House subcommittee holds hearing on Medicaid access, program integrity

AHA submitted a statement to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health for a hearing April 30 on proposed legislation to address Medicaid access and program integrity. AHA voiced support for legislation that would renew certain flexibilities relating to training and competency requirements for nurse aides in skilled nursing facilities; prohibit the Department of Health and Human Services from implementing or enforcing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' final rule on minimum staffing requirements for long-term care facilities; and allow for the deferral or disallowance of portions of payments for certain managed care violations under Medicaid. The AHA expressed support for transparency of state directed payment programs but also concerns about the timing of the proposed legislation, given the recent release of new regulations.