Texas House approves major changes to Medicaid; N.J. officials release details of cuts

Proposed changes in Medicaid operations in Texas, New Jersey and Arizona are expected to trim the number of enrollees in those programs.

Dallas Morning News: Texas House Seeks Big Medicaid Changes
Texas would seek relief from federal Medicaid rules and nudge the needy into private health insurance with taxpayer subsidies under a bill the House tentatively approved Friday. The vote, mostly along party lines, was 97-45 (Garrett, 6/11).

The Texas Tribune: House OKs Bill to Seek Federal Medicaid Waiver
The Texas House passed a bill today to take control of Texas health care reform. Representatives tentatively passed HB 13, a special session bill that will allow Texas to petition the Obama administration for a block grant to operate the Medicaid program, which insures poor children, the disabled and impoverished adults (Aaronson, 6/10).

The Associated Press: Proposed Medicaid Cuts Put NJ In National Debate
As states across the country look for ways to trim billions off their spending on Medicaid, New Jersey is garnering particular attention for a proposal that opponents characterize as an unprecedented and draconian attempt to balance the state's precarious budget on the backs of society's most vulnerable populations (Lederman, 6/11).

The Star Ledger: Human Services Officials Release Details On N.J. Medicaid Program Cuts, Changes
The Christie administration released a long-anticipated outline today of how the state proposes to drastically restructure New Jersey's Medicaid program and cut more than $300 million to help close a deficit. In the most controversial element of the proposal, the Department of Human Services expects to save as much as $32.5 million by sharply limiting who is eligible for coverage. It was the first time that the state disclosed estimates of what each change would save (Livio, 6/10).

Arizona Republic: Arizona Adults At Risk Of Losing Medicaid
State officials are banking on thousands of low-income Arizonans losing their health coverage to help balance the budget for the coming fiscal year. The stakes have never been higher for more than 220,000 childless adults on the state's Medicaid program. Unless a pending lawsuit or federal intervention prevents an enrollment freeze July 1, once people like (Brian) Riess fall off the rolls they will no longer be able to get back on, regardless of their income or medical condition (Reinhart, 6/12).