Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Hearing
Chairman Blunt, Ranking Member Murray, and Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss the President's FY 2016 Budget for the
I want to begin by thanking members of this Subcommittee and your colleagues in the
I also want to express my gratitude for continued funding for the
Five years ago, another major piece of legislation was enacted. And today, thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), middle class families have more security, and since the passage of the ACA, about 16.4 million uninsured people have gained health insurance coverage.. In the private market, millions more now have access to expanded coverage for preventive health care services, such as a mammogram or flu shot, without cost sharing. At the same time, as a nation we are spending our health care dollars more wisely and starting to receive higher quality care.
In part due to the ACA, households, businesses, and the Federal Government are now seeing substantial savings. Today, health care cost growth is at exceptionally low levels, and premiums for employer sponsored health insurance are about
The Department has done important work addressing historic challenges, including the coordinated whole-of-government responses to Ebola both here at home and abroad and to last year's increase in unaccompanied children crossing the Southwest border into
The President's FY 2016 Budget for HHS builds on this progress through critical investments in health care, science and innovation, and human services. The Budget proposes
The Department's Budget request recognizes our continued commitment to balancing priorities within a constrained budget environment through legislative proposals that, taken together, would save the American people a net estimated
Providing all Americans with Access to Quality, Affordable Health Care
The President's FY 2016 Budget request builds on progress made to date by focusing on access, affordability, and quality - goals that we share with
Expanding Options for Consumers through the Health Insurance Marketplaces. The ACA is making quality, affordable health coverage available to millions of Americans who would otherwise be uninsured. As of March more than 11 million consumers selected a plan or were automatically re-enrolled through the Health Insurance Marketplaces for coverage in 2015. At the same time, consumers are seeing more choice and competition. There are over 25 percent more issuers participating in the Marketplace in 2015 compared to 2014. Not only that, in 2015, nearly 8 in 10
Partnering with States to Expand Medicaid for Low-Income Adults. The ACA provides full Federal funding to cover newly eligible adults in states that expand
Improving Access to Health Care for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Reflecting the President's commitment to improving health outcomes across tribal nations, the Budget includes
Bolstering the Nation's Health Workforce. The Budget includes a
To continue encouraging provider participation in
Investing in Health Centers. Health centers are essential sites where America's most vulnerable populations can access the health care they need. This is true for over 442,000 individuals in
Delivering Better Care and Spending our Health Care Dollars Wisely
If we find better ways to deliver care, pay providers, and distribute information, we can receive better health care and spend our dollars more wisely, all the while supporting healthier communities and a stronger economy. To build on and drive progress on these priorities, we are focused on the following three key areas:
Improving the Way Care is Delivered. The Administration is focused on improving the coordination and integration of health care, engaging patients more fully in decision-making, and improving the health of patients - with an emphasis on prevention and wellness. HHS believes that incentivizing the provision of preventive and primary care services will improve the health and wellbeing of patients and slow cost growth over the long run through avoided hospitalizations and additional office visits. The Administration's efforts around patient safety and quality have made a difference - reducing hospital readmissions in
Improving the Way Providers are Paid. The Administration is testing and implementing new payment models that reward value, quality, and care coordination - rather than volume. HHS has seen promising results on cost savings with alternative payment models: already, existing Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) programs have generated combined total program savings of
Improving the Way Information is Distributed. The Administration is working to create transparency of cost and quality information and to bring electronic health information to the point of care - enabling patients and providers to make the right decisions at the right time to improve health and care. The
Leading the World in Science and Innovation
Investments in science and innovation have reshaped our understanding of health and disease, advanced life-saving vaccines and treatments, and helped millions of Americans live longer, healthier lives. With the support of
Advancing Precision Medicine. The FY 2016 Budget includes
Supporting Biomedical Research. The FY 2016 Budget includes
Ensuring the
As part of the President's plan to bolster and expand the middle class, the Budget includes a number of proposals that help working Americans meet the needs of their families - including young children and aging parents.
Investing in Early Learning. High-quality early learning opportunities both promote children's healthy development and support parents who are balancing work and family obligations. Across
The President's child care proposal builds on the reforms passed by
The Budget includes an additional
Research by the President's
Supporting Older Adults. The number of older Americans age 65 and older with severe disabilities - defined as 3 or more limitations in activities of daily living - that are at greatest risk of nursing home admission, is projected to increase by more than 20 percent by the year 2020. With 2015 marking the year of the
Improving Child Welfare. The Department's Budget also proposes several improvements to child welfare programs that serve children who have been abused and neglected or are at risk of maltreatment. The Budget includes a proposal that has generated bipartisan interest that would provide
Keeping Americans Healthy
The President's FY 2016 Budget strengthens our public health infrastructure, invests in behavioral health services, and prioritizes other critical health issues.
Investing in Domestic and International Public Health Preparedness. The health of people overseas directly affects America's safety and prosperity, with far-reaching implications for economic security, trade, the stability of foreign governments, and the well-being of U.S. citizens abroad and at home. The Budget includes
As new infectious diseases and public health threats emerge, HHS continues to invest in efforts to bolster the Nation's preparedness against chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological threats. This includes a
Combatting Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria.
Addressing Prescription Drug and Opioid Misuse and Abuse. The misuse and abuse of prescription drugs impacts the lives of millions of Americans across the country, and costs the American economy tens of billions of dollars in lost productivity and increased health care and criminal justice expenses. In 2009, total drug overdoses overtook every other cause of injury death in
Improving Access to
Leaving the Department Stronger
The FY 2016 Budget request positions the Department to most effectively fulfill our core mission by investing in a number of key management priorities that will strengthen our ability to combat fraud, waste, and abuse, strengthen program integrity, and enable ongoing cybersecurity efforts, among other areas.
Strengthening Program Integrity. The FY 2016 Budget continues to build on progress made by the Administration to eliminate excess payments and fraud. The Budget includes new investments in program integrity totaling
Reforming the Medicare Appeals Process. Between FY 2009 and FY 2014, the number of appeals received by the
Protecting Unaccompanied Children. HHS is responsible for ensuring that unaccompanied children who are apprehended by immigration authorities are provided shelter while their immigration cases are adjudicated. In the summer of 2014, the Administration responded to significant increase in the number of apprehended children with an aggressive coordinated federal response focused on providing humanitarian care for the children as well as on stronger deterrence, enforcement, foreign cooperation, and border security. The number of unaccompanied children placed in ACF's custody thus far in FY 2015 is below the FY 2014 level for the comparable period, and HHS, DHS, and the other agencies with responsibilities for unaccompanied children expect arrival levels to remain stable. To ensure that ACF can care for all children referred from DHS in FY 2016, and to promote the responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, the Budget includes level base funding from FY 2015 of
Improving Federal Spending Transparency. A key Congressional priority is implementation of the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 (DATA Act) which seeks to improve the transparency of Federal spending. HHS plays a critical, government-wide role in its implementation promoting transparency, facilitating better decision making, and improving operational efficiency. The HHS Budget request includes
Conclusion
Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. The President's FY 2016 Budget request for HHS makes the investments critical for today while laying the foundation for a stronger economy for the middle class. I am looking forward to working closely with
Read this original document at: http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/sites/default/files/hearings/042315%20Secreatry%20Burwell%20Testimony%20-%20LaborHHS.pdf
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