Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Emboldened By Medicaid Work Mandate, States Begin Eyeing Lifetime Limits
The Hill: Trump Officials Face Decision On Lifetime Limits For Medicaid
The Trump administration is facing a crucial test of how much flexibility they are willing to give states to remake their Medicaid programs. Federal officials have already given the green light to two states to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients, and at least eight other states are hoping to follow. (Weixel, 2/13)
In other Medicaid news —
Richmond Times-Dispatch: Senate Panel Backs Limited Alternative To Medicaid Expansion, But Keeps Hospital Tax To Pay For It
The Senate Finance Committee has endorsed an alternative to Medicaid expansion that would rely on a new hospital tax to pay for treating an additional 20,000 low-income people with mental illness, addiction or chronic disease, while boosting the state reimbursement of hospitals for caring for patients in the program and funding additional services to disabled Virginians who are waiting for help. The committee voted 10-6 on Monday to approve Senate Bill 915, proposed by Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, to expand Medicaid coverage of inpatient and emergency room care for a limited number of low-income Virginians with chronic mental and physical disorders. (Martz, 2/13)
The Associated Press: 2 Hospitals Could Close Under Medicaid Plan House Considers
An Illinois House committee plans to consider a revised plan for doling out federal Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals as numbers show the adjustment could force two South Side Chicago hospitals to close. The House Appropriations-Human Services Committee plans a vote Tuesday. The measure adjusts for more Medicaid patients in managed-care systems to answer a federal requirement. The Illinois Health and Hospital Association pledges to make sure funding is sufficient for hospitals that serve primarily low-income Medicaid patients. (2/13)
