Cassidy Introduced Medicaid Accountability and Care Act of 201

Statement

Today, Congressman Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced the Medicaid Accountability and Care (MAC) Act of 2012.

This legislation seeks to modernize Medicaid's financing. The proposal controls Federal outlays while simultaneously improving patient outcomes and addressing fraud. There would be a Federal base payment for each Medicaid beneficiary regardless of where the beneficiary lived. The base payment would be adjusted for factors known to influence a patient's cost of care.

"As a practicing physician in a safety net hospital, I know firsthand that a Medicaid card offers the illusion of access without the power of care. Medicaid is one of the major drivers of America's debt crisis, yet the financing of the system has not been updated since 1964," said Congressman Cassidy.

He continued, "by modernizing the way Medicaid is financed and incentivizing better care we can improve Medicaid's bottom line and patient outcomes. If nothing is done, the status quo will eventually bankrupt Medicaid and America. I hope this legislation encourages more debate and discussion on this critical topic."

Source