{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2138", "Denham Hosts Senior Administration Official to Discuss Medicare and Medicaid in the Valley", "2017-11-20", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Jeffrey Denham", "D000612", "denham.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) today hosted senior U.S. Department of Health and Human Services official Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), to discuss the unique challenges that citizens in the Central Valley face when it comes to timely access to quality healthcare.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s an honor to host the highest-ranking official on Medicare and Medicaid right here in Modesto,\u201d said Rep. Denham. \u201cI would like to thank Administrator Verma for making it her priority to visit the Central Valley to understand the crushing challenges we face with doctor shortages and California\u2019s low Medicaid reimbursement rates, coupled with the rising costs of healthcare.\u201d\r\n\u201cI am honored that Representative Denham invited me to come to his district to see first hand the challenges that many of his constituents face,\u201d said Administrator Verma. \u201cI look forward to continuing to work with him to ensure that not only his constituents, but all Americans have high quality, sustainable healthcare.\u201d\r\nDuring her visit, Administrator Verma visited Central Valley Specialty Hospital and participated in a Medicare Listening Session with AARP and community representatives that work on the Aging Commission and in the retirement community. She also participated in a Medicaid Roundtable with area doctors, healthcare professionals, and hospital administrators. The discussions provided critical information about what changes and support are needed from the federal level to effectively address residents\u2019 most pressing healthcare needs.\r\n\"As a Registered Nurse and Healthcare Executive, I feel very honored by Administrator Verma and Representative Denham\u2019s visit today,\u201d said Gia Smith, RN/MSN and Chief Executive Officer of American Specialty Management Group. \u201cTo be able to engage in an ongoing discussion regarding our nation\u2019s health policy reinforces my faith in the leaders that represent our industry and the people we serve. I deeply appreciate this opportunity.\u201d\r\nRep. Denham has championed several pieces of legislation this year to address the issue of healthcare access in the Valley. His ACCESS Act would put in place a program to field-test the best Medicaid reimbursement strategies. California ranks 48 out of 50 states for Medicaid reimbursement rates, creating a disincentive for physicians to take on more Medicaid patients or practice in areas with a higher prevalence of Medicaid enrollees, like California\u2019s Central Valley. This is especially significant for California due to Governor Jerry Brown\u2019s redirection into the general fund of $1.2 billion in Prop 56 dollars that were supposed to go toward improving reimbursement rates for physicians accepting Medi-Cal \u2013 only about half of which was eventually used as approved by California taxpayers.\r\nDenham also introduced the CARE Act, which was included in both the CHAMPION Act and the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY Kids Act, to further expand our nation\u2019s Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) programs. THCGME programs in rural areas are especially important, because doctors tend to stay and practice in the communities where they complete residency.\r\nFor more information about Congressman Denham\u2019s ongoing efforts to improve access to healthcare for Valley residents, visit www.Denham.house.gov/healthcare.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://denham.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2138"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.7006108537316322, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}