WASHINGTON, D.C. – Prompted by feedback from healthcare providers, U.S. Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) has introduced legislation co-sponsored by Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.) that would ensure that Medicaid providers are paid in a timely manner.

A spokesperson for Bilbray’s office said the congressman, in seeking information from healthcare providers, learned that this was an important issue to them. The legislation, titled the Fair Pay to Medicaid Providers Act (H.R. 3587), would require Medicaid to reimburse all providers, including nursing facilities, hospitals and community health centers, in an appropriate time frame.

“Delayed payment to Medicaid providers puts patients and employees at risk,” Bilbray said in a news release. “Any delay of payment for care provided to patients can jeopardize facility operations and make it difficult to pay employees. This legislation guarantees that healthcare providers are paid in a timely manner so that they can focus on helping those in need without worrying about how they are going to meet their financial obligations.”

“This is a common-sense bill directed to patients,” Eshoo added in a statement of her own. “Our healthcare professionals and facilities deserve to be reimbursed in a predictable and consistent time frame in order to provide optimal care to those in need. We must ensure that our communities’ most vulnerable citizens do not face a disruption in healthcare services, and our bipartisan bill helps to make sure their care is not held up by red tape and bureaucracy.”

The bill has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, of which both Bilbray and Eschoo are members.

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