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H.R. 4878: Better Care, Lower Cost Act

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H.R. 4878: Better Care, Lower Cost Act

114th Congress · introduced 2016-03-23 · Health · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2016-03-23 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Paulsen, Erik [R-MN-3] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Better Care, Lower Cost Act

Plain summary

Better Care, Lower Cost Act This bill amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to establish an integrated chronic care delivery program through which qualified "Better Care Programs" (BCPs) shall: (1) promote accountability and better care management for chronically ill patient populations, (2) coordinate items and services under Medicare, and (3) encourage investment in infrastructure and redesigned care processes. A health plan (including a Medicare Advantage plan) or group of providers may participate as a BCP if certified to do so by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The program shall focus on containing long-term costs and improving the overall health of the Medicare population by implementing, through qualified BCPs, strategies that prevent, delay, or minimize the progression of illness or disability associated with chronic conditions. With respect to a BCP enrollee who is dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, Medicare shall be the primary payor. A Medigap policy (supplemental insurance that covers health care costs not covered by Medicare) may not provide for coverage of cost-sharing for Medicare services furnished to a BCP enrollee by a provider that is not a qualified BCP professional. HHS, acting through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, shall designate and provide core funding for at least three Chronic Care Innovation Centers. To be eligible for such designation and funding, an eligible entity must partner with other specified entities to develop new, evidence-based curricula that addresses the need for chronic care management.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Better Care, Lower Cost Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Paulsen, Erik [R-MN-3] · 1 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Peter Welch (D-VT)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Securities
Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong114-hr4878 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong114 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong114