Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
States Likely To Seek Funding Help From Hospitals For Medicaid Expansion
Policymakers in Medicaid expansion states likely will try to wring some cash from hospitals starting in 2017 when the federal government no longer pays the full tab for the coverage expansion, experts say. Higher-than-expected enrollment means expansion states will be on the hook for hundreds of millions more than they anticipated when they took advantage of the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion to adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level. For instance, in Oregon, 386,000 people enrolled Medicaid in 2014, up from a pre-expansion estimate of 222,700. (Dickson, 7/21)
Meanwhile, Alaska officials move forward on expansion plans there.
The state health department has hired a consultant to help recommend next steps as Gov. Bill Walker's administration plans to implement Medicaid expansion and looks to make further changes to the existing Medicaid program. The contract with Agnew::Beck Consulting LLC calls for a finalized report in January recommending alternative Medicaid expansion models and options to help contain costs within the Medicaid program. A report due in May would address a timeline and costs for carrying out the recommendations. (Bohrer, 7/21)
