Maryland is one of more than a dozen states where new Medicaid enrollees under President Barack Obama’s health law have surpassed initial projections. As a result, the state revised its Medicaid cost estimate from $33 million to $74 million for the 2017 fiscal year.
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Christie, a Republican who is now seeking his party’s 2016 presidential nomination, says he wants to turn Medicaid into a block grant program to states, a move that could reduce its benefits over time.
Thirty states and the District of Columbia expanded Medicaid eligibility to include all non-disabled adults with incomes at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level, about $16,000 for an individual. Officials say state costs will be greatly reduced as the federal government pays a larger share compared to the state plan in effect before the Affordable Care Act. Now the estimate is $840 million, between $150 million the first year and $300 million in year four. It was not immediately clear why costs declined slightly from projections even though enrollment was more than double the estimate.
“We actually have really good coverage, what we have is about 90,000 kids that are eligible for that coverage and don’t enroll for whatever reason”, Morris said. The numbers released by the state Department of Human Services also showed the average per-person payment to insurance companies offering private-option plans, which cover most of the newly eligible Medicaid enrollees, rose by 8 cents, to $481.61. He says offering insurance to more poor people will make them healthier and minimize their expensive trips to the emergency room, reducing hospitals’ uncompensated care costs and saving money throughout the health system.
ANXIETY? Snyder, a proponent of Medicaid expansion along with Democrats and some Republicans, has touted the higher-than-expected enrollment. “I think it is wrong for New Jersey and for America”, Christie said at the time.
In this Monday, July 13, 2015 photo Earl Charles Williams Sr., 59, talks about the medication he must take for his diabetes in his Chicago home.
“I’m very grateful”, Williams said. Minnesota calls its Medicaid program Medical Assistance.
“It doesn’t seem reasonable to tax the health care of hard working California families to pay for a $1 billion budget hole that they intentionally created”, said Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff, R-San Dimas. Some states, including West Virginia and Arkansas, are reporting costs are lower than expected.
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In addition, legislative staff said New Mexico lawmakers will have to consider taking money from other state agencies to fill the gap. Howie Morales told the AP.
