As Debate Heats Up About Changes In Medicaid, Hospitals And Vulnerable Groups Raise Concerns
In California, children in the country illegally could lose some coverage that the state has put in place, and hospitals around the country are concerned about an influx in uncovered patients. Meanwhile, some advocates note that 60 percent of Medicaid spending pays for care for elderly and disabled people.
KQED:
California’s Undocumented Kids—Why They Could Be First To Lose Medical Care Under Trump
[T]he ability of Edwin and some 164,000 poor undocumented California children to see a doctor for regular medical care hangs in the balance—with several experts predicting they could be among the first to lose health coverage if the Trump administration carries out its promise to end much of Obamacare, leaving California to try to make up the difference. To be clear, the federal government does pay limited medical costs for kids in the country illegally under the restricted-scope Medi-Cal program, which is available to anyone regardless of immigration status for emergency and prenatal services only. Last May, however, California became one of a handful of states to provide state-funded full-scope Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program. (Aguilera, 1/26)
NPR:
Hospitals Worry Repeal Of Obamacare Would Jeopardize Innovations In Care
Much has been written about the 20 million people who gained health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, and what could happen to these patients if the ACA is repealed without a replacement. But some people don't realize that hospitals nationwide could take a big financial hit on several fronts, too. (Gourlay, 1/27)
Cleveland Plain Dealer:
Ohio Hospitals, Medicaid Providers Concerned About Trump Administration's Block Grant Plans
The Trump administration's plans to change the way Medicaid is funded to a lump-sum or "block grant" payment could once again leave a lot of Ohioans uninsured and burden an already-strained safety net, according to local hospitals, health policy analysts and managed care providers. Medicaid, the federally supported state-run insurance plan for low-income people, covers almost 75 million adults and children nationwide, and has expanded under the Affordable Care Act to cover many working adults who previously had no insurance. In Ohio, that includes about 3 million people and roughly 700,000 who have received coverage through expansion. (Zeltner, 1/26)
Money Magazine:
Donald Trump Wants To Radically Change Medicaid. Here's What The Program Actually Does.
Most Americans give little thought to Medicaid, which is typically viewed as an entitlement program for the poor. But it's about to get a lot more attention. ... Contrary to popular belief, Medicaid is not just a benefit for low-income Americans. It's actually the nation’s largest health care program, covering 74 million enrollees, or about one in four Americans. Some 60% of Medicaid's spending is for the elderly and the disabled, many of whom come from middle-class households. (Wang, 1/26)
Roll Call:
Medicaid Panel Eyes Challenge Of Possible Shift To Block Grants
An influential advisory panel is studying the myriad decisions that lawmakers would face if congressional Republicans carry through on their proposals for limiting the federal government’s financial responsibility for Medicaid. What lawmakers are mulling would be a “major shift in federal policy” regarding the cost of care of “vulnerable populations,” including people living in poverty and those with disabilities, said Sara Rosenbaum, chair of the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, at a Thursday meeting. (Dooley Young, 1/26)
Meanwhile, in the states --
Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal:
Federal DHHS Joins GOP Legislative Leaders In Stay Request On Expanding State Medicaid; Judge Cancels Hearing
The change in control of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to the Trump administration will likely play a pivotal role in the future of the North Carolina’s Medicaid program. N.C. Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, sued both the federal and state health and human services agencies on Jan. 13. ... Late Wednesday, the state legislative leaders and the federal DHHS filed a joint motion with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina that asks for a 60-day stay of litigation. ... U.S. District Judge Louise Flanagan said Thursday that she will not hold the hearing that had been scheduled for today in New Bern on the legal complaints related to Cooper’s request. (Craver, 1/26)
WBUR:
Baker's Health Price Cap Plan May Be Seen As A Hybrid Between A Free And Regulated Market
In the raging battle about what's next for the Affordable Care Act, some experts argue the real problem is getting little or no attention: that health care in the United States is just too expensive and neither the ACA, nor any of the replacement plans, map a strategy that promises to make it more affordable. But the rising cost of Medicaid in Massachusetts is a worry Gov. Charlie Baker can't ignore. The program, known as MassHealth, consumes 40 percent of the state budget. (Bebinger, 1/26)