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Rep. Pappas Calls on Administration to Help Ease Access to Medicaid During Coronavirus Pandemic

March 31, 2020

Pappas leads bipartisan letter urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to assist states in fast tracking Medicaid enrollment

Manchester, N.H - Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) led a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma urging her to expand access to care during the coronavirus pandemic by helping states to cut red tape related to Medicaid enrollment. Specifically, the letter urges Verma to issue guidance and provide templates that would enable states to quickly apply for waivers from existing Medicaid rules which may serve to limit or slow enrollment. More comprehensive guidance from CMS would clarify for states what specific actions they can take to expand coverage under Medicaid during the current health crisis.

Current law already gives CMS the authority to approve waivers that streamline enrollment – a step that previous administrations have taken following devastating hurricanes and after 9/11. In their letter, Pappas and 12 bipartisan signers urge CMS to work with states to help them to utilize these waivers to expand Medicaid coverage and fast track enrollment during the current public health crisis so that more Granite Staters can access coverage for critical health services. This action could allow New Hampshire residents who are losing coverage or need additional care as a result of the pandemic to get lifesaving coverage in a timely fashion.

"Current statute already allows for states to forgo Medicaid eligibility rules and processes through waivers," the Members of Congress write. "These waivers have been used by New York in 2001 to provide relief after 9/11 and by various states after hurricanes to streamline eligibility and enrollment. It is critical that CMS further detail states' options to simplify the enrollment process, such as lowering eligibility requirements, shorter application and determination periods, and transition options for after the waiver period has ended…In this rapidly evolving situation, the Administration should promptly take every step to cut red tape and increase access to Medicaid."

Full text of the letter can be found HERE or below:

Dear Administrator Verma:

We write today in the interest of expanding access to care for our constituents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medicaid plays a key safety net role in our society, one that is certain to become even more important as the economic fallout of this crisis unfolds. Key waivers can be used to expand eligibility and facilitate enrollment during emergency situations, and we ask that CMS immediately issue guidance to states to expand coverage opportunities.

Medicaid plays an essential role in improving the health of Americans by ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to health insurance coverage. Since Medicaid is a countercyclical program, we are likely to see an increase in eligible individuals as the economy slows in response to the coronavirus. In the face of this national emergency, it is critical that Americans face minimal barriers to accessing health services

Current statute already allows for states to forgo Medicaid eligibility rules and processes through waivers. As you noted in your guidance issued on March 22nd, Section 1115 waivers allow for states to conduct new demonstrations on program implementation. These waivers have been used by New York in 2001 to provide relief after 9/11 and by various states after hurricanes to streamline eligibility and enrollment[1].It is critical that CMS further detail states' options to simplify the enrollment process such as lowering eligibility requirements, shorter applications and determination periods, and transition options for after the waiver period has ended. While this guidance includes important flexibilities, the late issuance has already cost states valuable time. In this rapidly evolving situation, the Administration should promptly take every step to cut red tape and increase access to Medicaid.

At this perilous moment, the federal government should be a reliable resource for state governments, not only in the direct response to the pandemic, but by ensuring that every possible policy option is explored and made available to states. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to working with you to safeguard the health and safety of all of our constituents.

Sincerely,

Reps. Pappas, Velázquez, Fitzpatrick, Gallego, Brown, DeFazio, Meeks, Trone, Axne, Gohmert, Ryan, McNerney, Kuster

Issues:Health Care