DiagnosticsSafety Net Health Plans Endorse House Health Reform Bill
The nation"s major safety net health plans today announced their endorsement of the health care reform legislation now moving through the U.S. House of Representatives. In a letter to congressional leaders, the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) said the bill "will expand coverage to more Americans, protect the interests of low-income and medically needy people, and preserve vital safety net programs."
ACAP represents 43 not-for-profit health plans in 23 states serving more than six million people enrolled in public health plans, such as Medicaid and Medicare. It endorses the America"s Healthy Choices Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200), which was approved by two House panels last week and is now under consideration by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
"This legislation is the right approach to greatly expand access to affordable coverage and protect critical programs for the most needy and vulnerable," said Margaret A. Murray, Chief Executive Officer of ACAP. "We urge other health organizations to join us in supporting this solution, and we urge Congress to act promptly to make reform a reality. The time for comprehensive health reform is now."
ACAP said the bill addresses top priorities that "are critical to move the country forward by expanding coverage and improving vital programs intended to serve the poor, medically needy, and elderly." Those provisions include:
- Expanding Medicaid coverage to everyone below 133% of the federal poverty level;
- Preserving an independent Medicaid outside the proposed health insurance exchange;
- Extending the Medicaid drug rebate program to health plans that will maintain the integrity of health plans" care management systems;
- Addressing inadequate risk adjustment for Medicare Advantage plans serving beneficiaries that are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid; and
- Improving the coordination with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
"The House health reform package is an unequivocal win for America and the people who need help the most," said Bob Thompson, the Chair of ACAP"s Board of Directors and President of Monroe Plan for Health Care in Rochester, NY. "It provides universal coverage for the poorest Americans, makes health care coverage affordable for low- and middle-income Americans, protects health plans" ability to coordinate care, and ensures that the most vulnerable people are protected. ACAP members, working on the frontlines across the nation, are confident this legislation will make a real difference in the lives of millions of Americans."
The ACAP letter was sent last night to the House Speaker, Majority and Minority Leaders, and the committee chairs and ranking members of the House Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Labor Committees.
A copy of ACAP"s letter to the House leadership is available at http://www.communityplans.net.
The Association for Community Affiliated Plans