Increasing Regulatory Fairness Act of 2015
Floor Speech
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Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Brady. It was a pleasure working with him on this piece of legislation.
I rise in support of H.R. 2507. Every year, as was pointed out, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services publishes its Medicare Advantage call letter and rate notice that outlines all the payment rates and the changes for nearly 2,000 plans that serve our most vulnerable population.
About 10 years ago the call letter and rate notice were less than 20 pages long. Since then, enrollment in Medicare Advantage has nearly tripled. Medicare Advantage policies have become more complex, and the call letter and the rate notice has grown nearly tenfold. They run about 150 to 200 pages.
The same time, the time between the publishing of the draft notice and the final notice, which is currently 45 days, has remained unchanged. During this 45-day period, in which there are only 15 days to comment on the proposed changes in the program, the plans, Members of this body and our staff are expected to review 150 pages of regulatory changes and understand the impacts of the proposed policy changes on those programs that provide essential medical care to over one-third of Medicare beneficiaries.
As we all know, and as we have all experienced every February and March, this does not lend itself to an efficient, effective, nor transparent process. Moreover, it deprives CMS of thoughtful, constructive feedback that is necessary to improve a program that our seniors love and rely on. This bill is a simple, straightforward measure that will improve the current process by expanding the current cycle from 45 to 60 days, which will give plans, stakeholders, Members, and our staff 30 full days--double the current time allowed--to analyze and provide feedback on the draft call letter and rate notices.
This is a no-cost, good government, bipartisan bill that will make the process more transparent, more fair, and more advantageous for the beneficiaries whom we serve. Therefore, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important piece of legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. Speaker, I concur with the statements previously made by my colleagues and thank both Mr. Brady and Mr. Pitts for working with me on this legislation. As I have stated before, this is a simple, no-cost bill that will improve the current process and the Medicare Advantage program for our seniors. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2507.
I yield back the balance of my time.
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