Statement of ACAP on H.R. 1879, the Bipartisan Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act of 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 27, 2019
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515

STATEMENT OF ACAP ON H.R. 1879, THE BIPARTISAN  
STABILIZE MEDICAID AND CHIP COVERAGE ACT OF 2019 

WASHINGTON—Margaret A. Murray, CEO of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), issued the following statement on H.R. 1879, The Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act of 2019, introduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Joe Kennedy III (Mass.) and Congressman John Katko (N.Y.):

“We’re grateful for the bipartisan leadership of Representatives Kennedy and Katko in introducing this legislation today. The Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act holds tremendous promise for improving the continuity of coverage in Medicaid and CHIP, removing perverse disincentives for people with publicly-sponsored health coverage to seek more or better work, and keep families and children with low incomes from losing coverage owing to bureaucratic error.

“Families who are enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP must prove that they are eligible for the program – in some states, they must reverify their eligibility multiple times in a year and are at frequent risk for losing their coverage. Some are at risk for losing their coverage if they take an extra shift or two at work, or if there’s an error in their paperwork. Families often do not know when their program certification periods expire, and may not know whether or why they lost coverage until they visit their doctor for care.”

“This bill will help Safety Net Health Plans and providers do what they do best – focus on providing and coordinating care and services that help enrollees maintain and improve their health. And it will free families and children with low incomes from the headaches of disenrollment and re-enrollment, and the fear of losing coverage for which they are otherwise eligible.”

“That’s why we’re proud to lend this legislation our complete support, join with allied organizations in supporting this bill, and call upon Rep. Kennedy and Rep. Katko’s colleagues to cosponsor H.R. 1879.”

Organizations supporting the Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act include America’s Essential Hospitals, American Academy of Pediatrics, Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness, Association for Community Affiliated Plans, Children’s Hospital Association, Families USA, and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council.

About ACAP
ACAP represents 64 health plans in 29 states, which collectively serve more than twenty million people enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplaces, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and other health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net.

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