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ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
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Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
1999 SESSION
993525828WHEREAS, Medicare is a health care financing program authorized by Title XVIII of the Social Security Act and funded by payroll taxes; and
WHEREAS, Medicare provides the primary sources of health insurance coverage for an estimated 12 percent of Virginians; and
WHEREAS, Medicare provides coverage both to persons age 65 and older and to certain disabled persons under age 65; and
WHEREAS, Medicare has traditionally been a fee-for-services program that does not require recipients to choose a health plan; and
WHEREAS, there are important gaps in Medicare coverage, particularly regarding prescription medications; and
WHEREAS, Medigap policies provide supplemental health insurance for Medicare recipients; and
WHEREAS, Medicare managed care plans are a relatively new option for Medicare recipients that may offer additional benefits beyond those offered in the standard fee-for-services Medicare program; and
WHEREAS, there has been a nationwide trend of health plans discontinuing Medicare managed care products; and
WHEREAS, in addition, certain disabled person receiving Medicare who are not yet 65 are reporting difficulty in obtaining Medigap policies; and
[ WHEREAS, limited Medicaid coverage for low-income Medicare beneficiaries is available, but under-utilized; and ]
WHEREAS, the Joint Commission on Health Care has formed a Long-Term Care Subcommittee to address various long-term care and aging issues; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint
Commission on Health Care’s Long-Term Care Subcommittee be directed to examine
insurance options for Medicare beneficiaries in Virginia, including (i) the
availability of Medicare managed care products, (ii) the availability of
Medigap policies for Medicare beneficiaries who are not yet 65, [ and (iii)
increasing utilization of available Medicaid coverage for low-income Medicare
beneficiaries; and (iv) ] other issues as they may seem appropriate; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Joint Commission on Health Care report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 2000 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.