WHAT'S NEW LEGISLATIVELY & HOT TOPICS ON THE HILL
MHPA is committed to advocating to strengthen and advance Medicaid and quality health care. Take a look at the most recent legislative efforts on Capitol Hill and activities of MHPA's Government Affairs and Policy team.
MHPA Submits Statement to House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee on Legislative Proposals Addressing Medicaid Access, Integrity
In a statement for-the-record in advance of today’s House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing, MHPA commended the committee for including a bipartisan policy to strengthen Medicaid HCBS and permanently fund the Money Follows the Person Program while also expressing concerns with the Medicaid managed care partial disallowance policy.
Read the letter here.
MHPA Urges Congress to Extend Funding for Affordable Connectivity Program
MHPA joined the Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP), Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), National MLTSS Health Plan Association, BlueCross BlueShield Association, and the Special Needs Plan Alliance to express support for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) – a federal program connecting eligible low-income households with high-speed internet access that is set to expire in May 2024. Noting the rise in telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency, particularly among ACP subscribers, MHPA urged Congress to pass a funding extension of the program to ensure eligible households can access the country’s health care delivery system.
Read the letter here.
MHPA Provides Perspective to Congress on Legislative Activity to Resolve Drug Shortages
MHPA applauds efforts by Congress to address drug shortages and ensure that Americans have access to affordable generic drugs. Ensuring that generic, sterile injectable drugs are accessible for use in surgery and in emergency departments and for serious diseases such as cancer is an issue of critical importance for Medicaid enrollees, especially, who rely on the program to treat chronic and acute health conditions.
Read the letter here.
MHPA Recommends Action for Legislation to Improve Care, Outcomes for Dually Eligible Benificiaries
To further support the delivery of care that is coordinated, integrated, and aligned with quality care, MHPA expressed appreciation, shared concerns, and sought clarity on provisions in a draft discussion of legislation aimed at improving health care outcomes for dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
Read the letter here.
MHPA Urges Congress to Support Community Health Centers
MHPA joined a coalition letter to House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee leadership underscoring the important role federally qualified health centers play as part of the fabric of our nation’s healthcare system and urged congressional leaders to increase funding as the reauthorization process progresses.
Read the letter here.
Partnership for Medicaid Expresses Concerns Over Debt Ceiling Medicaid Provisions
The Partnership for Medicaid, of which MHPA is a member, urged congressional leaders to consider context and efficacy when weighing the inclusion of work requirements as a mandatory condition for Medicaid eligibility in legislation that would raise the debt ceiling.
Read the letter here.
MHPA Engages Senate HELP Committee to Develop Solutions for Health Care Workforce Shortages
In response to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) request for information (RFI) following its February hearing on health care workforce shortages, MHPA urged the Committee to consider policy solutions pertaining to cross-state licenses, multi-state licensure, non-clinical workers, out-of-state provider billing, and Telehealth/behavioral health, among others, to help improve access to care for the millions of Americans who rely on the Medicaid program.
Read the letter here.
MHPA Engages with the U.S. Senate Finance Committee as it Seeks to Improve Care for People Dually Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid
In response to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee’s Request for Information, MHPA shared its members’ perspective on mechanisms to improve coverage and care for individuals that are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.
Read the letter here.
MHPA Urges Congressional Leadership to Prioritize Strengthening Medicaid in Year End Package
In a letter to the House and Senate leadership, MHPA called on lawmakers to prioritize policy proposals that protect and improve Medicaid for the vulnerable populations that rely on this critical safety net program. MHPA reiterated its position on termination of the enhanced FMAP and continuous Eligibility / Maintenance of Effort (MOE) provisions included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, underscoring the need for 120-days advance notice of enactment of such a policy.
Read the letter here.
MHPA Engages with House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans on Policies Impacting Individuals with Disabilities
In response to a memo led by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-WA), Ranking Member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, MHPA offered policy opportunities focused on improving the lives of people with disabilities. Highlighting programs like managed long-term services and support (MLTSS) and home and community-based services (HCBS), MHPA will continue to work with the committee as it crafts legislation.
Read the letter here.
MHPA, Partnership for Medicaid Urge Congress to Address Medicaid Fiscal Cliff in Puerto Rico and the Territories
In a letter to House and Senate leadership, MHPA, in coalition with the Partnership for Medicaid, underscored the need for Congress to act on the impending ‘fiscal cliff’ confronting the Medicaid program in Puerto Rico and the territories. Absent Congressional intervention, each territory’s federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) will be lowered back to 55% this December, which will harm access to care for millions of Medicaid beneficiaries.
Read the letter here.
MHPA, Other Health Care Organizations Send Letter to Senate and House Leaders Requesting Legislation to Protect Medicaid Coverage for Key Populations
In MHPA’s ongoing effort to support health plans, states and providers who are working to protect vital Medicaid coverage for millions of beneficiaries at the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, MHPA and several other health care organizations requested Congress swiftly consider and pass legislation that protects Medicaid coverage for key populations, including pregnant individuals on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), children covered by Medicaid and CHIP, eligible justice-involved individuals 30 days prior to release, and Americans residing in states that have yet to expand Medicaid and lack access to health insurance.
Read the letter here.
MHPA, Other Health Care Organizations Send Letter to Senate and House Leaders Reiterating Need for 120 Days’ Prior Notice to Wind Down of FMAP & MOE Continuous Eligibility Provisions
In our continuing effort to support health plans, states, and providers who are working to ensure Medicaid enrollees avoid dangerous or unnecessary gaps in coverage and care, MHPA and several other health care organizations requested Congress provide at least 120 days’ prior notice before unwinding the FMAP and Maintenance of Effort provisions included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Read the letter here.
MHPA Engages with the House Republican Healthy Future Task Force Treatments Subcommittee as it Develops Strategies to Improve Access to Medical Innovation
In response to the Healthy Future Task Force – Treatments Subcommittee’s Request for Information, MHPA shared its members’ perspective on issues related to innovative payment solutions for expensive curative therapies in Medicare and Medicaid.
Read the letter here.
MHPA Engages with the House Republican Healthy Future Task Force as it Develops Strategies to Modernize the American Health Care System
In response to the Healthy Future Task Force – Modernization Subcommittee’s Request for Information, MHPA shared its members’ perspective on issues related to telehealth-expansion during the COVID-19 public health emergency and the impact that expansion had on Medicaid beneficiaries.
Read the letter here.
MHPA, NAMD, Other Health Care Organizations Send Letter to Senate and House Leaders Requesting 120 Days’ Prior Notice to Wind Down of FMAP & MOE Continuous Eligibility Provisions
In an effort to support health plans, states, and providers who are working to ensure Medicaid enrollees avoid dangerous or unnecessary gaps in coverage and care, MHPA, the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD), and several other health care organizations requested Congress provide 120 days’ prior notice to any change to the current Medicaid continuous coverage requirement and availability of the enhanced 6.2 percentage point federal match for the Medicaid program included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Read the letter here.
MHPA Sends Letter to Senate and House Leaders on Potential Wind Down of FMAP & MOE Continuous Eligibility Provisions
Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA) sent a letter to Senate and House Leaders this week urging Congress to proceed with caution if considering a wind down of the enhanced Federal Matching Assistance Percentage (FMAP) and Maintenance of Effort (MOE) continuous eligibility provisions, which were included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Read the letter here.
MHPA, Health Care Organizations Urge Congressional Leaders to Prioritize Strengthening Medicaid
Medicaid Health Plans of America, as part of the Partnership for Medicaid, wrote a letter to Congressional Leaders urging them to prioritize policy proposals to strengthen Medicaid and ensure its stability for underrepresented populations who rely on the program.
Read the letter here.
MHPA, Health Care Organizations Address Medicaid Reconciliation Priorities to Senate and House Leaders
Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA) joined a group of health care organizations in sending a letter to Senate and House Leadership, addressing their reconciliation priorities for Medicaid.
Read the letter here.
MHPA Responds to RFI Request from Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus
MHPA writes a letter to the co-chairs of the Congressional Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Caucus in response to their Request for Information (RFI).
Read the letter here.
MHPA, Health Care Organizations Urge Senate and House Leaders to Pursue a Long-Term Solution to Ensure Medicaid Recipients Receive a Year of Postpartum Coverage
Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA) joined a group of health care organizations in sending a letter to Senate and House Leadership, urging Congress to use the upcoming reconciliation legislation to pursue a long-term solution that ensures all individuals who rely on Medicaid for pregnancy-related care have access to this coverage for a full year postpartum.
Read the letter here.
MHPA, Health Care Organizations Ask Senate Leadership to Include State Option for 12 Months’ Continuous Eligibility for Medicaid, CHIP Enrollees in Reconciliation Package
Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA) joined a group of health care organizations in sending a letter to House Leadership, urging Congress to include a state option for 12 months’ continuous eligibility for all people covered in Medicaid and CHIP in the reconciliation package currently under development.
Read the letter here.
MHPA, Health Care Organizations Ask House Leadership to Include State Option for 12 Months’ Continuous Eligibility for Medicaid, CHIP Enrollees in Reconciliation Package
Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA) joined a group of health care organizations in sending a letter to House Leadership, urging Congress to include a state option for 12 months’ continuous eligibility for all people covered in Medicaid and CHIP in the reconciliation package currently under development.
Read the letter here.
MHPA Responds to Request for Information (RFI) from Senate and House Committee Leaders regarding public health insurance option
Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA) wrote a letter to Congressman Frank Pallone, the Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Senator Patty Murray, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, in response to their request for information on design considerations for legislation to develop a public health insurance option.
MHPA Sends Letter to Congressional Leadership on Making the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Permanent
MHPA joined approximately 500 organizations in signing a letter urging Congress to make the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) permanent.