Medicaid Block Grants Advocated By GOP Could Reduce Federal Spending By $150B Over 5 Years
The analysis by consulting firm Avalere also suggests states would have to put in more money to keep the same services. In other news, efforts to overhaul the health law raise concerns about new Medicaid coverage among the homeless, Medicaid issues are on the agenda in the Kansas legislature and a doctor staffing company agrees to pay $60 million to settle allegations that it overbilled Medicaid and Medicare.
The Hill:
Study: Medicaid Block Grants Would Save Feds $150 Billion
A Republican proposal to fund Medicaid through block grants could save the federal government more than $100 billion over five years, according to a new analysis released Monday. The analysis from healthcare firm Avalere Health shows that if Medicaid were funded through block grants instead of through the open-ended commitment the program receives now, the federal government would save $150 billion by 2022. Similarly, shifting to per capita caps, in which states would receive a set amount of money per beneficiary, would save $110 billion over five years. (Hellmann, 2/6)
Morning Consult:
GOP Medicaid Funding Proposals Could Save $150 Billion, Analysis Finds
Republicans in Congress have proposed shifting how Medicaid works, arguing that would put states more in control of the program. ... The proposal does face strong opposition, and not only from Democrats. AARP, the interest group representing senior citizens, wrote in a letter to lawmakers last week that they opposed block grants and per capita caps. Avalere’s analysis shows that under such proposals, many states would have to chip in more of the funds for Medicaid. (McIntire, 2/6)
Earlier KHN coverage: Everything You Need To Know About Block Grants — The Heart Of GOP’s Medicaid Plans
NPR:
Medicaid Expansion That Helped Homeless Is In Jeopardy
Everyone expects Congress to change the Affordable Care Act. But no one know exactly how. The uncertainty has one group of people especially concerned — the homeless. Many of these people received health coverage for the first time under Obamacare. They're worried it will disappear. (Fessler, 2/7)
KCUR:
Plan To Restore KanCare Cuts Comes With Delay
Kansas legislators are weighing plans to restore cuts to Medicaid, but health care providers may not see the extra boost until 2018 or even 2019. The Senate’s budget committee heard testimony Monday on Senate Bill 94, which would increase a fee on HMO insurance plans to draw down federal funds and replace the cuts made to KanCare, the state’s privatized Medicaid program. The bill as written would enact the fee increase as soon as possible — even making it retroactive to the beginning of the year. But the money wouldn’t make its way to Medicaid providers until 2018. (Marso, 2/6)
KCUR:
Legislators To Debate KanCare Expansion Amid Uncertainty About Obamacare Repeal
KanCare expansion advocates say confusion in Washington, D.C., is helping their cause as they gear up for Statehouse hearings this week on an expansion bill. They say legislation sponsored by several Republican U.S. senators that would retain parts of the Affordable Care Act is evidence that some in the GOP are having second thoughts. So too is the fact that Republican governors in Indiana and Ohio are seeking approval from the Trump administration to keep their expanded programs in place. (McLean, 2/6)
Modern Healthcare:
TeamHealth Will Pay $60 Million To Settle CMS Overbilling Claims
Physician staffing giant TeamHealth Holdings will pay $60 million to settle allegations that a hospitalist services provider it acquired overcharged the CMS. IPC, a physician group practice TeamHealth purchased in 2015, allegedly encouraged its hospitalists to overbill Medicare and Medicaid, according to the U.S. Justice Department. According to the lawsuits, IPC encouraged its hospitalists to bill for their services at the highest possible levels. In some cases IPC hospitalists billed for more services in one day than could possibly have been provided in a 24-hour period. (Castellucci, 2/6)
