Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
GOP Lawmakers, Citing Benefits Of Medicaid In N.H., Offer Plan To Extend Expansion Program
The Associated Press: GOP Leaders Call For Continuation Of Medicaid Expansion
Republican lawmakers [in New Hampshire] presented their plan for reauthorizing Medicaid expansion Wednesday, outlining a proposal that includes work requirements for recipients and asks insurance companies and hospitals to help foot the state’s share of the program’s costs. “This is an important debate to many of my constituents,” said Republican Rep. Joe LaChance of Manchester, the bill’s prime sponsor. LaChance said he’s seen the positive effects of the program, which insures more than 45,000 New Hampshire residents, in his home city. New Hampshire crafted a version of Medicaid expansion in 2014 that uses federal dollars to put people on private insurance plans. The program insures people who make up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line, or about $16,000 a year for an individual. (Ronayne, 1/28)
New Hampshire Public Radio: N.H.'s Medicaid Expansion: Where It Stands, and Where It Could Be Heading
A public hearing is scheduled this morning for a mostly Republican-backed proposal to extend the [Medicaid expansion] program through 2018, with some new requirements for program recipients and a plan to have health providers cover the state’s share of program costs for the next two years. Another proposal, backed by a group of mostly Democrats, would extend the program indefinitely, but doesn’t contemplate how to pay for it without dipping into the state’s general fund. That second proposal doesn’t yet have a hearing date. (McDermott, 1/28)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Democratic Leader Says Medicaid Expansion’s Time Has Come
The top Democrat in the state House this week filed legislation to expand Georgia’s Medicaid program, and while Rep. Stacey Abrams knows its a long shot, she said it’s time the discussion advances. ... Abrams said expanding Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act will provide health insurance to nearly 500,000 Georgians by raising the income threshold for Medicaid and expanding subsidies for coverage. Republican lawmakers and Gov. Nathan Deal have said expanding the program is financially imprudent and have explored other solutions to the state’s health care crisis. (Sheinin, 1/27)
