Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3836) to facilitate direct primary care arrangements under Medicaid, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3836

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act''. SEC. 2. CLARIFYING THAT CERTAIN PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS ARE ALLOWABLE UNDER THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.

(a) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) shall be construed as prohibiting a State, under its State plan (or waiver of such plan) under such title (including through a medicaid managed care organization (as defined in section 1903(m)(1)(A) of such Act)), from providing medical assistance consisting of primary care services through a direct primary care arrangement with a health care provider, including as part of a value-based care arrangement established by the State. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term ``direct primary care arrangement'' means, with respect to any individual, an arrangement under which such individual is provided medical assistance consisting solely of primary care services provided by primary care practitioners, if the sole compensation for such care is a fixed periodic fee.

(b) Guidance.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall--

(1) convene at least one virtual open door meeting to seek input from stakeholders, including primary care providers who practice under the direct primary care model, state Medicaid agencies, and Medicaid managed care organizations; and

(2) taking into account such input, issue guidance to States on how a State may implement direct primary care arrangements (as defined in subsection (a)) under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).

(c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress a report containing--

(1) an analysis of the extent to which States are contracting with independent physicians, independent physician practices, and primary care practices for purposes of furnishing medical assistance under State plans (or waivers of such plans) under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.); and

(2) an analysis of quality of care and cost of care furnished to individuals enrolled under such title where such care is paid for under a direct primary care arrangement (as defined in subsection (a)) through a medicaid managed care organization (as so defined).

(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter statutory requirements under the State plan (or waiver of such plan) under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) for cost-sharing requirements or be construed to limit medical assistance solely to those provided under a direct primary care arrangement.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support the work today of Congressman Crenshaw, a fierce advocate for primary care access for patients in this country.

Primary care is the backbone of our healthcare system, and we know that investing now in connecting Americans to primary care will keep people healthier and save money along the way.

The Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act is a straightforward bill that will help clarify current law to ensure that States have the tools and flexibility needed to offer primary care services in a variety of manners and settings through the Medicaid program.

One way to deliver primary care that shows promise is called direct primary care. Direct primary care clinics have been expanding around the country, and allow patients to pay a set amount per month for access to a primary care doctor to help address the basic need of healthcare.

This legislation makes sure that the State could explore an option like this for Medicaid enrollees in their State. It is a simple yet effective bill, and I believe it will lead to better outcomes and save taxpayers dollars in the long run.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Dr. Schrier and all the work that she has done, all the work that the two gentlemen who spoke as primary sponsors have done on this bill. It is a good bill.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3836, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source