On September 8th the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced the launch of the State Health Improvement Process (SHIP), the goal of which is to improve the health of Marylanders in areas such as healthy births, infectious disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, and the number of uninsured people. The SHIP, with start-up funding provided by the Maryland Hospital Association, will support local planning coalitions chaired by local planning contacts (generally local health officers) in counties and regions across the state to identify priorities, make plans, and take action.
The SHIP website includes health data by county and features tools and health resources for planners and individuals seeking to improve their own health or the health of their community. Check out the website for more information at www.dhmh.maryland.gov/ship.
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Medicaid division, with significant input from the public and consultation with the Maryland Medicaid Advisory Committee (MMAC), announced its decisions on Medicaid budget reductions for FY 2012. The Department had been directed by the General Assembly to reduce its budget by $40 million, $20 in state general funds. The immediate actions include:
- $8.15 million in revenue by getting late 2011 bills paid by the federal government in time to still receive the enhanced match rate;
- $5.32 million in recovery from managed care organizations (MCOs) related to medical loss ratio;
- $3.75 million in expenditure reduction by reducing the MCO capitation rate by an additional half percent beginning in January;
- $0.38 million in revenue by transferring eligible children from Medicaid to CHIP at the higher match rate;
- $0.60 million in revenue by accelerating the eligibility process for certain people in nursing homes;
- $0.50 million in expenditure reduction by aligning payment rates with those in other states for durable medical equipment, DMS, and oxygen; and
- $1.3 million in recovery of settlement funds under the Smith v Colmers lawsuit.
Other recommendations that were considered will remain considerations as the Department continues to discuss Medicaid cost drivers and how to bring down those costs.
After many attempts at reforming Maryland Medicaid's Long-Term Care (LTC) Program, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is poised to begin efforts to rebalance its program from one that is heavily institutionally biased to one that provides greater access to Home- and Community-Based Supports and Services (HCBS). Unlike earlier efforts to reform the LTC Program, this effort will not include moving individuals into managed care. Rather, the state will be moving forward using two provisions of federal health care reform law related to rebalancing long-term supports and services in HCBS.
The two provisions Medicaid intends on pursuing each provide additional federal matching funds for HCBS. The Balancing Incentive Payments Program provides additional federal funds for two years for new or expanded HCBS. Community First Choice provides person-centered attendant services and supports statewide to individuals in the various LTC waiver programs, such as the Older Adults Waiver and the Living At Home Waiver. Both of these rebalancing options include requirements related to data collection on quality and outcomes for program participants. Public Policy Partners will keep you up to date as details emerge on these important efforts.
As reported in the last Maryland Policy Update, Governor O'Malley has called for a Special Session of the Maryland General Assembly beginning October 17th. While Congressional redistricting is the only issue we know for certain will be discussed, Public Policy Partners will be monitoring all activities and provide updates to its clients.
The Health Benefit Exchange announced the hiring of its first Executive Director, Rebecca Pearce. Ms. Pearce most recently worked for Kaiser Permanente as a National Product Director and Benefit Exception Administrator. Prior to that, she worked as a Director of Product Management at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield in Maryland.
The Health Care for the Homeless Board of Directors has selected Kevin Lindamood to become the organization’s new President and CEO. Mr. Lindamood first joined HCH in 1993, holding various positions including outreach worker, health policy organizer, and most recently, vice president for external affairs. Mr. Lindamood succeeds Jeff Singer who is retiring after nearly 25 years with the organization, the last 13 as its leader.
Congratulations to Salliann Allborn for her appointment to the Maryland Medicaid Advisory Committee. The CEO of the Maryland Community Health System will represent the perspective of federally qualified health centers throughout Maryland.
We are also happy to offer congratulations to Maria Harris Tildon, who has been appointed to the Baltimore City Community College Board of Trustees by Governor O'Malley. Ms. Tildon and Public Policy Partners’ Ann Ciekot are members of the Board of Directors of Health Care for the Homeless.
Public Policy Partners' Legislative Assistant, Pam Tenemaza, has being accepted into the University of Baltimore's graduate program. Pam intends to earn her Master's degree in Public Administration with a concentration in health policy.
