Fitzpatrick’s bill ramps up health benefits for people with intellectual, developmental challenges

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) is cosponsoring a bipartisan bill that would designate Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) as medically underserved, a change that would make them eligible for more health care benefits.

“Everyone deserves access to quality health care, especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have been underserved for too long,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said on Wednesday.

Rep. Fitzpatrick on April 30 introduced the Healthcare Extension and Accessibility for Developmentally Disabled and Underserved Population (HEADs UP) Act of 2019, H.R. 2417, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA).

“I’m proud to join Congressman Moulton to introduce this measure to help those with intellectual and developmental disabilities live healthy lives,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.

If enacted, H.R. 2417 would direct the U.S. Health Services and Resources Administration (HSRA) to make the new designation for people with IDD, according to Rep. Fitzpatrick, and would incentivize new research while authorizing better reimbursement rates for providers.

Overall, the designation change would open up more than 25 government programs within HSRA and other federal agencies for participation by the IDD population, the congressman said.

“This legislation will ensure those in the IDD community receive the care they deserve and incentivize physicians to provide critical services to them,” Rep. Fitzpatrick added.

H.R. 2417 is supported by numerous organizations, such as Autism Speaks, Special Olympics International, the American Health Care Association, the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, among many others.