Life Of Idaho Couple With Job Problems And No Insurance: ‘I Just Want Stability’
The Idaho Statesman profiles a well-educated couple facing the effects of diabetes and poor job prospects who are caught in the Medicaid gap. Meanwhile, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) says he has a health care plan that would let people buy into states' Medicaid plans. In New England, Maine Republicans are raising concerns about a referendum to expand Medicaid, and a New Hampshire official said federal officials were not responsive to the state's questions about expansion.
Idaho Statesman:
For Idaho Couple Caught In Medicaid Gap, Life Is About Just ‘Hanging On’
[Bernice] Olivas is an adjunct professor of English at Boise State University. She has her Ph.D. and works between two and four part-time jobs when school is in session; three of them dry up during the long, hot summers. [Logan] Carraway is an unemployed software engineer, laid low by advanced diabetes. They do not have medical insurance. ... For Olivas and Carraway and their sons, Gareth, 12, and Osiris, 10, the key to stability — to financial security, to the middle class, to a life without fear — is medical insurance for all of them. The boys are covered under the federal Medicaid program. Their parents are among the 78,000 Idahoans who are not, as Idaho’s lawmakers have consistently declined to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. (La Ganga, 8/22)
Vox:
Sen. Schatz’s New Health Care Idea Could Be The Democratic Party’s Future
Democrats are ready to go on the health care offensive. And Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) may have a new plan for them to do it. In an interview with Vox, Schatz revealed that he’s preparing a new bill that could grant more Americans the opportunity to enroll in Medicaid by giving states the option to offer a "buy-in" to the government program on Obamacare's exchanges. His proposal would expand the public health insurance program from one that covers only low-income Americans to one open to anyone seeking coverage, depending on what each state does. (Kliff and Stein, 8/22)
Maine Public:
Republican Lawmakers Question Wording Of Medicaid Ballot Question
A group of Republican lawmakers, and former GOP party chairman Rick Bennett, are questioning the wording of the citizen initiated ballot question expanding Medicaid coverage. The group says the proposed wording talks about Medicaid as health insurance instead of what they say it is — a welfare program. They want all references to insurance out of the ballot question. (Leary, 8/22)
New Hampshire Public Radio:
DHHS Commissioner: State Asked CMS For Clarity On Medicaid Funding Throughout 2016, Never Got It
Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeff Meyers said he made multiple attempts throughout 2016 to clarify whether the federal government approved of New Hampshire’s use of provider donations to fund its current Medicaid expansion plan — but the agency never gave him a definitive "yes" or "no" answer last year. (McDermott, 8/22)
