- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 19, 2023 - Contact:
Peggy Tighe
(202)256-6241
Physician Coalition Applauds Energy and Commerce Committee for Calling for Prior Authorization Reform
WASHINGTON, DC—The Regulatory Relief Coalition (RRC) — a group of national physician specialty organizations advocating for reduced regulatory burdens that interfere with patient care — enthusiastically applauds the House Energy and Commerce Committee for examining the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (Seniors Act) in its committee hearing today.
The Seniors Act seeks to modernize and streamline prior authorization (PA) in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program on behalf of the more than 28 million seniors enrolled in MA plans and the physicians who care for them. The bipartisan legislation – supported by an overwhelming majority (44) of members of the Energy and Commerce Committee – would reduce barriers to care, decrease provider burden, and help ensure Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in MA plans have the same access to Medicare-covered items and services as beneficiaries who opt for traditional Medicare.
The RRC greatly appreciates Subcommittee on Health Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Ranking Member Anna Eshoo (D-CA) as well as full Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) for their efforts to ensure that MA policies are not a barrier to timely and equitable access to care for the patients our members serve. The RRC also applauds the leadership and tenacity of Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Vice-Chair and Seniors Act champion, Rep. Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN) for advancing this critical legislation for Medicare seniors.
