Aarp responds to graham-cassidy health care bill

AARP -- together with doctors, hospitals, and patient groups -- strongly opposed the Medicaid per capita cap and block grant funding proposals that were previously rejected by a majority of

Senators. We continue to strongly oppose these changes to the Medicaid program. Changing Medicaid into a per capita cap financing or block grant structure would endanger the health, safety,

and care of millions of individuals who depend on the essential services provided through Medicaid. Medicaid is a vital safety net and intergenerational lifeline for millions of individuals,

including over 17.4 million seniors and children and adults with disabilities who rely on the program for critical health care and long-term services and supports (LTSS, i.e., assistance

with daily activities such as eating, bathing, dressing, managing medications, and transportation). Older adults and people with disabilities now account for about 60 percent of Medicaid

spending, and cuts of this magnitude will result in loss of benefits and services for this vulnerable population. The growth rates set forth in the bill are far below historic Medicaid

growth rates at a time when the number of older Americans is significantly growing and needing greater coverage and services. Per capita caps and block grants would not accurately reflect

the cost of care for individuals in each state, including for adults with disabilities and seniors, especially those living with the most severe disabling conditions. This leaves states

having to cut back or eliminate services such as home and community basedservices (HCBS), or reduces eligibility for coverage and services, and leaves fewer doctors and other providers

willing to take patients or provide care because reimbursements are too low. Recent AARP Public Policy Institute projections demonstrate that the Graham/Cassidy/Heller/Johnson bill will cut

between $1.2 trillion and $3.2 trillion from total (federal and state) Medicaid spending over the 20-year period between 2017 and 2036 for the four non-expansion Medicaid enrollment groups:

older adults, adults with disabilities, non-disabled children under age 19, and non-expansion adults. The projections do not include the proposed cuts to the adult Medicaid expansion

population, which would also be considerable for those states that have expanded coverage. We are deeply concerned these cuts will endanger the health, safety, and care of millions of

individuals who depend on the essential services provided through Medicaid. In addition, these cuts will be an overwhelming cost shift to states, taxpayers, and families, and will only

compound over time. AARP URGES CONGRESS TO CONTINUE BIPARTISAN MARKET STABILITY WORK AARP has been encouraged by recent open and transparent efforts in the Senate to work on bipartisan

market stability legislation. We urge Congress to continue working on common sense solutions that: ensures a robust insurance market with needed consumer protections, controls costs,

improves quality; and provides affordable coverage to all Americans. We will continue to support health care principles that are vital to people 50 and older and their families.