Executive Summary
physicians in service of our nation’s seniors and advancing policies that improve prior authorization (PA) and establish oversight of Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations. Through our tireless advocacy with PA reform champions and staff in Congress and the Administration, RRC established the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care (Seniors’) Act as the principal prior authorization legislative priority for national medical specialty societies and state medical associations. The Seniors’ Act is the most widely supported, no cost healthcare legislation in the first half of the 119th Congress, and the first bill ever formally endorsed by the GOP Doc Caucus.
NAVIGATING LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY SHIFTS
With a new Congress and Administration, RRC proactively navigated confirmation hearings, legislative developments, and stakeholder engagement in response to evolving priorities. RRC tracked legislative and regulatory developments, leveraging its expertise to anticipate policy changes and provide members with guidance on potential impacts and emerging opportunities. RRC also analyzed the WISeR Model, announced by CMS in June, voicing our strong concerns to the Administration about the impact of expanding prior authorization in Medicare FFS on care delivery and provider burden.
MAJORITY IN CONGRESS SUPPORTS THE SENIORS’ ACT
On May 20, the six House and Senate champions introduced the Seniors’ Act with 47 Senate and 73 House original cosponsors. Following introduction, RRC held nearly 100 virtual visits with potential cosponsors and led discussions with Hill champions on CMS technical assistance (TA). RRC secured support from a majority of the House (243), a supermajority of the Senate (64), and 300+ organizations.
We are confident RRC will continue to be the leading resource to policymakers as they improve MA to be more transparent, efficient, and effective for seniors and the physicians who care for them.
Click here to view the full Regulatory Relief Coalition Annual Report: Protecting Patients’ Timely Access to Care.
