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Statement of ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray on Build Back Better Act Framework
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 29, 2021
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515, jvanness@communityplans.net
STATEMENT OF ACAP CEO MARGARET A. MURRAY ON BUILD BACK BETTER ACT FRAMEWORK
WASHINGTON—Margaret A. Murray, CEO of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), issued the following statement on the framework of the Build Back Better Act released yesterday by the Administration and the Democratic majorities in Congress. The bill includes a one-year provision guaranteeing 12 months of continuous eligibility for children in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), permanent 12-month continuous eligibility for pregnant and postpartum mothers, coverage for individuals in the 12 states that have not yet expanded Medicaid, and more generous subsidies for people with low incomes to purchase health coverage in the Marketplace:
“This is a win for kids, moms and families.
“We are delighted that the Build Back Better Act will eliminate Medicaid “churn” for children for a period of one year. ACAP commissioned research that estimates that eliminating churn for kids would lead to 585,000 more children getting at least one routine checkup, and 174,000 children getting the specialty care they need each year. Providing one year of continuous eligibility for children is a terrific first step—and will make real differences in the lives of thousands and thousands of kids. And making 12-month continuous eligibility the law of the land will help close the maternal mortality gap, which disproportionately affects Black women. Assuring new moms health coverage in the critical months shortly after they gave birth is the right thing to do and a win for health equity.
“The Build Back Better Act also promotes affordability in the Marketplace for people with low incomes through a three-year extension of the enhanced advance premium tax credits originally passed in the American Rescue Plan Act; keeping comprehensive coverage affordable for working families. It will preserve and promote the stability of Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans and Medicare-Medicaid Plans, which meet the highly specialized needs of people who qualify for Medicare and Medicaid at the same time.”
“The Build Back Better Act puts into statute a number of long-awaited changes. We urge the House and Senate to promptly pass this bill and send it to President Biden for his signature.”
About ACAP:
ACAP represents 78 health plans, which collectively provide health coverage to more than 22 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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