A full meeting of the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) was held yesterday. The MRT accepted the final recommendations from four work groups: Program Streamlining and State/Local Responsibilities, Behavioral Health, Managed Long-Term Care Implementation and Waiver Design, and Health Disparities.
The only recommendation that caused a stir was a proposal from the Streamlining and State/Local Responsibilities work group that would shift the county share of Mediciad costs to the state. There was a lively discussion but the recommendation was ultimately accepted with an agreement for further review when the MRT reconvenes on December 13. The agreement included clarification of the intent of the takeover proposal, and possible amendments. In particular, Assemblyman Gottfried was concerned that a state takeover would result in cuts in benefits for beneficiaries.
For a complete summary of this meeting and details on the work groups and their recommendations, click here.
-Jaime Venditti