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Statement of ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray on S. 3138, The Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act of 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 27, 2023
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, 202-204-7515; jvanness@communityplans.net
STATEMENT OF ACAP CEO MARGARET A. MURRAY ON S. 3138,
THE STABILIZE MEDICAID AND CHIP COVERAGE ACT OF 2023
WASHINGTON—Margaret A. Murray, CEO of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), issued the following statement on The Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act of 2023, introduced in the U.S. Senate as S. 3138 by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), which would extend 12-month enrollment periods in Medicaid and CHIP to all who qualify for the program. The bill includes Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) as original cosponsors.
“We’re grateful for the leadership of Senator Brown in reintroducing this bill, and grateful for his continued advocacy for improving health coverage for people and families with low incomes. 12-month enrollment for Medicaid and CHIP offers higher continuity of care and fosters longer-term relationships between providers and patients.
“Senator Brown has been a longtime ally in our work to improve the enrollment process for Medicaid and CHIP by cutting through the red tape. A key step toward achieving that is by making enrollment for Medicaid and CHIP an annual process, much like Medicare or private coverage.
“Thanks to the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, children have 12-month enrollment periods, and states have the option to provide 12 months’ postpartum coverage. This means that new parents and families can get the care they need with Medicaid and CHIP coverage that they can count on.
“It’s now time to build on this important policy change and expand 12-month enrollment periods to adults. We call on the House and Senate to work to promptly pass this bill and put these protections into statute – protections Medicaid and CHIP enrollees desire and deserve.”
About ACAP
ACAP represents 80 health plans, which collectively provide health coverage to more than 25 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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