N.C. Republicans Offer Medicaid Expansion Bill

Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal:
GOP Proposal Would Expand Medicaid

Rep. Donny Lambeth, author of the 2016 Republican legislative initiative on Medicaid reform, has introduced a bill that would expand the state program, but require “participant contributions.” House Bill 662 was submitted late Thursday by Lambeth and three other Republican sponsors. … Lambeth, from Forsyth County and former president of N.C. Baptist Hospital, is one of the legislature’s leading health-care experts. (Craver, 4/8)

Raleigh News & Observer:
NC House Republicans File Bill To Expand Medicaid

It’s the first time prominent North Carolina Republican legislators have sought to add adults who now don’t qualify to the government health insurance program. Thirty-one states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid since the Affordable Care Act provided that option – removing millions from the ranks of the uninsured – but North Carolina under Republican control has been among the holdouts. (Bonner, 4/7)

Forbes:
In States, GOP Blocks More Medicaid Expansion

Several states led by Republican governors or GOP legislatures are still balking at Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act despite new life to increase coverage for the poor after their party’s failed “repeal-and-replace” attempt on the ACA. Efforts to expand Medicaid have died in at least four states after state legislatures in Kansas and Virginia couldn’t overcome GOP opposition last week. And in Georgia and Idaho, legislatures adjourned without considering Medicaid expansion proposals . Meanwhile, South Dakota’s Republican governor refused to call a special session to consider Medicaid expansion, media reports there say. (Japsen, 4/9)

The Fiscal Times:
How Budget Pressures Are Pushing States To Privatize Medicaid

Last year, the federal government spent $576 billion on Medicaid coverage, and that total is projected to steadily rise in the coming years. Knowing that budget cuts are likely, the pressure is on the states that are responsible for managing their Medicaid programs to find ways to lower their costs. One way to do that is by changing from a fee-for-service healthcare model to a managed care system. Today, 42 states have privately managed Medicaid, and 73 percent of the 81 million beneficiaries are now covered by private managed-care health plans, according to Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC). (Pianin, 4/9)

The Oklahoman:
Experts Worry About Future Of Oklahoma Medicaid Funding

Oklahoma could unintentionally lose hundreds of millions of dollars after privatizing part of its Medicaid system, health care experts said. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority is preparing to select a company that will eventually coordinate care for the state’s aged, blind and disabled population. However, a recently adopted federal rule cuts off an important revenue source for states that move to a managed care system. … Some health care experts worry that Oklahoma providers could lose $650 million in supplemental payments. … By restricting supplemental payments, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services encouraged states to build that money into its managed care model, according to its January rule. (Denwalt, 4/7)

The Associated Press:
Large Uptick In Medicaid Enrollment In Last Quarter Of 2016

The number of Virginians applying to enroll in Medicaid was about double during the last three months of 2016 than what state officials expected. The state’s Medicaid office said in a recent report filed to lawmakers that its processing unit had expected about 21,000 applications but instead received more than 41,000 for the publicly finance health care program for the poor. The increase was largely driven by a federal open enrollment period for health insurance. (4/10)

Tampa Bay Times:
Florida Legislature Considers New Requirements To Be Eligible For Medicaid

Medicaid recipients in Florida could soon have to meet work requirements and pay a premium to stay in the government-funded healthcare program. The Florida House is moving ahead with a plan to force able-bodied Medicaid recipients to prove they are employed, participating in job training or searching for work in order to receive benefits, the same requirements the state puts on welfare recipients. … Florida already has one of the most restrictive Medicaid programs in the nation. It is open only to adults with dependent children, pregnant women, low-income seniors and people with disabilities. (Auslen, 4/7)