Post by Logan on Jun 5, 2016 3:58:09 GMT -6
Madison — Republican lawmakers will likely delay a vote for months on whether to approve GOP Gov. Scott Walker's plans to overhaul long-term care programs.
"At this time, we're not prepared to move forward," said Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), co-chairwoman of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee.
The Walker administration wants to change how the multibillion-dollar Family Care and IRIS programs are run, shifting them from nonprofit providers to for-profit insurers. Backers argue the new system would save money and provide better care for more than 55,000 elderly and disabled people, while detractors contend there are no guarantees and say vulnerable people could be put at risk by the changes.
The changes would need the approval of federal authorities because the programs are funded by Medicaid, a health care program jointly funded by states and the federal government. The Legislature's Joint Finance Committee has to sign off on the plan before it can be submitted to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for approval.
Read more: www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/lawmakers-delays-likely-on-long-term-care-changes-b99737517z1-381872101.html
"At this time, we're not prepared to move forward," said Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), co-chairwoman of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee.
The Walker administration wants to change how the multibillion-dollar Family Care and IRIS programs are run, shifting them from nonprofit providers to for-profit insurers. Backers argue the new system would save money and provide better care for more than 55,000 elderly and disabled people, while detractors contend there are no guarantees and say vulnerable people could be put at risk by the changes.
The changes would need the approval of federal authorities because the programs are funded by Medicaid, a health care program jointly funded by states and the federal government. The Legislature's Joint Finance Committee has to sign off on the plan before it can be submitted to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for approval.
Read more: www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/lawmakers-delays-likely-on-long-term-care-changes-b99737517z1-381872101.html