The Republican-led Wisconsin Assembly has passed legislation to delay a scheduled Medicaid reform plan that will transition more than 70,000 residents out of the program.
Under current law, the state will expand Medicaid coverage to approximately 83,000 childless adults who earn less than the poverty level while moving thousands who earn more than 100 percent of the federal poverty level out of the program. These residents have been encouraged to enroll in health plans through the state's federally facilitated health insurance exchange under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Wisconsin has opted not to expand its Medicaid program under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Following the technical issues that have plagued the federal exchange site, Gov. Scott Walker proposed last month the state delay transitioning people out of the Medicaid program until April to give them more time to purchase health plans through the exchanges. Earlier this week, a Republican-controlled budget committee approved the legislation advancing the governor's plan.
Some have criticized the idea of delaying coverage expansion to encompass adults earning less than the poverty level. Bobby Peterson, executive director of healthcare advocacy group ABC for Health, has said the delay "doesn't make moral sense," according to the report.
Others have expressed support for a delay. Last month, Wisconsin Hospital Association and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) have asked the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to push back the Medicaid reform initiative because of the federal exchange site's technical problems. Hospital executives are concerned people who are losing their Medicaid coverage will not be able to sign up for alternate health plans through the exchange by Dec. 15 — the enrollment deadline for coverage starting Jan. 1.
More Articles on Medicaid:
Wisconsin Budget Committee Approves Medicaid Reform Delay
Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead Rejects Medicaid Expansion
South Carolina Officials Forecast 16% Medicaid Enrollment Increase by 2015