Trump administration rejects Utah request for partial Medicaid funding

[left-of-center2012]

Source: The Hill

The Trump administration will not allow Utah or any other state to use federal funding to partially expand Medicaid, dealing a blow to conservative states that envisioned a new way to take advantage of ObamaCare. Earlier this year, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) authorized a limited Medicaid expansion plan, defying voters who had approved a full expansion in November.

Utah officials said they had been in contact with Trump administration health officials, who encouraged them to submit a request for the federal government to pay 90 percent of the cost of expansion — a request that had never been approved previously by any administration. Under ObamaCare, the federal government pays for more than 90 percent of the cost of states that wish to expand Medicaid. Utah hoped to receive the same level of federal funding while only covering a fraction of the people.

But on Saturday, the administration said Utah’s request — which had not yet been formally submitted — was rejected, and it would not approve any other such requests from states in the future.

“A number of states have asked CMS for permission to cover only a portion of the adult expansion group and still access the enhanced federal funding available through ObamaCare. Unfortunately, this would invite continued reliance on a broken and unsustainable ObamaCare system,” a spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said.

Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/455017-trump-administration-rejects-utah-request-for-partial-medicaid-funding

---

07/27/19 02:44 PM EDT

[Me.]

1. Your Move Mittens

[leftieNanner]

2. He will be Very Disappointed

He and Susan Collins have a secret after school club and they meet in his tree house for milk and cookies.

[paleotn]

6. Short of significant Russian assistance....

Suzie will have a lot more club house time when she loses her Senate gig next year.

[Wellstone ruled]

8. No,your move Temple Square

and Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Health Care both of Salt Lake City. Keep those Checks a coming for all those White People with a R behind their names.

[Merlot]

3. Why should they get the full funding for only covering a small

portion of the people? What a clever way to suck the gov't dry.

Signing up for as many gov't prgrams as possible is big in some Utah religious cults.

[Igel]

9. I understood it differently.

And still like how I read it.

Instead of 100% of the expansion with the feds paying for 90% (or more) of the cost increase, they wanted perhaps 30% of the expansion with the feds springing for 90% of the cost increase.

They weren't saying, "If you're going to give us $380 million for the full increase, we want the full $380 million for just 30% of the expansion."

I don't know what the actual percent increase proposed is, I'm just using 30% as a place holder.

It's both less cynical more reasonable. And sticks with the fact that the article uses % and even with states with the full expansion it's not a fixed dollar amount, but %ages.

[yaesu]

4. "this would invite continued reliance on a broken and unsustainable ObamaCare system,"

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services won't let any state expand even under ACA conditions, its another way of weakening ACA.

[DallasNE]

5. If It Is Broken And Unsustainable

Why are these Republican states begging to be covered? That reasoning defies logic. Oh, that's right, follow the (insurance company) money.

[Karadeniz]

7. So...no logical reason except that an Obama program would continue.

[faymer7]

10. Gotta save the money for those farmers and for golfing trips.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

11. Another impeachable offense?

The ACA is still the law of the land.

[SergeStorms]

12. Don't forget....

Donnie Shit-Weasel has promised he'll unveil his new, double secret healthcare plan, only after his re-election. So what's not to trust?

[rpannier]

13. Same as his secret plans for beating ISIS in 30 days

Getting a trade deal with China.
And every other thing he said eh'd accomplish so very quickly.

But, to be fair, he did say he would hire the best people and so far he hasn't found them yet.
But when that happens, watch out

[Doitnow]

14. So, Utah, go ahead and vote R. (Lie, Cheat and Steal) again----and you'll get more of the same!!!