Medicaid Expansion Plans Falter In Wyoming, Kansas
A proposal to accept federal money to expand the health program in Wyoming dies in the state House of Representatives, as it already had in the Senate. In Kansas, the lawmaker overseeing the committee with jurisdiction over the issue declines to hold hearings. Medicaid also makes news in Ohio, Georgia and Illinois.
The Associated Press:
Wyoming House Defeats Medicaid Expansion Budget Amendment
The Wyoming House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a proposal to expand the federal Medicaid program. Sponsor Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, floated the proposed budget amendment to commit Wyoming to a two-year expansion of Medicaid. Zwonitzer said going into Thursday's hearing that he didn't expect it to pass, but he wanted to give House members on both sides of the critical issue a chance to be heard. (Neary, 2/19)
The Kansas Health Institute News Service:
Hopes Dimming For Medicaid Expansion In Kansas
The chairman of a Kansas House committee holding three Medicaid expansion bills says he has no current plans to have hearings on any of the proposals. (McLean, 2/20)
CNN:
Kasich Defends Ohio's Use Of Medicaid Expansion Money
In an interview with CNN's Gloria Borger, Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) responds to Sen. Rand Paul's (R-KY) criticism of Ohio's use of Medicaid expansion money. (2/20)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Drop In Medicaid Pay Hurts Georgia Doctors
Family doctors and pediatricians across Georgia will lose out on tens of millions of dollars aimed at helping them care for the poor unless state lawmakers take action in the coming weeks. (Anderson, 2/20)
The Associated Press:
Rauner Budget Strikes At Illinois Hospitals, Nursing Homes
In proposing to cut Illinois' Medicaid program by $1.5 billion, Gov. Bruce Rauner has chosen to go toe-to-toe with three powerful business lobbies: retail pharmacies, nursing homes and hospitals. The Republican wants to reinstate service cuts temporarily made to Medicaid in 2012 and later restored by the Legislature and his Democratic predecessor, Gov. Pat Quinn. That would eliminate — again — optional Medicaid services such as adult dental care and podiatry. (Johnson, 2/22)
And on state health insurance enrollment efforts -
The Pioneer Press:
MNsure Year Two: Better, But Problems Persist
By last year's extremely low bar, this year's MNsure enrollment period was a technological success. The health insurance exchange's website crashed less often and had fewer bugs, and would-be enrollees got their calls for help answered in minutes instead of hours. (Montgomery, 2/21)
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Work Continues For Insurance Counselors Faced With Last-Minute Push
Open enrollment may be officially over, but work continues for those who help consumers sign up for health insurance. To help people navigate their insurance options, President Barack Obama’s health law provides funding for enrollment counselors to work one-on-one with consumers. (Shapiro, 2/22)
