Because CMS does not sanction Medicaid program waivers due to budgetary reasons, it is unlikely that Maine's recent Medicaid proposal will be approved, according to a letter from CMS.
In December, Maine Gov. Paul LePage proposed to save $66 million in Medicaid costs over the next 18 months by eliminating coverage for 65,000 state residents.
In the letter, Cindy Mann, director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations within CMS, stated "the purpose of Medicaid is to provide high-quality healthcare coverage to needy individuals whose income and resources are insufficient to meet the costs of necessary medical services. Reductions in eligibility solely for budgetary purposes would not be experimental, pilot or demonstration projects that further the purposes of the program."
In December, Maine Gov. Paul LePage proposed to save $66 million in Medicaid costs over the next 18 months by eliminating coverage for 65,000 state residents.
In the letter, Cindy Mann, director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations within CMS, stated "the purpose of Medicaid is to provide high-quality healthcare coverage to needy individuals whose income and resources are insufficient to meet the costs of necessary medical services. Reductions in eligibility solely for budgetary purposes would not be experimental, pilot or demonstration projects that further the purposes of the program."
Related Articles on Medicaid Cuts:
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Florida Unveils $2B in Medicaid Cuts, Hospitals Say Plan Will Devastate Healthcare