In 2016, 91.4 million people – more than one-quarter of the U.S. population – were enrolled in either Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The ACC supports expanded access to and the prevention of loss of health care coverage through public and private programs, especially access to affordable coverage options for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
The following principles guide the College's efforts regarding Medicaid:
- Support the expansion of health care coverage through public and private programs, including working with stakeholders and ACC chapters to support Medicaid expansion where feasible.
- Promote patient access to high-quality care through appropriate payment for services provided under Medicaid.
- Promote patient-centered coverage that provides appropriate access to clinicians and services, including primary, preventive, rehabilitative and specialty care.
- Discourage the imposition of undue burden on access to coverage, such as lifetime limits and per capita caps.