Over 150 Members Urge Rejection of GOP Efforts to Repeal Protections for Vulnerable Families, Shove Them Off Medicaid Amid Pandemic

***Press Release***

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 21, 2020

Contact: Kate Stotesbery 202-494-4620 (Cell)

Over 150 Members Urge Rejection of GOP Efforts to Repeal Protections for Vulnerable Families, Shove Them Off Medicaid Amid Pandemic

Washington, D.C. – This morning, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, and U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL), member of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, led over one hundred fifty members of Congress in sounding the alarm about the importance of maintaining a law to ensure that states do not kick people off Medicaid amid this devastating pandemic. The maintenance of effort (MOE) provisions included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act protect vulnerable families from having their Medicaid coverage stripped during this crisis by states seeking to reduce access to care. Some Republicans have made repealing MOE a top priority in the next relief package.

"In the middle of a pandemic that is taking so many lives and so many livelihoods, some Republicans are trying to eliminate what little health protection is available," said Congressman Doggett. "Increasing the uninsured population or decreasing the current level of assistance would only increase the human toll and tragedy, particularly as millions are losing their insurance as they lose their jobs. With such a highly contagious disease, assuring everyone can access health care protects each one of us. Without Medicaid, many of our most vulnerable—children, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, and more—will not seek care due to cost. Decimating Medicaid by repealing the modest maintenance of effort protections would unconscionably intensify already unacceptable disparities, shocking racial inequalities, and poverty, which this crisis has magnified."

"During the COVID-19 crisis, it is imperative that our neighbors get tested and stay well—and that requires health care coverage," said Congresswoman Castor. "We also must ensure that folks who already are covered through Medicaid aren't kicked off or see their benefits reduced at a time when many need health care the most. Congressional Democrats fought hard to include meaningful maintenance of effort requirements in Families First to protect the care of those receiving Medicaid and will fight all efforts from our Republican colleagues to repeal this standard in future packages."

The members write, "Modifying or repealing the MOE requirements would be an invitation for our states to provide even less assistance to our most vulnerable neighbors, especially in states that already have restrictive Medicaid programs. It would be extremely harmful to millions of children, seniors, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities and others who rely on Medicaid across the country." They continue, "With nearly 30 million uninsured patients prior to this crisis and millions filing for unemployment each week across the country, it is vital that we protect the Medicaid program from destructive cuts."

"Now more than ever, people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other chronic health diseases need to ensure they have access to affordable coverage and care," said Bari Talente, Executive Vice President of Advocacy for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. "Medicaid has long filled this role for many, and the maintenance of efforts requirements in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act are critical to providing coverage security for those who traditionally rely on Medicaid and those who now qualify due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the American economy. We applaud Congressional leaders for their commitment to preserving these protections in future COVID-19 legislative responses."

"Medicaid is a health care and financial safety net for millions of households when they need it most," said Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst. "This is particularly true for people of color who are being disproportionately and more acutely impacted by COVID-19 disease because of longstanding, unjust barriers to economic security and health. And in the face of a pandemic that has fueled an economic downturn, Medicaid is the program that is best positioned to respond. We hope Congress will preserve and extend Medicaid maintenance-of-effort requirements that ensure states maintain standards of coverage and care in return for the added federal support."

"Maximizing the number of people with comprehensive coverage during a pandemic is important for public health. People who are uninsured may delay testing and treatment for COVID-19 because they worry that they won't be able to afford needed care," the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said in a statement. "Providing people with continuous coverage through the public health emergency guarantees they can get care and treatment for all their health care needs. It also frees them from paperwork they would otherwise need to submit to show they remain eligible."

The full letter is here and below:

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Minority Leader McCarthy, Majority Leader McConnell, and Minority Leader Schumer,

We are concerned about reports that there are efforts to undermine the maintenance of effort (MOE) provisions included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Families First) in the next relief package. We greatly appreciate your fight to include these critical provisions in the prior legislation and write to strongly urge you that no modifications be made in future legislation to ensure our neighbors are able to continue their Medicaid coverage in these trying times.

Modifying or repealing the MOE requirements would be an invitation for our states to provide even less assistance to our most vulnerable neighbors, especially in states that already have restrictive Medicaid programs. It would be extremely harmful to millions of children, seniors, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities and others who rely on Medicaid across the country.

States are required to balance their budgets even in a recession; many may turn to the Medicaid and CHIP rolls to save money, kicking people out of the programs and severely restricting eligibility, while also possibly limiting the benefits offered. During past recessions, Governors have exerted pressure to eliminate MOE requirements, acknowledging that they wanted to cut eligibility. Any modification to the strong MOE provisions in Families First put the entire Medicaid protection at risk.

With nearly 30 million uninsured patients prior to this crisis and millions filing for unemployment each week across the country, it is vital that we protect the Medicaid program from destructive cuts. We can ill afford to have even more people without coverage at a time when it is essential.

The health of our most vulnerable neighbors and the broader public health are at stake. We urge you respectfully, but in the strongest possible terms, to protect the MOE requirements to ensure our neighbors are able to keep the health coverage they need.

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