Archive: Public Health Insurance Reform

  • Patients First Medicaid Reform Act March 15, 2013

    Patients First Medicaid Reform Act Summary This legislation would put patients in charge of their care and provide them incentives to control their medical dollars.  Although not spelled out in the legislation itself, as with all waivers and model legislation, it can be a narrowly targeted pilot program or a full-scale effort to reform the state’s entire Medicaid system, as in Rhode Island. Model Legislation Section 1. Title.  This Act may be cited as the “Patients First Medicaid Reform Act.” Section 2. Definitions. (A)  “Medicaid Savings Account,” or “MSA,” is an account funded by the {insert state Medicaid agency} which […]

  • Resolution on Medicaid Funding Through a Federal Block Grant March 15, 2013

    Resolution on Medicaid Funding Through a Federal Block Grant Model Resolution WHEREAS, Total U.S. Medicaid spending in 2006 exceeded $303 billion; and WHEREAS, The share of federal Medicaid funding provided to the states is determined by a state-by-state matching percentage, and the actual amount of federal funding sent to the states is determined by how much the states spend in order to get those matching dollars; and WHEREAS, Medicaid policy is also heavily controlled by the federal government, requiring states to apply for waivers if they want the flexibility to reform their Medicaid programs to better meet state needs; and […]

  • SCHIP Anti-Crowd-Out Act March 15, 2013

    SCHIP Anti-Crowd-Out Act Model Policy Section 1. Short Title.  This Act shall be known as the “SCHIP Anti-Crowd-Out Act.” Section 2. Requirement Regarding Employer-Sponsored Coverage. (A)  Subject to this Section, no payment may be made under the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) with respect to an individual who is eligible for coverage under a group health plan or health insurance coverage offered through an employer, either as an individual or as part of family coverage. Section 3. Option to Offer Premium Assistance for High-Cost Plans. (A)  In the case of an individual who is otherwise eligible for coverage under […]

  • Resolution on Improving Quality and Lowering Costs for States Through Medicaid and Managed Care March 15, 2013

    Resolution on Improving Quality and Lowering Costs for States Through Medicaid and Managed Care Summary This resolution encourages the implementation of coordinated, risk-based, capitated programs to control costs and improve quality of care for all Medicaid beneficiaries, including those requiring long-term care services. Model Resolution WHEREAS, Medicaid is an entitlement program jointly funded by the states and the federal government and plays a significant role in state health care systems; and WHEREAS, Medicaid is the nation’s primary health insurance program for 60 million low-income Americans, including nearly 30 million low-income children and 8 million non-elderly people with disabilities; and WHEREAS, […]

  • Resolution Supporting Private Market Initiatives For Children’s Health Insurance Programs March 15, 2013

    Resolution Supporting Private Market Initiatives For Children’s Health Insurance Programs Model Resolution WHEREAS, the U.S Congress passed a provision in the 1997 Budget Agreement allocating $24 billion over the next five years to the states in order to provide health insurance for low-income, uninsured children: and WHEREAS, the states are required to contribute a Medicaid matching rate, which is estimated will cost the states an additional $10 over the next five years; and WHEREAS, the states must now determine how best to use the allocated funds, based on the guidelines of the federal legislation, which allows states to either expand […]

  • Resolution on Federal Medicaid and Welfare Block Grants March 15, 2013

    Resolution on Federal Medicaid and Welfare Block Grants Summary A Resolution supporting the adoption of Federal Medicaid and Welfare Block Grants which would transfer both the financial authority and decision making power to the states to operate the programs as they so desire. Model Resolution WHEREAS, the growth in federal spending of the Medicaid and welfare entitlements are astronomical and spiraling, significantly increasing the federal budget costs, and WHEREAS, this growth will never be controlled unless the states have autonomous management of the programs, free from Federal mandates regarding individual entitlement, eligibility groups, benefits, payment rates, and financing structures to […]

  • Medicaid Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Act March 15, 2013

    Medicaid Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Act Summary The purpose of this Act is to implement a coordinated, capitated long-term care program for Medicaid beneficiaries who are chronically ill or have disabilities and who need health and long-term care services and supports, such as home care or adult day care. The program will allow these people to stay in their homes and communities as long as possible, and delay the transition to institutional care. The plan arranges and pays for a large selection of health and social services, and provides choice and flexibility in obtaining needed services from one place, at […]

  • Medicaid Consumer-Directed Care Act March 15, 2013

    Medicaid Consumer-Directed Care Act  Summary The purpose of this Act is to allow consumers to be in charge of directing their own care.  In the existing system, disabled Medicaid beneficiaries have very little control over the long term care services they receive.  This legislation is designed to provide consumers more independence, flexibility, and choice in determining and arranging their care.  It challenges the notion that all Medicaid recipients are incapable of managing their own care effective and responsibly.  The Medicaid Consumer Directed Care Act is designed to provide control to eligible persons so that they might purchase the kind of […]

  • Optional Medicaid Benefits Evaluation Act March 15, 2013

    Optional Medicaid Benefits Evaluation Act Model Legislation Section 1. Title.  This Act shall be known as the “Optional Medicaid Benefits Evaluation Act.” Section 2. Definitions. (A)  “Medicaid” is the federal Title XIX Medical Assistance program administered by states and funded in part by the federal government. (B)  “Independent third party” is a public or private entity or private person having no ongoing financially dependent relationship with the {insert appropriate state agency}, the Auditor General, or the {insert name of state Medicaid Agency}, and that possesses the necessary expertise to conduct the evaluation and/or write the report as described in this […]