NPR story on independent oversight of Medicaid Privatization
February 3rd, 2012Rep. Ward introduces KanCare Accountability Act
February 3rd, 2012In 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.”
Ask Your Legislator
January 29th, 2012Rep. Jim Ward will be discussing the Governor’s property increase and his risky changes to the public education funding formula on the KPTS Channel 8 program “Ask Your Legislator.
The program will air on February 5th from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. Viewers will have the opportunity to call in and ask questions.
Proposal protects developmentally disabled
January 23rd, 2012State Rep. Jim Ward  introduced legislation this week that will exempt the most vulnerable Kansans from efforts to privatize state Medicaid services. Ward’s proposal, House Bill 2457, would keep the developmentally disabled waiver population as part of KanCare’s managed care for medical purposes, but their long-term care non-medical services would be carved out of the program and continue on a “fee for service” model (caretakers, residential care, etc.).
“The Brownback Administration appears to be on the fast track to the privatization of Medicaid,” said Ward. “Regardless of what happens with the Governor’s plan, it is important that any reform efforts are deliberate and implemented safely. We must ensure that critical services for our most vulnerable citizens are not jeopardized.”
Under the KanCare initiative announced last fall by Gov. Brownback, the state’s Medicaid services would be contracted to private companies. The developmentally disabled waiver population would be included in the managed care system to address both their medical care as well as their long-tern care expenses. Families and advocates for those with developmental disabilities have expressed concerns that such a move could lead to cuts in in-home health services. There are also currently 4,800 Kansas adults and children on the developmentally disabled waiting list. The administration is unclear as to how this backlog will be addressed under the KanCare contracts.
The general Medicaid population typically only requires medical attention a few times a year. Those with severe developmental disabilities, however, require much more frequent contact with providers of non-medical services. Given the needs of this population, it is imperative that they have case managers who are familiar with the community in which they reside, who are aware of the services available locally, and who arrange for those services be provided according to their needs. It is unlikely that an out-of-state, for-profit company would be capable of providing the same level of care currently provided by the state through the CDDOs.
“Our state has an obligation to provide the best quality of life possible for those with severe developmental disabilities,” said Ward. “My proposal maintains a system that even Gov. Brownback has acknowledged is successful in meeting these critical needs.”
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