The proposed Wisconsin budget advanced by Republican Governor Scott Walker includes a provision that would shift significant power over the state's Medicaid program from the legislature to the administration through the Department of Health Services, according to an Appleton Post-Crescent report.
The provision — which would remain in effect until 2015 — would allow the Department of Health Services to set up "emergency rules" regarding Medicaid eligibility and co-pays that would supersede state law.
Under the provision, the state Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance would have 14 working days to schedule a meeting to vote on the new rules, but the full Legislature would not need to approve any changes. The Joint Committee on Finance is currently made of up of 12 Republicans and four Democrats, so it is likely the committee would favor the administration's recommendations.
The Governor has said that the changes to the Medicaid program are part of the state's efforts to close an expected $3.6 billion deficit for the state's next fiscal cycle, according to the report.
Read the Appleton Post-Crescent report on Wisconsin Medicaid.
Read more coverage on Wisconsin Medicaid:
- Tax on Wisconsin Hospitals Boosts Medicaid Payments
The provision — which would remain in effect until 2015 — would allow the Department of Health Services to set up "emergency rules" regarding Medicaid eligibility and co-pays that would supersede state law.
Under the provision, the state Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance would have 14 working days to schedule a meeting to vote on the new rules, but the full Legislature would not need to approve any changes. The Joint Committee on Finance is currently made of up of 12 Republicans and four Democrats, so it is likely the committee would favor the administration's recommendations.
The Governor has said that the changes to the Medicaid program are part of the state's efforts to close an expected $3.6 billion deficit for the state's next fiscal cycle, according to the report.
Read the Appleton Post-Crescent report on Wisconsin Medicaid.
Read more coverage on Wisconsin Medicaid:
- Tax on Wisconsin Hospitals Boosts Medicaid Payments