Utah proposes Medicaid cap, sets up block grant test

Utah wants a cap on federal Medicaid spending, according to The Hill.

It also wants more federal money for partial Medicaid expansion, according to the publication.

The state's proposal to limit how much the government spends on each Medicaid beneficiary was announced May 31 by Gov. Gary Herbert. It needs approval from President Donald Trump's administration to take effect.

Utah's plan comes after the Trump administration announced in January that it wants to allow states to receive fixed block grants for Medicaid spending. In exchange for these grants, the administration has promised states more flexibility with Medicaid programs.

HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in March his department and some states were discussing transforming Medicaid into a block grant program without the approval of Congress.

Conservatives have suggested a Medicaid block grant program for years, and the issue was discussed in 2017 amid Republican efforts to repeal and replace the ACA. However, Democrats will likely challenge any approved block grants, according to The Hill.

 

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