By Sophia Duong

Earlier this week, Representative Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) introduced the Ensuring Access to Primary Care for Women & Children Act (H.R. 5723), a bill aimed at continuing the Medicaid primary care increase for 2015 and 2016. The primary care bump is set to expire at the end of this year. H.R. 5723 also proposes expanding the primary care rate bump to obstetrics and gynecology providers, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse-midwives, rural health clinics, and Federally-qualified health centers.

This bill adds to the growing support of keeping the primary care bump in place. As discussed in a previous blog post, Senator Brown and Senator Murray introduced the Senate bill, S. 2694, in July of this year, and Representative Pallone and Representative Waxman’s CHIP funding extension bill includes continuing the primary care bump through 2019. Additionally, 15 states have indicated they will keep the bump regardless of federal legislation.

While this is a hopeful sign, the effort requires funding and has not yet gained any Republican sponsors so it will likely be an uphill battle. The renewed momentum helps to ensure the debate will continue.