Lawmakers in Texas are trying to extend the State Children’s Insurance Program from six months of coverage to 12 months before the legislature ends session on June 1. Democratic representative Sylvester Turner said, “The bottom line is if this bill were to be passed and signed by the governor, approximately 250,000 more kids would have access to insurance.” (Source)
The Kaiser Network reports that Washington state has removed budget proposals that would have reduced Medicaid payment rates to pharmacies from 86 percent to 80 percent, reportedly the lowest level in the country. Pharmacies and HIV/AIDS patients sued the state to block the change.
Lawmakers in Missouri approved two bills that would extend or create health care provider taxes or certification fees. The bills would raise taxes for ambulance services, in-home care providers, and centers for the developmentally disabled. The taxes aren’t seen as a negative, however. The increase would draw more federal Medicaid funds to the state. (Kaiser Network)
A legislative panel in Nevada has revised the state’s Medicaid funding, agreeing to offset a shortfall by using close to $56 million from an indigent medical care account. The same committee voted to continue a 5 percent reduction in Medicaid payments to hospitals. The panel also increased funding for vision services for adults and pediatric home health services for children from low-income families. (Kaiser Network)
