Joco Today

U.S. Senators Roger Marshall from Kansas and Mark Warner from Virginia have reintroduced the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, a bipartisan initiative aimed at improving healthcare access for seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. The legislation seeks to streamline the prior authorization process, which is often seen as cumbersome and time-consuming, allowing healthcare providers to focus more on patient care.

Senator Marshall highlighted the administrative burden of prior authorization faced by physicians across various specialties. "As a physician, I understand the frustration this arbitrary process is causing health care practices across the country and the headaches it creates for our nurses," he said. Senator Warner emphasized that seniors deserve timely high-quality care, stating, "I am proud to introduce this legislation that takes commonsense steps to modernize the prior authorization process."

The bill has garnered support from several other senators including Maggie Hassan, John Fetterman, Amy Klobuchar, Bill Cassidy, Shelley Moore Capito, among others. Senator Hassan pointed out that "seniors face unnecessarily complicated and burdensome prior authorization processes" while Senator Cassidy noted that current practices place too much emphasis on process over patients.

The proposed legislation aims to alleviate these issues by streamlining approvals and reducing red tape. This effort is supported by organizations such as Better Medicare Alliance and Humana. Mary Beth Donahue of Better Medicare Alliance stated that while prior authorization helps keep costs low and ensures appropriate care, "the process should be easier." Jim Rechtin of Humana expressed support for moving the act forward quickly in both houses of Congress.

Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives John Joyce, Mike Kelly, Suzan DelBene, and Ami Bera.