SPN Medicaid Exchange
June 15, 2009
What's New in Medicaid
And Other Health Care Issues
State think tanks that would like to distribute free copies of NCPA's Handbook on State Health Care Reform, to state legislators, public officials or stakeholders, please contact Devon Herrick (devon.herrick@ncpa.org). The NCPA currently has 30 boxes of 30. Recipient to pay shipping. |
More Lessons from Massachusetts: Longer waiting times in Boston, lack of access to doctors…read more from John Goodman and Greg Scandlen.
Senator Kennedy's new health care bill would involve a massive expansion of Medicaid. Read John Goodman's health blog and more on health reforms being considered in Congress.
A Recent RAND Study on Out-of-Pocket Health Care Spending does not tell the whole story, says Greg Scandlen. Read more here.
Another RAND study concludes that patients only receive half of recommended care, but not a single outcome of care was analyzed, says David McKalip. Read here.
Neither Medicaid nor Medicare guarantees a low-cost ride through retirement, says a new NCPA brief analysis. Read more.
Update on State Reforms
States are cutting their budgets by more than they have in 30 years. Medicaid is currently their second-largest expense. Read more.
Indiana: One out of every six Hoosiers are on Medicaid, potentially creating a $289 million shortfall in the program. Read more.
Louisiana: A lawmaker is proposing a hike in the cigarette tax to fun Medicaid providers in the state.
Michigan: Despite more Michiganians piling onto the Medicaid rolls, fewer doctors are treating or accepting new patients. Read more.
New York: The state owes $28.6 million in Medicaid money to New York City for home health care expenses, says an appeals court. Read more.
North Carolina: Adults receiving dental services through the Medicaid program could feel the bite of budget cuts, if a proposal included in a House subcommittee becomes law. Read more.
Other News
- John Goodman's Health Blog: How Would You Like to be in Medicaid?
- Obama's Health Cost Illusion
- California: State is Still Eligible for Medicaid Money
- Illinois: Governor's Panel Likely to Seek Pension, Medicaid Cuts
- New Jersey Recalculating Hospital Medicaid Payments
- Texas: Medicaid Patients Have Trouble Finding Doctors in Dallas Area
- West Virginia: Retain Innovative Medicaid Plan
- Delaware: Walgreen's to Stop Filling Medicaid Prescriptions
- Sanofi-Aventis Settles Medicaid Price Dispute
- Man Pleads Guilty to Billing Medicaid for Bail Money
Be Prepared
Order a copy of the NCPA Handbook on State Health Care Reform here.
Sign up for John Goodman's health policy blog at: http://www.john-goodman-blog.com
Take Advantage of the NCPA's Medicaid Service Center
The NCPA's Medicaid Service Center can help state-based think tanks with commentaries, policy papers and speakers for briefings. Those interested in exploring further should contact Devon Herrick at (972) 308-6470.
Links of Interest
- Center for Long-Term Care Reform, Inc.
- Center for Health Transformation
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- Consumers for Health Care Choices
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health)
- National Association of State Medicaid Directors
What the Other Side Says
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
- Families USA - Medicaid and Children's Health
- The Commonwealth Fund
- The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured