Healthcare
In order to accomplish these goals, states – and not the federal government – should be determining what health care system or model works best for their individual state.
At the State Government Leadership Foundation, we support access to affordable, common sense healthcare provided by the current healthcare industry. We are opposed to the over-reaching, government-run health care system that will demolish healthy competition, service quality and patient privacy. Consumers are better off when they control how their money is spent and have a broader choice of health care policies and plans. The SGLF supports healthcare reforms that protect providers from junk lawsuits, encourage innovative state programs, and promote healthier lifestyles.
As one of the largest pieces of federal and state budgets, health care is an issue that the SGLF is deeply invested in. Due to the expansion of Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP and other state and public health care programs, government is in control of a large part of the health sector.
Our current system is flawed and change must come at both the federal and state levels. Individuals and families should be able to both own and control their own health care policies and take them with them from job to job without penalties. They should also be able to purchase these plans at a price they wish to pay and that are in line with their own needs.
In order to accomplish these goals, states – and not the federal government – should be determining what health care system or model works best for their individual state.
Steps to creating a better health care system
1: Place Control and Money in Consumers’ Hands
- Limit regulations
- Provide better information to help patients and doctors make more informed treatment decisions
2: Align Expectations with Reality
- Promote fiscally responsible competition within Medicare – bids against each other
- Allow all plans greater flexibility to develop innovative plans
3: Create Accountability in the Health System
- Provide better access to affordable private insurance
- Reform medical liability system – limit malpractice awards
News & Articles
AZ House speaker: Senate-approved Medicaid bill won't pass through house
The Medicaid expansion plan
approved by the Senate late Thursday is pretty much dead on arrival at across
the courtyard, House Speaker Andy Tobin said Friday.
"I do not believe the
Senate plan, as passed, is going to be voted out,'' said Tobin, who has his own
alternative. He contends that, unlike the Senate, not enough Republicans are
willing to go counter to the wishes of the GOP majority -- and, more to the
point, the speaker himself -- to align with the Democrats to provide the
necessary votes.
That, however, remains to be
seen.
Senate Majority Leader John McComish, who put together the coalition of Republicans and Democrats that pushed the bill through his chamber, said the ideal situation would be if Tobin allows a vote on that plan. McComish said, though, he and the other four Republicans who went against the wishes of the Senate GOP majority would not have done so -- and exposed themselves to political risk -- if they thought the plan would wind up in the House trash bin. "I believe that it's not a secret that there's a coalition (in the House) that has enough numbers to vote that out,'' McComish said, just as they did in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader John McComish, who put together the coalition of Republicans and Democrats that pushed the bill through his chamber, said the ideal situation would be if Tobin allows a vote on that plan. McComish said, though, he and the other four Republicans who went against the wishes of the Senate GOP majority would not have done so -- and exposed themselves to political risk -- if they thought the plan would wind up in the House trash bin. "I believe that it's not a secret that there's a coalition (in the House) that has enough numbers to vote that out,'' McComish said, just as they did in the Senate.
Poll: 41% of small businesses are holding off on hiring because of Obamacare
Gallup surveyed 603
small-business owners last month. The topic was Obamacare. The results are in.
Forty-eight percent think that
Obamacare will be “bad for your business.”
Nine percent think it will be good for their business; 39 percent think
it will have no impact. Fifty-five percent think Obamacare will raise the
amount of money their business pays for healthcare. Thirty-seven percent think
it will have no impact; 5 percent think it will lower the amount of money their
business spends on healthcare.
These questions are about
perception, and present useful and interesting information. But the headline comes from a question not
about perception, but about action.
I quote from Gallup’s report: “When asked if they had taken any of five specific actions in response to [Obamacare], 41% of small-business owners say they have held off on hiring new employees and 38% have pulled back on plans to grow their business. One in five (19%) have reduced their number of employees and essentially the same number (18%) have cut employee hours in response to the healthcare law. One in four owners (24%) have thought about eliminating healthcare coverage for their employees” (emphasis mine). Starting in 2014, Obamacare requires firms with an average of fifty or more full-time workers in the previous calendar year – 2013; this year – to provide health insurance to their employees or face penalties. This creates what economists (and non-economists) describe as an incentive not to hire a fiftieth worker. It may even provide an incentive for firms to let a few workers go if doing so would get them under fifty workers. These poll results suggest that both are happening.
I quote from Gallup’s report: “When asked if they had taken any of five specific actions in response to [Obamacare], 41% of small-business owners say they have held off on hiring new employees and 38% have pulled back on plans to grow their business. One in five (19%) have reduced their number of employees and essentially the same number (18%) have cut employee hours in response to the healthcare law. One in four owners (24%) have thought about eliminating healthcare coverage for their employees” (emphasis mine). Starting in 2014, Obamacare requires firms with an average of fifty or more full-time workers in the previous calendar year – 2013; this year – to provide health insurance to their employees or face penalties. This creates what economists (and non-economists) describe as an incentive not to hire a fiftieth worker. It may even provide an incentive for firms to let a few workers go if doing so would get them under fifty workers. These poll results suggest that both are happening.
GOP: ObamaCare compliance burden nears 190 million hours
Complying with President Obama's healthcare law will take nearly 190 million hours per year, according to a new tally released by House Republicans. The GOP reached that total by adding together the compliance burden in each regulation implementing part of the healthcare law. They said the annual burden to comply with ObamaCare is enough time to build Mount Rushmore more than 1,500 times over, or to build the Empire State Building 27 times.
"Every hour and dollar spent complying with the Democrats’ health care law are time and resources being taken from spending time with family, growing a business and creating jobs, or caring for patients," House Republicans said in a release. Some of the 190 million hours will fall to insurance companies, some to doctors and hospitals, and some to individuals — the total represents all of the work required under all of the regulations implementing some part of ObamaCare. Some of the most burdensome provisions include changes to Medicaid eligibility, mandatory calorie labeling on restaurant menus and tax credits to help small businesses pay for health insurance.
"Every hour and dollar spent complying with the Democrats’ health care law are time and resources being taken from spending time with family, growing a business and creating jobs, or caring for patients," House Republicans said in a release. Some of the 190 million hours will fall to insurance companies, some to doctors and hospitals, and some to individuals — the total represents all of the work required under all of the regulations implementing some part of ObamaCare. Some of the most burdensome provisions include changes to Medicaid eligibility, mandatory calorie labeling on restaurant menus and tax credits to help small businesses pay for health insurance.
Medicaid expansion remains big question mark as Michigan budget debate continues
LANSING, MI -- Michigan lawmakers have worked quickly on budget bills for next fiscal year, with one notable exception: The Senate has yet to consider the Department of Community Health budget, which leaves open the question of whether the state will accept and appropriate federal funds to expand Medicaid, as proposed by Gov. Rick Snyder. Advancing a bill without funds for expansion, as the House has done, could derail the proposal, while inclusion could set up a point of debate between the chambers to be ironed out in coming weeks. Snyder is among a handful of Republican governors across the country who have backed Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Health Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, which seeks to extend coverage to millions of uninsured Americans.
Obama: There Will Be “Bumps” and “Glitches” in Obamacare
In light of negative comments made by Congressional Democrats, President Obama discussed the implementation of Obamacare at a press conference this week, explaining that “even if we do everything perfectly, there’ll still be, you know, glitches and bumps, and there’ll be stories that can be written that says, oh, look, this thing’s, you know, not working the way it’s supposed to, and this happened and that happened.” But Obamacare has been experiencing more than a few “bumps” and “glitches.” For starters, it has been over three years since Obamacare’s enactment and public opinion of the law still remains negative. A recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 40 percent of respondents still had an unfavorable view of the law, 35 percent reported a favorable view, and 24 percent reported they had no opinion on the law.
Moreover, with just six months until open enrollment for the exchanges begins, the poll found that “about half the public says they do not have enough information about the health reform law to understand how it will impact their own family, a share that rises among the uninsured and low-income households”—the two groups the law is most likely to benefit. In addition, another story about the harmful effects of Obamacare’s employer mandate is in the news. The employer mandate forces all employers with 50 or more full-time employees to offer government-approved health coverage or pay a penalty. To avoid the cost of coverage and the penalty, many employers are increasingly shifting their full-time workers to part time. As NPR reports, Rob Wilson, president of the temp agency Employco said it is impacting his business too, “Instead of saying, ‘I want one person for 40 hours a week,’ [employers are saying], ‘I’ll take two people for 20 hours or 25 hours a week.’”
Moreover, with just six months until open enrollment for the exchanges begins, the poll found that “about half the public says they do not have enough information about the health reform law to understand how it will impact their own family, a share that rises among the uninsured and low-income households”—the two groups the law is most likely to benefit. In addition, another story about the harmful effects of Obamacare’s employer mandate is in the news. The employer mandate forces all employers with 50 or more full-time employees to offer government-approved health coverage or pay a penalty. To avoid the cost of coverage and the penalty, many employers are increasingly shifting their full-time workers to part time. As NPR reports, Rob Wilson, president of the temp agency Employco said it is impacting his business too, “Instead of saying, ‘I want one person for 40 hours a week,’ [employers are saying], ‘I’ll take two people for 20 hours or 25 hours a week.’”
Part-timers to lose pay amid health act's new math
Some workers are having their hours cut so employers won't have to cover them under Obamacare. But many will benefit from the healthcare law's premium subsidies and Medicaid expansion.
Many part-timers are facing a double whammy from President Obama's Affordable Care Act. The law requires large employers offering health insurance to include part-time employees working 30 hours a week or more. But rather than provide healthcare to more workers, a growing number of employers are cutting back employee hours instead. The result: Not only will these workers earn less money, but they'll also miss out on health insurance at work. Consider the city of Long Beach. It is limiting most of its 1,600 part-time employees to fewer than 27 hours a week, on average. City officials say that without cutting payroll hours, new health benefits would cost up to $2 million more next year, and that extra expense would trigger layoffs and cutbacks in city services. Part-timer Tara Sievers, 43, understands why, but she still thinks it's wrong. "I understand there are costs to healthcare reform, but it is surely not the intent of the law for employees to lose hours," said the outreach coordinator at the El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach. "It's ridiculous the city is skirting the law."
Uncertainty Still Clouds Health Care Law
Three years after President Obama signed the health care reform law, there are concerns that the process of implementing it will be rocky. Even some of the law’s supporters are worried. Perhaps more troubling for the White House, the Affordable Care Act is still not well liked or well understood. The Obama administration had hoped that over time, the legislation would gain enough support to help smooth over the rough patches of putting it into practice. Instead, public opinion has remained mostly static: a plurality of Americans still disapprove of the law, and a substantial portion of the public remains uncertain about what it says, according to recent polls.
There is even confusion about whether the health care law is still, in fact, law. A Kaiser Family Foundation survey [PDF] conducted in April found that 41 percent of American adults did not know that the Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land. A separate tracking survey conducted by Kaiser, which has done far more surveys on health care than any other polling organization, found that roughly half of American adults said they did not have enough information about the law to understand how it will affect them. The tracking poll found that there had actually been an increase in the percentage of American adults with no opinion about the health care law.
There is even confusion about whether the health care law is still, in fact, law. A Kaiser Family Foundation survey [PDF] conducted in April found that 41 percent of American adults did not know that the Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land. A separate tracking survey conducted by Kaiser, which has done far more surveys on health care than any other polling organization, found that roughly half of American adults said they did not have enough information about the law to understand how it will affect them. The tracking poll found that there had actually been an increase in the percentage of American adults with no opinion about the health care law.
Daniel Kessler: The Coming ObamaCare Shock
Millions of Americans will pay more for health insurance, lose their coverage, or have their hours of work cut back.
In recent weeks, there have been increasing expressions of concern from surprising quarters about the implementation of ObamaCare. Montana Sen. Max Baucus, a Democrat, called it a "train wreck." A Democratic colleague, West Virginia's Sen. Jay Rockefeller, described the massive Affordable Care Act as "beyond comprehension." Henry Chao, the government's chief technical officer in charge of putting in place the insurance exchanges mandated by the law, was quoted in the Congressional Quarterly as saying "I'm pretty nervous . . . Let's just make sure it's not a third-world experience." These individuals are worried for good reason. The unpopular health-care law's rollout is going to be rough. It will also administer several price (and other) shocks to tens of millions of Americans.
Start with people who have individual and small-group health insurance. These policies are most affected by ObamaCare's community-rating regulations, which require insurers to accept everyone but limit or ban them from varying premiums based on age or health. The law also mandates "essential" benefits that are far more generous than those currently offered. According to consultants from Oliver Wyman (who wrote on the issue in the January issue of Contingencies, the magazine of the American Academy of Actuaries), around six million of the 19 million people with individual health policies are going to have to pay more—and this even after accounting for the government subsidies offered under the law. For example, single adults age 21-29 earning 300% to 400% of the federal poverty level will be hit with an increase of 46% even after premium assistance from tax credits.
Start with people who have individual and small-group health insurance. These policies are most affected by ObamaCare's community-rating regulations, which require insurers to accept everyone but limit or ban them from varying premiums based on age or health. The law also mandates "essential" benefits that are far more generous than those currently offered. According to consultants from Oliver Wyman (who wrote on the issue in the January issue of Contingencies, the magazine of the American Academy of Actuaries), around six million of the 19 million people with individual health policies are going to have to pay more—and this even after accounting for the government subsidies offered under the law. For example, single adults age 21-29 earning 300% to 400% of the federal poverty level will be hit with an increase of 46% even after premium assistance from tax credits.
Hundreds to be hired to help Arkansans enroll in insurance exchange
LITTLE ROCK — Expanding health care coverage in the state under the federal Affordable Care Act will be a massive undertaking that will require hiring hundreds of people to help guide thousands of Arkansans through an entirely new system for obtaining health insurance. Mention has often been made of the “navigators” who will help enroll people in the state’s health insurance exchange, a marketplace where people and small businesses can shop for insurance plans that suit their needs. In fact, the navigators will be just one of four different categories of helpers involved in the process in Arkansas.
Poll shows support for Medicaid expansion in Michigan, but political differences evident
LANSING, MI - A new poll says a majority of Michigan voters favor expanding Medicaid through the federal Affordable Care Act, but there are differences based on political preferences. The poll says 60 percent of voters indicated they supported Medicaid expansion after they heard a brief description of eligibility requirements and the number of working adults who would qualify for the coverage. Twenty-six percent were opposed and 14 percent were undecided. The poll was commissioned and done by EPIC-MRA of Lansing. The survey of 600 voters was conducted April 13-16 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. The poll was released Friday.
Opponents of Brewer's Medicaid plan speak out, present alternatives
Foes of the governor’s plan to expand the state’s Medicaid program laid out their objections and alternatives Thursday, including one that actually would dump thousands of people from the program who are now getting care. “We have a choice: More socialism and bigger government or more freedom and fiscal stability,” said Rep. Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, one of the leaders of an ant-expansion rally on the Capitol lawn. Sen. Kelli Ward, R-Lake Havasu City, called the care provided under Medicaid “substandard” and said entitlement programs like this “disincentivize the poor from improving themselves.” And Rep. Justin Olson, R-Mesa, said an expanded Medicaid program means more tax dollars for family planning services to be paid to Planned Parenthood which has “this mission of terminating life before it’s even born.”
Thursday’s rally came as Senate President Andy Biggs, who also opposes what Gov. Jan Brewer wants to do, drew a line in the stand. He vowed to do all he can to not even allow a vote on her proposal. Biggs’ position does give him vast powers to sideline legislation. “I’m not going to allow late introduction of a bill,” he told Capitol Media Services, pointing out the deadline for that was months ago. And Biggs said even if what the governor wants does end up at the Senate, whether from a House bill or an amendment to something else, “I never made a commitment I’d put it on the floor” for a vote. House Speaker Andy Tobin has not taken such an absolute stand. But Tobin said he would not allow a vote in his own chamber on Brewer’s plan as it now stands.
Thursday’s rally came as Senate President Andy Biggs, who also opposes what Gov. Jan Brewer wants to do, drew a line in the stand. He vowed to do all he can to not even allow a vote on her proposal. Biggs’ position does give him vast powers to sideline legislation. “I’m not going to allow late introduction of a bill,” he told Capitol Media Services, pointing out the deadline for that was months ago. And Biggs said even if what the governor wants does end up at the Senate, whether from a House bill or an amendment to something else, “I never made a commitment I’d put it on the floor” for a vote. House Speaker Andy Tobin has not taken such an absolute stand. But Tobin said he would not allow a vote in his own chamber on Brewer’s plan as it now stands.
Mo. Senate Votes Down Federal Medicaid Expansion
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Republican senators have made it clear that there will be no Medicaid expansion in Missouri this session. The Republican-led Senate voted down a Democratic attempt Monday night to insert $890 million of federal funds into Missouri’s budget to expand Medicaid eligibility to an estimated 260,000 lower-income adults.
The vote was just the latest in a series of similar defeats in the Missouri Legislature for the Medicaid expansion backed by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon and called for under President Barack Obama’s health care law. But this vote carried a bit more weight. That’s because it ensured that neither the Senate nor the House version of the budget includes the Medicaid expansion. Under legislative rules, negotiators cannot insert money into the final budget that wasn’t in either chamber’s plan.
The vote was just the latest in a series of similar defeats in the Missouri Legislature for the Medicaid expansion backed by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon and called for under President Barack Obama’s health care law. But this vote carried a bit more weight. That’s because it ensured that neither the Senate nor the House version of the budget includes the Medicaid expansion. Under legislative rules, negotiators cannot insert money into the final budget that wasn’t in either chamber’s plan.
Ever-fewer California employers offering health insurance
As the federal Affordable Care Act begins to take effect, ever-fewer California employers are offering medical insurance to their workers, according to an annual survey by the California Healthcare Foundation. From 2002 to 2012, the proportion of employers offering such coverage declined from 71 percent to 60 percent. Meanwhile, the costs of health care insurance have risen by just under 170 percent since 2002, more than five times the overall inflation rate. The average premium for single-person coverage was $545 per month in 2012, substantially more than the national average of $468, while family coverage cost an average of $1,386 in California and $1,312 nationally, the foundation said.
The survey also found that larger employers with high proportions of full-time workers were most likely to offer health insurance to workers and that deductibles tended to be much higher among small employers than among large ones. Finally, 21 percent of employers reported that they had increased the share of insurance costs borne by employees during the preceding year, while 17 percent either reduced workers' costs or absorbed increases.
The survey also found that larger employers with high proportions of full-time workers were most likely to offer health insurance to workers and that deductibles tended to be much higher among small employers than among large ones. Finally, 21 percent of employers reported that they had increased the share of insurance costs borne by employees during the preceding year, while 17 percent either reduced workers' costs or absorbed increases.
State leaders deal with consequences of rejecting Medicaid expansion in Obama health overhaul
WASHINGTON — Rejecting the Medicaid expansion in the federal health care law could have unexpected consequences for states where Republican lawmakers remain steadfastly opposed to what they scorn as “Obamacare.” It could mean exposing businesses to Internal Revenue Service penalties and leaving low-income citizens unable to afford coverage even as legal immigrants get financial aid for their premiums. For the poorest people, it could virtually guarantee they remain uninsured and dependent on the emergency room at local hospitals that already face federal cutbacks.
Concern about such consequences helped forge a deal in Arkansas last week. The Republican-controlled Legislature endorsed a plan by Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe to accept additional Medicaid money under the federal law, but use the new dollars to buy private insurance for eligible residents. One of the main arguments for the private option was that it would help businesses avoid tax penalties. The Obama administration hasn’t signed off on the Arkansas deal, and it’s unclear how many other states will use it as a model. But it reflects a pragmatic streak in American politics that’s still the exception in the polarized health care debate.
Concern about such consequences helped forge a deal in Arkansas last week. The Republican-controlled Legislature endorsed a plan by Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe to accept additional Medicaid money under the federal law, but use the new dollars to buy private insurance for eligible residents. One of the main arguments for the private option was that it would help businesses avoid tax penalties. The Obama administration hasn’t signed off on the Arkansas deal, and it’s unclear how many other states will use it as a model. But it reflects a pragmatic streak in American politics that’s still the exception in the polarized health care debate.
Passage of health care expansion came down to teamwork
LITTLE ROCK — Teamwork, not only between the state Senate and House but also between the Legislature and the governor’s office, were key in getting the health care expansion plan adopted during the legislative session that is scheduled to recess on Tuesday. Passage of the plan defied expectations of unyielding Republican opposition to any form of health care expansion under the federal Affordable Care Act. It also stood in stark contrast to gridlock in Washington.
Last fall, Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe said he supported expanding Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act. The law proposed expanding state Medicaid rolls to include everyone earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level not currently on Medicaid — an estimated 250,000 people in Arkansas. Beebe, a 20-year veteran of the state Senate who gain a reputation for being a legislative leaders and consensus builder, argued that federal health reform was going to happen and millions of taxpayer dollars could be spend on improving care for needy Arkansans or shipped out of state to help others. The federal government would pay the full cost of the expansion for the first three years, after which the state’s share of the cost would increase gradually to 10 percent.
Last fall, Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe said he supported expanding Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act. The law proposed expanding state Medicaid rolls to include everyone earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level not currently on Medicaid — an estimated 250,000 people in Arkansas. Beebe, a 20-year veteran of the state Senate who gain a reputation for being a legislative leaders and consensus builder, argued that federal health reform was going to happen and millions of taxpayer dollars could be spend on improving care for needy Arkansans or shipped out of state to help others. The federal government would pay the full cost of the expansion for the first three years, after which the state’s share of the cost would increase gradually to 10 percent.
Michigan bill expands health care providers' right to refuse care
For 35 years, Michigan law has protected health care providers who refuse to perform an abortion on moral or religious grounds. Hospitals and clinics can’t be sued. Doctors and nurses can’t lose their jobs for objecting to terminating a pregnancy. Legislation that could be voted on as early as this week in the Republican-led Legislature would extend the same legal protections for any medical service such as providing contraception or medical marijuana, or taking someone off life support. Employers and health insurers — not just medical providers — also could opt out of paying for services as a matter of conscience.
Supporters say the legislation protects religious freedom and is needed particularly in the wake of the federal health care law mandating employer-provided birth control in their health plans. Opponents counter that the bill is an overreach that wrongly lets health workers and organizations impose their beliefs on patients, putting their treatment at risk. “We feel like it’s the right balance between patient care and the rights of individuals who work in that field to have a clear conscience,” said Sen. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, sponsor of the bill pending on the Senate floor.
Supporters say the legislation protects religious freedom and is needed particularly in the wake of the federal health care law mandating employer-provided birth control in their health plans. Opponents counter that the bill is an overreach that wrongly lets health workers and organizations impose their beliefs on patients, putting their treatment at risk. “We feel like it’s the right balance between patient care and the rights of individuals who work in that field to have a clear conscience,” said Sen. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, sponsor of the bill pending on the Senate floor.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin urged to reconsider Medicaid decision
Former Oklahoma Health Commissioner Dr. Mike Crutcher joins Oklahoma House Democrats calling for Gov. Mary Fallin to expand access to Medicaid, the federal health care program for the poor.
A former state health commissioner joined Oklahoma House Democrats on Monday in calling on GOP Gov. Mary Fallin and Republican legislative leaders to expand access to Medicaid, the federal-state health care program for the poor. “This is a moral and ethical issue,” said Dr. Mike Crutcher, who served as state health commissioner from 2003 until 2009.“It is the morally and ethically right thing to do — to strive to provide health care to as many as Oklahomans as is absolutely possible,” said Crutcher, who is director of medical quality at Variety Care, a nonprofit community health center that provides health care to low-income families. “Other people in the world do it. Other states in the Union do it, and we should be able to do it also.”
Fallin decided last year not to expand Medicaid coverage, saying it would be unaffordable, costing the state of Oklahoma up to $475 million between now and 2020, and would also further Oklahoma's reliance on federal money that may or may not be available because of federal fiscal problems. The federal Affordable Care Act originally required that states, beginning in January, expand Medicaid to cover people younger than 65 with income below 133 percent of the federal poverty level. But in June, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a part of the health care law that penalized states for not expanding Medicare, which meant states could decide whether to participate.
Fallin decided last year not to expand Medicaid coverage, saying it would be unaffordable, costing the state of Oklahoma up to $475 million between now and 2020, and would also further Oklahoma's reliance on federal money that may or may not be available because of federal fiscal problems. The federal Affordable Care Act originally required that states, beginning in January, expand Medicaid to cover people younger than 65 with income below 133 percent of the federal poverty level. But in June, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a part of the health care law that penalized states for not expanding Medicare, which meant states could decide whether to participate.
Medicaid expansion in Ohio could be back in play
House Democrats plan to offer an amendment today to reinstate Gov. John Kasich’s Medicaid-expansion proposal, in hopes that they will draw a few Republican votes on the 31-member Finance Committee. Rep. John Patrick Carney, D-Columbus, said he thinks the proposal could get enough votes to pass the committee, which has 11 Democrats and 20 Republicans. He also said a majority of the House and Senate would approve a stand-alone Medicaid bill, whether an outright expansion or some type of waiver that allows for federal money to purchase private insurance — assuming that such a hybrid plan is backed by human-services experts.
“The key is whether the 275,000 additional lives would be covered, and the entire half-million folks who are planning to come onto Medicaid as a result of the woodwork effect, that they are able to get the full complement of benefits whether it’s the traditional approach versus (a hybrid),” Carney said. The “woodwork effect” is expected when the federal Affordable Care Act’s requirement that most people obtain health insurance takes effect, and those who are eligible for Medicaid but not yet signed up will actually enroll. House Republicans last week stripped Kasich’s proposed Medicaid expansion from his two-year budget bill. The plan would have covered people making up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, bringing in about$13 billion in federal money over seven years under the federal health-care law.
“The key is whether the 275,000 additional lives would be covered, and the entire half-million folks who are planning to come onto Medicaid as a result of the woodwork effect, that they are able to get the full complement of benefits whether it’s the traditional approach versus (a hybrid),” Carney said. The “woodwork effect” is expected when the federal Affordable Care Act’s requirement that most people obtain health insurance takes effect, and those who are eligible for Medicaid but not yet signed up will actually enroll. House Republicans last week stripped Kasich’s proposed Medicaid expansion from his two-year budget bill. The plan would have covered people making up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, bringing in about$13 billion in federal money over seven years under the federal health-care law.
Wyoming health exchange decision could be two years away
Wyoming legislators might take another two years before deciding whether to participate in health insurance exchange, a key Senate Republican said Friday. Legislators have already spent the better part of two years studying exchanges — virtual marketplaces where consumers can shop for insurance. Now that the state has missed the federal deadline to run an program of its own, there’s no reason to rush into a decision, said Sen. Charles Scott, who is chairing a new committee studying exchanges.
Instead, lawmakers should learn from the experience of the federal exchange set to begin operating in Wyoming next year. “Otherwise the probability we’ll screw it up ourselves is pretty high,” Scott said. The federal health reform law known as Obamacare requires states to begin running exchanges in 2014. Federal officials promise to operate exchanges on behalf of states that don’t comply. Scott doesn’t expect a final decision on exchanges before 2015 or even possibly a year after that.
Instead, lawmakers should learn from the experience of the federal exchange set to begin operating in Wyoming next year. “Otherwise the probability we’ll screw it up ourselves is pretty high,” Scott said. The federal health reform law known as Obamacare requires states to begin running exchanges in 2014. Federal officials promise to operate exchanges on behalf of states that don’t comply. Scott doesn’t expect a final decision on exchanges before 2015 or even possibly a year after that.
Montana GOP working on alternative to Medicaid expansion
HELENA – Some legislative Republicans and others are scrambling to come up with an alternative to Medicaid expansion, instead using public funds to help uninsured, low-income Montanans buy private health insurance. Yet with just 14 working days remaining until the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn, those working on the proposals say time is getting short. “Each day that goes by makes it more likely that it won’t succeed, because of procedural problems,” said Sen. Dave Wanzenried, D-Missoula, a sponsor of a Medicaid-expansion bill.
The alternatives would be in place of Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock’s proposal to expand Medicaid to extend federally funded coverage to 70,000 low-income Montanans starting next year – a proposal that the Republican-controlled Legislature has resisted. Jim Molloy, a top adviser to the governor, said Thursday the governor’s office has met with some legislators working on alternatives, and that Bullock “is willing to consider any proposals that will provide coverage for uninsured Montanans and do so in a way that begins to reform our health-care delivery system and puts Montana’s tax dollars to work creating good-paying jobs in our state.”
The alternatives would be in place of Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock’s proposal to expand Medicaid to extend federally funded coverage to 70,000 low-income Montanans starting next year – a proposal that the Republican-controlled Legislature has resisted. Jim Molloy, a top adviser to the governor, said Thursday the governor’s office has met with some legislators working on alternatives, and that Bullock “is willing to consider any proposals that will provide coverage for uninsured Montanans and do so in a way that begins to reform our health-care delivery system and puts Montana’s tax dollars to work creating good-paying jobs in our state.”
Arizona Legislature closing in on Medicaid vote
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is bringing her Medicaid expansion charm offensive back to the Capitol as her staff continues to negotiate with legislative leaders who hold the key to bringing the proposal to a vote. Thursday’s press conference and rally features mental health professionals and comes as a growing number of lawmakers are saying they believe the proposal may have the votes to pass.
They include not only minority Democrats but moderate Republicans. Those groups need to join together to overcome opposition from conservative Republicans opposed to Brewer’s embrace of a key provision of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul law. House speaker Andy Tobin disagrees, saying he thinks he’s short of votes in the House. The proposal would add about 300,000 Arizonans to the nearly 1.3 million now enrolled.
They include not only minority Democrats but moderate Republicans. Those groups need to join together to overcome opposition from conservative Republicans opposed to Brewer’s embrace of a key provision of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul law. House speaker Andy Tobin disagrees, saying he thinks he’s short of votes in the House. The proposal would add about 300,000 Arizonans to the nearly 1.3 million now enrolled.
UPDATE House OKs health care expansion proposals
LITTLE ROCK — The House on Thursday approved legislation for using Medicaid funds to subsidize private insurance for thousands of low-income Arkansans. By a vote of 62-37 on House Bill 1143, the House joined the Senate in approving enabling legislation for the so-called private option — proposed as Arkansas’ novel alternative to expanding Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act. The House later approved the identical Senate version, Senate Bill 1020, by 63-35. Both bills go to the Senate — the House bill for committee consideration and the Senate bill for concurrence in House amendments.
A more critical vote on health care expansion will come when the House considers HB 1219, an appropriation bill that would clear the way for the state to use federal money for the program. Passage would require a three-fourths majority, or 75 votes in the 100-member House — at least a dozen more votes than either version of the enabling legislation got Thursday. House Speaker Davy Carter, R-Cabot, who favors the private option, said Thursday his preference was for the House to pass the appropriation on Friday, but he said he was considering requests from some House members to delay a vote until Monday so they could visit with constituents over the weekend.
A more critical vote on health care expansion will come when the House considers HB 1219, an appropriation bill that would clear the way for the state to use federal money for the program. Passage would require a three-fourths majority, or 75 votes in the 100-member House — at least a dozen more votes than either version of the enabling legislation got Thursday. House Speaker Davy Carter, R-Cabot, who favors the private option, said Thursday his preference was for the House to pass the appropriation on Friday, but he said he was considering requests from some House members to delay a vote until Monday so they could visit with constituents over the weekend.
Snyder's plans for fixing roads, expanding Medicaid stalled by GOP
But gov remains optimistic as state budget talks resume
Lansing — Gov. Rick Snyder's efforts to expand the state's Medicaid health program and hike road funding have stalled with fellow Republicans, especially endangering the initiative to increase the government-subsidized health insurance rolls. Neither proposal has gained traction among GOP legislators opposed to higher taxes and more government entitlements or fearful of a political backlash from tea party activists, who have opposed some of Snyder's other policy initiatives, such as a new bridge to Canada.
The Medicaid and road tax efforts are the biggest issues facing the Republican-controlled Legislature as lawmakers returned here Tuesday after a two-week break, hoping to hammer out a 2014 fiscal year budget plan by June. A House Republican budget plan does not include Snyder's Medicaid expansion or request for $1.2 billion in new money for highways, bridges and local roads. On Thursday, a Senate subcommittee also is expected to approve a Department of Community Health budget without the $1.3 billion the federal government is offering initially to add 320,000 low-income residents to Medicaid.
The Medicaid and road tax efforts are the biggest issues facing the Republican-controlled Legislature as lawmakers returned here Tuesday after a two-week break, hoping to hammer out a 2014 fiscal year budget plan by June. A House Republican budget plan does not include Snyder's Medicaid expansion or request for $1.2 billion in new money for highways, bridges and local roads. On Thursday, a Senate subcommittee also is expected to approve a Department of Community Health budget without the $1.3 billion the federal government is offering initially to add 320,000 low-income residents to Medicaid.
House Republicans strip Medicaid expansion out of state budget proposal
Lansing — Gov. Rick Snyder's efforts to expand the state's Medicaid health program and hike road funding have stalled with fellow Republicans, especially endangering the initiative to increase the government-subsidized health insurance rolls. Neither proposal has gained traction among GOP legislators opposed to higher taxes and more government entitlements or fearful of a political backlash from tea party activists, who have opposed some of Snyder's other policy initiatives, such as a new bridge to Canada.
The Medicaid and road tax efforts are the biggest issues facing the Republican-controlled Legislature as lawmakers returned here Tuesday after a two-week break, hoping to hammer out a 2014 fiscal year budget plan by June. A House Republican budget plan does not include Snyder's Medicaid expansion or request for $1.2 billion in new money for highways, bridges and local roads. On Thursday, a Senate subcommittee also is expected to approve a Department of Community Health budget without the $1.3 billion the federal government is offering initially to add 320,000 low-income residents to Medicaid.
Medicaid expansion sent to governor
BISMARCK – An estimated 20,500 North Dakotans will receive health insurance once Gov. Jack Dalrymple signs a bill passed Tuesday. Senate lawmakers voted 33-14 to pass House Bill 1362, which expands Medicaid coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often called Obamacare, passed by Congress in 2010. The act provides insurance for individuals 19 to 65 who are not disabled, don’t have insurance and have an income less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Those living under 138 percent of the federal poverty level in North Dakota include an individual earning $1,285 a month, according to the Department of Human Services. If signed into law, the expansion will become effective Jan. 1 and end July 31, 2017, when federal match payments drop from 100 percent to 95 percent.