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Legislators and the public will get their first look Tuesday at the state Medicaid reform plan, which could struggle to meet the high expectations for more effective services and cost savings. Health Secretary Rick Brajer will present the plan — five months in the making — to the joint oversight committee on Medicaid and N.C. Health Choice. ... The unveiling of the plan is the first step in a process that could take between three and five years to gain federal approval for waivers to the state Medicaid program. Brajer said the state Department of Health and Human Services is on pace for presenting the draft waiver request to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by June 1. The reform plan coordinates Medicaid’s physical, behavioral, dental, pharmacy and long-term health services. (Craver, 2/28)

State lawmakers’ move to inject $26 million into the Medicaid budget for doctor pay raises would help strengthen Georgia’s medical safety net, physicians say. The House recently voted for the pay hike in the fiscal 2017 state budget. If the Senate and Gov. Nathan Deal agree with the House action, the rates that Medicaid pays for some primary care and ob/gyn services will be raised considerably higher, to Medicare levels. (Miller, 2/28)