Debate Over Medicaid Rule Changes May Torpedo Mississippi’s Budget Talks
State House members have been seeking another opportunity for the state's hospitals to bid on part of the Medicaid program's managed care business, but the Senate is resisting that demand. Outlets report on Medicaid news out of Colorado, Texas and Maine, as well.
The Associated Press:
Mississippi House Threatens Medicaid Budget In Rules Dispute
Mississippi House members on Sunday threatened to torpedo next year's $6 billion budget for the state-federal Medicaid health insurance program, unless senators agree to rule changes. Representatives sent the 2019 budget back for more talks with the Senate, demanding that the Senate agree on a rules bill before the House approves the budget.Among other things, House members have been seeking another opportunity for the state's hospitals to bid on part of the Medicaid program's managed care business. The Senate is resisting that demand after the Medicaid agency rejected a bid from a hospital group last summer. (Amy, 3/25)
The Clarion-Ledger:
Lawmakers Set Stage For Possible Special Session To Fund Medicaid
The House sent a funding bill for Medicaid back to a House-Senate committee Sunday, leading to the prospect of a special session to deal with a Medicaid funding unless an agreement is reached by Monday's deadline. On Sunday, lawmakers in the House and Senate presented funding bills negotiated in conference as they worked on final details of an approximately $6.1 billion state budget for the upcoming fiscal year.When it came to funding the Division of Medicaid, one of the state's largest agencies, concerns were raised on the House floor about the $917.5 million bill not including the companion Medicaid technical amendment legislation. (Harris, Gates and Wolfe, 3/25)
Public News Service:
Colorado Senate Pushes Work Requirements For Medicaid Coverage
Colorado's Senate, following the lead of the Trump administration, is considering adding work requirements for people with Medicaid coverage. Critics warn the move could end up taking health insurance away from more than six million Americans – including hundreds of thousands of Coloradans if Senate Bill 214 becomes law.
Allison Neswood, health care attorney with the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, says taking health coverage away from people who are unemployed won't help anyone find or hold onto a job, and would increase poverty in the state. (3/26)
Austin American-Statesman:
Sendero Closing Out CHIP, Medicaid Health Care Plans
Nonprofit health maintenance organization Sendero Health Plans is withdrawing from Texas’ STAR Medicaid program and Children’s Health Insurance Program markets effective May 1, citing projected losses in excess of $800,000 per month, officials announced Friday. Officials with Travis County’s health care district Central Health, which created Sendero with taxpayer money in 2012 to increase health care access, said Friday that they were closing their plans under those programs because they are not financially sustainable. (Goldenstein, 3/23)
Politico Pro:
Maine Governor Resists Ballot Measure Expanding Medicaid
Back in November, Maine voters ordered Gov. Paul LePage to expand the state’s Medicaid program through a first-of-its-kind ballot initiative. But months later, the brash tea party Republican still hasn't done it, underscoring the potential pitfalls of the ballot strategy health care advocates are pushing in red states this year. (Pradhan, 3/22)