UOAA urges legislators and federal agency officials to implement policy and regulations that benefit patient-centered access to care, strengthen the patient-provider decision-making relationship, and minimize patient out-of-pocket costs.

In conjunction with the Digestive Diseases National Coalition (DDNC) efforts we continue to monitor US healthcare reform and will work to ensure preservation of basic patient protections from the Affordable Care Act including eliminating insurer discrimination against pre-existing conditions, establishing out of pocket maximums for covered services, and allowing young adults to stay on their parents’ insurance until the age of 26. These protections have made it possible for persons living with an ostomy or continent diversion to obtain insurance coverage and protect them from stratospheric medical bills.

Here is legislation that we support in the 116th Congress:

Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act (S668/HR1570) – This would eliminate cost-sharing for initial and follow-up colorectal cancer screening tests such as removal of polyps for Medicare beneficiaries
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Signed-On House Support Letter >>
Signed-On Senate Support Letter >>

Disability Integration Act (DIA) (S117/HR555) – This civil rights bipartisan legislation would require insurance providers to cover community-based health care services for people with disabilities as an alternative to institutionalization. DIA would ensure that people could not be prematurely forced into nursing facilities because they couldn’t get assistance with health-related tasks such as maintenance and use of a stable ostomy.
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Check back for more as legislation is added in 2019!