Sen. Grassley's Key Medicare Provisions Included in Senate Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release:

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today made the following statement after the passage of a Continuing Resolution to fund the government, including two provisions he authored targeting changes to Medicare.

"I'm glad to see my Medicare provisions included in the bipartisan Senate Continuing Resolution. These policies are very similar to provisions I crafted in the HEALS Act as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and will help both Medicare beneficiaries and providers," Grassley said.

"While this is a good step, there is more work to be done. If we're able to come together to avoid a government shutdown, then we should be able to come together to provide further coronavirus relief to the many Americans still hurting. I strongly urge my Democratic colleagues come to the negotiating table to pass a bipartisan bill in good faith instead of obstructing the process for political gain."

Grassley fought to include the Medicare Part B Premium Adjustment provision in the Continuing Resolution. This will protect Medicare beneficiaries from an expected spike in the Part B premium for 2021 caused by economic conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and Advance payment program loans to providers made from the Supplemental Medical Insurance (SMI) Trust Fund.

Grassley also authored a provision to address concerns with the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program. This provision delays the date on which hospitals and other providers must start to repay Medicare Accelerated and Advance payment loans and makes other changes to relax repayment terms, while protecting the Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund.