Hill GOP Tells CMS That States Should Not Be Penalized For Medicaid Backlogs
The lawmakers say problems getting through new applications are the federal government's fault and states should be not held responsible, The Hill reports. Also, two Republican House members offer a bill to limit federal funding of insurer protections in the law.
The Hill: Could States Be Penalized For Medicaid Backlog Under O-Care?
Top Republicans are asking the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services if it is considering penalizing states with a backlog of new Medicaid applications under ObamaCare. Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich) and Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) say the backlog is the federal government’s fault and wrote to CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner on Wednesday saying it would be unfair to penalize states (Al-Faruque, 5/22).
The Hill: GOP Lawmakers Aim To Limit ACA Insurer Protections Funds
A new bill proposed by two Republican lawmakers would ensure an ObamaCare program to temporarily protect insurers from losses only uses funds it collects. Reps. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Leonard Lance (R-N.J.) say their bill H.R. 4406, also known as the Taxpayer Bailout Protection Act, will impose restrictions on Obamacare's Temporary Risk Corridors Program by making sure it is budget neutral (Al-Faruque, 5/22).