Ways & Means, Energy & Commerce Members Introduce Value Based Insurance Design Bill to Strengthen Medicare Advantage

Press Release

Today, Ways and Means members Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Diane Black (R-TN), and Energy and Commerce member Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) introduced the Value Based Insurance Design for Better Care Act of 2015 (H.R. 2570) to improve the Medicare Advantage (MA) program for seniors. The Value Based Insurance Design for Better Care Act of 2015 would allow the Secretary of HHS to conduct a demonstration ‎giving managed care organizations the ability to bid plans with a varying benefit structure based on their beneficiary population through lower cost sharing for high value services.

Yesterday, members from both Committees introduced four additional bills aimed at improving the MA program.

"The VBID for Better Care Act will remove barriers to proven effective and preventive care," said Rep. Blumenauer. "This legislation will give high-quality Medicare Advantage plans the flexibility to innovate while lowering out of pocket expenses for beneficiaries. These innovations will build upon reforms happening in Oregon and around the country and will encourage better value and efficiency in Medicare."

"As a nurse for more than 40 years, I understand the impact that health care policies in Washington have on the families I serve in Congress," said Rep. Black. "The VBID for Better Care Act will help Medicare Advantage plans improve delivery of care by allowing them to lower costs for certain high value services and treatments that are clinically proven to promote better health outcomes. This, in turn, ensures that patients can better stick to their treatment regimens. For health insurance to truly make a difference in people's lives, it must provide meaningful benefits. VBID is a promising way to guarantee that patients have access to needed medications and treatment from day one of coverage."

"As a longtime advocate for America's seniors, I am proud to champion this important legislation," said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. "Our bill will fundamentally transform Medicare Advantage to ensure an insurance model that rewards high quality treatment and care. We'll pave the way for better health care models -- built on technology and innovation -- that will lead to a 21st-century health care system for seniors all across Eastern Washington and America."

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