WASHINGTON – More than 100 healthcare organizations have sent a letter to House and Senate leaders supporting equality of Medicaid and Medicare rates for primary care services.

The letter urges legislators to "ensure meaningful access to care under the proposed Medicaid expansion by adopting (in a final reform agreement) the House provision to bring Medicaid reimbursement rates for primary care in line with comparable Medicare rates within four years."

Among the 118 organizations signing the letter are national and state organizations representing physicians, nurses, hospitals and other healthcare providers, as well as consumer, labor and other patient advocacy groups.

The letter indicates that the groups strongly support expanding Medicaid to extend health coverage to low-income individuals.

"We are very concerned that failure to address reimbursement disparities will weaken an already fragile network of Medicaid providers at a time when the demand for their services will be growing," the letter read.

"It is critical that while we provide access to care for so many more low-income Americans, we also adjust payments for primary care services so they are equal to Medicare rates," said American College of Physicians President Joseph W. Stubbs, MD, one of the co-signers.

Medicaid rates average about two-thirds of Medicare rates for primary care services.

Rates are "woefully inadequate to cover the cost of providing care," the letter reads. "According to the Congressional Budget Office, the planned expansion will increase enrollment in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program by as many as 15 million beneficiaries."

"The inadequacy of Medicaid reimbursement levels must be addressed in conjunction with the Medicaid expansion or we risk leaving our poorest and most medically-vulnerable resident behind despite the remarkable promise offered by healthcare," the letter said.

Stubbs said the letter asks Senators and Representatives for "high priority to ensuring access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries by adopting the House provision to adjust Medicaid payments for primary care to at least 100 percent of Medicare rates."