Patients Over Paperwork Act of 2025
Summary
The "Patients Over Paperwork Act of 2025" aims to repeal changes made by Public Law 119-21 regarding eligibility redeterminations under the Medicaid program. Specifically, it seeks to restore the provisions of law that were amended by Section 71107 of Public Law 119-21, effectively reversing those changes. The bill is introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
This action intends to undo modifications to Medicaid eligibility redetermination processes. The goal is to revert to the previous standards and procedures.
By repealing the changes, the bill aims to alleviate administrative burdens associated with Medicaid eligibility redeterminations.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the "Patients Over Paperwork Act of 2025" would reinstate the Medicaid eligibility redetermination processes as they existed before the enactment of Section 71107 of Public Law 119-21. This means that the specific changes introduced by that section would no longer be in effect.
This could lead to a shift in the administrative workload for state Medicaid agencies and potentially affect the number of individuals eligible for Medicaid. The precise impact would depend on the nature of the changes introduced by the repealed section.
Ultimately, the bill seeks to reshape the landscape of Medicaid eligibility redeterminations by removing recent modifications.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially reduces administrative complexity for Medicaid recipients.
- May streamline the eligibility redetermination process.
- Could restore access to Medicaid for individuals who lost eligibility due to the previous changes.
- Aims to simplify the healthcare enrollment process.
- May lead to increased enrollment in Medicaid programs.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increase in costs for state Medicaid agencies if the repealed changes had cost-saving measures.
- Possible disruption in the Medicaid system during the transition back to the previous rules.
- May lead to inconsistencies in eligibility determination across different states.
- Could create confusion among Medicaid recipients regarding eligibility requirements.
- Potential for increased improper payments if the repealed changes improved program integrity.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to improve access to healthcare through Medicaid. However, the specific details of the repealed section would need to be examined to determine the full extent of its constitutional implications. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.
Furthermore, the bill's focus on healthcare access relates to the concept of promoting the general welfare, as stated in the Preamble of the Constitution. The constitutionality hinges on whether the original changes to eligibility redeterminations were themselves constitutional.
Without more information on the specific changes being repealed, a definitive assessment of constitutional alignment is challenging.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).