AAHP Releases Legislative Agenda

NU Online News Service, June 5, 11:33 a.m. – The American Association of Health Plans, Washington, has released a five-point federal legislative wish list.

Congress has to start by adding a prescription drug benefit to Medicare and saving the Medicare health maintenance organization program, AAHP says.

After that, AAHP says, Congress should:

• Apply rigorous scientific scrutiny to new, mandated benefits, to ensure that the benefits justify the costs.
• Provide access to affordable coverage for the uninsured.
• Rein in medical malpractice suits.
• Strengthen the ability of private health carriers to work with Medicare and Medicaid.
• Preserve the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (which limits suits against health carriers) and promote uniformity in state insurance laws and regulatory systems.