Congress Acts to Repeal Surtax for Catastrophic Care
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WASHINGTON — The House and Senate unanimously approved bills repealing the catastrophic health insurance surtax Wednesday in a parliamentary step that clears the way for conferees to work out a final solution.
The carefully orchestrated action was calculated to simplify the parliamentary procedures under which the issue can be resolved.
Several conference committee members have expressed optimism that they can reach agreement by next week, clearing the way for final action on the legislation.
Major new parts of the original catastrophic health legislation are to take effect on Jan. 1, and Medicare officials are required by law to notify beneficiaries of those changes unless they are repealed.
The bill passed by the House on a unanimous voice vote followed word for word the language approved last month on a 360-66 vote calling for outright repeal of the landmark expansion of Medicare approved last year.
Likewise, the Senate amended the House bill with the exact language by which it voted earlier 99 to 0 to repeal the surtax but retain a small portion of benefits.
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