WASHINGTON, DC - Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA) and Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) today released the following joint statement after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Request for Information regarding the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI):
“We have watched with serious concern as Secretary Price rolled back collaborative delivery reform efforts over the past few months, including cancelling payment demonstrations supported by clinicians. This latest request for proposals is even more concerning. The Administration appears to have no vision beyond undermining Medicare. Secretary Price is soliciting comments for demonstrations that could increase costs and loosen protections for elderly Medicare patients, including allowing unlimited charges for medical services and voucherizing the program. We will continue to monitor the agency closely as it moves through the RFI process and the testing of any proposed models that could negatively impact Medicare beneficiaries. This is clearly the wrong direction and we urge CMS to continue the goals of delivery system reform that prioritizes value for beneficiaries, not special interests."
