Rep. McKinley Hosts Meeting With CMS Administrator Seema Verma, West Virginia Health Care Providers

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 -- Rep. David McKinley, R-West Virginia, issued the following news release on Oct. 6:

Today, U.S. Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E., (R-W.Va.) hosted a virtual roundtable with Seema Verma, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and nearly two dozen health care providers from West Virginia.

During the call, physicians, hospital administrators, and leaders of long-term care and skilled nursing facilities discussed the impact of the pandemic on the health care system and how it might impact the future of care.

"Ensuring access to quality health care is more important now than ever," said McKinley. "Throughout the pandemic we have had regular meetings with hospitals, doctors, nurses and others on the front lines delivering care to the people of West Virginia. This has allowed us to understand how best to support them during a challenging time."

"From expanding telehealth opportunities to providing much-needed relief to struggling hospitals, Administrator Verma has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure the resiliency of our health care system," said McKinley. "This was a great opportunity to hear the real-world impact of the policies Congress and the Trump Administration have implemented in responding to COVID-19."

Background:

Attendees of the event included hospital administrators, leaders of long-term care facilities, and physicians representing all corners of the state.

On the call, Administrator Verma discussed the actions CMS has taken to react to the pandemic, including giving more flexibility to providers, expanding telehealth, and supporting nursing homes. She also discussed the agency's Patients Over Paperwork initiative which has saved taxpayers nearly $6 billion by getting rid of unnecessary regulations.

During the question and answer portion of the discussion touched on provider payment reforms, the needs of rural communities, and mental health and substance abuse issues.