Statement of ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray on Nomination of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to be CMS Administrator

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 4, 2021

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515, jvanness@communityplans.net

STATEMENT OF ACAP CEO MARGARET A. MURRAY ON NOMINATION OF CHIQUITA BROOKS-LASURE TO BE CMS ADMINISTRATOR

WASHINGTON— Margaret A. Murray, Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), released the following statement on the nomination of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to be the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS):

“Ms. Brooks-LaSure is a superb candidate to lead CMS. We congratulate her on her nomination and we stand ready to work with her to strengthen and expand affordable, high quality health coverage.

“In her years of experience in prior administrations and on the Hill, Ms. Brooks-LaSure has built a strong record of advocacy for improving access to health coverage. We celebrate particularly her efforts to oppose barriers—such as work requirements—that further complicate Medicaid eligibility determination.

“She has been a staunch supporter of policies to root out racial inequities in maternal health, including guaranteeing access to 12 months of Medicaid coverage for post-partum moms.

“We are encouraged by Ms. Brooks-LaSure’s support for the Affordable Care Act and her spoken desire to strengthen the landmark health care law. We look forward to working together to restore protections lost over the last four years and explore new innovations to improve affordability.-

“ACAP is lucky to have worked with Ms. Brooks-LaSure in the past and we are thrilled to offer her our wholehearted support today. We urge the Senate to quickly confirm her so she can get to work making Medicaid, Medicare and Marketplace coverage work better for the millions of Americans who rely on it.”

About ACAP:

ACAP represents 78 health plans, which collectively provide health coverage to more than 20 million people. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other publicly-sponsored health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net.

# # #