Congressman J.D. Hayworth Home News What's JD Doing? JD Speaks Out AZ Connection Contact JD Fighting for Arizona Values

July 28, 2000

Congressman J.D. Hayworth (R-Arizona) last night introduced legislation to preserve choices for seniors and the disabled enrolled in Medicare+Choice plans. The Medicare Choice Preservation Act of 2000, H.R. 5039, would implement payment and regulatory reforms to stabilize the Medicare+Choice program.

"It is clear from recent Medicare HMO withdrawals in Arizona that Congress must address the problems with the program before more beneficiaries lose coverage," said Hayworth. "My legislation would place the Medicare+Choice program back on solid ground and protect beneficiaries' option to choose Medicare+Choice."

The measure would increase payments to Medicare+Choice plans by raising the minimum Medicare payment floor, increase payment updates in rural areas with one or no plans, change the application of budget neutrality adjustment, and phase in the risk adjustment factor. It would also delay the deadline for offering and withdrawing Medicare+Choice plans for 2001. Arizona plans that announced withdrawals for next year could reenter the program by November 15, 2000.

"It is essential seniors and the disabled have access to quality health care coverage," concluded Hayworth. "These common sense reforms will stabilize the program and allow seniors and the disabled continued access to additional benefits like disease management, dental and eye care and, most importantly, prescription drugs."

Congressman Hayworth is the only Arizona Member of Congress to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee. It is anticipated that the committee will consider a Medicare reform package this fall.

To read a summary of the bill, click here.
To read the text of the bill, click here.