Kentucky governor submits new plan to feds to overhaul Medicaid

Kentucky Governor Mat Bevin submitted an updated waiver proposal to the federal government in an effort to curb public criticism of the state's proposed Medicaid expansion plan, according to the Lexington Hearld-Leader.

Gov. Bevin said in a statement to reporters that there isn't much room for compromise on his part if HHS asks him to make even more changes to the revised plan, Kentucky HEALTH.

Kentucky legislators said the changes could reduce expected expansion costs from $37.2 billion to $35 billion.  

Under the revised waiver, Medicaid would cover allergy testing and private-duty nurses and individuals determined to be medically frail would be exempt from premiums and co-pays. The waiver also expanded the list of acceptable community engagements, according to the report.

The governor did not change certain policies that have sparked controversy among public health advocates. These include mandatory premiums and co-pays and a requirement that able-bodied adults engage with their communities for at least 20 hours each week to be eligible for coverage. Dental, vision care and over-the-counter prescription drugs would be enhanced benefits Medicaid recipients can only earn by performing various tasks. Medical transportation for beneficiaries will also no longer be covered except in cases of emergency, according to the article.

The HHS has repeatedly warned it will not approve proposed waivers that limit access to benefits through work requirements or other hurdles.

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