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DSHS Told to Re-write Plan that would Weaken Medicaid
by Phil Jordan
March 27, 2002
The voices of advocates have forced the state to re-assess its plans to weaken Medicaid.
As reported in previous issues of Envoy On-Line, Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) was seeking permission from the federal government to make drastic changes to Medicaid in the state. This permission would have come in the form of a “waiver” to federal Medicaid rules. The waiver would give DSHS the authority to a) cap enrollment in many Medicaid programs, b) charge premiums and co-pays for some basic services, and c) eliminate some of the so-called “optional” services altogether. If the federal government had approved the state’s waiver request, all of these changes could have been made by the state without any significant public input.
Medicaid recipients and advocacy groups from around the state banded together to object to DSHS’ plan. Not only did advocates disapprove of the waiver proposal itself, they also strongly objected to the attempt by the state to make changes to Medicaid without consulting the people affected by those changes.
The federal government agreed. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), formerly known as HCFA, refused to consider the state’s waiver proposal until questions were resolved about how the state would provide healthcare services to people who would be affected by the changes. CMS was also concerned about the way that DSHS had asked for and included public input in the development of the waiver.
Battle has only just begun
Although people with disabilities are happy that DSHS was thwarted in their attempt to undermine Medicaid services, it is too early to celebrate. The state appears to be committed to finding ways to reduce their Medicaid costs, and they are busily rewriting the waiver proposal. WPAS will be watching this situation as it develops. Continue to read Envoy On-Line to keep up-to-date - or better yet, sign-up for WPAS Email Updates to receive news even faster.
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