Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Ohio Managed Care Plans Get Good Grades From State Medicaid Officials
The Columbus Dispatch: State's Managed Healthcare Plans Score Average Or Better On Report Card
CareSource provides the best care to keep kids healthy, including immunizations, well-child visits and dental exams. United Healthcare patients are most satisfied with the access they have to care when they need it. All five managed care plans serving about 2.4 million poor and disabled Ohioans on Medicaid scored average or better for how happy patients were with their doctors and how well they communicated and involved them in decisions about their care. Medicaid officials released the state’s second annual report card of managed-care plans Thursday. (Candisky, 8/19)
The Associated Press: DHS Waives Sanctions At Start Of Iowa’s New Medicaid System
The state agency overseeing Iowa’s transition to a privatized Medicaid program waived any possible sanctions against three insurance companies during the first two months of the new system, and it didn’t inform health advocates or lawmakers about the plans. The Iowa Department of Human Services issued no written warnings or corrective action plans in April and May to the insurance companies that now run the state’s Medicaid program, according to information obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request. Fees for any purported violations were also waived. (Rodriguez, 8/21)
AL.com: Alabama Senate Approves Bentley's Lottery Bill
The Alabama Senate on Friday passed a lottery bill proposed by Gov. Robert Bentley, capping off the first week of a special session called by the governor. The bill, which was amended substantially before the vote, will now go on to the House of Representatives. ... The initial bill would have seen all lottery revenue go to the general fund. But amendments to the bill approved by the Senate on Friday diverted millions of dollars in anticipated revenue to the Education Trust Fund and Medicaid. (Sheets, 8/19)
Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser: Alabama Senate Approves Lottery Bill
After a lengthy debate – and an unusually large number of amendments -- the Senate Friday evening voted 21 to 12 for a constitutional amendment backed by Gov. Robert Bentley that would, if approved, establish a state lottery aimed at shoring up the General Fund and closing a Medicaid shortfall threatening doctors’ practices around the state. ... Should it win final approval, the lottery would go to state voters for approval in the fall. Final approval must take place by Aug. 24 for the lottery to make it on the Nov. 8 ballot. (Lyman, 8/19)
