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ACAP Lauds Introduction of the Bipartisan Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act of 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 26, 2017
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515
ACAP LAUDS INTRODUCTION OF THE BIPARTISAN
STABILIZE MEDICAID AND CHIP COVERAGE ACT OF 2017
WASHINGTON – Margaret A. Murray, Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), issued a statement on the Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act of 2017, introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Gene Green (D-Texas) and Joe Barton (R-Texas), and in the Senate by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).
The bill would provide 12 months of continuous eligibility to all who qualify for Medicaid or CHIP and mitigate the effects of “churn,” a phenomenon which affects millions every year who are disenrolled from Medicaid or CHIP due to small changes in income, or issues with paperwork, despite being otherwise eligible. “Churn” has led to worse health outcomes through interruptions in care, higher costs borne by taxpayers, and increased red tape for patients, providers and health plans.
“Representatives Green and Barton and Senator Brown have shown strong and unwavering leadership on the issue of churn in Medicaid, and for that ACAP and its member Safety Net Health Plans are grateful,” said ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray. “This is a common-sense, bipartisan solution which strengthens the Medicaid and CHIP programs to assure beneficiaries coverage they can count on through 12 months of continuous enrollment. This brings them on par with enrollees in private health plans and Medicare.
“12 months’ continuous eligibility will also help Medicaid health plans to better assess the quality of their coverage, as most commonly-used measures require a full year of continuous enrollment in a given plan.
We urge other Members of Congress to join Reps. Barton and Green and Senator Brown to cosponsor these bills. All Americans with Medicaid and CHIP deserve coverage they can count on.”
Senators Whitehouse and Warren are also original cosponsors of the Senate bill. The bill number in the House is H.R. 2628 and the bill number in the Senate is S. 1227.
More information is available at http://www.coverageyoucancounton.org.
About ACAP
ACAP represents 60 nonprofit Safety Net Health Plans in 29 states, which collectively serve more than seventeen million people enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and other publicly-sponsored health coverage programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net or www.coverageyoucancounton.org.
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