Seniors Health and Independence Preservation Act of 2003

H.R. 983, the Seniors Health and Independence Preservation Act of 2003, proposed making "Social Health Maintenance Organization" (SHMO) projects a permanent part of the Medicare program. These specialized plans were designed to coordinate traditional medical care with additional social services, such as personal care and transportation, to help seniors live independently in their homes rather than in nursing facilities. The bill would have allowed these programs to expand their service areas and required federal studies to evaluate their cost-effectiveness and the satisfaction levels of the seniors enrolled in them.