[Congressional Bills 103th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 4610 Introduced in House (IH)] 103d CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4610 To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of self-administered betaseron treatments for multiple sclerosis under the Medicare program, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 21, 1994 Mr. LaFalce introduced the following bill; which was referred jointly to the Committees on Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of self-administered betaseron treatments for multiple sclerosis under the Medicare program, 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 ``Multiple Sclerosis Home Treatment Equity Act of 1994''. SEC. 2. COVERAGE AND PAYMENT OF SELF-ADMINISTERED BETASERON UNDER MEDICARE. Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (P); (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (Q) and adding in lieu thereof, ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(R) betaseron (Interferon beta-1b) for patients with multiple sclerosis competent to use such biological without medical or other supervision with respect to the administration of such biological, subject to methods and standards established by the Secretary by regulation for the safe and effective use of such biological, and terms related to the administration of such biological.''. SEC. 3. REGULATIONS. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, not later than 150 days after the date of enactment of this Act, issue final regulations setting forth standards and methods for safe and effective use of betaseron for purposes of payments under section 2 of this Act. SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. The amendments made by section 2 of this Act shall apply to payments for items and services furnished on or after October 1, 1994. <all>