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Statement of ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray on Congressional Efforts to Delay Medicare Sequester
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2021
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515, jvanness@communityplans.net
STATEMENT OF ACAP CEO MARGARET A. MURRAY ON CONGRESSIONAL EFFORTS TO DELAY MEDICARE SEQUESTER
WASHINGTON— Margaret A. Murray, Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) released the following statement on the Medicare sequestration, which will impose a 2 percent cut for all Medicare providers and plans during the COVID-19 pandemic if not extended before the end of March. There are two pieces of legislation currently in Congress that seek to extend the suspension of cuts.
“ACAP strongly urges Congress to delay these cuts.
“A 2 percent across-the-board cut would be especially harmful for safety net providers, like community health centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers, that are still responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“ACAP is grateful to Congress for supplying much-needed support to providers throughout the pandemic, including the new aid provided in the American Rescue Plan Act. While we are hopeful that the end of this health crisis is within sight, COVID-19 remains a significant drain on resources for our plans and their providers.
“Now is not the time to take action that would threaten plans’ ability to provide the high-quality coverage – and providers’ ability to deliver the high-quality care – Americans deserve. We’re encouraged to see legislation to that effect and call on Congress to delay cuts to Medicare. America’s seniors and others who rely on the program deserve nothing less.”
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.
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