AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY OCTOBER 20, 2004

AMENDED IN SENATE OCTOBER 19, 2004

SENIOR SENATE FEDERAL PROPOSAL NO. 5

INTRODUCED BY SENIOR ASSEMBLY MEMBER GEHRIG

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SFP 5:  PODIATRIC PREVENTIVE CARE.

UNDER EXISTING LAW, PART B OF THE MEDICARE PROGRAM GENERALLY PROVIDES COPAYMENT FOR COVERED MEDICAL SERVICES FOR ELIGIBLE PERSONS, BUT GENERALLY DOES NOT PROVIDE COPAYMENT FOR ROUTINE CARE OF THE FEET UNLESS THE CARE RELATES TO A SYSTEMIC CONDITION OF THE PATIENT THAT HAS RESULTED IN DIFFICULTY IN WALKING, CIRCULATORY PROBLEMS, OR OTHER SYMPTOMS.

THIS MEASURE WOULD MEMORIALIZE THE CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT TO ENACT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE THAT THE MEDICARE PROGRAM CO-PAY FOR ONE ANNUAL CARE VISIT THAT INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, CUTTING AND DEBRIDEMENT OF THE TOENAILS AND CALLUSES BY A PODIATRIST WITHOUT ANY REQUIREMENT THAT THE PERSON EXPERIENCE PAIN OR OTHER SYMPTOMS BEFORE RECEIVING THAT CARE.

VOTE: MAJORITY.

SFP 5: RELATING TO PODIATRIC PREVENTIVE CARE

WHEREAS, A NUMBER OF SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITIONS CAN SHOW UP IN A PERSON'S FEET, SUCH AS ARTHRITIS, DIABETES, AND NERVE AND CIRCULATORY DISORDERS, AND A ROUTINE PODIATRIC EXAMINATION COULD HELP TO PREVENT THEM OR, AT THE LEAST, TO CURTAIL POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS; AND

WHEREAS, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IGNORE ANY UNUSUAL OR INTERMITTENT PAIN IN THEIR FEET BECAUSE OF THE IDEA THAT AGING MAKES THIS PERFECTLY NORMAL, AND THE COST OF A ROUTINE EXAMINATION DETERS THEM FROM SEEING A PODIATRIST; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, BY THE SENIOR SENATE AND THE SENIOR ASSEMBLY, JOINTLY, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AT ITS 2004 REGULAR SESSION, A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS VOTING THEREFOR, HEREBY PROPOSES THAT THE MEDICARE PROGRAM CO-PAY FOR ONE ANNUAL CARE VISIT INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CUTTING AND DEBRIDEMENT OF THE TOENAILS AND CALLUSES BY A PODIATRIST WITHOUT ANY REQUIREMENT THAT THE PERSON EXPERIENCE PAIN OR OTHER SYMPTOMS BEFORE RECEIVING THAT CARE; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RESPECTFULLY MEMORIALIZES THE CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT TO ENACT APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ADDRESS THE CONCERNS SET FORTH IN THIS MEASURE; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THIS MEASURE BE TRANSMITTED TO THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT, THE SPEAKER OP THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE CHAIRPERSONS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEES ON AGING, AND TO EACH SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA IN THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.

RN0414879

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