State Health Watch Archives – June 1, 2010
June 1, 2010
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Drug rebates mean immediate fiscal relief for some Medicaid programs
Much of the hotly debated health care reform legislation won't actually be implemented for months or years, but an expanded drug rebate program is an important exception. States can collect additional rebates right away, which may help some with severe budget shortfalls. -
Rhode Island expects to benefit from rebate program
Like many state Medicaid directors, Elena Nicolella says that her biggest fiscal challenge is responding to an ever-increasing need for services with an ever-decreasing amount of revenue. -
Fiscal Fitness: How States Cope: Rebates are net gain for some states, but outlay of funds needed to increase necessary staffing
Athos Alexandrou, director of Maryland's Medicaid pharmacy program, says the state will benefit fiscally from the health care reform legislation's drug rebate program, by getting a share of rebates for pharmaceuticals dispensed by managed care organizations (MCOs). On the other hand, money will be lost on the fee-for-service side. -
Health care reform paves way for managed care
Medicaid managed care plans currently serve 21.6 million people, and this number is expected to increase significantly as a result of the health care reform legislation. -
Medicaid programs may act now on childless adults
As of 2014, Medicaid will cover everyone below 133% of the federal poverty level, including childless adults and others who are currently ineligible. However, the new health care reform law gives states the option of covering additional low-income adults right away. -
Signs of improved access to Medicaid providers
With an estimated 16 million additional Americans coming onto the Medicaid program as of 2014, having enough providers to ensure good access to care is certainly a legitimate concern. -
HIEs are major hurdle for Medicaid and HIT
A "master planning" approach is needed to effectively leverage all of the incentives and resources for building statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE) capacity, says Lynn Dierker, RN, project director for the Chicago-based AHIMA Foundation's state-level HIE Consensus Project. -
Crime lessens with better care
This story is the second of a two-part series on improving care of high-risk youth enrolled in Medicaid. This month, we examine the impact of improved quality on subsequent contacts with the juvenile justice system.