What This Bill Does
This bill creates a new government group called the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security. The commission must write a report to Congress within one year about how to keep these two programs strong and working well. The report will look at different ways to calculate benefits, change how premiums work, and stop fraud and abuse.
Who It Affects
People who receive Social Security or Medicare benefits. Congress. The President, House Speaker, House minority leader, Senate majority leader and Senate minority leader (who appoint commission members). Federal agencies like the Social Security Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Key Provisions
• The commission will have 11 members appointed by different leaders: the President appoints 3 members (including the heads of Social Security and Medicare programs or their replacements), and the House Speaker, House minority leader, Senate majority leader and Senate minority leader each appoint 2 members who are experts not working for the government. (Sec. 4)
• The commission must study how different ways of measuring inflation affect people who get benefits and the trust funds that pay for these programs. (Sec. 3)
• The commission must look at different ways to charge premiums for Medicare that consider whether someone is struggling financially or has lower income. (Sec. 3)
• The commission must suggest changes to make Social Security and Medicare stronger and to stop people from cheating the system or making improper payments. (Sec. 3)
• The commission will stop working 60 days after it gives its report to Congress. (Sec. 7)
What Changes
A new temporary commission is established within the legislative branch (the part of government that makes laws). The commission will research Medicare and Social Security programs and provide Congress with a detailed report on ways to improve them. Congress will receive specific recommendations about using different benefit calculation methods, changing how Medicare charges work, and preventing fraud.
Important Definitions
Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program: The formal name for Social Security benefits paid to retired workers, their families, and disabled people. (Sec. 3)
Medicare program: The federal health insurance program. (Sec. 3)
Effective Date
Not specified in bill text. The bill states that appointments must be made within 60 days after the bill becomes law, and the commission must meet within 30 days after members are appointed. (Sec. 4 and Sec. 5)
I
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION H. R. 1618
To establish the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security,
and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 17, 2023
Mr. BILIRAKIS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speak-
er, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the ju-
risdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To establish the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and
Social Security, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
1
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
2
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
3
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Commission on Sus-
4
taining Medicare and Social Security Act of 2023’’.
5
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.
6
There is established in the legislative branch a com-
7
mission to be known as the ‘‘Commission on Sustaining
8
VerDate Sep 11 2014
22:45 Mar 29, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1618.IH
H1618
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
2
•HR 1618 IH
Medicare and Social Security’’ (in this Act referred to as
1
the ‘‘Commission’’).
2
SEC. 3. DUTY OF THE COMMISSION.
3
Not later than 1 year after the initial meeting of the
4
Commission, the Commission shall submit to Congress a
5
report on the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance
6
program under title II of the Social Security Act and the
7
Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security
8
Act, including—
9
(1) the impact of using alternative indexes on
10
beneficiaries and the Trust Funds, including the
11
Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI–E);
12
(2) the impact of using alternative premium
13
formulas for the Medicare program under title
14
XVIII of the Social Security Act on beneficiaries
15
and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance
16
Trust Fund, including premium formulas that con-
17
sider financial hardships and socioeconomic status;
18
(3) program reforms to increase the sustain-
19
ability of the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability In-
20
surance program under title II of the Social Security
21
Act and the Medicare program under title XVIII of
22
the Social Security Act; and
23
(4) program reforms to prevent fraud, increase
24
integrity, and reduce improper payments.
25
VerDate Sep 11 2014
22:45 Mar 29, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1618.IH
H1618
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
3
•HR 1618 IH
SEC. 4. MEMBERS.
1
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission
2
shall be composed of 11 members. Of the members of the
3
Commission—
4
(1) 3 shall be appointed by the President, in-
5
cluding—
6
(A) the Commissioner of the Social Secu-
7
rity Administration or a designee of the Com-
8
missioner; and
9
(B) the Administrator of the Centers for
10
Medicare and Medicaid Services or a designee
11
of the Administrator;
12
(2) 2 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
13
House of Representatives, consisting of—
14
(A) 1 nongovernmental expert in the Old-
15
Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance pro-
16
gram under title II of the Social Security Act;
17
and
18
(B) 1 nongovernmental expert of the Medi-
19
care program under title XVIII of the Social
20
Security Act;
21
(3) 2 shall be appointed by the minority leader
22
of the House of Representatives; consisting of—
23
(A) 1 nongovernmental expert in the Old-
24
Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance pro-
25
VerDate Sep 11 2014
22:45 Mar 29, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1618.IH
H1618
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
4
•HR 1618 IH
gram under title II of the Social Security Act;
1
and
2
(B) 1 nongovernmental expert of the Medi-
3
care program under title XVIII of the Social
4
Security Act;
5
(4) 2 shall be appointed by the majority leader
6
of the Senate, consisting of—
7
(A) 1 nongovernmental expert in the Old-
8
Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance pro-
9
gram under title II of the Social Security Act;
10
and
11
(B) 1 nongovernmental expert of the Medi-
12
care program under title XVIII of the Social
13
Security Act; and
14
(5) 2 shall be appointed by the minority leader
15
of the Senate, consisting of—
16
(A) 1 nongovernmental expert in the Old-
17
Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance pro-
18
gram under title II of the Social Security Act;
19
and
20
(B) 1 nongovernmental expert of the Medi-
21
care program under title XVIII of the Social
22
Security Act.
23
VerDate Sep 11 2014
22:45 Mar 29, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1618.IH
H1618
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
5
•HR 1618 IH
(b) TIMING OF APPOINTMENTS.—Each of the ap-
1
pointments under subsection (a) shall be made not later
2
than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
3
(c) TERMS; VACANCIES.—Each member shall be ap-
4
pointed for the life of the Commission, and a vacancy in
5
the Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the
6
original appointment was made.
7
(d) COMPENSATION.—
8
(1) IN GENERAL.—Members of the Commission
9
shall serve without pay.
10
(2) PROHIBITION ON COMPENSATION OF FED-
11
ERAL
EMPLOYEES.—Members of the Commission
12
who are full-time officers or employees of the United
13
States may not receive additional pay, allowances, or
14
benefits by reason of their service on the Commis-
15
sion.
16
(3) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—Each member shall
17
receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
18
subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions
19
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United
20
States Code.
21
SEC. 5. OPERATION AND POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
22
(a) CO-CHAIRS.—The Commission shall have two co-
23
chairs who shall be elected from the members of the Com-
24
mission during the first meeting of the Commission.
25
VerDate Sep 11 2014
22:45 Mar 29, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1618.IH
H1618
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
6
•HR 1618 IH
(b) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet not
1
later than 30 days after the members of the Commission
2
have been appointed, and at such times thereafter as the
3
co-chairs shall determine.
4
(c) RULES
OF PROCEDURE.—The co-chairs shall,
5
with the approval of a majority of the members of the
6
Commission, establish written rules of procedure for the
7
Commission, which shall include a quorum requirement to
8
conduct the business of the Commission.
9
(d) HEARINGS.—The Commission may, for the pur-
10
pose of carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act
11
at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence
12
as the Commission considers appropriate.
13
(e) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commission
14
may secure directly from any department or agency of the
15
United States, including the Congressional Budget Office
16
and the Government Accountability Office, any informa-
17
tion or technical assistance necessary to enable the Com-
18
mission to carry out this Act. Upon request of the co-
19
chairs of the Commission, the head of that department
20
or agency shall furnish that information or technical as-
21
sistance to the Commission.
22
(f) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—To the extent or in the
23
amounts provided in advance in appropriation Acts, the
24
Commission may contract with and compensate govern-
25
VerDate Sep 11 2014
22:45 Mar 29, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1618.IH
H1618
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
7
•HR 1618 IH
ment and private agencies or persons for any purpose nec-
1
essary to enable the Commission to carry out this Act.
2
(g) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United
3
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
4
ditions as other departments and agencies of the United
5
States.
6
SEC. 6. PERSONNEL.
7
(a) DIRECTOR.—The Commission shall have a Direc-
8
tor who shall be appointed by the Commission. The Direc-
9
tor shall be paid at the rate of basic pay for level V of
10
the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5,
11
United States Code.
12
(b) STAFF.—The Director may appoint and fix the
13
pay of additional staff as the Director considers appro-
14
priate.
15
(c) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Commission
16
may procure temporary and intermittent services under
17
section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates
18
for individuals not to exceed the maximum rate of basic
19
pay for GS–15 of the General Schedule.
20
(d) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon request
21
of the Commission, the head of any Federal department
22
or agency may detail, without reimbursement, any of the
23
personnel of that department or agency to the Commission
24
VerDate Sep 11 2014
22:45 Mar 29, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1618.IH
H1618
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
8
•HR 1618 IH
to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties under
1
this Act.
2
(e) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon
3
the request of the Commission, the Administrator of Gen-
4
eral Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reim-
5
bursable basis, the administrative support services nec-
6
essary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities
7
under this Act.
8
SEC. 7. TERMINATION.
9
The Commission shall terminate not later than 60
10
days after the submission of the report required by section
11
3.
12
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
13
There is authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 to
14
carry out this Act.
15
Æ
VerDate Sep 11 2014
22:45 Mar 29, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H1618.IH
H1618
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS