Republican legislation to replace the health law could include the provision and Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price has told states he is open to them adding work requirements to their programs. Also in the news: funding for the CHIP program is on the line this year, Florida lawmakers are wrestling with funding for hospitals that have large numbers of uninsured or Medicaid patients and Tufts Health Plan will manage a Medicaid program in Rhode Island.
The Associated Press:
Lawmakers Revisiting Requiring Those On Medicaid To Work
A simple question — should adults who are able to work be required to do so to get taxpayer-provided health insurance? — could lead to major changes in the social safety net. The federal-state Medicaid program for low-income and disabled people covers more than 70 million U.S. residents — about 1 in 5 — including an increasing number of working-age adults. n a break from past federal policy, the Health and Human Services Department under Secretary Tom Price has already notified governors it stands ready to approve state waivers for “meritorious” programs that encourage work. (Alonso-Zaldivar, 4/21)
Modern Healthcare:
States May End Coverage For Kids As Federal Funds Dry Up
Several states may soon have to suspend programs that provide healthcare coverage for children unless Congress reauthorizes funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, according to a government agency. Arizona, California, Minnesota, North Carolina and the District of Columbia will run out of CHIP funding by December 2017 unless Congress approves additional funds for the program, according to a report by the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) discussed during a Thursday panel meeting. By March 2018, more than half of states are projected to exhaust their federal CHIP funds. (Dickson, 4/20)
Tampa Bay Times:
How The Legislature Could Use $1.5 Billion In Extra Medicaid Money For Something Other Than Hospitals
There’s $1.5 billion on the table that could shore up the [Florida] state budget, but the question in Tallahassee is this: How will the Legislature be allowed to use it? Both the House and Senate appear ready to use the Low Income Pool approved by the Trump administration last week to offset cuts to hospitals and free up money for other priorities. (Auslen, 4/21)
Boston Globe:
Tufts Health Plan Wins Medicaid Contract For Rhode Island
Tufts Health Plan is expanding its business in Rhode Island. The Watertown-based health insurer said Thursday that it has won a five-year contract to manage care for Rhode Island residents on Medicaid. (Dayal McCluskey, 4/20)
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