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Statement of ACAP on Health Care Provisions Included in Continuing Resolution
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 6, 2018
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515; jvanness@communityplans.net
WASHINGTON—Margaret A. Murray, Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), today made the following statement on provisions of the continuing resolution introduced last night in the U.S. House of Representatives:
“ACAP applauds the inclusion of the permanent extension of the Medicare Advantage Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) program in the House continuing resolution legislation. ACAP has long advocated for permanent authorization of the D-SNP program and other changes that would streamline and improve the D-SNP program and that were included in the Senate’s CHRONIC Care Act (S. 870) as well.
“Permanently reauthorizing the D-SNP program will bring health plans needed programmatic stability to help them better integrate care for seniors with low incomes—and the beneficiaries who are served by D-SNPs will benefit from knowing that their care won’t be disrupted.
“Other changes to the D-SNP program include the designation of the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office as a point of contact for states to help with integrating Medicare and Medicaid benefits; a streamlined, unified grievance and appeals process, and allowing the Secretary of HHS to consider implementing the star rating system at the plan level across Medicare Advantage.
“We have worked with members of both parties in the House and Senate to advocate for these changes and are pleased to see the provisions of the CHRONIC Care Act included in the CR. We urge Congress to pass legislation providing permanence and stability to D-SNPs and the beneficiaries that rely on them for care.”
About ACAP
ACAP represents 61 Safety Net Health Plans, which provide health coverage to more than 21 million people in 29 states. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net.
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