Louisiana’s Democratic Governor-Elect Readies Medicaid Expansion Push
But the path forward on expansion isn't entirely clear, especially as the state deals with a budget shortfall. The Hill also reports on how more states in the South are considering expansion.
New Orleans Times-Picayune:
John Bel Edwards Calls Medicaid Expansion 'Among The Highest Priorities'
Governor-elect John Bel Edwards called expanding Medicaid "among the highest priorities" of his new administration, though he said Sunday (Nov. 22) he may not be able to approve an expanded program on Day One. Edwards has said for months that he would accept the expansion of Medicaid, which requires executive approval, in the early days of his administration. But he said new questions have been raised about a funding mechanism the Legislature finished building in the spring. (Litten, 11/23)
The Wall Street Journal:
Louisiana Governor-Elect Vows Budget Changes
Democrat John Bel Edwards’s improbable win in the Louisiana’s governor’s race on Saturday could set off a domino chain of changes in the state, including the likely expansion of Medicaid eligibility and a call for a special legislative session to deal with a looming billion-dollar budget gap. Mr. Edwards received 56% of the votes in Saturday’s gubernatorial runoff election, defeating Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter. (Bauerlein, 11/22)
The Associated Press:
After Victory, Edwards Starts Piecing Together Transition
Fresh off a strong victory in the Louisiana governor's race, Democrat John Bel Edwards began to work Sunday on his plans for the transition .... Louisiana is awash in red ink. The state's Medicaid program for the poor, elderly and disabled is projected to be short millions needed to continue all its services this year. Next year's budget is estimated to have a $1 billion gap. And state leaders are considering a short-term bridge loan to keep money flowing to construction projects because of concerns about how investors will react to attempts to borrow money amid all the financial troubles. As he campaigned, Edwards said he wanted to unlock budget protections that keep some areas of the budget shielded from cuts, expand the state's Medicaid program to help cover some health care costs and scale back tax break programs. (Deslatte, 11/22)
The Hill:
ObamaCare Supporters See Wall Of Resistance Cracking In South
Supporters of ObamaCare are increasingly hopeful that Medicaid expansion could sweep through the deep-red South. Not a single state in the lower south has accepted the standing offer under ObamaCare to expand Medicaid to people living up to 138 percent of the poverty line, which is about $33,000 for a family of four. (Sullivan, 11/21)
And in Iowa -
The Des Moines Register:
Iowa Responds To Key Medicaid Issues
The Des Moines Register compiled key concerns discussed in the public forums that concluded last week and asked the Iowa Department of Human Services and each of the four companies that are contracted to provide Medicaid management as of Jan. 1 for response. Here are condensed versions of some of the key responses. (Clayworth, 11/21)
The Des Moines Register:
Iowa's Medicaid Providers Plead: Delay Switch
Dozens of Iowa’s health care providers voiced warnings to federal officials in meetings last week about Gov. Terry Branstad’s plan to privatize Medicaid management, one calling it an upcoming “catastrophe of monumental proportions.” “Trying to accomplish this in a two-month time frame and shoving this down the throats of providers is outrageous, unreasonable and shows no concern for the provider community or the patients we serve,” Mitch Harris of the Oncology Center of Iowa said, regarding the short turnaround for his agency to review the contracts and implement the new system. “It was poorly thought out, if thought out at all.” (Clayworth, 11/21)
Nationwide, a cystic fibrosis drug hits state Medicaid budgets -
The Associated Press:
New $710-A-Day Drug Saves Lives But Strains State Budgets
A newly approved drug is being hailed as a major advance in treatment of cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening genetic disease that clogs the lungs with mucus and forces patients to struggle to breathe. But it comes with a punishing price tag — about $710 per patient per day. The treatment takes a bite out of Medicaid programs that are already facing big budget problems, and a small state like Vermont will be on the hook next year for $3.6 million for a drug expected to treat only 40 people. Orkambi — taken as two pills, twice daily — is a combination of two cystic fibrosis drugs that won approval from the Food and Drug Administration on July 2. Federal law requires Medicaid programs to cover FDA-approved drugs, and the U.S. government picks up more than half the tab. (Gram, 11/21)