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Statement of ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray on Passage of the Build Back Better Act in the House of Representatives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 19, 2021
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515, jvanness@communityplans.net
STATEMENT OF ACAP CEO MARGARET A. MURRAY ON PASSAGE OF THE BUILD BACK BETTER ACT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON— Margaret A. Murray, Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) today issued the following statement on the passage of the Build Back Better Act by the U.S. House of Representatives:
“We commend the House for passing this important bill which promises to make significant improvements in health outcomes for children, moms, and families.”
“Establishing 12-month continuous Medicaid and CHIP eligibility as the law of the land for children plus requiring 12 months of coverage for postpartum mothers are substantial steps toward shoring up several holes in the health care system.
“Our research shows that eliminating Medicaid churn for kids would lead to 585,000 more children getting at least one routine checkup, and 174,000 children getting the specialty care they need each year. This will no doubt make real differences in the lives of thousands and thousands of kids—and the parents who will no longer have to make difficult choices to ensure access to coverage for their children.
“Pregnant and postpartum continuous eligibility will help close the maternal mortality gap, which disproportionately affects Black and Latina women. In most states, women are dropped from coverage just 60 days after giving birth. Assuring continuity of coverage during and after their pregnancy is the right thing to do—and a major win for health equity.
“We’re thrilled this bill makes CHIP permanent and finally does away with the coverage funding cliffs that leave children, parents, states, and providers in peril. Never again must we divert attention from improving CHIP enrollees’ health outcomes to fight for the continued existence of the program.
“The Build Back Better Act also makes significant steps toward improving affordability in the Marketplace by extending the increased subsidies established in the American Rescue Plan Act, which will help working families get the comprehensive coverage they need.
“We urge the Senate to promptly pass this bill and send it to President Biden for his signature.”
About ACAP:
ACAP represents 78 health plans, which collectively provide health coverage to more than 20 million people. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other publicly-sponsored health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net.
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