Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Maine Governor Remains Steadfastly Intractable Over Medicaid Expansion In Face Of Two Court Rulings
The Wall Street Journal: Maine Keeps Battling Over Medicaid Expansion
Despite two state court rulings that Maine must begin to execute its voter-approved Medicaid expansion, Republican Gov. Paul LePage isn’t giving in. Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy first ordered on June 4 the governor’s administration to jump-start the planned July 2 expansion, and on Friday ruled a delay could “engender disrespect for duly enacted laws.” Mr. LePage’s administration on Monday urged the state’s Supreme Judicial Court to step in, saying it is being asked to implement a “massive new benefit program that the legislature has not yet funded.” The administration said the expansion should be put on hold pending its legal appeal. (Levitz, 6/18)
The Associated Press: LePage Asks Maine’s Top Court To Overrule Judge’s Order To Submit Medicaid Plan
Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy on Friday denied a motion filed by the LePage administration, which does not want to file a Medicaid expansion plan while the state’s high court considers its appeal in an expedited process. The LePage administration countered Monday in an appeal of that decision to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court that courts are forcing the state to implement “massive new benefits” that lawmakers haven’t funded. Last fall, nearly 59 percent of Mainers voted to expand Medicaid by July 2 to over 70,000 adults with incomes at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level. In 2017, that threshold meant $16,643 for a single person and $22,412 for a family of two. (Villeneuve, 6/18)
Meanwhile, in Texas —
Texas Tribune: Lawmakers To Address Neglect Of Medically Vulnerable Texans Following Dallas Morning News Report
From paralyzed Texans trapped in bed for hours on end to children denied care vital to keeping them alive, a recent investigation by The Dallas Morning News revealed how the state is failing to provide care for some of its most vulnerable citizens. Lawmakers will meet this month to see what they can do about it. The House Human Services Committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss the state's managed care system, in which Texas hires private companies to coordinate health care for many people on Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program. On June 27, the House General Investigating and Ethics Committee and a subcommittee of House Appropriations will discuss the newspaper's report. (Choi and Formby, 6/19)
