Washington, D.C. (November 26, 2024) – ACHP President and CEO Ceci Connolly released the following statement in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed rule for CY2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D:
“The Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) strongly supports a Medicare program that provides comprehensive coverage and care, affordability and choice for seniors. We celebrate the many accomplishments of the Biden-Harris Administration toward that goal.
“While we review the full proposed 2026 Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D rule, we are deeply concerned with the proposed coverage expansion of weight-loss drugs in Medicare and Medicaid. The excessive prices drugmakers command for GLP-1s have enormous cost consequences for consumers, taxpayers and employers. There are limited long-term studies of these drugs on patients with obesity, particularly those who do not have diabetes or other related chronic conditions. Early studies also indicate many patients do not remain on these drugs and regain the weight.
“The proposed expansion is irresponsible without further analysis and stakeholder engagement. It’s high time policymakers focus on exorbitant costs and appropriate utilization.
“ACHP applauds the proposed rule’s provisions to further protect consumers from misleading marketing tactics, tracking closely with ACHP’s MA for Tomorrow recommendations to strengthen the MA program for seniors.
“We look forward to thorough review of the proposed regulation with our members and engaging the incoming Trump Administration to advance patient affordability, access to evidence-based care and choice.”
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About ACHP
The Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) represents the nation’s top-performing nonprofit health companies, which serve tens of millions of Americans across nearly 40 states and D.C. ACHP member plans collaborate with providers on high-quality coverage and care — leading the industry in practical reforms, including MA for Tomorrow, our vision for the future of Medicare Advantage.
ACHP is the voice of a unique payer-provider partnership model advancing proven solutions that deliver better value for patients, employers and taxpayers. Contact us for case studies and data about member innovations and results.
