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The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the chairmen of the key health care committees demanding that health reform legislation include a Medicare rate-based public plan.
From the letter:
“Any bill that does not provide, at minimum, for a public option with reimbursement rates based on Medicare rates—not negotiated rates—is unacceptable.”
Earlier this week House Democrats reached a compromise with moderate Blue Dog Democrats on health reform legislation. ASA is extremely pleased that the compromise proposal, which had not be formalized at the time of the posting of this message, de-links the public plan option from Medicare payment rates. The proposed compromise would permit physicians and hospitals to negotiate payment levels under the public plan and also “[P]rovides additional level playing field requirements for the public plan.” ASA has consistently lobbied against a public plan based upon Medicare payment rates.
The CPC letter signals that many House Progressives intend to actively oppose the compromise and work to re-link the public plan to Medicare rates.
If you have not already done so, please call your Representative today. We cannot be complacent-we must remain diligent in our fight against a Medicare rate-based public plan.
