Better Medicare Alliance Urges “Yes” Vote in Ways and Means Markup of H.R. 8487, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act
Washington, D.C. (July 27, 2022) – Better Medicare Alliance, the nation’s leading research and advocacy organization supporting Medicare Advantage, reaffirmed its support of the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, re-numbered as H.R. 8487, ahead of today’s markup in the House Ways and Means Committee.
“With Medicare Advantage already delivering a 94% satisfaction rate, nearly $2,000 in annual consumer savings, and lower per-beneficiary government spending, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act offers a commonsense, bipartisan solution to further strengthen this valuable coverage option for our nation’s seniors,” said Mary Beth Donahue, President and CEO of the Better Medicare Alliance. “On behalf of our Allies and more than 600,000 grassroots advocates, we thank Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) and Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-TX) for moving this legislation forward and applaud Reps. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), and Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN) for their continued leadership in support of our nation’s seniors.”
Donahue continued, “H.R. 8487 will build on the work the Medicare Advantage community has already undertaken to modernize prior authorization while protecting its essential function in facilitating high-value, clinically appropriate care. We urge members of the Ways and Means Committee to vote ‘yes’ and look forward to continuing to partner with our bipartisan champions in Congress to secure passage of this bill on the House floor in short order.”
Background:
- Better Medicare Alliance’s original endorsement of the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (originally filed as H.R. 3173)
- BMA op-ed: “Bill would speed prior authorizations for Medicare”
- BMA blog post: “A Deeper Dive on Prior Authorization in Medicare Advantage”
- BMA fact sheet: “Prior Authorization in Medicare Advantage”
###