Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement this afternoon after introducing H.R. 4605 - "The ChiPACC Act of 2014 ":

"There is nothing more heartbreaking than watching your child suffer through a devastating disease. Our families are the most precious gifts we have, yet the process of navigating through countless medical bureaucracies can be daunting, inefficient and costly. That's why today I've joined Congressman Jim Moran to continue the mission he started by providing a legislative remedy to this problem."

"This morning I introduced the ChiPACC Act of 2014, which allows states to bypass the cumbersome application process that parents must navigate in order to receive Medicaid benefits. This bill will reduce costs while providing greater efficiency and better options for states - so that they can provide the right aid at the right time. I'm proud to be a part of this effort and encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join in this important cause."

Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA-8), who introduced this legislation last year, echoed this today:

"There’s nothing partisan about providing comprehensive care for children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. We know that children are much more likely than adults to go in and out of terminal phases of their illness multiple times and require highly specialized care. Parents shouldn’t be forced to choose between hospice and curative care for their child. States need the flexibility to make easier and quicker decisions on providing Medicaid benefits to these sick kids."

To date, there are 1.2 million terminally-ill children in the United States who could benefit from the Children’s Program of All-inclusive, Coordinated Care (ChiPACC). Currently, states can seek a waiver to acquire ChiPACC through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), but the waiver process is burdensome and can take upwards of three years for approval. Terminally-ill children who are Medicaid-eligible need individualized and comprehensive treatment plans, and without this legislation, they are instead restricted to a limited array of hospice services under the traditional Medicaid model.

H.R. 4605 - "The ChiPACC Act of 2014" (also referred to as the “Mattie and Melinda Bill,” in honor of Mattie J.T. Stepanek and Melinda Lawrence) provides states with the option to enroll in a ChiPACC program through their state, thereby expediting the application process and allowing children to get the help they need at a faster rate. Additionally, the decision to implement this program is made on a state-by-state basis and is completely voluntary. The five states that have chosen to implement the ChiPACC program have seen average savings of more than $1,500 per child, per month compared to Medicaid. These financial savings demonstrate how this legislation can streamline costs for children who have life-threatening conditions.