Rep. Goldman Introduces the Better Care, Better Cost Act to Strengthen Medicaid

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Craig Goldman (R-TX) has introduced the Better Care, Better Cost Act, which would implement market-based incentives that strengthen Medicaid plans for over 66 million Americans and save taxpayers up to $9 billion annually.

"No one thinks their health care is affordable. It's ridiculous that insurance companies profit while millions of Americans are stuck in low-quality, high-cost plans," said Congressman Goldman. "This bill would take Texas' successful approach and make it the national standard, improving health care for millions of Americans."

"Medicaid should reward plans that deliver better care at lower costs. Congressman Goldman's Better Care, Better Cost Act replaces arbitrary enrollment with a smarter, outcomes-based approach that protects patients, preserves state flexibility, and gives taxpayers better value for their Medicaid dollars," said Joel White, President of the Council for Affordable Health Coverage.

The Better Care, Better Cost Act would:

• Create market incentives for health insurance companies to improve patient care and reduce costs
• Ensure that Medicaid patients who don't actively select a plan are assigned to the best-performing health care insurance companies
• Save taxpayers up to $9 billion annually by eliminating wasteful spending and directing patients to higher-quality care

Background:
Each year, an estimated 2.5 million Medicaid recipients are auto-assigned to a managed care plan they did not choose. That plan is often assigned at random, without regard for performance. The Better Care, Better Cost Act would reward high-performing insurance companies with more automatic enrollees, while low-performing companies receive fewer. By measuring quality and costs, states would direct patients to companies that deliver better results. This creates real competition, driving insurance companies to improve care and lower costs to gain more customers.

Read the full text of the legislation here.

To learn more about Congressman Goldman and follow his work, visit his website and follow him on social media at @RepCraigGoldman.

For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

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