Link to National Public Radio story on Rep. Ward’s bill to have independent oversight of Medicaid Privatization.

In a continuing effort to ensure that any overhaul of the Kansas Medicaid system is implemented safely and deliberately, Rep. Jim Ward has introduced the KanCare Accountability Act. The KanCare Accountability Act – House Bill 2573 – provides independent oversight and transparency over the implementation and impact of Governor Brownback’s managed care plan.

“The KanCare Accountability Act ensures that promises made are promises kept,” said Ward. “Over 350,000 Kansans depend on Medicaid for health care and Gov. Brownback’s overhaul of the current system is moving alarmingly fast. It would be a mistake for the Legislature to push children, the disabled, and elderly Kansans into a privatized system without offering some assurance that their health care needs will continue to be met.

Ward’s proposal requires an annual, independent audit and evaluation of KanCare contractors (insurance companies hired to provide Medicaid). It ensures that these contractors make no changes in eligibility that will deny people of essential health care. The bill will also ensure that no benefits are cut or eliminated to ensure that all health care treatments that are available now under the current system will remain available. Furthermore, the bill ensures that the amount paid to doctors, hospitals and other providers for services will not be cut. The bill also allows for feedback from providers and beneficiaries as to quality of care they receive or provide under the new system.

“Gov. Brownback has pledged that his KanCare plan will not cut benefits, that it will not cut Kansans eligible and that it will not reduce the amount paid to doctors and hospitals. But there is too much at stake to accept his promise at face value. We must hold the insurance companies accountable,” said Ward.

Under House Bill 2573, the Kansas Health Institute would serve as the independent auditor, contracted through the Legislative Coordinating Council. This is an appropriate vendor for this service in the first years of KanCare implementation, as the organization offers the expertise of former Kansas Budget Director Duane Goossen and former Kansas Medicaid Director Scott Brunner. Most of data will be available through Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Kansas Department of Aging and Commissioner of Insurance. KHI will collaborate with these agencies to develop a shared database that will guarantee accountability.

“Over $2.8 billion tax dollars are used to purchase health care services under Medicaid,” said Ward. “If we are going to turn this business over to private insurance companies, we must protect the taxpayers money.”