Bilirakis Discusses Legislation to Improve Medicare and Medicaid

Today, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health continued work to improve Medicare and Medicaid.

Members discussed proposals to improve Medicare and Medicaid for the most vulnerable, and ensure government operates as effectively and efficiently as possible. The following bills were discussed:

H.R. ____, Quality Care for Moms and Babies Act, to authorize $31 million for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to identify and publish quality measures for maternal and infant health and to award grants to develop or expand collaborative activities related to maternity and infant care quality.

Updated language for H.R. 1361, Medicaid HOME Improvement Act, which sets a cap on the home equity allowance for Medicaid coverage for long-term care services.

Updated language for H.R. 1362, Medicaid REPORTS Act, to require states to submit annual reports that identify the sources and amounts of funds used by the state to finance the non-federal share of Medicaid.

H.R. 2151, Improving Oversight and Accountability in Medicaid Non-DSH Supplemental Payments Act, which seeks to address serious concerns raised by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office.

H.R. 2878, to provide for the extension of the enforcement instruction on supervision requirements for outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals through 2015. This bill would require HHS to continue to instruct Medicare contractors not to enforce requirements for direct physician supervision of outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals through 2015.

Watch Congressman Bilirakis question the panel on the issues these bills work to address here.

"These bills build upon our efforts to address issues in Medicare and Medicaid," said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. "I am glad we are continuing to gather important information and perspectives from experts and stakeholders to ensure our government can best help our most vulnerable patients."

To read text of the legislation and watch the hearing, click here.