Year: 2009
Resolution Number: 88
Action Taken: Disapproved
Status:
Author(s): Donald P. Condit, MD
Sponsor: Domenic R. Federico, MD
On behalf of: Kent County Delegation
Committee: B (Legislation)
Resolved Section(s):
RESOLVED: That MSMS seek legislative policy improving reimbursement to currently enrolled Medicaid patients using additional state allocation of State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) funds before expanding Medicaid enrollment to include those already covered under private insurance.REFERENCE COMMITTEE RATIONALE: The Committee agrees with the premise that the Medicaid program is underfunded and that legislators should fix the existing structural problems of Medicaid before expanding the program further. However, SCHIP funding was not viewed as a viable option to shift funding. SCHIP is a targeted program that has an extremely favorable federal match. That match is predicated on the expectation that coverage for certain patient populations will be increased and the number of uninsured persons will be reduced. Failure to expand coverage has resulted in states having to return money back to the federal government. In other words, this is not a simple case of prioritization. This money could not be used for simply raising physician fees or any other fee. MSMS will continue to work for improved Medicaid funding; however, shifting SCHIP funding is not an option at this time.
RESOLVED: That MSMS seek legislative policy improving reimbursement to currently enrolled Medicaid patients using additional state allocation of State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) funds before expanding Medicaid enrollment to include those already covered under private insurance.REFERENCE COMMITTEE RATIONALE: The Committee agrees with the premise that the Medicaid program is underfunded and that legislators should fix the existing structural problems of Medicaid before expanding the program further. However, SCHIP funding was not viewed as a viable option to shift funding. SCHIP is a targeted program that has an extremely favorable federal match. That match is predicated on the expectation that coverage for certain patient populations will be increased and the number of uninsured persons will be reduced. Failure to expand coverage has resulted in states having to return money back to the federal government. In other words, this is not a simple case of prioritization. This money could not be used for simply raising physician fees or any other fee. MSMS will continue to work for improved Medicaid funding; however, shifting SCHIP funding is not an option at this time.
Fiscal Note: NULL
Resolution: View PDF for Medicaid Reimbursement