- Center for Medicare Advocacy Wishes All the Best to Rep. John Lewis
- Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments
Center for Medicare Advocacy Wishes All the Best to Rep. John Lewis
On December 29, 2019 Representative John Lewis (D-GA, 05) announced that he will be undergoing treatment for stage IV pancreatic cancer. In a press release, Rep. Lewis stated, “I have been in some kind of fight – for freedom, equality, basic human rights – for nearly my entire life. I have never faced a fight quite like the one I have now.”
The Center for Medicare Advocacy was honored to host Rep. Lewis as the Sen. Jay Rockefeller Lecturer at our 2019 National Voices of Medicare Summit. We will not forget that gift or Rep. Lewis’ call to action to “make a way out of no way” in the fight for health care as a human right.
The Civil Rights and American leader stated that he will continue to work as he undergoes treatment, noting that “[w]e still have many bridges to cross.” The Center for Medicare Advocacy is grateful for Mr. Lewis’ enduring dedication to the rights of all people who call America home. We join millions in sending our gratitude and healing blessings to Rep. Lewis and his family.
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Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments
The Center for Medicare Advocacy submitted comments in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) public comment period regarding Tennessee’s section 1115 waiver application. Regrettably the Tennessee waiver proposal seeks to transform the State’s Medicaid program (TennCare) into a block grant. The Center expressed opposition to this proposal, as it would fundamentally alter the Medicaid program, threatening TennCare and the integrity of the Medicaid program nationwide.
- Center’s comments: https://www.medicareadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/TennCare-Comments.pdf
The Center also joined colleagues at Justice in Aging, Medicare Rights Center and National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) in submitting joint comments calling for CMS to reject the Tennessee proposal.
- Joint comments: https://www.medicareadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/TennCare-Amendment-42-Comments-to-HHS-from-JIA-CMA-MRC-NAELA.pdf
Additionally the Center submitted comments in response to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), proposed rule and Notice of Non-enforcement that would allow organizations and contractors receiving federal funding from HHS to discriminate based on gender identity, sexual orientation, sex, and (in certain instances) religion. The Center strongly urged HHS to withdraw the proposed rule and return to enforcing current prohibitions against discrimination by all HHS grantees and in all HHS programs.