[Pages S13039-S13040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 3165. Mr. BINGAMAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 2786 proposed by Mr. Reid (for himself, Mr. Baucus, Mr. 
Dodd, and Mr. Harkin) to the bill H.R. 3590, to amend the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the 
case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal 
employees, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the 
table; as follows:

       On page 1395, strike line 11 and all that follows through 
     ``SEC. 778.'' on line 15 and insert the following:

     SEC. 5314. FELLOWSHIP TRAINING IN PUBLIC HEALTH.

       Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 243 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 311 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 311A.

[[Page S13040]]

  SA 3166. Mr. BINGAMAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 2786 proposed by Mr. Reid (for himself, Mr. Baucus, Mr. 
Dodd, and Mr. Harkin) to the bill H.R. 3590, to amend the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the 
case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal 
employees, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the 
table; as follows:

       On page 816, after line 20, insert the following:

     SEC. 3115. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON MEDICARE BENEFICIARY 
                   ACCESS.

       (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
     (in this section referred to as the ``Comptroller General'') 
     shall conduct a study on the ability of Medicare 
     beneficiaries to fully access available health care services 
     during the 5-year period following enactment of this Act. 
     Such study shall include the following:
       (1) A detailed analysis regarding levels of access to 
     health care services for different groups or populations of 
     Medicare beneficiaries, including a breakdown--
       (A) by location, including rural areas (as defined in 
     section 1886(d)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act), health 
     professional shortage areas (as designated under section 332 
     of the Public Health Service Act), medically underserved 
     communities (as defined in section 799B(6) of such Act), and 
     medically underserved populations (as defined in section 
     330(b)(3) of such Act);
       (B) by type of health care service, including physician 
     services and primary care services; and
       (C) by any other measure determined appropriate by the 
     Comptroller General.
       (2) A summary that identifies--
       (A) any groups or populations of Medicare beneficiaries 
     that lack adequate access to health care services; and
       (B) any types of health care services that are not fully 
     accessible to Medicare beneficiaries.
       (b) Report.--
       (1) Interim report.--Not later than 30 months after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
     prepare and submit an interim report to Congress that 
     contains the preliminary results of the study conducted under 
     subsection (a), together with recommendations for such 
     legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller 
     General determines appropriate.
       (2) Final report.--Not later than 60 months after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
     prepare and submit a final report to Congress that contains 
     the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), 
     together with recommendations for such legislation and 
     administrative action as the Comptroller General determines 
     appropriate.
       (c) Medicare Beneficiary.--In this section, the term 
     ``Medicare beneficiary'' means an individual entitled to 
     benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security 
     Act, enrolled under part B of such title, or both.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out 
     this section.
                                 ______