Washington DC — Today, the Biden-Harris administration finalized several rules to improve the quality of care for millions of people enrolled in Medicaid. The new rules will ensure that people who rely on Medicaid have meaningful access to health care services including primary care, behavioral health and substance use disorder services, and OB/GYN care by establishing national standards for the maximum time patients must wait to see a provider and the distance they must travel to see those providers.
The rules will also strengthen access to quality home care services and improve staffing standards at nursing homes in order to promote safety and high-quality care for 1.2 million seniors and people with disabilities. Today’s actions build on the hard work of the Biden-Harris administration to strengthen Medicaid for children and families, support the caregiving workforce, and ensure everyone has access to the care they need to live with dignity.
April is Medicaid Awareness Month, and this week Protect Our Care is highlighting how Medicaid provides lifesaving care for seniors and people with disabilities. While President Biden works to strengthen Medicaid, Republicans in Congress are fighting to cut the program and rip coverage away from the people who need it most. Read more on Republicans’ war on Medicaid here.
In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement:
“The Biden-Harris administration has demonstrated what it means to put the health and well-being of the American people first. Not only have President Biden and Democrats lowered the cost of prescription drugs and health care, but they have also taken action to improve the quality of care for millions of Americans, including children, older adults, and people with disabilities. This is a stark contrast from Republicans’ efforts to cut Medicaid, rip health care away from millions, and put funding for long-term care in complete jeopardy.”