Maine Governor Seeks To Add Premiums And Work Requirement For Medicaid Enrollees
The state government announces schedules for two hearings and a public comment period next month before submitting the request to federal regulators. Wisconsin is also hoping to institute a premium and time limit for those getting Medicaid coverage, but the proposal is drawing complaints.
Bangor (Maine) Daily News:
LePage Moves Ahead With Bid To Gain Trump’s OK For Stricter Medicaid Rules
Maine will ask President Donald Trump’s administration to let it further rein in the state’s Medicaid program, announcing on Tuesday that the Department of Health and Human Services will have a comment period and two public hearings in May ahead of a formal request. ... MaineCare has long been targeted by [Gov. Paul] LePage, whose administration has touted culling 67,000 from the program between 2011 and 2015. The Republican governor has also vetoed Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act five times. Maine will vote on a citizen’s initiative that would force the state to expand in November and these changes are seen as a way to undercut that effort. (Shepherd, 4/25)
Marketplace:
Wisconsin Wants Medicaid Recipients To Pony Up More Money
There's a movement, particularly in red states, to increase premiums and cost-sharing for those who are in the program. Oren Cass, with the right-leaning Manhattan Institute, said one problem for many states is that Medicaid spending climbs year after year. One way to slow that, he argues, is making sure people in Medicaid have "skin in the game." (Gorenstein, 4/26)