- Indiana law to cut Planned Parenthood funding is blocked, By Robert Pear, June 24, 2011, New York Times: “A federal judge ruled Friday that the State of Indiana could not cut off money for Planned Parenthood clinics providing health care to low-income women on Medicaid. The judge, Tanya Walton Pratt of the Federal District Court in Indianapolis, blocked provisions of a new state law that penalized Planned Parenthood because some of its clinics performed abortions. The law, she said, conflicts with the federal Medicaid statute, which generally allows Medicaid beneficiaries to choose their health care providers. Planned Parenthood provides services other than abortion, including family planning and screenings for cancer and sexually transmitted diseases. In issuing a preliminary injunction late Friday, Judge Pratt said the state law ‘will exact a devastating financial toll on Planned Parenthood of Indiana and hinder its ability to continue serving patients’ general health needs…'”
- Arizona Medicaid: New attempt made to block cuts, By Mary K. Reinhart, June 28, 2011, Arizona Republic: “Attorneys for low-income Arizonans filed a motion in Maricopa County Superior Court on Monday to stop sweeping cuts to the state’s Medicaid program from taking effect Friday. It may be the last chance for more than 135,000 people expected to lose coverage in the coming year under the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, which Gov. Jan Brewer and state lawmakers cut by more than $500 million to balance the budget. Attorneys for three public-interest groups argue that Brewer and lawmakers are violating the state Constitution and the will of voters, who in 2000 agreed to expand AHCCCS and extend health care to everyone earning less than the federal poverty level. The Arizona Supreme Court last Friday declined to accept a similar case, without explanation…”
Tag: Family planning
State Medicaid Programs
- 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…”
Medicaid Funding – Indiana
U.S. says new Indiana law improperly limits Medicaid, By Robert Pear, June 1, 2011, New York Times: “The Obama administration prohibited the State of Indiana on Wednesday from carrying out a new state law that cuts off money for Planned Parenthood clinics providing health care to low-income women on Medicaid. The state law penalized Planned Parenthood because some of its clinics also perform abortions. Dr. Donald M. Berwick, administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the state law imposed impermissible restrictions on the freedom of Medicaid beneficiaries to choose health care providers. The freedom of choice, he said, is generally guaranteed by the federal Medicaid law. But state officials said Wednesday that they intended to continue enforcing the state law, which took effect on May 10, when it was signed by Gov. Mitch Daniels, a Republican…”