Under current law, the state will expand Medicaid coverage to approximately 83,000 childless adults who earn less than the poverty level, according to the report. At the same time, the reform plan will transition more than 70,000 Wisconsin residents who earn more than 100 percent of the federal poverty level out of the state’s Medicaid program. These residents have been encouraged to enroll in health plans through the state’s federally facilitated health insurance exchange under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Wisconsin has opted not to expand its Medicaid program under the reform law to cover those earning up to 138 percent of the poverty level.
Following the technical issues that have plagued the federal exchange site, Gov. Walker proposed last month the state delay transitioning people out of the Medicaid program until April in order to give them more time to purchase health plans through the exchanges, according to the report.
Later this week, the state assembly is scheduled to consider a bill that would implement the proposed delay. The senate will likely vote on the measure later this month, according to the report.
Some have criticized the idea of delaying coverage expansion to encompass adults earning less than the poverty level. Bobby Peterson, executive director of healthcare advocacy group ABC for Health, has said the delay “doesn’t make moral sense,” according to the report.
Others have expressed support for a delay. Last month, Wisconsin Hospital Association and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) have asked the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to push back the Medicaid reform initiative because of the federal exchange site’s technical problems. Hospital executives are concerned people who are losing their Medicaid coverage will not be able to sign up for alternate health plans through the exchange by Dec. 15 — the enrollment deadline for coverage starting Jan. 1.
More Articles on Medicaid:
Wisconsin Hospital Association, Sen. Tammy Baldwin Call for Delay in Medicaid Reform
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell Rejects Medicaid Expansion
Analysis: 5.2M People Could Fall Into PPACA Coverage Gap
