Rep. Veasey (TX-33), Democratic Colleagues Send Letter to President Biden and HHS Secretary Becerra Requesting ACA Special Enrollment Period

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Veasey (TX-33) and nine of his House Democratic colleagues recently sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra requesting they consider implementing a special enrollment period for those directly affected by the elimination of the continuous coverage requirement authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

"With the continuous coverage requirement ending on March 31, 2023, states could possibly begin their unwinding periods as early as February 1, 2023. Currently, when an individual loses their Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage due to changes in eligibility, they qualify for a 60-day special enrollment period in the ACA marketplace. We are concerned the current timeline does not give beneficiaries affected by this new policy sufficient time to renew their existing Medicaid coverage or transition to marketplace coverage…" wrote the Members. "Additionally, we have concerns that those still eligible for Medicaid could lose coverage due to administrative barriers in place in their states, such as long wait times or multiple unnecessary paperwork requests. We encourage the Administration to put in place policies to mitigate these barriers."

When the continuous coverage requirement ends on March 31, over one million Texans will be at risk of losing their Medicaid coverage. A special enrollment period ending in 2024 could give them sufficient time to renew their existing policy or transition to marketplace coverage.

In addition to Congressman Veasey, the letter was signed by Reps. Darren Soto ( FL-09) Kathy Castor (FL-14), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10), Darren Soto (FL-09), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Robin Kelly (IL-02), and Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08).

In response to the letter, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released information on a temporary Exceptional Circumstances Special Enrollment Period (SEP) from March 31, 2023 through July 31, 2024 for consumers losing Medicaid or CHIP coverage due to unwinding of the Medicaid continuous enrollment condition.

For the full text of the letter, please click here.