Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Georgia Faces Likely Pushback From Feds On Medicaid, Obamacare Waivers
Georgia Health News: Though Facing The Federal Axe, State’s Medicaid Waiver Plans Moving Ahead
Georgia officials say they’re still working toward a July 1 launch of the waiver plan to add more people to the state’s Medicaid program, despite a harsh initial assessment by the Biden administration. The conflict with the feds involves the eligibility requirements that Georgia proposed and that the Trump administration approved. President Joe Biden, who took office in January, and his fellow Democrats have sharply different views on Medicaid than do former President Donald Trump and many Republicans. (Miller, 6/4)
Modern Healthcare: CMS Could Pull Georgia's Waiver To Privatize Its ACA Marketplace
Georgia may lose CMS approval for its plan to privatize its Obamacare exchange in 2023, after the agency requested more information on how the changes could affect access to care. CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure ordered Georgia to study access and health equity issues, according to her letter to Gov. Brian Kemp (R-Ga.) on Thursday. The new analysis is needed to ensure that the Trump-approved waiver supports recent changes in federal healthcare priorities, policies and law, Brooks-LaSure said in the letter. Those changes include President Joe Biden's executive orders instructing the federal government to advance equity and strengthen the Affordable Care Act in addition to March's pandemic relief package, which increased health insurance subsidies for two years. (Brady, 6/4)
Axios: CMS Innovation Director Wants More Value-Based Care Models
The Biden Administration is closely looking at how it can create health care payment models that benefit patients over providers, even if that means making them mandatory. Liz Fowler, the innovation chief of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, signaled the Biden administration's commitment to value-based care models if they save money or not. (Fernandez, 6/4)
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Oklahoman: Over 51,000 Oklahomans Have Enrolled In Medicaid Through Expansion
More than 51,000 Oklahomans have been approved for health benefits through Medicaid expansion less than a week after applications opened. That’s over a quarter of the 200,000 Oklahomans expected to enroll for benefits in the first year of expanded Medicaid. Data shared Friday morning by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority showed that 51,708 residents have been approved for benefits through SoonerCare, the state’s Medicaid program, since applications opened on Tuesday. Over 33,000 — about 65% — are women. (Branham, 6/4)
KFOR: Questions Linger About Medicaid Expansion After Supreme Court Ruling
There are still questions on who will administer Medicaid expansion after the Supreme Court ruled against the governor’s plan to privatize it. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority says they still have to analyze the ruling before they know what comes next. Last year, Oklahomans voted to expand Medicaid. At this point, nearly 52,000 people have applied for SoonerCare. (Shen, 7/4)
Yahoo Money: Ohio Lawmakers Join ProMedica In Frustration With Medicaid Contract
The Ohio Senate has slipped a provision into its vision for the next two-year budget to force the state to scuttle April's awards of six Medicaid managed-care contracts and redo the selection process after Paramount Advantage, ProMedica's insurance subsidiary, was shut out. The Senate said it made the move out of its frustration at being unable to get answers from Gov. Mike DeWine's administration about the scoring process. (Provance, 6/5)
KHN: Covid Was A Tipping Point For Telehealth. If Some Have Their Way, Virtual Visits Are Here To Stay.
As the covid crisis wanes and life approaches normal across the U.S., health industry leaders and many patient advocates are pushing Congress and the Biden administration to preserve the pandemic-fueled expansion of telehealth that has transformed how millions of Americans see the doctor. The broad effort reaches across the nation’s diverse health care system, bringing together consumer groups with health insurers, state Medicaid officials, physician organizations and telehealth vendors. (Levey, 6/7)
