Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Ohio, Mass. Officials To Offer Changes In Medicaid Programs
State officials are set to release proposed details of an effort to require more than 1 million low-income Ohioans to pay a new monthly cost for Medicaid. House Republicans inserted the idea for the so-called Healthy Ohio Program into the state budget last year. It would require federal approval. (4/15)
Governor Charlie Baker’s administration has drafted plans for the biggest overhaul of the state’s Medicaid program in two decades, changing the way doctors and hospitals are paid in an effort to rein in soaring costs. (Dayal McCluskey, 4/15)
And in other Medicaid news from New Mexico and Massachusetts —
New Mexico hospitals, dentists, doctors, long-term care facilities and behavioral health providers would see their Medicaid reimbursement rates slashed under a recommendation that could save the state up to $114 million in total funds but potentially hurt staffing numbers and the level of care available. The proposed rate cuts are a fallout of the state’s budget crunch – specifically a $417 million Medicaid shortfall over the next 15 months – and were mandated by the Legislature in a $6.2 billion budget passed during this year’s 30-day legislative session. (Boyd, 4/14)
A federal prosecutor says Boston Medical Center and two of its physician practice organizations have agreed to pay $1.1 million to resolve allegations that the hospital improperly billed Medicare and Medicaid. (4/14)
