WASHINGTON, DC – Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Health Subcommittee Republican Leader Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) sent a letter to Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) calling for a hearing on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) new proposal to modernize Medicaid, the Healthy Adult Opportunity, before having the House vote on a rushed resolution of disapproval.

"We request that the Committee on Energy and Commerce hold a hearing to examine the Healthy Adult Opportunity (HAO) demonstration initiative proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services last week," Walden and Burgess wrote in the letter. "We are concerned that the committee with jurisdiction over the Medicaid program has not examined this proposal, even though the full House will vote on a statement of disapproval tomorrow."

The Healthy Adult Opportunity was released by CMS on January 30th. Instead of going through the committee process and regular order, House Democrats have rushed forward a vote on House Resolution 826 to condemn the new proposal.

"The HAO demonstration is a serious, thoughtful proposal that needs to be more extensively discussed," Walden and Burgess continued. "Yet, the House is expected to vote on this demonstration only a week after it was released. We fear that this is just another case of partisan politics overtaking serious debate."

Background:

• The Healthy Adult Opportunity (HAO) is a 1115 Waiver. Right now there are 40 states voluntarily using 1115 Medicaid demonstrations. For example, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a 1115 Medicaid demonstration
• This would only apply to able-bodied adults - not people with disabilities, seniors or children
• Flexibilities states could use are pre-packaged and many states already use some of these flexibilities
• States would have to at least provide coverage spelled out in the Affordable Care Act's Essential Health Benefits 
• States with savings from using HAO will be able to send savings to their Medicaid program and the federal government

 

To read the letter, click HERE.