House Resolution #1 passed the in the House on June 27, 2003. This is the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003. Section 622 is identical to last year's version which establishes 9 different regions and separate fee schedules for each region. Like last year's bill, there is no additional funding for South Carolina along with 16 other states and the District of Columbia. This section has been marked up at approximately $600 million over 10 years. The impact to South Carolina is estimated at $9.0 million dollars over 7 years. House members voting for this legislation were Gresham Barrett ( R - 3rd District), Henry Brown (R - 1st District), and Joe Wilson (R - 2nd District). House members voting against this legislation were James Clyburn (D - 6th District), Jim DeMint (R - 4th District), and John Spratt (D - 5th District).

Senate Resolution #1 passed the Senate on June 26, 2003. This is the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act of 2003. Section 425 increases the rural rates by 5% and urban rates by 2%. This version would include South Carolina. This section has been marked up at $163 million dollars over 10 years. Both Senator Graham and Senator Hollings voted against this bill.

Next Step

There will be a conference committee established to work on differences in both bills that would be acceptable to both the House and the Senate, then to the President for signature.

As of Tuesday, July 08, 2003, only the Senate has announced its conferees. They are Senator Grassley (R- Iowa), Hatch (R - Utah), Nickles (R - Oklahoma), Frist (R - Tennessee), Kyl (R - Arizona), Baucus (D - Montana), Rockefeller (D - West Virginia), Daschle (D - South Dakota) and Breaux (D - Louisiana).

On Monday, July 14, 2003, the House appointed Representative Tauzin (R - Louisiana), Thomas (R - California), Bilirakis (R - Florida), Johnson (R - Connecticut), DeLay (R - Texas), Dingell (D - Michigan), Rangel (D - New York), and Berry (D - Arkansas) as their conferees.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO!!!!!!

Call your Representative and Senators' office both in DC and local office and ask them to ensure that the ambulance industry in South Carolina is treated equally and fairly. The Conference Committee Members need to hear from the South Carolina Delegation who need to here from us. (Italic indicates voted against the bill).

Senator Ernest Fritz Hollings
Phone Number (202) 224-6121 Fax Number (202) 224-4293
Columbia Phone (803) 765-5731
Charleston Phone (843) 727-4525
Greenville Phone ((864)233-5366
E-Mail - hollings.senate.gov
Representative Henry E. Brown
Phone Number (202) 225-3176 Fax Number (202) 225-3407
E-Mail - writehenrybrown@mail.house.gov

Representative J. Gresham Barrett
Phone Number (202) 225-5301 Fax Number (202) 225-3126
E-Mail - www.house.gov/barrett

Representative John M. Spratt Jr.
Phone Number (202) 225-5501 Fax Number (202) 225-0464
E-Mail - rep.spratt@mail.house.gov
Senator Lindsey O. Graham
Phone Number (202) 224-5972
Fax Number (202) 224-1189
Greenville Phone (864) 250-1417
Florence Phone (864) 669-1505
Columbia Phone (803) 933-0112
Mt. Pleasant Phone (843) 849-3887
E-mail - lgraham.senate.gov/email/email.htm

Representative Joe Wilson
Phone Number (202) 225-2452 Fax Number (202) 225-2455
E-Mail - joe.wilson@mail.house.gov

Representative Jim DeMint
Phone Number (202) 225-6030 Fax Number (202) 226-1177
E-Mail - jim.demint@mail.house.gov

Representative James Clyburn
Phone Number (202) 225-3315 Fax Number (202) 225-2313
E-Mail - jclyburn@mail.house.gov

SOLUTION

Any new funds provided by Congress should be applied to the National Ambulance Fee Schedule - equally across the board. This will benefit ambulance providers in all 50 states.
Posted 8/03