Thirteen Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced eight bills aimed at reforming Medicare Advantage and solidifying traditional Medicare, according to a Nov. 19 news release from Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis.
Each piece of legislation falls into one of three buckets: Delays and denials, MA costs to taxpayers, and building a stronger foundation for traditional Medicare.
“Only Medicare is Medicare. It is one of the most popular and important services our government provides,” Mr. Pocan said. “But for too long, private healthcare companies taking advantage of Medicare’s brand and popularity have tricked and wronged seniors.” He said the bills would provide “common sense, pro-patient reforms” to Medicare Advantage and shore up traditional Medicare.
Some proposals include automatically appealing care denials, disincentivizing delays due to prior authorization and preventing MA plans from serving as default coverage options. One bill calls for a broader Medicare “website for provider search,” recalling challenges with the recently launched MA provider directory.
Reps. Andre Carson, Ind., Steve Cohen, Tenn., Rosa DeLauro, Conn., Lloyd Doggett, Texas, Pramila Jayapal, Wash., Ro Khanna, Calif., Eleanor Norton, D.C., Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, N.Y., Jan Schakowsky, Ill., Mark Takano, Calif., Shri Thanedar, Mich., and Rashida Tlaib, Mich., are all co-sponsors.
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