Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) introduced the Patients Over Paperwork Act to reverse burdensome paperwork requirements instituted in the Big Ugly Law (BUL) that will result in thousands of Washingtonians losing access to health care.

“Health care should be accessible and affordable for everyone,” said Rep. Larsen. “Most people who lose Medicaid coverage lose it because they forget to fill out a form or check a box, and the BUL doubles opportunities for a simple paperwork mistake to cost someone their access to health care. I am proud to introduce this bill to protect the 179,000 Medicaid enrollees that I represent.”

Under previous law, Medicaid recipients were required to recertify their coverage every 12 months. The BUL doubles the paperwork requirement, forcing recipients to recertify every 6 months. The Congressional Budget Office estimates this provision will cause 700,000 people nationwide to lose health insurance by 2034 and will cut $63 billion worth of health care from Medicaid, making it one of the five biggest Medicaid cuts in the BUL.

“Introducing the Patients Over Paperwork Act is just one step in rolling back the BUL,” said Rep. Larsen. “I will continue to fight alongside House Democrats to reverse the BUL and make health care affordable and accessible.”

Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Jim Costa (CA-21), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-Del), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Ritchie Torres (NY-15) and Marc Veasey (TX-33) cosponsored the Patients Over Paperwork Act.

The Patients Over Paperwork Act is also supported by the WA State Medical Association (WSMA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA), Families USA, National Health Law Program (NHeLP), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), Justice in Aging, American Public Health Association (APHA), Diverse Elders Coalition (DEC), and National Disability Rights Network (NDRN).

Bridget Bush, MD, FASA, President, Washington State Medical Association: “Far too many patients lose Medicaid coverage not because they’re ineligible, but because they get trapped by administrative hurdles. The Patients Over Paperwork Act restores a common sense 12-month recertification timeline and helps keep people connected to the care they rely on. Washington physicians strongly support this legislation because stable coverage is fundamental to better health outcomes, less administrative waste, and a more equitable health system. We applaud Rep. Larsen for leading this effort to protect patients and reduce avoidable barriers to care.”

Leslie Frane, Executive Vice President of SEIU: “Imagine being told you can’t get your chemo this week, or that your child’s checkup is suddenly cancelled—not because you no longer qualify for care, but because your paperwork is stuck in a pile. The Republican plan to double Medicaid eligibility requirements isn’t policy, it’s cruelty that adds layers of red tape to push working families off Medicaid through no fault of their own. SEIU members fight for healthcare justice every day, and we applaud Rep. Larsen’s Patients Over Paperwork Act as a commonsense step in making sure all families can get the care they need.”

Cassie Sauer, CEO, Washington State Hospital Association: "Washington’s hospitals are deeply concerned for the hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians projected to lose Medicaid coverage in the coming years. This legislation will remove barriers to coverage for patients, helping to ensure their access to needed health care services."

Jen Taylor, Senior Director of Government Relations at Families USA: “Families USA is proud to endorse the Patients Over Paperwork Act. As states move forward with implementing the largest Medicaid cuts in history, new redetermination requirements are trapping people in a web of complex and confusing paperwork that will cause an estimated 700,000 people to lose coverage unnecessarily. This legislation would reverse harmful eligibility barriers and reduce administrative burdens so that people can keep the health coverage they are eligible for and rely on. We should be making it easier—not harder—for patients and families to get the care they need.”

Mara Youdelman, Managing Director, Federal Advocacy, National Health Law Program: “The National Health Law Program greatly appreciates the introduction of the Patients Over Paperwork Act. This legislation will protect Medicaid coverage for individuals who would otherwise be at high risk for losing Medicaid solely due to increased paperwork and red tape.”

Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness: “Medicaid is a lifeline for millions of Americans with mental health conditions, and any additional requirements for people to maintain Medicaid eligibility results in people losing coverage when they can't navigate the administrative burden. Doubling the frequency of eligibility checks will only increase these barriers, resulting in people losing coverage despite being eligible. The Patients Over Paperwork Act restores a reasonable renewal process that protects coverage and keeps people connected to treatment. NAMI thanks Rep. Larsen for this important legislation and is proud to support this bill."

The full text of the Patients Over Paperwork Act is available here.

###