Advertisement
Advertisement

Posts tagged
'The Stephen Group'

Opponents of governor's managed care plan release alternative "DiamondCare" legislation

Allies of medical providers in the legislature today released draft legislation for "DiamondCare," their plan to produce savings in the traditional Medicaid program. The legislation is an alternative to the governor's own plan, which would use managed care companies to aim for savings in certain high-cost Medicaid populations
IT Arkansas job board

Survey data suggests that state could affordably offer some services to families on developmental disability wait list

The state's consultant, the Stephen Group, conducted a survey of the 2,600 Arkansas families stuck on a wait list for a waiver program that provides Medicaid services offering home and community-based care for developmentally disabled children. The Stephen Group presented their findings in testimony before the Health Reform Legislative Task Force today, and suggested that one way to give the families some relief would be to provide certain benefits which are less costly while the state tries to come up with politically feasible ways to eliminate the wait list and provide full benefits to everyone who is eligible.
Advertisement

Gov. Asa Hutchinson pitches managed care plan, mostly ignores "DiamondCare" alternative

In his press conference this morning, Gov. Asa Hutchinson made his case for his plan to implement managed care for certain high-cost populations in the traditional Medicaid program. What he didn't do, however, was establish much of an argument for why lawmakers should back his plan as opposed to an alternative known as "DiamondCare" that would pursue the same reforms but continue to have the state pay providers directly on a fee for service basis. The governor's own rhetoric on Medicaid reform from last year could make it difficult to make that pitch.

Updated numbers: private option will save state budget $757 million, consultant says

Latest private option numbers: the state projects to save even more than previously predicted.
Advertisement

What's next for health reform task force

A look at the timeline for the Health Reform Legislative Task Force as it tackles the future of the private option and major reforms to the Medicaid program. Plus, the Medicaid reform plan will be scored against a baseline of 5 percent growth — is that the right figure to use?

As task force tackles Medicaid reforms, consultant will analyze alternatives to full-risk managed care

The Health Reform Legislative Task Force met today. Get. Excited.
Advertisement

The political strategy (and pitfalls) behind Asa Hutchinson's Medicaid spin

Gov. Aas Hutchinson is trying to bamboozle the legislature with his slippery rhetoric on Medicaid, but perhaps his spin is the best means to achieve two very challenging political lifts — continuing the private option and reforming the traditional Medicaid program. A look at the political considerations behind the governor's strategy, plus some reasons to be considered about the baloney narrative he's pushing as part of that strategy.

Disability advocates prod legislators on clearing waiver waiting list

Advocacy groups for disabled people and their families today sent a letter to the co-chairs of the Health Reform Task Force asking for some answers on the continually deferred issue of home- and community-based services waivers for care.
Advertisement

The Medicaid lockout: Gov. Asa Hutchinson's proposal to bar beneficiaries from coverage for six months if they miss premium payments

Here's a deep dive on the punitive "lockout" policy proposed by the Health Reform Legislative Task Force consultant and backed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Certain beneficiaries would be subject to small premiums, and if they failed to pay, they wouldn't just lose their health insurance — they would be barred from getting back on private option coverage for six months (even if they were willing to pay back what they owed for missed premiums). Hutchinson argues that beneficiaries need to face "consequences" if they fall behind on payments, but critics say it would threaten access to care, punish the poor, and lead to more uncompensated care.

Texas moves towards home- and community-based services for disabled people, via Community First Choice

The Dallas Morning News reports on Texas' implementation of a Medicaid reform initiative that's been the subject of an ongoing, low-level battle in the Arkansas legislature: the Community First Choice Option, a program that would allow people in need of long-term care to get services at home or in their communities, rather than being institutionalized.
Advertisement

Will Republican tweaks to the private option be cost effective?

The Health Reform Legislative Task Force is considering ideas for changes to the private option — but Republican tweaks may come with additional administrative costs.

DHS director John Selig: Arkansas should look at managed care for some beneficiaries

The state's DHS director backs a move to managed care for Medicaid's high-cost populations and for its dental program.
Advertisement
Advertisement