Montana Releases Key Plans For Medicaid Expansion
The expansion, approved by the legislature in a bitter fight this year, will now undergo public review and then will be submitted to federal officials. Several aspects could raise concerns with the Obama administration, however. Also, Utah officials say they are not going to meet their self-imposed, end-of-the-month deadline to have a plan for Medicaid expansion.
(Helena) Independent Record:
Big Tests Ahead For Montana Medicaid Expansion Plans
Montana’s plan to expand Medicaid to the working poor is under the public magnifying glass starting Tuesday, with the release of key documents needing federal approval. The state plans to offer Medicaid to as many as 70,000 working Montanans who can't afford insurance but currently make too much to qualify for Medicaid. The proposal, known as the HELP Act, narrowly passed the Montana Legislature in April and contains a couple of curve balls that federal officials haven’t agreed to. (Lutey, 7/7)
Montana Public Radio:
Feds Unlikely To Approve Montana Medicaid Expansion Plan In Its Entirety
Montana’s legislature said yes to Medicaid expansion this spring, but the state’s expansion plan still needs approval by the federal government. Today, the state made the details of its expansion plan public, and is giving the public 60 days to comment on the plan before sending it to the White House. ... The waiver Montana is requesting asks for permission to do several things that are not standard Medicaid practice. Perhaps the most contentious is requiring new Medicaid recipients to pay a premium of up to 2% of their income in exchange for coverage. (Whitney, 7/7)
The Associated Press:
Medicaid Expansion Moves Forward With Public Comment Period
The new law would accept federal funds to expand Medicaid eligibility to ... Montanans with incomes at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level, about $16,000 per year for an individual and $33,000 for a family of four. State officials said previously about 70,000 people would eligible but raised that estimate to 80,000 this week. ... In May, the Obama administration cited concerns about Montana's plan, but said it is willing to work with the state on solutions that are consistent with federal law. Agency spokesman Ben Wakana at the time said their priority will be to make sure that any waiver approval provides for coverage that is affordable and accessible for Montanans. (Bauman, 7/7)
Salt Lake Tribune:
Utah Leaders Change Medicaid Expansion Deadline Again
Utah's governor and state lawmakers will miss their self-imposed, July 31 deadline to reach a deal on Medicaid expansion. Gov. Gary Herbert and a working group of GOP legislative leaders hope to pitch a compromise plan when the 2016 Legislature opens in January, House Majority Leader Jim Dunnigan said Tuesday. For several years, state leaders have been unable to craft a plan to provide health care to Utahns who fall into a coverage gap under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). But many had pledged that this month's deadline was hard and fast. Now that, too, has been put off. (Knox, 7/7)
