Saying Medicaid managed care “has simply not worked in Florida,” Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich asked federal officials Thursday to reject the state’s massive Medicaid overhaul.
The Weston Democrat sent a letter to Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that raised several objections to the overhaul, which would require almost all Medicaid beneficiaries to enroll in managed-care plans by October 2014.
Rich wrote, for example, that the overhaul does not include a “medical loss ratio,” which would require HMOs to spend a certain percentage of the money they receive on health services. Also, she objected to requiring Medicaid beneficiaries to pay $100 if they go to emergency rooms for what turn out to be non-emergency medical issues.
“While we all share the goals of saving taxpayer money and maximizing the efficiency of health care services provided through the Medicaid program, forcing Florida’s Medicaid consumers into HMOs won’t achieve either of these goals,” the letter said.
Gov. Rick Scott and Republican legislative leaders have made revamping Medicaid a top priority, arguing that managed care could help hold down costs and improve services.
Lawmakers approved the overhaul last month, and the Agency for Health Care Administration faces an Aug. 1 deadline for seeking federal approval.
