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ACAP Recognizes Rep. Earl Blumenauer with 2024 Congressional Leadership Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 7, 2023
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, 202-204-7515; jvanness@communityplans.net
ACAP RECOGNIZES REP. EARL BLUMENAUER WITH
2024 CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD
WASHINGTON—Today, the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) recognized Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) with its 2024 Congressional Leadership Award. Rep. Blumenauer was recognized for his leadership in the introduction of H.R. 6742, the IDEAL Act, and his career-long efforts to improve the health care system to make it more responsive to the values and wishes of patients and providers alike.
A member of the Health Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Blumenauer introduced the IDEAL Act in late 2023. The bill would establish a pilot program for certain integrated health plans that offer care to people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid; under the pilot, the plans would receive a dedicated funding stream earmarked for supplemental benefits that would address the health-related social needs of dually eligible members. The Act would also allow CMS and states to improve administrative alignment between Medicare and Medicaid.
“During his distinguished career, on issue after issue — drug prices, end-of-life care, maternal mortality — Representative Blumenauer has consistently championed solutions that make the health care system more practical, more rational, and more efficient,” said ACAP CEO Meg Murray. “The IDEAL Act would help Medicare beneficiaries with high levels of need navigate their care more effectively and help health plans assure that their members can access and benefit from the care they all desire and deserve. We’re proud to honor Representative Blumenauer’s leadership.”
The award was presented at ACAP’s 2024 Congressional Fly-In in Washington, D.C.
About ACAP:
ACAP represents 79 health plans, which collectively provide health coverage to more than 25 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.