Tuesday, April 05, 2005

Congress May Order Major Medicaid Review  Psychiatric News story - "In response to President Bush's proposed budget cuts to Medicaid, legislation was introduced in Congress calling for the creation of a bipartisan commission to review the Medicaid program. APA is backing legislation in Congress that would establish a bipartisan Medicaid commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the nation's largest public health care program. Medicaid, which is funded through federal matching grants to states, in combination with state-provided funds, serves more than 50 million low-income individuals, including people with disabilities, according to the February 8 Congressional Record. ... There is considerable bipartisan support in Congress for the legislation. It was introduced by Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) and Rep. Heather Wilson (R-N.M.) in February, and by mid-March there were 97 cosponsors in the House and 26 cosponsors in the Senate."  
  

Govt. Decision Threatens Key CMHC Funding Source (Washington) Psychiatric News story - "Thousands of patients treated at Washington state's community mental health centers could lose services because of a more restrictive federal interpretation of Medicaid law. Advocates charge that the federal government is reneging on a deal to allow the use of savings captured through managed care to be applied to mental health services for people who are not eligible for Medicaid. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) notified Washington state officials that beginning January 1, 2005, the state's Regional Support Networks (RSNs) could no longer use unspent funds for individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid. Counties and their nongovernmental providers are organized into 14 RSNs that provide community-based treatment. Implementation of the ruling would mean a reduction of $82 million, or approximately 20 percent, in the state's community mental health care budget..."