On January 17, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a proposed rule that would raise consumers’ out-of-pocket costs for health care under individual and employer-sponsored health insurance plans, and decrease premium assistance in the individual marketplace.
Late last year, the Trump administration released a proposed rule as part of its efforts to lower prescription drug prices that, if finalized, could have a significant impact on Medicare beneficiaries’ ability to access certain drugs under Medicare Part D. Medicare Part D, which covers prescriptions drugs beneficiaries pick up at pharmacies, is administered by private Part D plans. Much like commercial health insurance plans, these Part D plans use formularies to establish which drugs are covered and at what level of beneficiary-cost sharing.
On November 7, 2018—the morning after Election Day—the Trump administration proposed an “Exchange Program Integrity” rule governing coverage provided in health insurance marketplaces. Some parts of the proposal appear useful. Some changes offer potential help to consumers but require changes. Others threaten to create serious harm. On January 8, 2019, Families USA filed comments about each portion of the proposed rule.
Families USA is encouraged to see oral health coming up early in the 116th Congress with Senator Cardin introducing S. 22, the Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2019 earlier this week. This legislation serves as an important opportunity for Congress to take a major step to improve the oral health, overall well-being, and financial security of seniors and people with disabilities in this country. Families USA is proud to join our partners at Oral Health America, Justice in Aging, and the Center for Medicare Advocacy in a letter supporting the major provisions of this bill.
Families USA commented on the Trump Administration’s proposed “public charge” rule. Under the administration’s proposal, immigrants could be considered a public charge, and therefore denied entry to the country or denied the right to adjust status and become a lawful permanent resident, if they receive Medicaid or certain other public benefits for a period of time.
Families USA, Community Catalyst, and over 45 national organizations representing health care stakeholders sent this letter to Congressional leadership, urging them to heed the strong message sent by the midterm elections and pursue an agenda that ensures the best health and health care are equally accessible and affordable to all. On November 6, voters from across the country and from all walks of life voted for high quality and affordable health care.
On September 7, the Trump administration took another step toward eliminating basic protections for immigrant children and their families who enter the U.S. without documentation—including those legally seeking asylum, by issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking (proposed regulation) that would dismantle constitutional protections for children established by the Flores Settlement Agreement governing the detention and treatment of children in U.S. immigration custody.
Millions of seniors and people with disabilities rely on Medicare for their health care, but it does not cover their oral health care. Even if someone needs dental care in order to have a medical procedure—like a kidney transplant patient who needs an oral infection treated to begin surgery -- Medicare won’t cover the oral health care.
Families USA, Public Citizen, and 39 other national and state-based organizations including the Services Employees International Union, the National Partnership for Women and Families, the AFL-CIO, AFSCME, and NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice submitted a comment letter in response to the Request for Information (RFI) from the Trump Administration regarding HHS’ Blueprint on Prescription Drug Costs.
