Report: Blue-State Hospitals May Not See Predicted Medicaid Expansion Boost
The Wall Street Journal reports that the operating margins of these hospitals may not be improving as a result of this health law provision. Meanwhile, the Kansas Health Institute has an update on the expansion debate in Kansas.
The Wall Street Journal:
Hospitals Expected More Of A Boost From Health Law
The health law’s expansion of Medicaid in many states hasn’t benefited nonprofit hospitals in those states as expected, according to a new report by Moody’s Investors Service. Hospitals in the mostly blue states that expanded Medicaid were largely expected to benefit from fewer unpaid bills and more paying customers, but that hasn’t generally translated into better operating margins or cash flow, Moody’s found. (Weaver, 6/3)
The Kansas Health Institute News Service:
Lawmaker Pushing To Include Medicaid Expansion In Budget Negotiations
Frustrated by their inability to muster more than a handful of votes for any tax plan, Kansas Republican legislative leaders are asking rank-and-file members the “What will it take to get out of here?” question. They’re getting a variety of answers as the session, on its 103rd day, inches closer to record territory as the longest in state history. In 2002, legislators met for 107 days. (McLean, 6/2)