Virginia Lawmakers Mull Tightening Work Requirements As They Negotiate Medicaid Expansion
The state lawmakers returned to Richmond for a special session to iron out problems with the budget, which had been stymied by what to do with the state's Medicaid program.
The Washington Post:
Virginia Legislature Meets For A Special Budget Session And Will Decide Whether To Expand Medicaid To 400,000 Poor Virginians
Virginia’s General Assembly launched its second attempt to adopt a state budget Wednesday, kicking off a special session amid a thaw in the Medicaid standoff that brought the first go-round to a halt last month. Republicans, who control both chambers of the legislature, are split over whether to expand Medicaid to as many as 400,000 low-income Virginians; the House supports expansion while the Senate has opposed it. Those differences prevented the approval of a two-year budget during the regular session that ended March 10. (Vozzella and Schneider, 4/11)
The Associated Press:
Medicaid Expansion Still Unresolved In General Assembly
After a Republican senator switched sides last week, there is now a majority of lawmakers in both chambers who support expansion. Proponents are more optimistic than ever. “It’ll take a while, but it’ll happen,” said Democratic Sen. Dick Saslaw. But key differences remain among expansion supporters — including whether to enact a related hospital tax — and opposition among many Republicans remains strong. “There are some people that are truly dug in on the issue,” said Republican Sen. Bryce Reeves. (Suderman, 4/11)
In other Iowa and Minnesota Medicaid news —
Des Moines Register:
Iowa Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Ready To Reverse Medicaid Privatization
Six Democrats in the running to be Iowa's next governor made it seem as though nearly all the state's problems could be solved by reversing Medicaid privatization during a recent forum hosted at Simpson College. ...Audience members particularly liked a statement Cathy Glasson made while answering a general question about the state of healthcare in Iowa. "It's time to make sure every Iowan is covered with universal healthcare," Glasson said to a loud round of applause. Meanwhile, John Norris suggested Iowa start an opt-in program for Medicaid for those who can't get insurance from the marketplace. (Godden, 4/11)
Des Moines Register:
Iowa Official Compares Medicaid Complaints To Lost Luggage
A state director's remarks comparing Medicaid patients' complaints to passengers losing luggage has sparked the ire of Republican and Democrat lawmakers. Iowa Department of Human Services Director Jerry Foxhoven made the comparison twice this week as he disputed an April 2 Iowa Ombudsman report that criticized the state's privatized Medicaid system and the managed-care companies hired to administer claims. (Clayworth, 4/11)
The Star Tribune:
Medicaid Work Requirements Hotly Debated At Legislature
The debate at the Minnesota Capitol over a proposed work requirement for some on Medicaid has drawn renewed focus on 2014 — the year that more than 47,000 Minnesotans lost food stamp benefits after work requirements were reintroduced for that program. That number has now grown to 66,000 "able-bodied" Minnesota adults without dependents who have lost food stamp eligibility since the federal government reinstated work requirements that had been suspended due to high unemployment after the Great Recession. (Howatt, 4/11)
