Some of Michiana’s biggest health care providers, including Beacon Health System and South Bend Clinic, have recently stopped accepting new patients who rely on Medicaid for their health insurance.
It wasn’t clear exactly why Beacon and South Bend Clinic have made this decision. Officials with both health systems declined to be interviewed for this story.
It’s been less than a week since the Governor announced proposed changes to the way hospitals are reimbursed by Medicaid.
The hospitals will be taxed more but they’ll also be drawing down significantly more federal dollars. Neshoba General Hospital CEO Lee McCall says the changes to Medicaid reimbursements couldn’t come at a better time.
Rising health care costs are a major concern for most Americans. A Pew poll from earlier this year found 64 percent of Americans consider health care affordability a "very big problem in our country today." That includes majorities of both parties—54 percent of Republicans and 73 percent of Democrats. Our country may struggle with division and polarization, but it's clear that health care is an area where bipartisan reform is possible.
The financial challenges faced by safety net hospitals are of national concern. This is particularly true as Medicaid reimbursement rates and state aid for hospitals that serve diverse patient populations continue to fall short of what is needed. Safety net hospitals were also dealt a blow from Washington in recent days as we brace for nearly a $1 billion reduction in aid to close payment gaps for those who can’t afford medical care.
Greater funding and changes to several of Virginia’s Medicaid programs may be on their way after the General Assembly adopted long-delayed amendments to the state’s two-year budget last Wednesday.
The changes range from an increase in disability waiver slots and higher reimbursement rates for health care and disability service providers to modifying an emergency room use policy and requiring prior authorization for certain diabetic and weight loss drugs.