Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Questions Arise Over Private Medicaid Plans
The Miami Herald: Medicaid Privatization May Pose Risk To Those With Complicated Health Needs
Florida’s decision to privatize government-subsidized healthcare for more than 3 million Medicaid recipients will lower costs and improve care, state leaders say. But the new managed care system is also exposing some Floridians in Medicaid, the state/federal insurance program for children, the poor and disabled, to the uncertainties of the private market for the first time. (Nehamas, 12/21)
The Texas Tribune: One Fired, Three Sent Home As 21CT Fallout Widens
Gov. Rick Perry on Friday fired Doug Wilson, inspector general of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, following the removal of Wilson's former deputy after questions arose over the selection of a relatively unknown company for a $110 million Medicaid fraud software contract. ... The action came one day after a series of explosive moves. On Thursday, state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, asked the state's public integrity unit to investigate how 21 Century Technologies Inc. came to receive the $110 million contract. (Langford, 12/19)
North Carolina Health News: New Study Supports Medicaid Expansion
Not only patients, but hospitals, health care providers and even restaurants, construction companies and retail outlets would benefit if North Carolina expands the Medicaid program, according to a new study from two of the state’s largest health care foundations. ... Currently, North Carolina covers about 1.8 million low-income children, their parents, people with disabilities and poor elderly who mostly live in nursing homes. Expansion would extend health coverage to parents who make more than 50 percent of the federal poverty level ($9,895 for a family of three), as well as childless adults without disabilities. (Hoban, 12/19)
