Thread: RGA's Medicaid reform report - Target Illegal Immigrants

RGA's Medicaid reform report
Author: By Dan Merica
CNN
Posted On Aug 30 2011 04:20:40 PM CDT

Washington (CNN) -

On the day that congressional Republicans appointed to the "super committee" meet for the first time, GOP governors are looking for more flexibility in reforming Medicaid.

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour said a Medicaid reform report produced Tuesday by the Republican Governors Association should be "helpful" for the congressional super committee.

"Many of these solutions will save money but also improve the quality of care. That ought to be and I expect is exactly what Congress is and should be looking for," Barbour said.

Research on the report began before the "super committee" selections were announced in August. Barbour called the timing of the release purely "serendipitous."

The report's genesis was a joint letter from Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) sent in May 2011 that asked governors to provide suggestions for Medicaid reform. Since research started, Upton was named to the "super committee."

According to Barbour, RGA staff has worked with Upton's office on the report.

"Policies handed down from Washington have significant consequences for states and local governments," Upton said in a release. "Rather than imposing new federal mandates, we are building a new partnership with governors."

Barbour acknowledged that the "super committee" is going to make decisions that will mean less money for states, but said this situation is no different than when Congress is normally in session.

"Whether it is 12 or 535, it is just a number," Barbour said. "Kind of like age."

Signed by all Republican governors, "A New Medicaid: A Flexible, Innovative and Accountable Future" is a 31-point report that Barbour says offers states options for reforming Medicaid.

Some of the suggestions within the report include requiring the federal government to take full responsibility for the uncompensated care of treating illegal immigrants and allowing states more flexibility on determining eligibility for programs.

"We do not expect or recommend that every governor adopt every practice," Barbour said. "But all of these principles are good to be considered by the states."

The report will serve as a basis for a health care summit that the RGA will hold on October 24 and 25, 2011 in Washington, D.C.

http://www.news8000.com/news/politics/R ... index.html

Why are they paying for illegals on any level? GO HOME and get assistance! Ultimately,WE pay! Ludicrous!

Sanctuary cities and states want all Americans to chip in for their IAs.

Some of the suggestions within the report include requiring the federal government to take full responsibility for the uncompensated care of treating illegal immigrants

This would be great except for the fact that whenever the "government" takes responsibility, the cost of that supposedly taking responsibility is passed on down to the taxpayers! SO though this sounds good, I really see nothing changing here.

To Cut Medicaid Costs, GOP Governors Target Illegal Immigrants
wsj.com
By Janet Adamy
August 30, 2011, 4:49 PM ET


Republican governors have a new target in their quest to cut Medicaid costs: illegal immigrants.


Republican Governors Association Policy Chairman and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, at a news conference to talk about the RGA’s Medicaid reform ideas for the states Tuesday in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

In a report released Tuesday, the Republican Governors Association outlined 31 solutions that it says would bring down the cost. Medicaid is a top budget item for states, and governors from both parties have complained it’s busting their purse as more people lose jobs and qualify for the federal-state insurance program for the poor.

The RGA has floated most of the ideas before, but one jumped out as new. Solution No. 5 would “require the federal government to take full responsibility for the uncompensated care costs of treating illegal aliens.â€