Hearing of the Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee - Opening Statement of Rep. Pallone, Hearing on Examining the Extension of Special Needs Plans

Hearing

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for calling this hearing to consider the extension of Special Needs
Plans, an important subset of Medicare Advantage plans for some of our highest-need
Medicare beneficiaries.
It is so important that our Committee consider the extension of SNPs, as they are often
called, and any related policy changes with the program closely. These types of plans serve
some of our most complex and vulnerable patients: those that are institutionalized or have
serious chronic illnesses, and those that are dually-eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.
It is undeniable, also, that these types of Medicare plans have a unique interaction with
Medicaid. And, as the Chairman has heard me say so many times, the Energy & Commerce
Committee has the critical responsibility and privilege of overseeing and protecting the
Medicaid program. First and foremost, we should ensure that people who are dually eligible
for both Medicare and Medicaid or living with a chronic illness have a seamless
experience--regardless of what plan or combination of benefits they may elect to receive.
At times, this goal has been challenging, but I know that we have a good opportunity before
us with the reauthorization of SNPs to continue to further that goal.
Today, I look forward to discussing how we can best continue to integrate benefits and
provide high quality care to people that have chosen a SNP plan to provide their care. Our
colleagues on the Ways & Means Committee, and the Senate Finance Committee have both
done excellent work over the past several months to further the growth and development of
SNPs in the Medicare program. And now, I look forward to adding the voice of the Energy &
Commerce Committee to that important work.

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