The AAMC responded to a request for information (RFI) on Oct. 10 issued by Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), Budget Committee Health Care Task Force Chair Michael Burgess, MD, (R-Texas), and five other Budget Committee Republicans, on ways to improve patient outcomes and reduce federal spending.
The AAMC’s response noted the importance of ensuring that federal programs that provide patient access to care remain strong and urged the task force to reject all proposals to make cuts to Medicare or Medicaid. The association highlighted increased administrative burden on hospitals, including prior authorization abuse, and opportunities for Congress to reduce administrative hurdles to drive down health care costs and increase patient access to care. The response also noted the importance of making COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities permanent, ensuring the continued move to value-based care, aligning quality measures, and promoting the use of interprofessional consults. Finally, the response urged the task force to seek ways to increase access to integrated behavioral health services, provide comprehensive coverage for all, enable social determinants of health risk assessments to be payable with no beneficiary cost-sharing, and prevent mental and behavioral health conditions by expanding coverage and reimbursement for social needs screenings.
- Washington Highlights