Proposals to transform Medicaid spur enthusiasm, worries

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber pushes his state's model for "reinventing" Medicaid with coordinated care organizations, while a proposed expansion of Medicaid managed care in Texas sparks worries about care for the disabled.

Politico: Oregon Governor touts New Medicaid Model
Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber used the just-completed National Governors Association winter meeting to try to get his colleagues to think not just about cutting or expanding Medicaid -- but about reinventing it (Martin and Kenen, 2/27).

The Texas Tribune: Senate Panel Discusses Reforms To Curb Medicaid Costs
During four hours of public testimony on Senate Bill 7 on Tuesday, disability rights stakeholders aired concerns on the bill's proposals to redesign Medicaid and acute care services to contain costs. … SB 7 aims to curb costs by expanding managed care services, establishing pilot programs to try capping costs and to monitor services more efficiently (Aaronson, 2/26).