Documents

PPC Documents, Letters and Statements

• Protect TennCare. Block the block grant proposal.

  12/18/2019

  Ad opposing block grant proposal in Tennessee.

• Dont let Tennessee block grant medicaid

  12/18/2019

  Ad opposing changing Tennessee's Medicaid financing structure to a block grant.

• Comments Re: Tennessee TennCare II Demonstration Amendment 42

  12/18/2019

  Comments urging CMS to reject application as changing the financing structure of TennCare to a block grant will jeopardize access to quality and affordable care for patients with serious and chronic health conditions.

• Letter to the President on Surprise Medical Billing

  12/13/2019

  Letter urging the President to assist Congress in moving swiftly and decisively to pass legislation that holds patients and families harmless and protects them from surprise medical bills.

• Letter to Congressional Leadership on Surprise Medical Billing Legislation

  12/13/2019

  Letter urging Congress to must move swiftly and decisively to pass legislation that holds patients and families harmless and protects them from surprise medical bills.

• Comments Re: Utah Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver Application

  12/06/2019

  Comments supporting the full expansion of Utah’s Medicaid program but expressing deep concern that some of the policy proposals in this waiver application will add additional financial and administrative barriers that will jeopardize patients’ coverage.

• Comments Re: Idaho Medicaid Reform Waiver: Section 1115 Medicaid Waiver Demonstration Project Application

  11/01/2019

  Comments strongly supporting Medicaid expansion in Idaho and urging CMS to reject the request for work reporting requirements.

• Comments Re: Montana Health and Economic Livelihood (HELP) Demonstration Program

  10/11/2019

  Comments urging CMS to approve renewal of Montana’s continuous eligibility policy, but deny the other requests for higher premiums and work reporting requirements.

• Comments Re: Medicaid Program; Methods for Assuring Access to Covered Medicaid Services

  09/13/2019

  Comments urging CMS to withdraw the proposed rule and keep guidance from 2015 in place. The proposed rule would rescind the regulation that CMS issued in November 2015 to enforce the provisions at 1902(a)(30)(A) of the Social Security Act to ensure that provider reimbursement rates are sufficient to provide adequate access to treatments and services for all Medicaid enrollees. The 2015 final rule established a process for states to submit access monitoring review plans (AMRP) every three years, conduct an access review when submitting proposed reductions in payment rates to CMS and monitor Medicaid patients’ access to care if rate changes are approved.

• Comments Re: Utah Section 1115 Demonstration Application

  09/13/2019

  Comments expressing deep concerns about the policy proposals in this waiver application and urging HHS to reject.

• Comments Re: Healthy Indiana Plan Workforce Bridge Account Amendment Section 1115 Waiver

  09/06/2019

  Comments urging HHS to prevent Indiana from implementing a work reporting requirement that jeopardizes Hoosiers’ access to healthcare.

• Comments Re: Delaware’s 1332 Waiver Application

  08/16/2019

  Comments supporting Deleware's efforts to strengthen its marketplace by submitting this application to implement a reinsurance program, and we urge the Departments to approve the application.

• Comments Re: Rhode Island’s 1332 Waiver Application

  08/14/2019

  Comments supporting Rhode Island’s efforts to strengthen its marketplace by submitting this application to implement a reinsurance program, and we urge the Departments to approve the application.

• Comments Re: Amendment to Centennial Care 2.0 Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver

  08/07/2019

  Comments supporting the proposed amendment to the Centennial Care 2.0 Section 1115 demonstration, as the changes will enhance New Mexico’s Medicaid program and provide healthcare to individuals most in need.

• Comments Re: Iowa Wellness Plan Section 1115 Demonstration Extension Application

  08/02/2019

  Comments urging HHS to approve an extension of Iowa’s Medicaid expansion and remove policies related to cost-sharing, retroactive coverage and Non-Emergent Medical Transportation that create barriers to care for patients.

• Comments Re: Montana Section 1332 Waiver Application

  07/30/2019

  Comments supporting Montana’s efforts to strengthen its marketplace by submitting this application to implement a reinsurance program, and we urge the Departments to approve the application.

• Letter to Tennesee Medicaid Officials on Block Grants in Medicaid

  07/25/2019

  Letter expressing opposition to block grants and any other efforts to change the funding structure of the Medicaid program that could jeopardize patients’ access to care.

• Letter to CMS Administrator Verma on Block Grants and Per Capita Caps in Medicaid

  07/18/2019

  Letter to CMS Administrator Verma expressing strong opposition to policies that would encourage, invite or allow states to apply for block grants or per capita caps for their Medicaid programs as they will reduce access to quality and affordable healthcare for patients with serious and chronic health conditions.

• Comments Re: Colorado Section 1332 Waiver Application

  07/10/2019

  Comments supporting Colorado’s efforts to strengthen its marketplace by submitting this application to implement a reinsurance program, and we urge the Departments to approve the application.

• Comments Re: South Carolina 1115 Demonstration Waiver Application – South Carolina Medicaid Community Engagement

  07/10/2019

  Comments urging CMS to reject South Carolina’s community engagement reporting requirement as adding work requirements to Medicaid creates new administrative barriers that jeopardize access to healthcare for patients with serious and chronic diseases.

• Comments Re: Request for Information Regarding State Relief and Empowerment Waivers

  07/02/2019

  Comments urging the Administration to rescind the October 2018 State Relief and Empowerment Waivers guidance and offering to work with the government on waiver concepts that would ensure accessible, affordable and adequate coverage for patients with pre-existing conditions.

• Letter to Energy & Commerce Chair and Ranking Member on Legislative Proposals to Shore Up the Individual Insurance Market

  05/08/2019

  Letter in support of Congress exploring both immediate and long-term approaches to shore up and strengthen the individual insurance market and urging that any future legislative changes not fall short of the comprehensive protections and coverage expansion included in current law.

• Comments Re: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Increasing Consumer Choice through the Sale of Individual Health Insurance Coverage Across State Lines Through Health Care Choice Compacts

  05/06/2019

  Comments expressing concern that the Administration’s proposal to facilitate the sale of health insurance coverage across state lines would weaken consumers’ access to high-quality health insurance, especially when coupled with the Administration’s actions to allow non-compliant health insurance plans.

• Statement for the Record for House Committee on Education and Labor Committee's Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Markup

  04/08/2019

  Statement in support of HR 1010, legislation to provide that the rule entitled “Short-Term, Limited Duration Insurance” shall have no force or effect.

• Comments RE Request for Information Regarding Grandfathered Group Health Plans and Grandfathered Group Health Insurance Coverage

  03/27/2019

  Comments urging the government not to extend grandfathered group health plans, as this could seriously harm patients, and encouraging grandfathered plans to come into compliance with the ACA.

• Letter to HELP Chair Re: Lowering Health Care Costs RFI

  03/01/2019

  Letter providing information on how to lower costs while maintaining health coverage that is adequate, affordable, and accessible, including expanding Medicaid, restricting use of non-compliant products on the insurance market, expanding advanced premium tax credits used to purchase insurance on the marketplace, encouraing reinsurance programs, and reducing out-of-pocket costs for patients.

• Comments Re: TennCare II Demonstration (No. 11-W-000151/4), Amendment 38

  02/07/2019

  Comments urging CMS to reject the waiver application as adding work requirements to Medicaid creates new administrative barriers that jeopardize access to healthcare for patients with serious and chronic diseases.

• Letter to Utah Representatives in Support of Medicaid Expansion

  02/04/2019

  Letter asking representatives in Utah to oppose any bills that would restrict or repeal Medicaid expansion in Utah, and urging support of the implementation of Proposition 3 to allow thousands of Utah residents to access Medicaid coverage starting April 1, 2019.

• Comments Re: SoonerCare Choice 1115(a) Demonstration Waiver Amendment

  01/18/2019

  Comments urging CMS to reject the waiver application as adding work requirements to Medicaid creates new administrative barriers that jeopardize access to healthcare for patients with serious and chronic diseases.

• Comments RE the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Exchange Program Integrity

  01/08/2019

  Comments Expressing concerned about the potential for the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Exchange Program Integrity” rule to cause consumer confusion, potentially resulting in the termination of insurance coverage and urging the Department of Health and Human Services to rescind sections of the proposed rule that requires patients and consumers pay a separate premium for services identified in Section 1303 of the Affordable Care Act.

• Comments RE Virginia COMPASS 1115 Demonstration Extension Application – Creating Opportunities for Medicaid Participants to Achieve Self-Sufficiency

  01/04/2019

  Comments asking CMS to reject the following provisions of the 1115 waiver that will jeopardize patients’ access to quality and affordable healthcare, including work requirements and increases to premiums and cost-sharing for patients.

• Comments Re: Florida Section 1115 Waiver Amendment Request: Proposal on Retroactive Eligibility

  12/18/2018

  Comments urging HHS to reject application as Florida’s Waiver Amendment could have harmful implications for individuals with serious, acute, and chronic conditions.

• Comments Re: State Relief and Empowerment Section 1332 Waivers

  12/18/2018

  Comments urging withdrawal of new guidance as it deepy undermines the plain language of Section 1332 of the ACA and its protections for patients with serious, acute, and chronic conditions.

• Letter to Secretary Azar, Secretary Mnuchin, Assistant Secretary Kautter and Administrator Verma RE Section 1332 Guidance

  12/18/2018

  Letter expressing great concern with new guidance which undermines the Section 1332 statutory language and its protections for patients with serious, acute and chronic conditions.

• Comments in Response to Proposed Rulemaking: Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds

  12/10/2018

  Comments opposing proposed rule and urging the Department to withdraw it, as it would cause major harm to the health and wellbeing of immigrants, their families, and the communities in which they live.

• Comments Re: Healthy Michigan Plan Section 1115 Demonstration Extension Application

  10/26/2018

  Comments urging HHS to reject application as Michigan’s proposed waiver threatens access to healthcare by creating new financial and administrative barriers that could lead patients with serious, acute and chronic conditions to lose their healthcare coverage.

• Comments Re: Alabama Section 1115 Demonstration Application

  10/17/2018

  Comments expressing deep concerns about the policy proposals in this waiver application, including work requirements, and urging HHS to reject.

• Comments RE Maine’s Medicaid Expansion

  10/01/2018

  Comments urging HHS to quickly approve Maine’s State Plan Amendment (SPA) to expand its state Medicaid program to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). With the approval of the SPA, an additional 70,000 Mainers would have access to quality and affordable healthcare.

• Comments Re: South Dakota Career Connector 1115 Waiver Application

  09/26/2018

  Comments expressing deep concerns about the policy proposals in this waiver application, including work requirements, and urging HHS to reject.

• Comments Re: Granite Advantage 1115 Waiver Amendment and Extension Application

  08/31/2018

  Comments expressing deep concerns about the policy proposals in this waiver application, including work requirements and waiving retroactive eligibility, and urging HHS to reject.

• Letter to Director of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services RE 1115 Waiver Request Notice Failure

  07/16/2018

  Letter asking you Michigan to reopen the public comment period for 30 days for the Section 1115 Demonstration Extension Application for the Healthy Michigan Plan as it fails to meet federal public notice and comment requirements for Section 1115 waivers.

• Comments RE: Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance Proposed Rule 

  04/23/2018

  Comments expressing significant concerns about the impact of the proposed rule on short-term plans on behalf of the individuals and families that we represent—including those who choose not to purchase STLD plans.

• Comments Re: Arizona Section 1115 Waiver Amendment Request- Arizona Health Care Cost Containment Works Waiver

  02/05/2018

  Comments urging HHS to reject Arizona's proposal to add work requirements to Medicaid as it jeopardizes patients’ access to care and could have harmful implications for individuals with serious, acute and chronic diseases.

• Letter to Secretary Azar RE: RFI "Promoting Healthcare Choice and Competition Across the United States”

  01/25/2018

  Letter urging HHS to refocus its efforts on improving the health system care by increasing the duration and resources committed to open enrollment, supporting and maintaining a strong risk adjustment program, and supporting policies that ensure that patients with chronic and serious illnesses can continue to access affordable and adequate care for many years to come.

• Ad opposing Senate tax bill

  10/12/2017

  Ad opposing Senate tax bill

• Statement RE Executive Order on Short-term Catastrophic Health Insurance Plans

  10/12/2017

  Statement expressing concern that executive order on short-term catastrophic health insurance plans pre-existing conditions and serious illnesses out of the individual insurance market and put millions more at risk through the sale of insurance plans that won’t cover all the services patients want to stay healthy or the critical care they need when they get sick.

• Letter to Senate Appropriations Leaders RE Outreach and Enrollment Funding

  10/12/2017

  Letter urging Senate to approve robust appropriation for outreach and enrollment assistance.

• Letter to Senate Majority Leader RE Strengthening Health Care System

  08/10/2017

  Letter identifying critical steps to maintain and expand access to quality and affordable insurance for low- and middle-income families across the nation.

• Letter to Senators RE Healthcare Reform Principles

  05/18/2017

  Changes to the existing law must not jeopardize the health care coverage Americans currently have through employers, the private marketplace, Medicare or Medicaid. Individuals and families should be able to keep their existing coverage and, ideally, any replacement plan would extend coverage to more Americans rather than causing people to lose coverage.

• Consensus Healthcare Reform Principles

  03/06/2017

  Principles requiring that any health reform must support a health care system that provides affordable, accessible and adequate health care coverage and preserves the coverage provided to millions through Medicare and Medicaid.