Last week, CEOs from seven major health plans and providers released their own plan to streamline Minnesota's Medicaid program—and carve $1.8 billion from the projected $6.2 billion deficit—at the expense of other providers and programs. The report, titled “Minnesota’s Healthcare Imperative” discussion document, is co-signed by: Allina Hospitals & Clinics, BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota, Fairview Health Services, HealthPartners, Medica, Park Nicollet Health Services, and UCare.

The report has been highly criticized by many groups, including the Association, as a self-serving document without accurate data to support its recommendations. For example, included in their report is a recommendation for targeted reductions to home- and community-based waivered services to save up to $170 million.

The report, and its potential implications, were the focus of an editorial in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune last weekend and an “Almanac at the Capitol” story on February 2, as well as the subject of much hallway discussion at the Capitol. Association President/CEO Patti Cullen co-authored a responsorial op-ed piece, which will hopefully be published by the Minneapolis newspaper. In addition, Association staff provided questions to reporters, and will be including factual correction statements to legislators in the near future. Here is a sampling of questions we had in response to the report:

• The state needs to prepare for increased demand in older adult services; how does the report address the needs of the future by proposing to cut some of the more cost-effective programs?
• Home- and community-based services provided through waivers for older adult services saves money—the state has purposely moved in this direction because of cost-savings and desires by older adults. What would be the cause and effect of cutting funding to these programs?
• Have managed care organizations really demonstrated that they can provide value to the state by managing the Medicaid programs?

Patti Cullen, CAE
952.851.2487
pcullen@careproviders.org

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