Senator Reverend Warnock introduced the Kids’ Access to Primary Care Act, which would incentivize more providers to participate in Medicaid and increase access to care for children and families by requiring Medicaid to pay at least the same rate as Medicare for primary care

Senator Reverend Warnock recently addressed proposed Republican cuts to Medicaid at a press conference with Senate Democratic colleagues

In Georgia, kids make up roughly 71 percent of all Medicaid enrollees

Senator Reverend Warnock has long championed strengthening Medicaid

Senator Reverend Warnock: “Right now, nearly half of our country’s children get health care through Medicaid, which is why it’s so troubling that Washington Republicans are fighting to make cuts to health care access”

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee introduced the Kids’ Access to Primary Care Act. The bill would require Medicaid to pay at least the same rate as Medicare for primary care services, which would incentivize more providers to participate in Medicaid and increase access to care for children and families.

“I’ve been in the Medicaid fight long before I got to the Senate, so I know the importance that affordable health care provides for so many Americans, including millions of children. In Georgia, kids make up over 70 percent of all Medicaid enrollees,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Right now, nearly half of our country’s children get health care through Medicaid, which is why it’s so troubling that Washington Republicans are fighting to make cuts to health care access. That is why the Kids’ Access to Primary Care Act is so important. This commonsense solution shouldn’t be a partisan issue, kids and parents deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have health care access.”

“Medicaid is a lifeline for tens of millions of American families, especially women and children—one in five women and nearly half of all children in America get their health care through Medicaid. Our legislation is a commonsense solution that would encourage more providers to see Medicaid patients and make it easier for families who rely on Medicaid to get timely care close to home,” said Senator Murray. “Right now, Republicans are doubling down on their plans to make deep cuts to Medicaid and rip away health care from millions of people who need it—it’s dangerous and flat-out-wrong. I’ll keep fighting back and working to strengthen Medicaid and bring down the cost of health care in America.”

Right now, Medicaid pays a lower rate than Medicare for the same primary care procedures and services. This discrepancy severely reduces the number of providers who participate in Medicaid and limits access to health care for children and families. In Georgia alone, nearly 2 million individuals are insured through Medicaid, including over 1.4 million children who depend on the program for their health care needs. The Kids’ Access to Primary Care Act would improve Medicaid coverage by ensuring that providers are paid at least the same rate as they are for Medicare. Experts agree that higher Medicaid payment rates will broaden the provider network and increase access to care for Medicaid patients, including the more than half of children in the U.S who rely on Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Senator Warnock has long championed efforts to expand affordable health care access, starting with his advocacy to close the health care coverage gap in Georgia. In addition to pushing for solutions to close the coverage gap, Senator Warnock led a delegation of Georgia lawmakers in urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to provide tools to Medicaid non-expansion states like Georgia to help them protect health care access for Medicaid enrollees who lose eligibility after the end of the public health emergency declaration.

In addition to Senators Murray and Warnock, the Kids’ Access to Primary Care Act is also cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Peter Welch (D-VT). Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA-08) introduced the legislation in the House with Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) and Kathy Castor (D-FL-14).

The legislation is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and the Washington State Medical Association.

The full text of the legislation is HERE.