[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5672 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5672
To establish the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 24, 2020
Mr. Bilirakis introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction 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 Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Commission on Sustaining Medicare
and Social Security Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established in the legislative branch a commission to be
known as the ``Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security''
(in this Act referred to as the ``Commission'').
SEC. 3. DUTY OF THE COMMISSION.
Not later than 1 year after the initial meeting of the Commission,
the Commission shall submit to Congress a report on the Old-Age,
Survivors, and Disability Insurance program under title II of the
Social Security Act and the Medicare program under title XVIII of the
Social Security Act, including--
(1) the impact of using alternative indexes on
beneficiaries and the Trust Funds, including the Consumer Price
Index for the Elderly (CPI-E);
(2) the impact of using alternative premium formulas for
the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security
Act on beneficiaries and the Federal Supplementary Medical
Insurance Trust Fund, including premium formulas that consider
financial hardships and socioeconomic status;
(3) program reforms to increase the sustainability of the
Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program under
title II of the Social Security Act and the Medicare program
under title XVIII of the Social Security Act; and
(4) program reforms to prevent fraud, increase integrity,
and reduce improper payments.
SEC. 4. MEMBERS.
(a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 11
members. Of the members of the Commission--
(1) 3 shall be appointed by the President, including--
(A) the Commissioner of the Social Security
Administration or a designee of the Commissioner; and
(B) the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services or a designee of the
Administrator;
(2) 2 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, consisting of--
(A) 1 nongovernmental expert in the Old-Age,
Survivors, and Disability Insurance program under title
II of the Social Security Act; and
(B) 1 nongovernmental expert of the Medicare
program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act;
(3) 2 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
House of Representatives; consisting of--
(A) 1 nongovernmental expert in the Old-Age,
Survivors, and Disability Insurance program under title
II of the Social Security Act; and
(B) 1 nongovernmental expert of the Medicare
program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act;
(4) 2 shall be appointed by the majority leader of the
Senate, consisting of--
(A) 1 nongovernmental expert in the Old-Age,
Survivors, and Disability Insurance program under title
II of the Social Security Act; and
(B) 1 nongovernmental expert of the Medicare
program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act;
and
(5) 2 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
Senate, consisting of--
(A) 1 nongovernmental expert in the Old-Age,
Survivors, and Disability Insurance program under title
II of the Social Security Act; and
(B) 1 nongovernmental expert of the Medicare
program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act.
(b) Timing of Appointments.--Each of the appointments under
subsection (a) shall be made not later than 60 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
(c) Terms; Vacancies.--Each member shall be appointed for the life
of the Commission, and a vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in
the manner in which the original appointment was made.
(d) Compensation.--
(1) In general.--Members of the Commission shall serve
without pay.
(2) Prohibition on compensation of federal employees.--
Members of the Commission who are full-time officers or
employees of the United States may not receive additional pay,
allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on the
Commission.
(3) Travel expenses.--Each member shall receive travel
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in
accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
SEC. 5. OPERATION AND POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) Co-Chairs.--The Commission shall have two co-chairs who shall
be elected from the members of the Commission during the first meeting
of the Commission.
(b) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet not later than 30 days
after the members of the Commission have been appointed, and at such
times thereafter as the co-chairs shall determine.
(c) Rules of Procedure.--The co-chairs shall, with the approval of
a majority of the members of the Commission, establish written rules of
procedure for the Commission, which shall include a quorum requirement
to conduct the business of the Commission.
(d) Hearings.--The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out
this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take
testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers
appropriate.
(e) Obtaining Official Data.--The Commission may secure directly
from any department or agency of the United States, including the
Congressional Budget Office and the Government Accountability Office,
any information or technical assistance necessary to enable the
Commission to carry out this Act. Upon request of the co-chairs of the
Commission, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that
information or technical assistance to the Commission.
(f) Contract Authority.--To the extent or in the amounts provided
in advance in appropriation Acts, the Commission may contract with and
compensate government and private agencies or persons for any purpose
necessary to enable the Commission to carry out this Act.
(g) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the
same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and
agencies of the United States.
SEC. 6. PERSONNEL.
(a) Director.--The Commission shall have a Director who shall be
appointed by the Commission. The Director shall be paid at the rate of
basic pay for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of
title 5, United States Code.
(b) Staff.--The Director may appoint and fix the pay of additional
staff as the Director considers appropriate.
(c) Experts and Consultants.--The Commission may procure temporary
and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United
States Code, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the maximum
rate of basic pay for GS-15 of the General Schedule.
(d) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon request of the Commission, the
head of any Federal department or agency may detail, without
reimbursement, any of the personnel of that department or agency to the
Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties under
this Act.
(e) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the
Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the
Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support
services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities
under this Act.
SEC. 7. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate not later than 60 days after the
submission of the report required by section 3.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 to carry out this
Act.
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