Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Conservative Lobbying Group Works To Block Medicaid Expansion In GOP-Controlled States
Medicaid expansion to lower-income adults is still possible in some Republican-controlled states despite recent setbacks in Tennessee and Wyoming, policy watchers say. But elected officials and expansion advocates are closely watching the aggressive efforts of a conservative lobbying group funded by the billionaire Koch brothers that is mounting a big push to block further expansions. (Dickson, 2/11)
With Ohio鈥檚 Medicaid-expansion enrollment approaching half a million 鈥� a third higher than projected 鈥� House Democrats say a faulty process to renew benefits, plus premium charges proposed by Gov. John Kasich, would 鈥渏ettison鈥� many poor Ohioans from their newly obtained health coverage. 鈥淲e have more of an effort of mass Medicaid expulsion than mass Medicaid expansion,鈥� Rep. Kevin Boyce, D-Columbus, told administration officials testifying about Kasich鈥檚 budget plan before the House Finance Committee yesterday. (Candisky, 2/12)
Kansas hospitals are leading the push for Medicaid expansion. But they鈥檙e not the only providers for which expansion is a critical financial issue. It鈥檚 also a priority for the safety net clinics that exist to provide free and reduced-cost care to low-income Kansans. (McLean, 2/11)
In addition, Health News Colorado reports on the state exchange's budget challenges -
Complex sign-up problems have forced Colorado health exchange managers to spend more than they planned this year on call centers, but board members were reluctant Tuesday to approve another $3 million from reserves to pay the increasing tab. (Kerwin McCrimmon, 2/11)