Medicaid Proposals Get Little Public Support

Proposed changes to the state’s Medicaid program took several hits while receiving little praise from about 75 people attending the last in a series of hearings on proposals from the governor’s Medicaid Reform Advisory Council.

The council’s work is an attempt to revamp the joint federal-state medical program for the poor. Gov. Phil Batt and council members want to use the $370 million spent in Idaho annually more efficiently as the Medicaid bill continues to grow. The state’s share is $105 million, or 30 percent, and the federal government pays the balance.

The council’s recommendations go to the governor, who will be responsible for any proposals submitted to the 1997 Legislature.

The council was taken to task Tuesday night for proposals that would cut dental, vision and hearing benefits to adults unless treatment was medically necessary.

Some who testified worried the state would lose money in the long run as minor ailments that could be treated early grow more serious before falling under Medicaid coverage.

The council plans to recommend that any savings would go toward more preventative dental and vision care for children.

Several criticized a proposal to eliminate organ transplants for adults.

Christina Knight of Nampa told council members about her mother and grandmother, both of whom suffer from ailments that require kidney and liver transplants.

In testimony interrupted with tears, Knight said without Medicaid the family cannot afford the transplants.

“I will lose her,” Knight said, of her grandmother.