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  • 6 weeks ago
During a House Ways and Means Committee hearing prior to the congressional recess, Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) spoke about healthcare cuts in the Republican budget.
Transcript
00:00Thank you, Chair, Ms. Weicker. I now recognize the gentlewoman from Alabama, Oversight Ranking Member Terri Schuhl, for her opening statement.
00:08I'd like to thank the chairs and ranking member for today's hearing, and of course a special thank you to all of our witnesses who are here today.
00:17As this committee hears testimony on Medicare Advantage Program, we cannot forget that just a few weeks ago,
00:24House Republicans voted for the largest cut to health care in our nation's history.
00:29Because of Trump and Congressional Republicans, 17 million Americans will be kicked off of their health care.
00:36More than 300 rural hospitals will be at risk of closing, and half of our nation's nursing homes will have to cut staff in order to keep their doors open.
00:46My constituents deserve access to quality, affordable health care, whether they live in Birmingham, Alabama, or the rural Black Belt.
00:55However, Trump's cuts to Medicaid will leave over 219,000 Alabamians without the care that they deserve and need.
01:05Moreover, the Alabamians that do not lose their health insurance will face rising costs and decreased coverage.
01:13Despite efforts from Democrats on this committee, Republicans voted against the Advanced Premium Tax Credit,
01:19which made it possible for millions to be able to afford their own health care plans.
01:25Today, while we focus on ways to improve the Medicare Advantage Program,
01:30we cannot focus on effective reforms and solutions without accounting for the chaos and upheaval
01:36our nation's health system will face because of Trump's big, ugly bill.
01:40As a representative from areas both rural and urban underserved areas,
01:46maintaining access to hospitals for my constituents is a matter of life and death.
01:51It is out of this concern that I urge this committee to protect hospital access
01:56by strengthening the financial stability of health systems serving Medicare beneficiaries through legislative reform.
02:05Americans, especially our seniors, need reliable, affordable health care coverage.
02:10Currently, over 54% of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage programs.
02:19Additionally, we are spending about 20% more per beneficiary on Medicare Advantage compared to traditional Medicare.
02:27With its increasing popularity, Medicare Advantage plans present a great opportunity for this committee to introduce legislative reform.
02:35As a ranking member of Oversight, I agree that we must examine troubling practices in Medicare Advantage program,
02:43which have created financial nightmares for health systems and providers across this country.
02:48Many health systems and providers have continued to voice concerns regarding abuse of prior authorization,
02:54denial rates that are sky high, payment delays, overpayment in programs,
02:59increased administrative burdens, and a lack of transparency, to name a few.
03:03Another significant concern is the lack of oversight within Medicare Advantage.
03:09In 2024, Medicare spent $83 billion on rebates for supplemental benefits,
03:17representing more money than Medicare spent on the entire physician fee schedule.
03:24Yet this committee does not have any systemic records or data on supplemental benefits cost or utilization.
03:31There is simply no information regarding how often or not enrollees use these benefits.
03:38We must work to first improve the transparency within Medicare Advantage to gain access into the true nature of the problem this committee needs to resolve.
03:48It is clear, given the number of beneficiaries choosing Medicare Advantage plans,
03:54the program is here to stay, and when done accurately, we'll give correct benefits.
04:00So we must ensure that the program is not limiting access to health care in our most vulnerable communities.
04:07I look forward to the hearing and the hearing from our witnesses about Medicare Advantage
04:12and what we can do to reform it in order for it to meet the promise that it brought when it was first implemented.
04:19I think it's really important that we focus, especially on the denial rates.
04:25And I have to tell you, I'm quite concerned that AI will only exacerbate that.
04:30And so I think that now is a great time for us to work together, Republicans and Democrats,
04:36to actually make Medicare Advantage meet its promise.
04:40Thanks, and I'll go back to the balance of my time.
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