Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Michigan's Medicaid Premiums Propel Healthier People To Drop Out
Stateline: New Premiums Prompt Some Michigan Medicaid Recipients To Drop Out
Imposing premiums on healthy Medicaid enrollees in Michigan caused an uptick in dropouts in the first six months of enrollment, according to a recent study. Charging premiums increased the percentage of healthier Medicaid enrollees leaving the program from 25% to 28% in the six months after enrollment, the study found. Michigan charges premiums ranging from $12 to $29 a month for Medicaid enrollees with incomes at or above the federal poverty line. (Ollove, 5/17)
Also —
Fierce Healthcare: Texas Sues Biden Admin Over Decision To Pull Medicaid Waiver
Texas has sued the Biden administration over its decision to revoke a waiver that extends the state’s Medicaid program. The federal lawsuit, filed Friday, calls for the waiver surrounding the state’s Medicaid program to be reinstated. It said the original decision by the Biden administration last month was without warning or proper authority. (King, 5/17)
KMOV: Missouri Legislators Point Fingers As Medicaid Expansion Efforts Abandoned In Jefferson City
Less than one year after Missouri voters approved a constitutional amendment expanding Medicaid, lawmakers have refused to fund it. The 53-47 vote in the Senate before the end of the legislative session solidified the decision, likely leaving the courts to decide. (Hecker, 5/17)
Vox: Missouri’s Medicaid Expansion Blocking Is A Warning To Biden And Democrats
n November, Missourians voted to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, granting access to health insurance to roughly 230,000 people living in poverty. Now the state’s Republican legislators are defying the will of their voters by refusing to implement the expansion. In late April, the Missouri Senate blocked funding for Medicaid expansion. Last week, Gov. Mike Parsons cited the lack of funding to justify withdrawing the expansion plan entirely. (Scott, 5/17)
Gillette News Record: Medicaid Expansion Revived Despite Flood Of Misinformation
The Legislature’s Joint Revenue Committee voted to revive Medicaid expansion Tuesday afternoon, setting it up for yet another hearing in Cheyenne. The 9-5 vote came after a full day of hearings and testimony punctuated with emotional appeals from Wyoming residents urging lawmakers to revive last session’s House Bill 162 – Medical treatment opportunity act, in a future session. (Reynolds, 5/17)
