Stakeholders begin quiet push to get Medicaid expansion on the ballot in Florida
Following successful Medicaid expansion ballot measures in other red states, stakeholders in Florida are beginning a quiet campaign to follow suit.
A significant number of Floridians would be eligible for Medicaid coverage if the state expanded the program. As many as 700,000 additional people could enroll, with only Texas having a larger population of newly eligible enrollees under expansion.
However, expansion is still a long shot, as the Republican-controlled legislature is not likely to back a measure. Newly instated Gov. Ron DeSantis also campaigned on opposing expansion. In addition, a ballot measure needs at least 60% of the vote in Florida to pass.
“What our approach has been on these ballot initiatives is you don’t usually take it to the ballot unless you feel you’re going to win,” Patrick Willard, senior director of state and national strategic partnerships for Families USA, an advocacy group, said. (Politico)
Dems begin fight to preserve ACA’s protections for people with pre-existing conditions
Healthcare, and in particular the ACA’s consumer protections for people with pre-existing conditions, was a cornerstone issue in the 2018 election, and Democrats in Congress have begun their push on the issue. Three House subcommittees held hearings on pre-existing conditions this week, and Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., introduced a bill that would end the Trump administration’s expansion of short-term health plans, which critics say lack popular consumer protections.
“A pre-existing condition shouldn’t be some kind of scarlet letter Americans have to wear around their neck as they try to get the quality, affordable healthcare everyone deserves,” Underwood said.
However, there remains a schism in the party on how far to go with healthcare legislation as more Democrats come out in favor of a single-payer, Medicare-for-all system. (The New York Times)
Experts warn Medicaid work requirements in Tennessee could cost taxpayers $19M a year
Tennessee could end up spending more than it saves if it rolls out work requirements in its Medicaid program, according to a new analysis from its fiscal staff.
The requirements could cost taxpayers $19 million a year if implemented, a figure that accounts for a projected $3.6 million in savings from about 10% of current Medicaid enrollees dropping out of the program. The additional costs are linked to higher administrative needs to manage the work requirements.
“By every objective economic standard, the policy being put forward here is harmful and will worsen outcomes,” Matt Harris, an economics professor at the University of Tennessee, said. (Tennessean)