Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Conservative Lobbying Group Works To Block Medicaid Expansion In GOP-Controlled States
Modern Healthcare: Koch Brothers' Group Aims To Stop Medicaid Expansion In Some States
Medicaid expansion to lower-income adults is still possible in some Republican-controlled states despite recent setbacks in Tennessee and Wyoming, policy watchers say. But elected officials and expansion advocates are closely watching the aggressive efforts of a conservative lobbying group funded by the billionaire Koch brothers that is mounting a big push to block further expansions. (Dickson, 2/11)
Columbus Dispatch: Ohio’s Medicaid Enrollment Worries Both Parties, But For Different Reasons
With Ohio’s Medicaid-expansion enrollment approaching half a million — a third higher than projected — House Democrats say a faulty process to renew benefits, plus premium charges proposed by Gov. John Kasich, would “jettison” many poor Ohioans from their newly obtained health coverage. “We have more of an effort of mass Medicaid expulsion than mass Medicaid expansion,” Rep. Kevin Boyce, D-Columbus, told administration officials testifying about Kasich’s budget plan before the House Finance Committee yesterday. (Candisky, 2/12)
Kansas Health Institute News Service: Safety Net Clinics At Forefront Of Debates On Controversial Issues
Kansas hospitals are leading the push for Medicaid expansion. But they’re not the only providers for which expansion is a critical financial issue. It’s also a priority for the safety net clinics that exist to provide free and reduced-cost care to low-income Kansans. (McLean, 2/11)
In addition, Health News Colorado reports on the state exchange's budget challenges -
Health News Colorado: As Cost Overruns Mount, Exchange CEO Says It’s Time For ‘Tough Choices’
Complex sign-up problems have forced Colorado health exchange managers to spend more than they planned this year on call centers, but board members were reluctant Tuesday to approve another $3 million from reserves to pay the increasing tab. (Kerwin McCrimmon, 2/11)
