Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Alabama Lawmakers Expected To Consider Funds From Oil Spill Settlement For Medicaid
Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser: With Lottery Dead, Legislators Seek Short-Term Medicaid Fix
The Alabama Legislature returns to work Tuesday to find $85 million for the state's Medicaid program, a critical component of health care in the state, before the state budgets go into effect Oct. 1. Legislators will return over a week after the Alabama Senate defeated a lottery bill, the centerpiece of Gov. Robert Bentley’s special session call and his major plan to bring long-term stability to the General Fund, where the state's share of Medicaid funding originates. (Lyman, 9/6)
WAAY TV (Huntsville, Ala.): Special Session: What To Expect Tuesday
Alabama state lawmakers will turn their focus to the BP Oil settlement money when they return to Montgomery on Tuesday. With lottery legislation dead, many believe a plan to use BP money is the best way to help Medicaid. (McClenton, 9/6)
The Washington Post: ‘A Lot Of Our Plaintiffs Have Died Waiting To Get Out Of The Nursing Home’
As a television blasted on the other side of the curtain of his shared nursing home room in the District, 87-year-old Edward Stith sat near his prosthetic leg and wondered if he would ever get out of there. In March, the retired hotel maintenance worker and veteran, whose leg was amputated four years ago, had a glimmer of hope. He was accepted through a lottery into a federal program that helps Medicaid recipients move out of nursing homes and receive services in the community. He had submitted the paperwork and knew he had until Sept. 30 to use the voucher. But here it was, the end of August, and nothing had changed. (Bahrampour, 9/4)
The Philadelphia Inquirer: Leaving Philly Jail With Mental Illness, Five Days' Medication - And Now, A Fighting Chance
A slew of new city- and state-level initiatives will preserve Medicaid benefits for people who have them, and sign up more of those who don't -- in particular, those leaving jail with serious mental illness and chronic disease. Together, advocates say, these efforts can decrease recidivism, save taxpayers money, and maybe even save lives. Right now, three-quarters of all men and women arriving at Philadelphia jails are on drugs. About 28 percent have hypertension, diabetes, or significant seizure disorder. About a thousand each year will be treated for HIV. (Melamed, 9/5)
Kansas Health Institute: Hospital Closure Has Some Southeast Kansas Candidates Rethinking Medicaid Expansion
A large section of what used to be Mercy Hospital in Independence has been torn down in the year since it closed. On a hot August day, a bulldozer prepares the lot where it once stood for construction of a new city garage. Andy Taylor, editor of the weekly Montgomery County Chronicle, said many residents of the community of about 10,000 still aren’t sure exactly what happened. But he said they believe city and state officials could and should have done more to save the hospital. (McLean, 9/6)
Eugene (Ore.) Register-Guard: Oregon Caps Profits For Medicaid Managers
When Trillium Community Health Plan in Lane County and other coordinated care organizations were launched in Oregon four years ago, the state put no limits on the profits they could reap. But starting this year, Oregon will impose a limit on CCOs’ profits. ... CCOs will be required to spend on health-related services — such as doctor visits and patient care — at least 80 percent of the per-patient Medicaid money they receive, said Lori Coyner, Oregon Medicaid director. The balance — 20 percent — can be spent by the CCO on nonhealth items, such as staff wages, executive salaries and dividends — or profits — paid to shareholders. (Buri McDonald, 9/5)
