Central Louisiana News

Washington, Mar 14, 2024 - U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Tom Carper (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mark Warner (D-VA), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) have jointly introduced the Delivering Unified Access to Lifesaving Services (DUALS) Act of 2024. The legislation aims to improve coverage for individuals jointly enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, also known as dual eligibles.

Dr. Cassidy emphasized the importance of the bill, stating, “Patients dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid have much worse outcomes than other groups even though there is a lot more money spent on their care.” Senator Carper echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need to simplify complexities in healthcare for dual eligibles, noting, “Beneficiaries who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid are often the sickest and most vulnerable patients in our country.”

Senator Cornyn emphasized the lack of coordination between Medicare and Medicaid for dual eligibles, stating, “Medicare and Medicaid oftentimes don’t coordinate care for individuals enrolled in both programs, which can lead to poor outcomes for patients and inefficient spending for our health care system.”

The legislation, supported by various healthcare organizations, aims to streamline the system, improve patient experience, and ensure responsible spending of taxpayer dollars for dual eligibles. Senator Warner emphasized the collaborative effort behind the bill, stating, “This bill is the result of a year of work and input from stakeholders across the country.”

Senator Scott highlighted the importance of integrated care, stating, “Many states lack fully integrated care between Medicare and Medicaid, leaving dually eligible individuals with fragmented care and the headaches of confusing bureaucracy. We can, and must, do better for this vulnerable population.”

The DUALS Act of 2024 addresses the complexities faced by dual eligibles and aims to provide improved, integrated care for this vulnerable population. The legislation comes after extensive collaboration and input from various stakeholders across the country.