We saw more evidence this week that Obamacare is a terribly flawed law, as the president announced yet another Obamacare delay – this time, the delay was intentionally timed as to help the Democrats in their upcoming elections.
Perhaps of more concern is the Administration’s proposed cuts to Medicare, which was offered to help foot the cost of Obamacare. Nearly half-a-million seniors in North Carolina rely on Medicare Advantage for their medical coverage. CMS’ proposal to cut Medicare Advantage by 5.9 percent will unfairly affect millions of seniors, leaving many of them with an uncertain future.
To make matters worse, there is another proposed regulation that would make changes to Medicare Part D, which would ultimately jeopardize the program’s success. The president should not expect, or require, America’s seniors to take the hit for his poorly-implemented health care policy. To ensure that our seniors can keep the Part D plans they chose and prefer, I introduced H.R. 4160 called the “Keep the Promise to Seniors Act of 2014” this week. Learn more about this bill below and also at ellmers.house.gov.
On Wednesday at a Politico Health Care Breakfast Briefing, I talked about the frequent Obamacare delays the Administration continues to issue and also discussed the GOP’s proposed solutions. It was a great opportunity to come together with colleagues from across the aisle to discuss faults of Obamacare and what should be done to correct it. You’ll find photos and news reports from the event below.
Additionally, if you know a high school student interested in entering the 2014 Congressional Art Competition, they can find information about the requirements and the submission process on this page of my website or by contacting my Dunn office at 910/230-1910.
I will continue to provide information about what I am working on at http://ellmers.house.gov and on my social media outlets, which you can follow in the right sidebar.
It is an honor and a pleasure to serve you. Please do not hesitate to contact my offices in Washington, Dunn or Asheboro if we can be of assistance to you.
Stopping the President’s War on Medicare Part D
On January 6, 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule regarding the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D programs. The new proposed regulations, entitled “Medicare Program: Contract Year 2015 Policy and Technical Changes to Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D,” alter the current structure of the program and thus jeopardize its success and quality. If finalized, the proposed policies would impact virtually all Part D stakeholders— beneficiaries, providers, pharmacies, plans, states, manufacturers and others—and would undermine cornerstones to the program’s success.
This week, I introduced H.R. 4160 – the “Keep the Promise to Seniors Act of 2014” to block the prescription drug provisions in the proposed rule, ensuring seniors can keep the Part D plans they chose and like. The Part D program has maintained stable, affordable average monthly premiums, enjoys a 90 percent approval rating among beneficiaries, and has program costs that are more than 40 percent below original Congressional Budget Office projections.
I released the following statement following introduction of this bill:
“Millions of our seniors are facing catastrophic changes to their Medicare Part D benefits, and today I’m introducing a bill to stop it. In January, we learned that the Obama administration issued a proposed rule to fundamentally change how Medicare Part D functions and would eliminate the competitive elements that have led to low costs and affordable prescription drug coverage. These cuts would include three out of the six protected classes of drugs that many nursing home patients need, including antidepressants, anti-psychotics and imunosuppressants. In my home state of North Carolina alone, over 550,000 senior citizens stand to lose their prescription drug coverage if this rule goes into effect.”
“The administration’s 700-page rule is a complete assault on this program and would remove the free market mechanisms that have made it work. This widely successful and popular program has provided our seniors with options, choices and an affordable way to purchase prescription drugs. Medicare Part D requires prescription drug companies to compete and offer a diverse set of options which have driven down costs and led to a successful model that has routinely come in under budget.”
“The Obama administration must be held accountable for this attempt to seize control over a program that is a proven success. Americans should be asking themselves why this is happening. Why does the Obama administration want to take a successful program and remove the very elements that made it work? Here in the House, we are not waiting to find the answer. This program has helped millions of seniors get the medication they need while making it affordable. I’m proud to introduce the Keep the Promise to Seniors Act and look forward to its timely action here in the House.”
Click here to watch video of me questioning a witness in the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing regarding how the newly proposed rule affecting the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit program may negatively impact over half a million seniors in the Second District.
Obama to Cut Medicare Advantage Plans for Nearly 460K in NC
I sent a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Tavenner regarding plans to make massive cuts to Medicare Advantage. Click here to read the letter. Here is the statement I released this week regarding those proposed cuts:
“Every day we find more evidence of how Obamacare is hurting patients, doctors, our economy and jobs. That’s why this morning, I sent a letter to the Obama administration calling for the immediate reversal of their plans to make painful cuts to Medicare Advantage to pay for Obamacare. Nearly half-a-million seniors in North Carolina rely on this important resource for their medical coverage. CMS’ proposal to cut Medicare Advantage by 5.9 percent will affect millions of seniors and leave many of them with a painful and uncertain future.”
“I am a proud supporter of Medicare Advantage – a program that improves the health of American seniors. But because of CMS, our seniors will see a dramatic change to the program’s funding this year on top of the $200 billion that is scheduled to be removed over the next ten years to pay for Obamacare. As a result, seniors will face higher out-of-pocket costs and limited access to providers. I will continue this fight on behalf of our seniors and call on CMS to immediately stop these harmful cuts.”
Politico’s Health Care Breakfast Briefing
On Wednesday at Politico’s Health Care Breakfast Briefing, I had the chance to discuss the Administration’s frequent Obamacare delays and solutions proposed by the GOP.
In the News
Renee Ellmers: GOP’s Obamacare replacement may be multiple bills
Politico
A GOP plan to replace Obamacare may be a collection of different bills rather than a single omnibus package, a Republican congresswoman said Wednesday. “We’ve got to come together on a plan, and it may actually end up being multiple bills we vote on,” Rep. Renee Ellmers of North Carolina, a member of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, said at a POLITICO Health Care Breakfast Briefing in Washington.
Xavier Becerra: Pro-Obamacare message harder for public to grasp
Politico
Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) rejected that argument and said the marketing efforts by Obamacare proponents have simply been ineffective. She referenced one of the most circulated — and derided — ad images. “I saw Pajama Boy, you all did. I don’t think they’ve done a very good job,” she said.
Advancing the Role of GOP Women
Op-Ed – The NFRW Round Table
As we approach the beginning of National Women’s History Month, I hope women everywhere take a few moments to reflect on the contributions and struggles we have endured over the past 100 years. While the 21st century brought about many advancements, we continue to be underrepresented in positions of leadership—even as we represent the majority of the population.
Fayetteville, state leaders lobby against potential loss of Fort Bragg’s 440th Airlift Wing
Fayetteville Observer
Meanwhile, members of the U.S. House from North Carolina vowed their support for keeping the 440th in place. U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers, who represents Fort Bragg, said she was deeply concerned by what the proposal means for Fayetteville and the men and women of Fort Bragg. She said she would use her power to protect the post from proposed losses.
Bill would require advance notice of military benefits changes
The Ripon Advance
Legislation introduced by Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) on Thursday would require TRICARE, the insurance provider for members of the military, to notify beneficiaries of policy changes 90 days ahead of time. The Timely Information Management Enforcement Act would also allow the secretary of defense to determine if more than 90 days notice is needed for a specific policy change. “This bill addresses a problem facing tens of thousands of military members and their families who are left to navigate the bureaucracy of their health care benefits without adequate information and timely updates from their provider, TRICARE,” said R
FTC Set to Join Telemedicine Debate
MedPage Today
One such bill, H.R. 3077 the TELE-MED Act of 2013, is backed by former nurse Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.). Ellmers staffer Mitch Vakerics said during a panel at the HIMSS conference that the issue of telemedicine mostly comes down to state licensing because many payers, including Medicare, are increasingly reimbursing for telemedicine services. “We’re going to have to get involved to have a law that’s a little more updated,” Vakerics said.
Snapshot from the District
Celebrating Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Party at the Dunn Community Building, March 1, 2014.
Congressional Art Competition 2014
