Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum: Bi-Partisan Omnibus Bill Includes Important Guardrails and Extends Medicaid Coverage to Families

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 (TNStalk) -- The Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum issued the following statement on Dec. 22, 2022:

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The Senate passed a $1.7 trillion omnibus government funding bill in a 68-29 vote that will fund the federal government through September 2023. The bill contains several important provisions related to Medicaid, including permanently extending Medicaid coverage to new mothers and prohibiting children from losing Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for 12 continuous months. Additionally, the bill provides a permanent Medicaid funding match from 55% to 83% to the U.S. Territories.

Beginning in April 2023, the continuous coverage requirement will no longer be in effect, and states will be allowed to terminate Medicaid coverage if individuals no longer meet eligibility requirements. The bill includes guardrails over the redetermination process, such as a requirement for states to attempt to contact beneficiaries before they can disenroll them from Medicaid.

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Juliet K. Choi, president and CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) released the following statement:

"APIAHF commends the "guardrails" included in the omnibus that prevent disruption to families' Medicaid coverage. Many eligible Medicaid beneficiaries, including the nearly 3 million AA and NH/PIs who currently receive coverage through Medicaid, face the prospect of losing coverage when states resume the eligibility redetermination process as early as next April.

"Although this bill does not contain all we had hoped for, it signals a significant win for ensuring access to Medicaid--especially for new mothers, children and beneficiaries in the U.S. territories. APIAHF applauds the Senate for passing the government funding bill and urges the House to pass it quickly and send it to President Biden's desk."

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Original text here: https://www.apiahf.org/press-release/bi-partisan-omnibus-bill-includes-important-guardrails-and-extends-medicaid-coverage-to-families/