Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Perspectives On Medicaid Expansion
As Gov. Matt Bevin continues what may be the greatest recoupment of executive power in Frankfort since the 1947-50 gubernatorial term of Democrat Earle Clements (who had no meaningful Republican opposition), most of the talk in the state capital is about executive orders reorganizing boards that are supposed to have varying degrees of independence. The courts will sort out those disputes, perhaps drawing new boundaries for the governor in the absence of a change in law or the state鈥檚 1891 constitution (changes that are unlikely as long as Bevin鈥檚 fellow Republicans control the state Senate). (Al Cross, 7/1)
Rarely do the words 鈥淢edicaid鈥 and 鈥渕ystery鈥 pop up in the same sentence, or even the same thought, but people are puzzling over whether Gov. Matt Bevin鈥檚 Medicaid revamp is an elaborate ruse that he knows the federal government will not approve. Then, goes the speculation, Bevin will do what he promised early in his dark horse Republican campaign 鈥 end the Medicaid expansion, leaving more than 400,000 low-income Kentuckians without health care 鈥 and blame Democratic President Barack Obama. (7/2)
Uninsured Louisianians lack access to medication or other preventative treatments that they badly need. The Medicaid expansion will change that for hundreds of thousands of residents. And that could alter not only their lives but, over time, the state's health measurements. One in four deaths in Louisiana is due to heart disease, according to statistics compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures. The state also has one of the highest rates in the nation for high blood pressure. Diabetes is a major problem as well. (7/3)
Rep. Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and his fellow members of the 鈥3-Star Healthy Project鈥 task force deserve kudos for proposing a serious plan to expand health insurance coverage to some of Tennessee鈥檚 most vulnerable. Is it a perfect plan? Not at all, but then neither was Gov. Bill Haslam鈥檚 Insure Tennessee plan, nor is the Affordable Care Act鈥檚 Medicaid expansion provision. (Frank Daniels III, 7/4)
