Bill > HR2491

This bill, known as the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act (ABC Act), requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator and the Social Security Commissioner to conduct a comprehensive review of processes related to Medicare, Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Social Security programs to simplify interactions for family caregivers. The review aims to streamline eligibility determination, application processes, and communications, with specific goals of reducing redundant paperwork, minimizing repeated information submissions, and improving agency interactions. Key objectives include making agency websites more accessible, decreasing call wait times, providing translation services, ensuring timely and clear communication, and offering better support for family caregivers. The officials must seek input from caregivers, advocacy organizations, and state entities during this review. Within two years of enactment, they are required to submit detailed reports to congressional committees outlining identified issues, proposed actions, estimated implementation costs, and potential legislative recommendations. Additionally, the bill instructs the CMS Administrator to encourage state Medicaid and CHIP programs to conduct similar reviews and identify best practices for supporting family caregivers, with the ultimate goal of making government healthcare and social security programs more user-friendly and accessible.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2491/all-info