S.891 - Bipartisan Health Care Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Bipartisan Health Care Act (S.891) is a comprehensive bill addressing various aspects of healthcare in the United States. It aims to extend expiring health provisions and improve healthcare delivery across multiple sectors, including Medicaid, Medicare, human services, and public health. The bill spans numerous titles, each focusing on specific areas such as prescription drug costs, pandemic preparedness, and support for patients and communities.
Expected Effects
The bill is likely to result in several changes to healthcare access, affordability, and quality. It includes provisions for streamlined enrollment processes, extended telehealth flexibilities, and increased oversight of pharmacy benefit managers. The act also addresses maternal health, substance use disorders, and rare pediatric diseases.
Potential Benefits
- Streamlined enrollment processes for out-of-state Medicaid providers, potentially increasing access to care for qualifying individuals.
- Extension of telehealth flexibilities, improving access to healthcare services, especially in rural areas.
- Increased funding for community health centers and the National Health Service Corps, supporting healthcare access in underserved communities.
- Measures to ensure accurate payments to pharmacies under Medicaid and prevent abusive spread pricing, promoting fair pricing.
- Reauthorization of programs addressing substance use disorders, including prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased government spending due to extended programs and new initiatives, impacting the federal budget.
- Some provisions, such as those related to provider directory accuracy, may impose administrative burdens on healthcare providers and organizations.
- The complexity of the bill could lead to challenges in implementation and oversight.
- The reliance on future appropriations for several programs creates uncertainty regarding their long-term sustainability.
- Some provisions may have limited scope or applicability, potentially benefiting only specific populations or regions.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill primarily aligns with the General Welfare Clause (Article I, Section 8) by aiming to promote the health and well-being of the population through various healthcare provisions. The bill's focus on healthcare access and quality improvement reflects an effort to provide for the common good. The bill also respects states' rights under the Tenth Amendment, as it allows states flexibility in implementing certain Medicaid provisions.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).