State Health Watch Archives – November 1, 2003
November 1, 2003
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Squeezed: States reduce Medicaid, though it’s not to blame for woes
Despite new data that show Medicaid plays a small role in states fiscal problems, Medicaid programs in all states remain a significant target for budget cutting, according to another study. -
Fiscal Fitness - How States Cope: Oklahoma claims system could save millions as CMS picks up another 25% of the costs
Oklahoma officials like the numbers theyve heard about: The state could save more than $20 million through 2007. The states new Medicaid claims processing system, which recently won Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services certification and entitles Oklahoma to enhanced funding, is the savior. -
Report assesses physician access
While Medicaid and the State Childrens Health Insurance Program have done much to bring health care services to people who need them, those efforts can be in vain if there arent enough physicians available and willing to participate. A new report provides a framework through which states can assess factors that promote or hinder physician access and identify actions to improve access. -
States don’t mandate adequate newborn screening
The March of Dimes in White Plains, NY, says that while every baby born in the United States undergoes some level of newborn screening, many parents dont realize that states determine the disorders to screen for, and most do not meet the recommendations made by the March of Dimes medical specialists. -
CORE group of recommended newborn screening (with metabolic tests)
Listed here are the nine metabolic screening tests for newborns that are recommended by the March of Dimes in White Plains, NY. -
Should MCOs get the Medicaid drug rebate?
A report of the pros and cons of extending the federal Medicaid drug rebate to managed care plans shows the potential for savings of up to $700 million over 10 years, but also recognizes that there could be some downside risk to plans and each one would have to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of having access to the rebate if the rules were changed. -
Clip files / Local news from the states
Faced with a deficit of nearly $1.5 billion over the next two years and calls for $180 million in state budget cuts, Georgia health officials are having to consider the once unthinkable: slashing enrollment and optional services the poor have long counted on.