TITLE VI--PROVISIONS RELATING TO PART B
Subtitle A--Provisions Relating to Physicians' Services
SEC. 601. REVISION OF UPDATES FOR PHYSICIANS' SERVICES.
(a) UPDATE FOR 2004 AND 2005-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 1848(d) (42
U.S.C. 1395w-4(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(5) UPDATE FOR 2004 AND 2005- The update to the single conversion
factor established in paragraph (1)(C) for each of 2004 and 2005 shall be
not less than 1.5 percent.'.
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Paragraph
(4)(B) of such section is amended, in the matter before clause (i), by inserting
`and paragraph (5)' after `subparagraph (D)'.
(3) NOT TREATED AS CHANGE IN LAW AND
REGULATION IN SUSTAINABLE GROWTH RATE DETERMINATION- The amendments made by
this subsection shall not be treated as a change in law for purposes of applying
section 1848(f)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(f)(2)(D)).
(b) USE OF 10-YEAR ROLLING AVERAGE IN COMPUTING
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 1848(f)(2)(C)
(42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(f)(2)(C)) is amended--
(A) by striking `projected'
and inserting `annual average'; and
(B) by striking `from the previous
applicable period to the applicable period involved' and inserting `during
the 10-year period ending with the applicable period involved'.
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments
made by paragraph (1) shall apply to computations of the sustainable growth
rate for years beginning with 2003.
