Senate Proposal Makes Progress on Affordability, But Getting Medicaid Coverage to 2.2 Million People Must Be Added

(BOSTON, MA) – Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Sen. Manchin have announced an agreement on a reconciliation package, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The proposal would make a huge difference for millions of people by driving down the cost of certain prescriptions and keeping health care coverage affordable for millions of families who buy insurance on ACA marketplaces, which recently saw record enrollment.  

However, Community Catalyst and its partners will continue to push for the inclusion of Medicaid coverage for the 2.2 million people trapped in the coverage gap. The Medicaid coverage gap remains a significant barrier to health equity as, due to discriminatory barriers to economic security, a disproportionate amount of Black and brown people and their families are being shut out of care.  

Statement of Community Catalyst Executive Director Emily Stewart on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022:  

“The package announced by Senate leaders is a big step forward in reducing prescription drug costs and ensuring millions of people are able to get more affordable coverage. But our work to create a more equitable health system cannot ignore the 2.2 million low-income, mostly Black and brown people who have long faced discriminatory barriers to economic security, who exist in the Medicaid coverage gap and are currently left behind in this proposal.   

“Families are drowning in medical debt and are looking to Congress to make health care more accessible and affordable. Polling clearly shows that people, regardless of party affiliation, want and expect Congress and the president to act on controlling health care costs.  

“Driving down drug prices will provide relief to millions of people while extending existing premium assistance, which has led to record enrollment, will be hugely beneficial to families as we approach open enrollment. Though the Senate proposal makes significant progress on affordability, more must still be done to ensure care for people who have no way to access coverage in the first place. 

“We look forward to working with our partners, congressional leadership and the administration on fulfilling the goal of available, accessible and affordable health coverage for all people. We won’t stop until everyone has what they need to be healthy and our health system is shaped by and accountable to all.” 

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About Community Catalyst: Community Catalyst is a leading non-profit national health advocacy organization dedicated to advancing a movement for health equity and justice. We partner with local, state and national advocates to leverage and build power so all people can influence decisions that affect their health. Health systems will not be accountable to people without a fully engaged and organized community voice. That’s why we work every day to ensure people’s interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and health care are made: in communities, state houses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit http://www.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @CommCatHealth.