Batt Ready To Implement Medicaid Reform Proposals

Gov. Phil Batt praised a package of proposed reforms in Idaho’s Medicaid system on Thursday, saying he’ll likely seek some of the changes this year.

The 88 proposals, developed over seven months by Batt’s Medicaid Reform Advisory Council, call for sweeping reforms designed to reduce unnecessary nursing home placements, cut waste and fraud, and make sure the services and money go where they’re needed.

“I agree with the general principles laid out in this report,” Batt said. “Those are that we will meet the basic health care needs of folks who find themselves unable to pay for those needs. I think it’s an important function of government to do that.

“At the same time, this report emphasizes, and I agree, that we don’t want people taking advantage of the taxpayer to get these services if they don’t need them.”

Medicaid covers health care for the poor and disabled, with Idaho paying 30 percent and the federal government paying the rest. Congress is expected to give states more leeway in how they run the program, but it may also trim funding.

Batt appointed his council - which included business people, legislators, local officials and academics - to study how best to prepare for those changes and make Idaho’s Medicaid system work better.

Roy Raymond, a Twin Falls businessman and chairman of the council, said the group studied everything from Hawaii’s universal-care plan to Oregon’s care-rationing proposals.

The council held 35 well-attended public hearings across the state.

“This typifies a shining example of the way I think government should work,” Batt said, “…to get the private sector involved in the recommendations to make government more efficient and to make it serve the people better.”

Batt chose not to include health care providers on the council, but they participated actively in the hearings.

Raymond said he agreed with that decision, because providers were able to participate, but not to vote on proposals that could affect them financially.

“I think the governor had great forethought,” Raymond said.

Linda Caballero, director of the Department of Health and Welfare, which administers Medicaid, said the council’s work marked the most intensive examination and public debate on Medicaid the department has ever had.

Raymond said the number of Medicaid recipients has doubled over the last five years. Part of the goal of the reform package was to curb soaring costs and make sure money is used efficiently. This year, Medicaid is serving nearly 85,000 Idaho residents. In 1989, it was just 33,100.

In 1995, Medicaid paid for 37 percent of all births in Idaho.

One of the council’s suggestions was that Idaho colleges and universities require students to have medical insurance that covers pregnancies for themselves and their dependents.

Batt said that seemed to be a good idea.

“I see no reason why we should not require those who can to obtain insurance.”

That particular change would require only state legislation. Others in the package could require waivers from federal rules or even changes in federal law.

Batt said he planned to study the report before deciding how to proceed. But, he said, “I believe that we can take some to the Legislature this year.”

, DataTimes