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NCSL Medicaid Task Force Meeting

Saturday, April 8, 2006

Hyatt Regency, Washington, D.C.
400 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C.

Preliminary Agenda  

11:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Welcome and Introductions	Presiding: Representaitve Beverly Earle, North Carolina Co-Chair, NCSL Medicaid Task Force Representative Ken Svedjan, North Dakota Co-Chair, NCSL Medicaid Task Focre
12 noon - 1:15 p.m.
Working Lunch	Dennis Smith, Director Center for Medicaid and State Operations Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Washington, D.C. (Invited) Mr. Smith has been asked to discuss implementation of the Medicaid provisions in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), with a focus on the provisions related to state flexibility in cost-sharing and benefit design and the provisions that provide opportunities for states to develop innovative programs and approaches to provide services to Medicaid beneficiaries.  We have also asked that he be prepared to answer questions related to the Administration’s FY 2007 budget proposals.
1:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Update - GAO Report on Medicaid Countercyclical Assistance Options	Last year the Government Accountability Office (GAO) began working on a report exploring options for establishing a countercyclical component to updating state Medicaid matching rates.  GAO staff have been invited to provide an update on their progress.
1:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Reviving the Long-Term Care Partnership Program	The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 resurrects the Long Term Care Partnership program.  States will be able to establish partnership programs through amendment to their state Medicaid plans.   What will states need to do to prepare?
2:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Review Draft Revision of NCSL Medicaid Policy	Last year the NCSL Medicaid Task Force developed principles for Medicaid Reform for consideration by NCSL’s Standing Committee on Health.  The task force recommendations were considered and amended by the committee and became NCSL policy last August.  In December, the NCSL Standing Committee on Health revised its policy on long term care to comport with the new principles for Medicaid reform.  This year NCSL’s base policy on Medicaid is scheduled to sunset.  The NCSL Medicaid Task Force has been assigned the task of taking the first cut at updating and revising this policy.
2:45p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Roundtable Discussion:  Medicaid Reform in the States	States are clearly taking the lead in reforming the Medicaid program.  Many of our task force members have been actively involved in these activities.  This session is an opportunity for task force members to share information and to discuss the challenges faced in reforming the Medicaid program.
3:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Review of Task Force Priorities and Schedule for the Year	The task force has two more meetings this NCSL conference year.  The next meeting will be held June 3-4, 2006 in Washington, D.C. The last meeting this conference year will be held in conjunction with the NCSL Annual Meeting on Monday, August 14, 2006 in Nashville, Tennessee.  This time will be used to discuss speakers and topics the task force members want to have for the next two meetings.
5:15p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Wrap-up