Illustration: Aïda Amer / Axios
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is introducing legislation targeting a quirk in the law that the group says unfairly benefits Medicare Advantage insurers that cover veterans.
Why it matters: The effort, even if it faces tough odds of passing this year, is a sign of the continued scrutiny of Medicare Advantage.
What's inside: The bill would remove a prohibition and enable the Veterans Health Administration to charge MA plans for care they provide to veterans who are dually enrolled in the VA health system and MA.
- Currently, the lawmakers argue, a loophole requires taxpayers to effectively pay twice for the same care: by paying MA plans for the coverage, and for the VA to provide the care, without the VA being able to recoup the cost from the insurer.
- The legislation's sponsors include Lloyd Doggett and Greg Murphy in the House and Elizabeth Warren and Bill Cassidy in the Senate.
Between the lines: The Republicans on the measure, including Murphy and Cassidy, are already outspoken critics of MA insurer practices.
- For the bill to have a chance at passing, it would need much broader support among Republicans who aren't already known as industry critics.
- Backers say the measure would save over $350 billion over 10 years.
