Â鶹ŮÓÅ

Iowa Medicaid leaders told skeptical lawmakers Tuesday that they’re confident they will be able to shift the program to private management on March 1. Federal officials blocked Iowa from implementing the controversial plan Jan. 1, saying managed care companies weren't prepared to handle the 560,000 Iowans who use the program. The feds ordered Iowa to wait until at least March 1 to make the change. They have yet to say if they’ll allow the shift to proceed in two weeks. (Leys, 2/16)

The state of Iowa is ready to offer its Medicaid program under private management on March 1, a state official insisted on Tuesday despite remaining issues and multiple criticisms from a legislative panel. (Rodriguez, 2/16)

A company stripped of its contract to manage Iowa’s Medicaid program following allegations of unfair bidding practices has dropped legal actions to overturn that decision, a company executive said Tuesday. (Clayworth, 2/16)

Despite having one of the strictest eligibility requirements in the country, Alabama has struggled to control the rising costs of Medicaid, which provides health coverage to more than 1 million residents. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, a popular two-term Republican governor, and a dermatologist, is offering an unusual cure. The state last week won federal approval to shift most of its Medicaid recipients into managed care organizations, which are paid a fixed monthly fee from the state for each person in the plan. (Galewitz, 2/17)