Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
There's A 'Poison Pill' Tucked Into Michigan's Medicaid Work Mandate Bill That Could Kill Expansion Altogether
Detroit Free Press: Provision In Medicaid Bill Could End Benefits Entirely
Tucked into the bill that requires able-bodied Medicaid recipients to work at least 80 hours a month is a provision that could kill the state's Healthy Michigan plan altogether. The poison pill would end the Medicaid expansion that was approved by the Legislature in 2013, which covers 680,000 Michiganders with health care, if the federal government fails to approve a waiver within 12 months. (Gray, 6/8)
Des Moines Register: Iowa Auditor To Examine Estimated Savings From Privatized Medicaid
Iowa's state auditor has agreed to look into the see-sawing estimates of how much Iowa taxpayers are saving by having private companies run the state's $5 billion Medicaid program. Department of Human Services leaders last month abruptly tripled their estimate of those annual savings, from $47 million to $140.9 million, without explanation. (Leys, 6/8)
The CT Mirror: Feds OK First Stage Of New Connecticut Hospital Taxing System
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, commonly known as CMS, approved a significant increase in the state’s annual tax on hospitals — from roughly $556 million to $900 million. Federal officials must weigh in on this because Connecticut will redistribute much of that revenue right back to its hospital industry. (Phaneuf, 6/8)
The Washington Post: Kayla McKeon Is First Capitol Hill Lobbyist With Down Syndrome
There are thousands of lobbyists in Washington, legions of well-connected pros who are hired by special interest groups to vigorously advocate for issues. Perhaps nobody in those ranks is more committed to their cause than Kayla McKeon, the first registered Capitol Hill lobbyist with Down syndrome. “I make personal connections, tell personal stories,” said McKeon, 30, who works for the D.C.-based National Down Syndrome Society. “It’s hard for them to say no.” McKeon, a New York native, has already shown her lobbying chops by helping to get a bill signed into law in December that allows people with disabilities to save greater amounts of money without penalty to their Medicaid benefits. (Klein, 6/8)
