Reality Check For Red States: Conservative Ideas For Medicaid Aren’t All Getting A Free Pass From CMS
While CMS has been encouraging states to request waivers from some federal restrictions on their Medicaid program, recent decisions by CMS Administrator Seema Verma indicate that not every plan will get a green light. Meanwhile, the White House's rescissions plan faces a make-or-break moment on Tuesday. And Medicaid news comes out of Virginia and Iowa, as well.
The Hill:
Red States Find There’s No Free Pass On Medicaid Changes From Trump
Red states are getting a reality check from the Trump administration in just how conservative they can remake their Medicaid programs. Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rejected a request from Kansas to limit Medicaid eligibility to just three years. CMS Administrator Seema Verma followed up on the Kansas decision by saying the administration will not allow any states to impose lifetime limits on Medicaid. (Weixel, 5/22)
Politico Pro:
White House Cutback Plan Hinges On Kids’ Health Insurance
It’s nearly judgment day for the White House’s ambitious package of spending cuts. Republicans on Capitol Hill will be handed a decision Tuesday that could seal the fate of the Trump administration’s plan to claw back $15.3 billion in unspent federal money. The Government Accountability Office will formally weigh in on whether the White House’s package of rescissions, H.R. 3 (115), follows strict budget rules in Congress — and whether it will be able to bypass the Senate’s filibuster. (Ferris, 5/21)
The Associated Press:
Virginia Leaders Propose Spending Plan That Expands Medicaid
Top Republican lawmakers in Virginia unveiled a new budget proposal Monday that will expand Medicaid, give state workers raises and boost the state’s rainy-day fund. Sen. Emmett Hanger and Del. Chris Jones said they’d hammered out a compromise spending plan they hope will have the support of a majority in both chambers of the General Assembly. The plan will face its first big hurdle Tuesday when the Senate reconvenes. Republican Senate leaders oppose Medicaid expansion and could try to block the proposed spending plan. (Suderman, 5/21)
Richmond Times-Dispatch:
Hanger, Jones Agree On Budget Compromise To Expand Medicaid In Va., Boost Reserves And Provide Raises For Teachers, State Employees
The stage is set for a showdown in the Virginia Senate on Tuesday over a budget compromise negotiated by Senate Finance Co-Chairman Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta, and House Appropriations Chairman Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, to expand the state’s Medicaid program and pay for the state’s share through a new tax on hospital revenues that also would boost Medicaid payments for inpatient provider care. The proposal, hammered out over almost a week of negotiations between Hanger and Jones, also would bank an expected $500 million revenue windfall to boost Virginia’s reserve funds to almost $1 billion. (Martz, 5/21)
Des Moines Register:
Centene To Replace AmeriHealth As Iowa Medicaid Manager
Iowa has picked one of the country’s largest health-care companies to help run its Medicaid program. The Iowa Department of Human Services announced Monday that a subsidiary of Centene will replace AmeriHealth Caritas, starting in July 2019. AmeriHealth decided to leave the state last fall, after losing hundreds of millions of dollars covering care for more than 200,000 poor or disabled Iowans on Medicaid. (Leys, 5/21)
Des Moines Register:
Iowa Poll: Education, Health Care, Mental Health Worry Dem Primary Voters
The vast majority of likely Democratic primary voters say cuts to education spending, inadequate and unaffordable health care, and inadequate mental health facilities are major threats to Iowa's future, according to a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll. Other issues that worry a majority of these governor's race primary voters: privatized Medicaid, restrictions on abortion, water quality, a lack of well-paying jobs and inadequate spending on infrastructure. (Petroski, 5/21)
