Thursday, November 10, 2005
Huckabee Urges Major Medicaid Reforms
Gov. Mike Huckabee, Chairman of the National Governor's Association, has been at the forefront of a major national debate over reforming Medicaid. On Wednesday, Huckabee told the nation's Medicaid directors that the American Medicaid system is in dramatic need of overhaul after remaining virtually unchanged for 40 years -- and that changes made to the program should be "reform-driven."
Huckabee insists that reforms to Medicaid be made compassionately, because the program serves as the safety net for the poor and elderly.
"The challenges we face with Medicaid system are not just about the money; we need to find better ways to save and improve the lives of the frailest members of our society."
The Governor delivered his remarks in anticipation of floor consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives of budget reconciliation bill HR 4241. This bill contains Medicaid reforms agreed upon by the nation's 50 governors.
Speaking at the fall 2005 annual meeting of the National Association of State Medicaid Directors in Arlington, Va., Huckabee said, "There is almost nothing about life in this country that is the same as it was in 1965, yet the Medicaid system has not changed much at all since it was signed into law by President Johnson. It is well past the time this country addressed the fact that unsustainable Medicaid growth is creating a very real fiscal crisis in most states."
Using Arkansas as an example, Huckabee noted the Medicaid program has grown from 400,000 recipients in 1996 to over 717,000 today. "Program costs have jumped to $3 billion annually," said Huckabee. "In our state, with its population of 2.7 million citizens, the program pays for roughly 75 percent of all nursing home patients and 50 percent of all births."
As NGA chairman, Huckabee has played a key role in the ongoing Medicaid reform discussions involving governors and congressional leaders. The NGA Medicaid reform proposal outlines fundamental changes that would give governors more flexibility to deal with a program burdening them with costs spiraling out of control.
Huckabee told a crowd of more than 500 people at the Marriott Crystal Gateway Hotel in Arlington, "The Medicaid system needs to move expeditiously toward real cost savings and better coverage. This country doesn't have the luxury of looking at this complex issue from a think-tank point of view. We have to continue to work with Congress to improve the lives of millions of Americans who have nowhere else to turn for medical coverage, but we also have to come to grips with the harsh fiscal reality that this unchecked growth can't continue."
Huckabee has been governor of Arkansas since July of 1996 and is the second most senior serving governor in America. He told the Medicaid directors some of the core components of Medicaid reform should be:
--A review of funding for end of life care
--Incentives for recipients to get involved in wellness efforts
--Exploration of new ways to deal with people shielding assets to obtain Medicaid eligibility
--Reform of the waiver process allowing states to try new approaches to old problems
--A more flexible benefits package for the younger Medicaid population
--The creation of more consumer choice benefits
--Greater transparency in the prescription drug reimbursement program
While serving as chairman of the NGA, Huckabee is overseeing his "Healthy America" initiative, encouraging all Americans to invest in their own health by taking preventive measures, including exercise, eating healthier, and refraining from tobacco use.
This is an edited version of an article previously written by Kirsten Fedewa of U.S. Newswire.
