Public Law 117-71 passed December 10, 2021
Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act
To address behavioral health and well-being among health care professionals.
Extension of Temporary Sequestration Reductions
Extension of temporary suspension through March 31, 2022 amended in Cares Act (PL 116-136).
Adjustments to medicare program sequestration reduction with respect to fiscal year 2022 and 2030 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 is amended by inserting-
Notwithstanding the 2.0% limit for payments for the Medicare programs, the sequestration order of the President shall be applied to the period beginning on April 1, 2022 and end June 30, 2022 the payment reduction will be 1%.
Notwithstanding the 2.0% limit for payments for the Medicare programs, the sequestration order of the President for fiscal year 2030 shall be applied to such payments so that with respect to the first 6 months the payment reduction shall be 2.25% and with the second 6 months the payment reduction will be 3.0%.
Extension of support for physicians and other professionals in adjusting to medicare payment changes.
Social Security Act is amended striking different sections with dates of “2021” and inserting “2021 and 2022” and inserting “for such services furnished on or after January 1, 2021 and before January 1, 2022, by 3.75%; and such services furnished on or after January 1, 2021 and before January 1, 2022, by 3.0%.
*Amendments have been made to the Division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (PL 116-260) striking dates and inserting updated dates.
Preserving patient access to critical clinical lab services.
*Amendments have been made to the Revised Phase-In of Reductions From Private Payor Rate Implementation of the Social Security Act striking dates and inserting updated dates. Dates include up to 2025.
*Amendments have been made to the Revised Reporting Period For Reporting Of Private Sector Payment Rates For Establishment Of Medicare Payment Rates striking dates and inserting updated dates.
Delay to the implementation of the radiation oncology model under the medicare program.
Division CC of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 (PL 116-260) strike January 1, 2022 insert January 1, 2023.
Medicare Improvement Fund of the Social Security Act strike “fiscal year 2021” insert “fiscal year 2021, $101,000,000.00”.
PAYGO Annual Report, after adjournment of the first session of the 117th Congress, and for determining whether a sequestration order is necessary, the debit for the budget year on the 5-year scorecard, and 10-year scorecard, shall be deducted from such scorecard in 2022 and added to such scorecard in 2023.
Expedited procedures for considering an increase in the debt limit
“Joint Resolution”- a joint resolution that is introduced by the Majority Leader of the Senate, or a designee, during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2021; which does NOT have a preamble; “Joint resolution relating to increasing the debt limit” and the matter after the resolving clause “that the limitation as most recently increased by Public Law 117-50 is increased by $_____________” the blank space being filled with a dollar amount increase.
Rule 22 of the Standing Rules of the Senate, No later than January 15, 2022 to move to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution.
Procedure or a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution
all points of order against the motion are waived
the motion is not debatable
the motion is not subject to a motion to postpone
a motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in order
if the motion is agreed to, the joint resolution shall remain the unfinished business until disposed of.
Floor Consideration if the Senate proceeds to consideration of the joint resolution
all points of order against the joint resolution are waived
debate on the joint resolution and appeals in connection therewith; shall be limited to 10 hours divided equally between the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Finance
an amendment to the joint resolution is NOT in order
a motion to postpone or commit the joint resolution is NOT in order
a motion to proceed to the consideration of the business is NOT in order
Vote on Passage shall be immediately following the conclusion of the debate on the joint resolution and a single quorum call is requested in accordance with the rules of the Senate.
Rulings of the Chair on Procedure- appeals from the decision of the Chair or the rules of the Senate, to the procedure relating to the joint resolution shall be decided without debate.
Single Measure Authorized- It shall NOT be in order o consider more than 1 joint resolution.
Sunset- January 16, 2022
Rules of the Senate (enacted by congress)
As an exercise of the Rulemaking power of the Senate,…, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in the Senate in the case in a joint resolution, and supersede other rules only to the extent that they are inconsistent with such rules; and with full recognition of the constitutional right of the Senate to change the rules at any time, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of the Senate.