Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Adding Lifetime Limits To Medicaid Would Be 'Unspeakably Cruel,' Democrats Tell HHS Secretary
The Hill: House Dems Warn Against Medicaid Lifetime Limits
Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee warned the Trump administration not to approve requests from states that want to put a lifetime cap on how long people can be enrolled in the Medicaid program. In a letter sent to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, the lawmakers said lifetime limits would harm patients and the agency doesn’t even have the statutory authority to approve them. (Weixel, 3/8)
The Washington Post: At Impasse Over Medicaid, Virginia’s Legislature To Miss Budget Deadline
A battle over Medicaid will keep Virginia’s House and Senate from passing the two-year state budget on time, legislators acknowledged Thursday, just two days before the General Assembly’s scheduled conclusion. The General Assembly will have to extend the current session or convene for a special session to continue work on the spending plan. Legislators had not settled on either option by day’s end. The state must have a budget in place by July 1, the start of the new fiscal year, to avoid what would be Virginia’s first government shutdown. (Vozzella and Schneider, 3/8)
The Associated Press: Virginia Lawmakers At Impasse On Medicaid Expansion
Lawmakers assigned by both chambers to work on a compromise have no future plans to meet, Jones said, because neither side is willing to budge on Medicaid expansion. After years of near-uniform opposition, Republicans are now split on the issue with the GOP-led House supporting Medicaid expansion while the GOP-led Senate opposes it. Without an agreement on Medicaid expansion and a corresponding hospital tax to pay the state’s share, the two sides are far apart on how much money they’ll have to spend. The House version has significantly more money for public education and gives raises to state employees, something the Senate version does not. (Suderman, 3/8)
And more news out of Utah, New Hampshire, Montana and Michigan —
The Associated Press: Medicaid Expansion Among 500-Plus Bills Lawmakers Passed
Utah legislators wrapped up their annual session Thursday after passing bills to expand Medicaid to thousands of the state's poor and give teens fleeing polygamous communities more legal rights. The proposals were among more than 500 bills lawmakers passed after 45 days on Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City. (Whitehurst and Price, 3/8)
The Associated Press: New Hampshire Senate Passes Medicaid Expansion Bill
A plan to continue New Hampshire's expanded Medicaid program cleared the Senate on Thursday night, backed by both Republicans and Democrats who argued it has served the state well and is critical to addressing the state's opioid crisis and mental health treatment challenges. The program has put about 50,000 low-income people on private insurance, but it will expire at the end of the year if the Legislature doesn't reauthorize it. The Senate voted 17-7 to continue the program for five years but change its structure to a managed care model to save money and encourage wellness. (Ramer, 3/8)
MTPR: Montana Medicaid Expansion Pays For Itself, UM Economist Says
The hundreds of millions of federal tax dollars that Medicaid expansion is bringing to Montana have added thousands of jobs here and significantly boosted the state’s economy. It’s enough of a boost to pay for Montana’s share of the jointly-funded health program. That’s according to a new report by Economist Bryce Ward with the UM’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research. He summarized it for a legislative oversight committee Thursday. (Cates-Carney, 3/8)
Detroit News: GOP Lawmakers Push Mandatory Medicaid Work Plan
Michigan would join a small but growing number of states requiring Medicaid recipients to work or continue school to maintain government health care coverage under Republican legislation introduced this week. Sen. Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, is proposing a 30-hour work or school requirement for poor but able-bodied adults. Rep. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake Township, wants the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to develop similar requirements. (Oosting, 3/8)
