Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Fight Over Medicaid Expansion Creating Stark North-South Divide
When it comes to health care coverage, America is becoming a land of geographically based haves and have-nots. States with the lowest uninsured rates are clustered in the Northeast and upper Midwest, while those with the highest rates of uninsured Americans are mostly in Southern states such as Georgia and Louisiana, according to a new study from Gallup. One reason is that many Southern states opted out of expanding Medicaid coverage under Obamacare. (Picchi, 2/24)
Gov. Gary Herbert's proposal to expand Medicaid passed a key test Tuesday afternoon as Utah's Republican-controlled Senate voted to give an initial approval of the plan. After an hour-long debate, the Senate voted 21-8 to advance the plan for a final vote in the chamber, which is expected to happen Wednesday. Final approval in the Senate would send the measure to the House, where it will face a chilly reception. (Price, 2/25)
The Utah Senate voted 21-8 Tuesday to send Gov. Gary Herbert's Healthy Utah plan for a final vote, which could come as early as Wednesday. "We're just passing the buck if we don't do something," said Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, who voted yes. "We're delivering health care to many of these people, but we're doing it in the most expensive way possible: through emergency rooms and prisons," Weiler said. Several of the senators indicated they may change their "yes" vote to "no" on the final vote, but even if they do, Senate Bill 164, sponsored by Sen. Brian Shiozawa, R-Cottonwood Heights, is likely to pass the Senate. (Moulton, 2/24)
In Oregon, the legal battle between the state and Oracle over the computer system used for the Oregon's Medicaid program is intensifying.
Four days before a contract to host Oregon's health insurance system for low-income Oregonians is due to expire, state officials asked a judge on Tuesday to force technology contractor Oracle Inc. to continue running the system. Lawyers representing Oregon told Marion County Circuit Judge Courtland Geyer during the first of a two-day hearing that Oracle's plans to pull hosting services would result in Medicaid enrollment grinding to a halt. That, in turn, would cause "irreparable harm" to thousands of people who would not be able to enroll in Medicaid and access health services, said attorney Lisa Kaner, who represents the state. (Wozniacka, 2/24)
In other Medicaid news -
Due to an unexpected federal policy reversal sought by advocates for nearly 10 years, schools could start billing Medicaid for health services such as asthma screenings, vaccinations and care for chronic diseases provided to some low-income students. (Gaitan, 2/24)
