Judge Swats Down Effort To Block Medicaid Expansion From Nebraska Ballot As ‘Legally Insufficient’
Nebraska is one of several red states that is home to a push to get Medicaid expansion in front of voters, circumventing lawmakers. Meanwhile, South Dakota is asking officials to approve work requirements, while Kentucky residents weigh in on their own state's proposed changes.
The Associated Press:
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit To Keep Medicaid Measure Off Ballot
A Nebraska judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to keep a Medicaid expansion measure from appearing on the November general election ballot. Lancaster County District Court Judge Darla Ideus rejected arguments Tuesday from opponents of the measure, who alleged that the petition drive to place the issue before voters violated Nebraska law and the state constitution. (8/28)
Omaha.Com:
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Petition To Put Medicaid Expansion Before Nebraska Voters
Opponents of Medicaid expansion said during a hearing last week that the petition contains more than one subject, in violation of the Nebraska Constitution. They also argued that the petition does not properly disclose as a sponsor the Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest. J.L. Spray, the attorney for the plaintiffs, said Tuesday that he will need to read the ruling and discuss it with his clients before a decision is made on whether to appeal. State Sen. Lydia Brasch of Bancroft and former State Sen. Mark Christensen of Imperial brought the lawsuit, saying they worry about the tax implications of Medicaid expansion. (Duggan, 8/28)
The Hill:
South Dakota Asks Trump Administration To Approve Medicaid Work Requirements For Parents, Caretakers
South Dakota health officials are asking the Trump administration to approve a program that would impose work requirements on some Medicaid recipients who are parents or caretakers. Under the proposal, parents aged 19 to 59 and other caretakers on Medicaid who live in South Dakota's two most populous counties would have to work at least 80 hours a month, take classes or complete other activities to keep their coverage. (Hellmann, 8/28)
Courier Journal:
Bevin Medicaid Plan Ripped In Thousands Of Comments To CMS
Some people are profoundly grateful, including this Kentuckian with pancreatic disease. "I am so thankful for Medicaid expansion," the person said in comments posted on a federal website. "Without it I would be dead." Others express anger and fear the potential loss of health coverage from Medicaid under changes proposed by Gov. Matt Bevin that include work requirements and monthly premiums for some Kentuckians. (Yetter, 8/28)
And in other news —
Health News Florida:
Judge Digs Into Medicaid Contract Disputes
A legal showdown over contracts in Florida’s multibillion-dollar Medicaid program started Monday in an administrative court. The stakes are high as the state prepares to transition Medicaid managed-care patients to new plans chosen in the latest round of contracting. (Sexton, 8/28)
Chicago Tribune:
Regulators Halt Automatic Enrollments In Blue Cross Plan For Medicare And Medicaid
Illinois and the federal government are halting automatic enrollments in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois’ program for people on both Medicare and Medicaid, following concerns about the company’s performance. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services told the insurer in a letter dated Aug. 9 that they would no longer automatically assign people to its Blue Cross Community Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative plan, starting Oct. 1. That health care plan has more than 19,000 members, and includes seniors and people with disabilities who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. (Schencker, 8/28)
