Paul Tonko: “I am here to express my strong support for the Ensuring Access to Quality Medicaid Providers Act. In particular, I am…”

“I am here to express my strong support for the Ensuring Access to Quality Medicaid Providers Act. In particular, I am pleased that this legislation incorporates the Medicaid Directory of Caregivers Act, also known as the Medicaid DOC Act. This is legislation in which I joined with my colleague and friend from New York, Representative Collins, in introducing. I thank Representative Collins for his initiative in this area and for working together on this issue in a collaborative and bipartisan way. I also thank the Energy and Commerce Committee staffs on both sides for providing constructive feedback and for expeditiously moving this bill out of committee. The impetus behind this bill is simple and straightforward: to make it easier for Medicaid beneficiaries to find and access a doctor. The underlying legislation would require States that operate a fee- for-service Medicaid program to publish an online provider directory, just like managed care plans and private insurance are already required to do. By creating a one-stop-shop for Medicaid beneficiaries to find information on participating providers, this commonsense legislation will make it easier for individuals and families to access quality health care. The legislation details the minimum items that must be included in a provider directory, but it also allows States to go beyond those given standards.…”