Hearing Date: January 9th, 2014
Hearing Summary: Prepared for AAPS by the Market Institute
The Health subcommittee recently met to look at if recently short term provisions to the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) should be made permanent. Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA) outlined in his opening statement the large number of programs affected by these provisions. Actions to improve quality and access to care must be based on data driven analysis. Vice Chairman Michael Burgess (R-TX) said in his opening statement he is looking forward to the total repeal of the problematic SGR, but not before vetting what other issues there might be in the calculation. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) said in his opening statement that he is looking forward to eliminating the SGR, but the extender policies must be addressed.
The first witness, Glenn Hackbarth, Chairman at the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC) testified in his opening statement that MedPAC has been long time advocates of SGR repeal. They realize that the last challenge to repeal is the financial implications, but a stringent test on extenders is appropriate to accomplish such.
The second witness, Diane Rowland, Chair at Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) said in her opening statement that her commission has submitted specific recommendations to Congress regarding ending the sunset date for the Transitional Medical Assistance Program. The commission supports the permanent funding of this program. They will also continue to build out their work on Medicaid, including those eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.
The third witness, Michael Lu, Associate Administrator at the Maternal and Child Health Bureau said in his opening statement that The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program, administered by HRSA, aims to improve health and developmental outcomes for children and families who reside in at-risk communities.Additionally, HRSA administers a unique program that focuses specifically on providing support to families of children and youth with special health care needs. The Family-to-Family program helps families connect to and share information and resources, acquire the skills to partner with their children’s health care providers, and better navigate the healthcare system. These programs are making a difference in growing human potential for some of the nation’s most vulnerable children and families.
The fourth witness, Naomi Goldstein, Director of Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation at the Administration for Children and Families recounted in her opening statement the various programs her organization oversees and how they benefit the social well-being of families, individuals, and children.
In response to questioning, Glenn Hackbarth said:
- Many programs should not be extended based on criteria mentioned in his testimony
- Targeted assistance is necessary for isolated providers to improve quality of care
- They have found that ambulance services have seen large private equity firms investing
In response to questioning, Diane Rowland said:
- For states that adopted Medicaid expansion, the Traditional Medical Assistance program is not needed
- Making the TMA program permanent would save Medicaid dollars long-term
- Continuous care for low-income people, those more likely to use the TMA, is really important
Hearing Webpage:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/hearing/extenders-policies-what-are-they-and-how-should-they-continue-under-permanent-sgr-repeal-landscape
Links to Testimony:
Glenn M. Hackbarth, J.D.
Chairman Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC)
http://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF14/20140109/101627/HHRG-113-IF14-Wstate-HackbarthG-20140109.pdf
Diane Rowland, Sc.D.
Chair Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC)
http://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF14/20140109/101627/HHRG-113-IF14-Wstate-RowlandD-20140109.pdf
Michael Lu, M.D., M.S., M.P.H.
Associate Administrator Maternal and Child Health Bureau Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
http://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF14/20140109/101627/HHRG-113-IF14-Wstate-LuM-20140109.pdf
Naomi Goldstein
Director Office of Planning,Research, and Evaluation Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
http://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF14/20140109/101627/HHRG-113-IF14-Wstate-GoldsteinN-20140109.pdf
