Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 111 Part 1.djvu/375

 PUBLIC LAW 105-33 —AUG. 5, 1997 111 STAT. 351 including the implications of changes in health care delivery in the United States and in the market for health care services on the medicare program. "(2) SPECIFIC TOPICS TO BE REVIEWED. — "(A) MEDICARE+CHOICE PROGRAM.—Specifically, the Commission shall review, with respect to the Medicare+Choice program under part C, the following: "(i) The methodology for making payment to plans under such program, including the making of differential payments and the distribution of differential updates among different payment areas. "(ii) The mechanisms used to adjust payments for risk and the need to adjust such mechanisms to take into account health status of beneficiaries. "(iii) The implications of risk selection both among Medicare+Choice organizations and between the Medicare+Choice option and the original medicare feefor-service option. "(iv) The development and implementation of mechanisms to assure the quality of care for those enrolled with Medicare+Choice organizations. "(v) The impact of the Medicare+Choice program on access to care for medicare beneficiaries. "(vi) Other major issues in implementation and further development of the Medicare+Choice program. "(B) ORIGINAL MEDICARE FEE-FOR-SERVICE SYSTEM. — Specifically, the Commission shall review payment policies under parts A and B, including— "(i) the factors affecting expenditures for services in different sectors, including the process for updating hospital, skilled nursing facility, physician, and other fees, "(ii) payment methodologies, and "(iii) their relationship to access and quality of care for medicare beneficiaries. "(C) INTERACTION OF MEDICARE PAYMENT POLICIES WITH HEALTH CARE DELIVERY GENERALLY. — Specifically, the Commission shall review the effect of payment policies under this title on the delivery of health care services other than under this title and assess the implications of changes in health care delivery in the United States and in the general market for health care services on the medicare program. " (3) COMMENTS ON CERTAIN SECRETARIAL REPORTS.—If the Secretary submits to Congress (or a committee of Congress) a report that is required by law and that relates to payment policies under this title, the Secretary shall transmit a copy of the report to the Commission. The Commission shall review the report and, not later than 6 months after the date of submittal of the Secretary's report to Congress, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress written comments on such report. Such comments may include such recommendations as the Commission deems appropriate. "(4) AGENDA AND ADDITIONAL REVIEWS.— The Commission shall consult periodically with the chairmen and ranking minority members of the appropriate committees of Congress regarding the Commission's agenda and progress towards achieving

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