Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Senators Speak Out Against Any Attempt To Require Work Requirements For Native Americans To Get Health Care
Politico: Senators Rebuke Trump Administration Over Challenge To Native Americans’ Health Care
A group of senators today pushed back against a Trump administration plan that could require Native Americans to find jobs to keep their Medicaid coverage, warning against "potentially devastating" ramifications for tribes’ access to care. The growing fight over Native Americans’ health care, detailed in a recent POLITICO report, centers on tribes’ request to be exempted from new Medicaid work rules being introduced in several states, citing Native Americans’ status as separate government. (Diamond, 4/27)
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Cuyahoga County Youth Program Faces Uncertain Future With Ohio Medicaid Changes
A 14-year-old girl had been sexually abused and hospitalized nine times for suicidal thoughts. Her mother, a working single parent, was taking off work to stay at home with the child, worried she might harm herself if left alone. The only other option was to place the girl in a residential treatment center. Then Cleveland-based Positive Education Program stepped in. A case manager from the special education and mental health organization's PEP Connections program arranged respite care so the mother got a break. The case manager coordinated programming to give the girl and her family some stability including therapy, afterschool activities and vocational training. (Borchardt, 4/30)
The State Journal-Register: Medicaid Managed-Care Reboot Pinching Pharmacies, Advocates Say
Drastic cuts in what Illinois pharmacies are paid for filling Medicaid patients’ prescriptions will cause many to lay off employees or close in coming months, pharmacy advocates say. The financial crisis for owners of independent and small-chain pharmacies has accelerated since the April 1 expansion of the state’s Medicaid managed-care program to all 102 Illinois counties, according to the Illinois Pharmacists Association. “We’ve got to fix this,” said Garth Reynolds, executive director of the Springfield-based association. “This is far and away the most egregious situation we’ve seen.” (Olsen, 4/29)
