WASHINGTON – Today, Congress passed the government funding bill that includes meaningful improvements that the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) strongly supports and advocated for. We applaud the bipartisan leaders who took action to advance common-sense solutions that will help millions of hardworking Americans across the country.

“Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are committed to accessible, affordable and equitable health care for everyone,” said Kim Keck, president and CEO of BCBSA. “Today, Congress delivered important advancements in creating a better system of health for patients and families everywhere that will help close existing gaps in care and further address health inequities in the United States.”

This legislation, which aligns with many of BCBSA’s top priorities, makes progress to improve maternal health, expand mental health support, and lower costs for consumers and patients, including:

• Helping seniors better access and afford marriage and family therapists
• Supporting new moms by making 12-month postpartum coverage in Medicaid a permanent state option
• Lowering costs for patients by extending pre-deductible telehealth coverage for high-deductible health plans
• Expanding telehealth services and support for patients with additional flexibility
• Stabilizing Medicaid coverage in Puerto Rico for five years
• Providing more clarity to the end of the Public Health Emergency and Medicaid coverage

“We look forward to building on these successes with leaders of both parties to advance common-sense solutions that expand coverage, improve care and lower costs,” Keck continued. “That’s what BCBSA is committed to—and that’s what the American people deserve.”