Guest Blogger: Thomas Perrin on Florida’s Possible Medicaid Waiver

Thomas Perrin / April 06, 2010

In 2006, under former Governor Jeb Bush, Florida rolled out the most comprehensive Medicaid reform plan in the country. Studies from both The James Madison Institute and the University of Florida have shown these innovative reforms not only save money, but also improve the quality of care.

On Wednesday, the Florida Senate passed a proviso amendment to their 2010-2011 budget that would require the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to draft a new federal Medicaid waiver.

This new waiver, if accepted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), would essentially grant the state of Florida the ability to cap its Medicaid spending to the amount allotted by the state budget. The legislature would then be allowed to adjust optional eligibility groups and services depending on the amount appropriated. The waiver would also allow Florida to set up a voucher system where beneficiaries could purchase insurance products from private companies. Finally, the waiver would require higher-income Medicaid recipients to make coinsurance and deductible payments, but grant them incentives for efficiencies. (more…)