Kansas Medicaid Expansion Advocates Call Waiting List Argument An Evasion Tactic
In other state Medicaid news, a top Louisiana health official says she is "optimistic" that the Obama administration may OK the state's plan for expanding the health program to another 400,000 low-income or disabled residents. Meanwhile, a new survey finds that 49 states now take Medicaid applications by phone and online.
The Kansas Health Institute News Service:
Disability Group: Stop Citing Waiting Lists To Oppose Medicaid Expansion
Kansas’ largest disability advocacy group urged Gov. Sam Brownback and legislators Thursday to stop citing waiting lists for disability services as a reason to refuse Medicaid expansion. The Big Tent Coalition, which represents Kansans with all types of disabilities, said the argument is disingenuous and is being used “as a method of evading sincere debate on the merits of a customized KanCare expansion plan.” (Marso, 1/21)
New Orleans Times Picayune:
DHH Secretary 'Optimistic' About Medicaid Expansion Details After Washington Meeting
Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee said Thursday (Jan. 21) that she is "optimistic" about federal officials approving Louisiana's plans to expand Medicaid coverage to more than 400,000 people. Gee was in Washington, D.C. with Gov. John Bel Edwards to meet with federal officials about Louisiana's plans. Many of the plans Gee is proposing to speed enrollment have been done before in other states, but they require approval by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (Litten, 1/21)
Kaiser Health News:
States Simplify Medicaid Sign-Ups
Getting on Medicaid has never been so easy. In the past two years, 31 states and the District of Columbia have expanded eligibility for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, but even more have simplified sign-ups and renewals, according to a 50-state survey released Thursday. (Galewitz, 1/21)
