The House of Representatives passed a $1.7 trillion spending bill on Friday, which drew mixed reactions from healthcare industry associations.
The bill, passed by the Senate on Thursday, includes a number of health care policy tweaks, from easing Medicare cuts to ensuring 12 months of continued eligibility for covered children. under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. It also extends the telehealth waiver issued as part of the CARES Act of 2020 until December 31, 2024. It was delivered to President Joe Biden’s desk, where he said. will sign into law.
Here are some statements from the associations.
- “We applaud Congress for passing a consolidated bus package that includes key Medicaid and CHIP policies that strengthen health coverage for low and middle-income individuals and families,” said a joint statement. National alliance representing the American Academy of Pediatrics, Association of Community Planners, said. Children’s Hospital Association, Community Catalyst, American Family, Children’s First Focus Campaign, and National Alliance on Mental Illness. Those policies include 12 months of continuous eligibility for children covered by Medicaid and CHIP, a permanent extension of the state’s option to provide 12 months of postpartum coverage to those enrolled in Medicaid, and CHIP, two-year funding extension for CHIP and Medicaid coverage, and CHIP screens for diagnosis, referral, and care coordination services for juveniles in custody 30 days before they are released.
- “The bill’s ongoing eligibility provisions will mean low-income parents can look for some part-time work without having to worry about losing their children’s health insurance. It will also help hundreds of thousands of children get the necessary health checks or intensive care visits they would otherwise have missed,” said the Association of Community Linked Plans.
- “By making safe, FDA-approved, non-opioid pain control options more accessible, Congress is enabling patients,” said Chris Fox, executive director of Voices for. and families work with their providers to make choices about how they manage their pain. Coalition of Non-Opium Options. The NOPAIN Act, included in the spending bill, would expand patient and provider access to non-opioid pain management treatments opiate use has been approved by the FDA in outpatient surgical settings beginning in 2025 and will require reporting to Congress on non-opioid options. the union indicates limitations, distances, barriers to access or deficits in reimbursement.
- “Now, as telehealth has proven to be an often life-saving and prized option for millions of Americans, our Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle have had Take appropriate action to ensure these services are maintained over the next two years, said Kyle Zebley, senior vice president for public policy, the American Telemedicine Association.
- “Although the composite spending package mitigates the 6.5% Medicare payment cuts that were originally slated to go into effect in 2023, physicians still face a 2% reduction in the 2023 Medicare conversion factor. aging and, if left untreated, reduces many people’s ability to access timely care.
