Â鶹ŮÓÅ

During Alabama's latest budget crisis, lawmakers often have pointed to out-of-control Medicaid costs as one of the leading culprits. A report released Wednesday by the Pew Charitable Trusts, however, suggests that costs relative to state revenues have been much more manageable in Alabama than most other states over the past decade. (Kirby, 4/22)

Medicaid costs accounted for 11.4 percent of the state’s general revenue budget in 2013, up from 8 percent in 2000, a study released Wednesday by the Pew Charitable Trusts shows. Still, that was below the national average of 16.9 percent in 2013, an average that grew from 12.2 percent in 2000. ... Deputy Revenue Secretary Mark Muchow said Wednesday the results are not surprising, because with the exception of North Dakota, whose economy is buoyed by the oil boom there, health care costs are outpacing growth in the economy nationwide. (Kabler, 4/22)

Rhode Island health-care leaders Wednesday began filling in some of the blanks in Governor Raimondo's proposal to reduce state Medicaid spending by $180 million next fiscal year. In its next-to-last meeting, the working group tasked with identifying half of the $90 million in state Medicaid savings in Raimondo's fiscal 2016 budget proposal — the other $90 million is federal matching — unveiled a list of savings initiatives worth an estimated $85.5 million. The list...includes the large cuts to hospital and nursing home reimbursement rates in Raimondo's proposal plus roughly 30 smaller initiatives it projects to generate savings. (Anderson, 4/22)

Louisiana’s nursing home industry is trying to exempt itself from the final phase of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s Medicaid privatization. The industry’s objection is stalling release of initial steps in the bidding process — called request for proposals or RFP — that would seek a private company to take over management of long-term care programs for the elderly and developmentally disabled. (Shuler, 4/22)

New York's comptroller says $513 million in improper Medicaid payments and missed revenue over four years and another $361 million in questionable transactions were identified by auditors. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says Medicaid, insuring nearly 6.4 million low-income New Yorkers, was found with waste throughout the system. It's projected to cost $62 billion this year, with $22.4 billion paid by the state. (4/23)

Maine's attorney general is urging state budget writers to give her more resources to combat Medicaid fraud and elder abuse. Attorney General Janet Mills wants to add a third attorney to the HealthCare Crimes Unit, which investigates and prosecutes Medicaid fraud and patient abuse and neglect in health care facilities. (4/23)