Omnibus spending package
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
President Clinton signs fiscal 2000 Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act at a White House ceremony Nov. 29. HR 3194 includes $16 bil. over five years to restore some planned BBA 1997 cuts to Medicare providers and Medicare+Choice plans. The legislation was adopted by the House Nov. 18 and the Senate on Nov. 19. In his remarks, Clinton highlighted increased investment in biomedical research, mental health and pediatric training, including a $2.3 bil. increase to $17.9 bil. for the National Institutes of Health. Clinton noted that passage of a Patients' Bill of Rights and Medicare reform, including a voluntary prescription drug benefit, are among the Administration's priorities for next year