Kansas’ Medicaid Expansion Plan Could Be Budget Neutral, Study Finds

Wichita Eagle: Study: Medicaid Expansion Would Be Budget Neutral, Possibly A Moneymaker
A study released Tuesday shows Medicaid expansion could not only be budget neutral but could potentially turn into a moneymaker for the state. The study runs contrary to popular belief by some Kansas politicians who say expansion is too expensive and therefore not possible given the state’s budget problems. ... Six Kansas health foundations – including the Wichita-based Kansas Health Foundation – commissioned Manatt Health Solutions to study the financial impact of Medicaid expansion in Kansas. Manatt evaluates Medicaid expansion for states and foundations across the country. (Dunn, 12/8)

Kansas City Star: Consultants Think Kansas Could Expand Medicaid Without Additional Cost; GOP Lawmaker Claims Bias
Kansas could expand Medicaid coverage in the state through 2020 without spending any additional state money, a new study concludes. The study was conducted by Manatt Health, a consulting firm. It says the costs of expanding Medicaid would be covered by reduced state spending on mental health treatment, prisoners’ care, and other savings. ... House Speaker Ray Merrick said in a statement that the survey was conducted by a “left wing” law firm. “The ‘study’ is not objective or a scholarly effort; it (is) designed to lobby an agenda and should be treated as such,” the statement said. (Helling, 12/8)

SDPB Radio: Daugaard Proposes Medicaid Expansion In $4.8-Billion Budget
For the first time in three years, Governor Dennis Daugaard says South Dakota’s budget may be able to handle additional Medicaid patients. He says if things work out, he would look at including eligible state residents into Medicaid, if they make too much for traditional help, but still don’t have access to health care. “My budget proposes $373-million in additional federal fund expenditure authority, and 55 full-time equivalencies to handle the new eligible. No state general funds are proposed. I also want to be clear this is not a done deal. Our talks with the federal government have been promising, but there’s still work to be done, and there’s still the potential for this to fall through. Expansion costs must be covered by our current general fund budget or I will not support it." (Bultena, Ellenbolt, Hetland and Ray, 12/8)

Sioux Falls (S.D.) Argus Leader: Daugaard Encourages Medicaid Expansion
Tens of thousands of low-income South Dakotans could gain access to subsidized health care plans if the federal government agrees to a plan by Gov. Dennis Daugaard. Daugaard announced a plan to expand Medicaid in the state Tuesday during an address to unveil the Republican governor's $4.8 billion budget plan. ... Daugaard said he wouldn't move forward with expansion if it required additional state general fund dollars. And he said the state's Native American tribes and South Dakota legislators would also have to agree to the deal. (Ferguson, 12/8)

Arkansas News: Hutchinson Says He Favors Assets Test, Other Restrictions On Medicaid Expansion
Any new version of Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion should include an assets test, among other restrictions, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Tuesday. In a speech at the 2015 Arkansas Medicaid Education Conference in Little Rock, Hutchinson gave an updated list of items he wants to see included if Arkansas is to continue accepting federal money for Medicaid expansion. The state’s current Medicaid expansion program, known as the private option, is slated to end Dec. 31, 2016. (Lyon, 12/8)

Arkansas Online: In Plan, No Care For Nonpayers; Governor Also Wants Review Of Private-Option User Assets
Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Tuesday that he wants Arkansas to impose "lockout" periods for private-option participants who fail to pay their insurance premiums. The state also should "fight" to gain federal approval to consider applicants' assets, as well as income, in determining eligibility for coverage, the governor said. And he expressed support for offering vision and dental benefits to certain enrollees to encourage work or healthy behavior and for charging premiums or copayments to enrollees with incomes below the poverty level. (Davis, 12/9)