Growing Pains in Florida
A new report indicates that Florida’s pioneering Medicaid waiver—now being tested in two counties—may be reducing the number of physicians willing to serve Medicaid patients. The survey of area physicians, conducted by the Georgetown Health Policy Institute, found that 27 percent of physicians who had previously participated in Medicaid say they’ll cease to do so under the new plan. The doctors complained of cumbersome restrictions on providing care to children, as well as increases in paperwork. Researchers noted that only 8 percent of doctors (two-thirds of whom are specialists) responded to the survey and said the results should not be considered indicative of the entire population of doctors. Passed by the Legislature and enacted in 2005, Florida’s groundbreaking 1115 waiver entails moving from a “defined benefit” to a “defined contribution.” Qualifying beneficiaries receive a specific amount of “credit” with which to choose one of a variety of plans offering different benefit packages (benefits for children may not vary from the traditional Medicaid plan). The state pays each plan a premium adjusted for enrollees’ age, sex and health status. The reforms will be tested in Broward and Duval counties for two years, at the end of which lawmakers will vote on whether to make the reforms statewide. Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration commented, “As with all studies based on focus groups and surveys, the information is a snapshot of a specific audience at a specific time. We do not agree with all the findings and have asked the university for their data so we can better understand their analysis and conclusions.”
Testing Convicted Felons
The Tennessee Legislature is sending a bill to the Governor that would require those convicted of breaking the law by promoting prostitution—such as pimps and madams—to be tested for HIV. The bill was the brainchild of Representative Ulysses Jones, who got the idea from a local judge who suggested that “panderers” be tested. Two states—Nevada and Arizona—already require testing of those charged with pandering. “The ones promoting [prostitution] should also be tested,” Representative Jones told the Associated Press. Representative Brian Kelsey questioned the constitutionality of the bill, noting that those who will be tested generally are not “alleged to have engaged in any sexual activity.” The legislation is scheduled to take effect on July 1.
South Carolina to Relieve Waiting List
A recent $26.8 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services will help reduce South Carolina’s waiting list for its AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). ADAPs provide AIDS medications to low-income individuals. The Palmetto State currently has the longest waiting list in the country, at 473 people; the grant will help 93 of those individuals. The state Legislature also has approved increased funding for the state’s program. “We have in the past relied solely on federal dollars, and clearly, that has not worked,” Representative Joe Neal told the Columbia State. “We need to add dollars and they must come from the state. We have no other source.” Funding for ADAPs initially came from the federal government only under the Ryan White Care Act, but states have taken increasing roles in their own programs in recent years. To learn more about state ADAPs, see the April 30 SHN story, States Stepping up to the Plate to Help Those with HIV/AIDS.
© Copyright 2007, State Health Notes
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