Social Security Legislative Bulletin

Number: 109-6
Date: October 26, 2005

President Signs Public Law 109-91, the "QI, TMA, and Abstinence Programs Extension and Hurricane Katrina Unemployment Relief Act of 2005"

On October 20, 2005, President Bush signed into law H.R. 3971 (Public Law 109-91). The bill includes the following provision of interest to SSA.

Extension of QI Program through September 2007

• Extends the "Qualified Individual" (QI) Medicare savings program until September 30, 2007. The program had expired on September 30, 2005. Under the QI program, individuals who would be qualified Medicare beneficiaries but for the fact that their incomes exceed State-established income levels that are between 120 percent and 135 percent of the official poverty line, have their Medicare Part B premiums paid by their State Medicaid program.

• Effective September 30, 2005.

The bill also extends the Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) and Abstinence Education programs until December 31, 2005, and provides $500 million to Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi to help pay unemployment benefits to individuals affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.