Scott Introduces Bill to Improve Health Care for Those Eligible for Both Medicare and Medicaid

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the Supporting Care for Dual Eligibles Act to improve health care for individuals who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.

“Individuals who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid have some of the greatest health needs in our nation, yet they are often left with fragmented care,” said Senator Scott. “As ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee, I’m committed to ensuring our most vulnerable populations receive the care they need, and improving the coordination between these two distinct health programs will do just that.”

Background: 

Sen. Scott’s bill would:

• Provide a $100 million grant for timely, targeted assistance to state Medicaid programs to improve care for dually eligible beneficiaries;
• Permit state Medicaid offices to use their grant money for a wide variety of purposes, including hiring new workers, improving the sign-up process for beneficiaries, or developing their understanding of Medicare;
• Be paid for by increasing the frequency of Medicaid Payment Error Rate Measurement Audits from every three years to every two years.

This morning, Sen. Scott, ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee, held a hearing with Chairman Bob Casey (D-Pa.) on improving health care for dually eligible individuals. Click here for the full hearing and here for Sen. Scott’s opening remarks. 

View full text of the Supporting Care for Dual Eligibles Act here.

###