rays, parenteral and enteral services, and covered durable medical supplies. It further states that the Secretary should collect adequate data on facilities' provision of these services to properly design such payment adjustments, and should periodically report to Congress on progress in developing them.
The resolution mainly concerns the Department of Health and Human Services and its administration of Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities. Because it is a "sense of the Senate" resolution, it does not create legal requirements or change Medicare law; it is a nonbinding statement meant to guide or influence the Secretary's approach to payment policy and reporting practices.
The resolution was introduced by Senator Orrin Hatch on October 21, 1998, and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. According to official records, it did not receive a vote and saw no further action, meaning it did not advance beyond introduction in that Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in making payments under the prospective payment system (PPS) for skilled nursing facilities under Medicare, has the authority under such PPS to provide for an appropriate adjustment to account for case mix which reflects a patient's medical needs requiring the provision of non-therapy ancillary services (such as respiratory therapy, pharmacy, laboratory, X-ray, and parenteral and enteral services, and covered durable medical supplies). Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary should: (1) gather sufficient data on the provision of non-therapy ancillary services by skilled nursing facilities paid under the PPS in order to develop the appropriate case mix adjustment; and (2) periodically report to the Congress on the development of such an adjustment which reflects a patient's medical needs requiring such ancillary services.
Common questions
- What does S.Res. 314 do?
- S.Res. 314 is a Senate resolution stating the Senate's position on how Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities should be handled, rather than a binding law. It expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Health and Human Services already has authority, under the Medicare prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities (section 1888(e) of the Social Security Act), to adjust payments based on a patient's "case mix"—specifically to account for medical needs requiring non-therapy ancillary services such as respiratory therapy, pharmacy, laboratory work, X-rays, parenteral and enteral services, and covered durable medical supplies. It further states that the Secretary should collect adequate data on facilities' provision of these services to properly design such payment adjustments, and should periodically report to Congress on progress in developing them. The resolution mainly concerns the Department of Health and Human Services and its administration of Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities. Because it is a "sense of the Senate" resolution, it does not create legal requirements or change Medicare law; it is a nonbinding statement meant to guide or influence the Secretary's approach to payment policy and reporting practices. The resolution was introduced by Senator Orrin Hatch on October 21, 1998, and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. According to official records, it did not receive a vote and saw no further action, meaning it did not advance beyond introduction in that Congress.
- Has S.Res. 314 become law?
- Not yet. As of 21 Oct 1998, S.Res. 314 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S.Res. 314?
- S.Res. 314 was sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch [R-UT, 1977-2018] (Republican-UT), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S.Res. 314?
- Introduced (21 Oct 1998).
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