Budget Process
Appropriations passes a budget
Today, the Appropriations Committee passed their version of the state budget, about $100 million below the Governor’s proposal. The Committee cut $110 million from Medicaid, HUSKY and nursing homes for cost and caseload updates – the Committee believes that the Medicaid budget has been inflated in recent years by the administration and wants to use…
Read MoreCMS wants to give states more Medicaid flexibility
Yesterday, CMS published proposed rules allowing state Medicaid programs more flexibility in program design, similar to SCHIP programs. The change is meant to “implement the Administration’s goals of aligning Medicaid more closely with private market insurance and giving states more control over their Medicaid benefit packages.” If approved the rules would allow states to reduce…
Read MoreDSS comes to Appropriations
Last week the Appropriations Committee met with state agencies on the Governor’s budget adjustments. Friday was DSS Commissioner Mike Starkowski’s turn. Beyond the “lovefest” over the agency’s performance in meeting pre-set goals, there were several tense exchanges. Legislators expressed concern that the dept. has chosen not to implement several programs the legislature negotiated into last…
Read MoreGovernor’s proposal to cut interpreters faces opposition
An article on ctnewsjunkie.com reports on Friday’s press conference by legislators opposing Governor Rell’s proposal to cut $4.7 million for medical interpreters in Medicaid. At last week’s Medicaid Managed Care Council, CT Voices for Children presented on the very high and growing rate of costly emergency room visits by Medicaid Managed Care/HUSKY patients. 38% of…
Read MorePolicymaker Issue Brief No. 43 – 2008 Upcoming Health Issues for Connecticut
CT will face some important health policy issues this year including HUSKY, Medicaid, Charter Oak and Covering the Uninsured. For a summary, go to the CT Health Policy Project’s Issue Brief — 2008 Upcoming Health Issues for CT Posted by Ellen Andrews
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