Governors Formally Endorse Medicaid Reform Plan

The National Governors' Association on Feb. 27 formally endorsed a proposal that would "ease" federal regulation of Medicaid administration and allow states to expand Medicaid coverage by offering fewer benefits to new enrollees (AP/Houston Chronicle, 2/27). The plan was recommended last weekend by the association's Committee on Human Resources and has garnered the support of governors from both parties. The proposal stems from the governors' "years of frustration" with administering Medicaid and their desire to be given greater flexibility while still maintaining a safety net for the poor (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 2/26).