Bill 4793

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                       4793
Type of Legislation:               Concurrent Resolution CR
Introducing Body:                  House
Introduced Date:                   19980312
Primary Sponsor:                   Felder
All Sponsors:                      Felder and Meacham 
Drafted Document Number:           kgh\15512ac.98
Residing Body:                     House
Current Committee:                 Invitations and Memorial
                                   Resolutions Committee 24 HIMR
Subject:                           Venipuncture, Congress requests
                                   to reinstate as service for Medicare
                                   home health coverage; Health and
                                   Human Services

Body    Date      Action Description                       Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  _______________________________________  _______ ____________

House   19980312  Introduced, referred to Committee        24 HIMR

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO MEMORIALIZE CONGRESS TO REPEAL THE PROVISION IN THE BALANCED BUDGET ACT OF 1997 WHICH DISCONTINUES VENIPUNCTURE AS A SKILLED SERVICE UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM, TO REINSTATE THIS SERVICE AS A QUALIFYING SERVICE FOR MEDICARE HOME HEALTH COVERAGE, AND TO ESTABLISH A COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE IMPACT OF VENIPUNCTURE ON THE MEDICARE HOME HEALTH BENEFIT.

Whereas, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 contains many provisions which impact the Medicare home health benefit, and these provisions have a direct impact on services provided to our citizens; and

Whereas, a patient must be in need of a skilled service and must be homebound in order to qualify for home health services; and

Whereas, under the Balanced Budget Act, venipuncture services, the drawing of blood alone, will no longer be considered as a qualifying skilled service; and

Whereas, patients who have Medicare benefits but who are homebound and need only a venipuncture to obtain blood samples will no longer qualify for the home health benefit and will need some other kind of skilled service in order to remain eligible for home health services; and

Whereas, many of these patients were receiving services from a home health aide which facilitated their ability to remain in their homes and to delay or avoid more costly institutional care. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, memorialize Congress to repeal the section of the Balanced Budget Act which requires the discontinuance of venipuncture as a skilled service under the Medicare program.

Be it further resolved that Congress is memorialized to reinstate venipuncture as a qualifying service for Medicare home health coverage.

Be it further resolved that Congress is memorialized to establish a committee to study the impact of venipuncture on the Medicare home health benefit and that this committee shall report its findings and recommendations to Congress.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.