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Healthcare
Medicaid Reform Progress Report
The glitches in Florida’s Medicaid reform pilot program aren’t likely to derail an expansion across the state.
STATEWIDE?
When the pilot program expanded to Baker, Clay and Nassau counties on July 1, the Nassau County Board of Commissioners asked Gov. Charlie Crist to “pause” implementation. The local lawmakers cited questions regarding quality of care and access to care in Duval and Broward counties. In addition, they expressed concerns that WellCare, the largest Medicaid HMO in Florida, and the Shands/Jacksonville PSN, First Coast Advantage, have not expanded into Nassau County and the local not-for-profit safety net provider system has been reduced because of property tax reform. The governor declined the request.
Medicaid reform will not expand further unless the Florida Legislature votes and Crist approves. Sullivan says she doesn’t expect Crist “is just going to rubber stamp this.” But the impetus to reform Medicaid will be difficult to stop. Rich says she favors adding a few counties at a time. “I think it is better if it goes slower,” she says. Peaden agrees, saying, “You can’t roll it out all over the state. You’ve got to do it in a step-by-step manner.”
BOTTOM LINE
Massachusetts, California, Pennsylvania and other states are making headlines for their plans to offer (or require) universal or near universal healthcare coverage for residents. But it’s unlikely that Florida will even think about universal healthcare until it gets Medicaid spending under control.
