Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Conservative Lobbying Group Works To Block Medicaid Expansion In GOP-Controlled States
Medicaid expansion to lower-income adults is still possible in some Republican-controlled states despite recent setbacks in Tennessee and Wyoming, policy watchers say. But elected officials and expansion advocates are closely watching the aggressive efforts of a conservative lobbying group funded by the billionaire Koch brothers that is mounting a big push to block further expansions. (Dickson, 2/11)
With Ohio鈥檚 Medicaid-expansion enrollment approaching half a million 鈥 a third higher than projected 鈥 House Democrats say a faulty process to renew benefits, plus premium charges proposed by Gov. John Kasich, would 鈥渏ettison鈥 many poor Ohioans from their newly obtained health coverage. 鈥淲e have more of an effort of mass Medicaid expulsion than mass Medicaid expansion,鈥 Rep. Kevin Boyce, D-Columbus, told administration officials testifying about Kasich鈥檚 budget plan before the House Finance Committee yesterday. (Candisky, 2/12)
Kansas hospitals are leading the push for Medicaid expansion. But they鈥檙e not the only providers for which expansion is a critical financial issue. It鈥檚 also a priority for the safety net clinics that exist to provide free and reduced-cost care to low-income Kansans. (McLean, 2/11)
In addition, Health News Colorado reports on the state exchange's budget challenges -
Complex sign-up problems have forced Colorado health exchange managers to spend more than they planned this year on call centers, but board members were reluctant Tuesday to approve another $3 million from reserves to pay the increasing tab. (Kerwin McCrimmon, 2/11)