As loyal Say Ahhh! readers know, Joan Alker has been a devout Medicaid Section 1115 “waiver watcher” for many, many years. She was happy to share her knowledge on the topic with the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health this week. We’ll have more to say about the issues covered by the hearing in the weeks to come but thought we would share some of the video highlights of Joan’s remarks with you today.

Importance of balancing the desire for quick approval and state flexibility with the need for public input and sound oversight over taxpayer dollars …

Why imposing work requirements on Medicaid beneficiaries is unnecessary and could have precisely the opposite effect of what is intended ….


The need for stronger oversight of Medicaid managed care…. and why coverage is a better investment of taxpayer dollars than uncompensated care pools….

Transparency in waiver review process is improving but there is more work to be done at both state and federal level …

Recommendations….

To watch the entire hearing and read witness testimony, visit the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee website.