State Medicaid Programs

Posted on June 7, 2011 by townsend

• State, feds square off in Medicaid battle, By Heather Gillers, June 5, 2011, Indianapolis Star: “Before he signed a bill cutting Planned Parenthood’s Medicaid funding last month, Gov. Mitch Daniels said the group could keep the funds if it gave up providing abortions. If Planned Parenthood wanted Medicaid money, in other words, it would have to play by Indiana’s rules. Then, the federal government turned the tables. Federal Medicaid officials rejected Indiana’s Medicaid plan because its provision to strip funding from Planned Parenthood violates federal law. If Indiana wants Medicaid money, the federal government said, the state would have to play by federal rules…”
• New Jersey seeks to shrink Medicaid, By Joel Rose, June 7, 2011, National Public Radio: “Cash-strapped states are rethinking how much health care coverage they can afford to provide for their neediest residents. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie wants to cut $500 million in Medicaid spending – in part by freezing more than 20,000 state residents out of the program. Critics say the cuts would hurt those who can least afford it. For years, New Jersey expanded health care coverage for low-income residents – people like Deborah Shupenko of Passaic. But last month, after 10 years of state-funded health insurance, Shupenko got a letter in the mail…”
• More Medicaid cuts on way: Payments to doctors will be reduced; some visits to cost patients $1 more, By Renee Dudley, June 7, 2011, Charleston Post and Courier: “Medicaid payments to doctors will be reduced by up to 7 percent and patient co-payments for some doctor visits will increase by $1 as the South Carolina Medicaid agency cuts an estimated $125 million in state costs for the fiscal year that begins next month, agency officials announced Monday. Beginning July 1, patient co-pays will increase from $2.30 to $3.30 — the maximum amount allowed by federal law — for doctor, clinic, home health and optometrist visits. And for the first time, people enrolled in some programs for the elderly and disabled will be required to make co-pays for some medical services. Starting July 8, Medicaid reimbursement rates to doctors, dentists and most hospitals will be cut for the second time in three months…”