Last week President Barack Obama proposed to cut $313 billion from Medicaid and Medicare over the next 10 years as part of so-called health reform, in addition to the $635 billion in cuts in his FY 2010 budget. (Source) The president proposes to expand coverage to "millions" who don't have it, while bringing down the cost of care. How does he intend to accomplish these seemingly opposing goals? Among other things, limiting growth of Medicare's fee-for-service payments and cutting subsidies to … [Read more...] about Obama Proposes Medicaid and Medicare Cuts
Texas Senate Approves SCHIP Boost
The Houston Chronicle reports that the Texas Senate approved a bill to increase enrollment in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) last week. The bill would raise the income eligibility limits from $44,000 to $66,000 for a family of four. An additional 80,000 uninsured children would be covered if the House approves the bill and the governor signs it into law. "Critics" of the bill are worried that parents who can afford private insurance will sign up for SCHIP, crowding out … [Read more...] about Texas Senate Approves SCHIP Boost
State Medicaid News Round-Up
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 … [Read more...] about State Medicaid News Round-Up
“Compassionate” Bureaucratism
If you have ever had the notion that regulators care about your residents, consumers and/or patients, look at this for a reality check. (AP) - A New York City doctor's flat-fee, $79-a-month medical practice has run afoul of state insurance regulators who have told him to shut it down. Dr. John Muney said Wednesday he's negotiating to try to keep the arrangement at his AMG Medical Group centers. The fee includes unlimited office visits, some tests and in-office surgeries. It doesn't … [Read more...] about “Compassionate” Bureaucratism
Funding Troubles for Texas Nursing Homes
The Houston Chronicle published a story last Sunday on funding problems in Texas nursing homes. It seems that Medicaid payments have not kept up with increasing health care costs. Reimbursements are too low for some providers to stay in business. Sixty nursing homes have shut their doors in the past three years. Texas Health and Human Services Commission spokesperson Stephanie Goodman said, "The nursing home rate that we have in Texas does not, and has not for a long time, fully cover the … [Read more...] about Funding Troubles for Texas Nursing Homes
Obama Reverses Bush’s SCHIP Policy
Last week, President Barack Obama issued a memorandum lifting President George Bush's directives on limiting expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), potentially adding up to four million children. (Source) Obama also signed a bill into law reflecting these changes. The new law reauthorizes and expands SCHIP, offers dental care to children who don't receive it under private insurance plans, and gives states the option to eliminate a five-year waiting period for … [Read more...] about Obama Reverses Bush’s SCHIP Policy
Medicaid and Protection of Spouse’s Income and Assets
Late last month, there was a disturbing article in The New York Times regarding Medicaid and the protection of a spouse's income and assets when the Medicaid beneficiary lives at home rather than in a nursing home. According to the article, one state Health Department spokesman said the following: “They’re saying if you put your spouse in a nursing home, you’re going to get to keep more income than if you keep your spouse out of a nursing home,†said Mark L. Kissinger, deputy … [Read more...] about Medicaid and Protection of Spouse’s Income and Assets
Medicaid Enrollment Climbs During Recession
As expected, Medicaid enrollment grew by 5-10 percent in several states in the past year because of the recession. (Kaiser Network) Sixteen of the 40 states that responded to a New York Times survey reported at least a 5 percent increase in Medicaid enrollment in the past year. States also reported an increase in State Children's Insurance Program (SCHIP) enrollment. Consequently, states experienced a large number of people trying to enroll, swamping social services agencies. States may … [Read more...] about Medicaid Enrollment Climbs During Recession
SCHIP Bill Would Bar New Physician-Owned Hospitals
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that would reauthorize and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The measure, which passed by a vote of 289 to 139, would expand coverage for children from families with incomes of up to three times the federal poverty. Such an expansion would cover three million more children. The Kaiser Network reported yesterday that the House version of the SCHIP bill would prohibit the construction of new … [Read more...] about SCHIP Bill Would Bar New Physician-Owned Hospitals
Congress Reauthorizes and Expands SCHIP
Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that would reauthorize and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The Kaiser Network reports that the measure passed by a vote of 289 to 139. Children from families with incomes of up to three times the federal poverty level would qualify for SCHIP, a move that likely would cover three million more children. Under the bill, SCHIP would be extended for four-and-a-half years and cost $57.3 million, a … [Read more...] about Congress Reauthorizes and Expands SCHIP
