|
|
| Press Releases |
|
|
 |
CHAIRMAN SMITH: MEDICAID SAVINGS CAN BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT REDUCTIONS IN BENEFITS
Drug price reform, elimination of illegal asset transfers targeted at Aging Committee hearing |
| |
July 1st, 2005 - Washington, DC - Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR), Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, today held the second in a series of Medicaid hearings intended to find short-term savings in Medicaid while strengthening the program for long term sustainability. Under the current budget resolution, the Senate Finance Committee is tasked with producing $10 billion in savings from federal programs within its jurisdiction, including Medicaid.
“While we are required to find short-term savings in Medicaid, I remain committed to ensuring no harm comes to beneficiaries who rely on the Medicaid program for critical healthcare services,” said Smith. “This process will be defined by sound policy decisions, not arbitrary budget cuts.”
Today’s hearing, “Sound Policy, Smart Solutions: Saving Money in Medicaid” focused on savings that can be found by reforming the process by which Medicaid pays for prescription drugs, and by eliminating illegal and unethical practices designed for those with means who would otherwise not qualify for Medicaid services to hide assets and “game the system.”
The Committee heard from an expert panel of witnesses who explained the current process and presented potential solutions to cut Medicaid costs while not negatively impacting beneficiaries. The witnesses’ recommendations focused on three areas:
• Reform of prescription drug reimbursement and rebate rates in Medicaid
• Use of evidence-based practices to determine prescription drug coverage
• Curtailing illegal asset transfers and providing means for estate recovery
“Today’s hearing demonstrated that finding savings in Medicaid and improving the program are not mutually exclusive,” said Smith. “By concentrating our reform efforts on sound policy, we can bring Medicaid into the 21st Century and continue to provide needed services to millions of poor, elderly and disabled Americans who would otherwise be left without access to medical care.”
|
###
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
| |
| 1st - |
current Press Release |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quick Search |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
e-News Signup |
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
G31 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-5364
Fax: 202-224-8660
mailbox@aging.senate.gov
|
|
