Pelosi Statement on the California Bridge to Reform Demonstration

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the approval of the California Bridge to Reform Demonstration by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services:

"I applaud the decision of CMS Administrator Don Berwick to approve the request of Governor Schwarzenegger for a demonstration waiver to help California prepare for the implementation of health reform in 2014.

"That year, enrollment in Medi-Cal, as the Medicaid program is known in California, is expected to increase by 1.9 million, or more than 20 percent. These Medi-Cal coverage expansions, combined with the premium tax credit subsidies through the new Health Insurance Exchange, will reduce the number of uninsured in California by two-thirds and dramatically improve the health of the California people.

"The waiver that California has received will enable the state, over the next three years, to identify and enroll uninsured low-income Californians in health care coverage offered by counties. In 2014, the state will be able to enroll these Californians into plans offered by the Health Insurance Exchange or Medi-Cal, depending on their income, without disruption in coverage.

"The waiver also provides county hospitals and clinics and other safety net providers that now serve high volumes of uninsured Californians the resources they need to reform their delivery systems and improve the quality of the services they provide. About $6.6 billion of the new $8 billion in federal spending under the demonstration is for these purposes.

"California has recognized the promise of health reform for its economy and the health of its population. It was the first state to enact enabling legislation for a Health Insurance Exchange. And it is now the first state to begin the task of preparing its Medicaid program and its safety net providers for 2014.

"Other states, as well as the federal government, will learn from California's experience under this demonstration over the next three years. I am confident that those lessons will improve the implementation of health reform not just in California, but in states across the nation."

SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House

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