Washington Post Article on Medicaid Reform 6/12/06

Washington Post article on Medicaid Reform

States' Changes Reshape Medicaid
New Restrictions Aim to Save Money

By Amy Goldstein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, June 12, 2006; Page A01

After winning greater freedom from federal Medicaid rules, states are moving aggressively to transform the nation's largest public health insurance program, adding fees, restricting benefits and creating incentives for patients to take responsibility for their health.

The changes are just beginning in several states that are being watched closely by governors nationwide. Those changes are reshaping Medicaid, which covers 55 million poor and disabled Americans, so that the program more closely resembles private insurance, rather than a social welfare system run with a strong, central government hand.

Starting July 1, West Virginia will phase in a redesigned form of Medicaid that requires patients to sign a "member agreement," promising that they will keep doctors' appointments, take prescribed medicine and not overuse hospital emergency rooms. Patients who refuse to sign or to follow the rules will be eligible for less care.

Kentucky is dividing its Medicaid patients into four categories, depending on their health and their age, with different benefits for each group. Most adults will face higher co-payments for medical services and new limits on prescription drugs. But patients who sign up for a "disease management" program eventually will be able to earn credits toward extra "get-healthy benefits," such as eyeglasses or classes to quit smoking.

Florida, meanwhile, will privatize part of its Medicaid system in September, directing patients in Jacksonville and Broward County to pick from 19 health plans, each offering different services. In a departure from how states have reimbursed doctors or health plans, Florida health officials will rate the health of every Medicaid patient in the two communities and pay for only as much care as officials predict they should need.

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We are interested in hearing from Medicaid Recipients in Broward County and Duval County. Please contact us by email at medicaidreform@pobox.com or by calling Gloria Weiner at the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities,Inc - (954) 967-1493.

www.floridamedicaidreform.org