Program That Would Allow Disabled To Buy In To Medicaid Delayed in Nevada

Nearly 18 months after receiving federal funding, Nevada has not implemented a program designed to allow individuals with disabilities to buy in to the state's Medicaid program and continue to receive benefits even if they gain employment, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. The state received a $625,000 federal grant to develop the program (Vogel, Las Vegas Review-Journal, 3/20). HHS awarded the funds, called Medicaid Infrastructure Grants, to 24 states and the District of Columbia as part of an overall effort to encourage disabled individuals to return to work without fear of losing their health benefits (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 10/27/00). John Alexander, administrator of Nevada's program, told a state legislative health committee on March 19 that he and four employees have held 37 meetings statewide and created a Web site for the program. But he said that no residents have been able to benefit from the program because officials have not launched it yet (Dornan, Nevada Appeal, 3/20). State legislators must approve the program's launch; Alexander might request permission to begin the program at a future committee meeting, the Review-Journal reports. Noting that the state's Medicaid program is facing a $30 million to $60 million budget deficit by the end of June, Charles Duarte, administrator of the state Division of Health Financing and Policy, said, "If funds are available in future years for the expansion of Medicaid, I'm sure there will be support." Alexander added that the program is eligible for up to $500,000 per year in additional federal grants over the next three years (Las Vegas Review-Journal, 3/20).