Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

Taking the news pulse of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, by Providence Journal and projo.com staff, from 7 to 7, every business day
· Headlines · 25 words · Tag cloud · RSS · MultiBlog

Get the 7 to 7 on your mobile at www.projo.com. Twitter: projo | RSS | Email alerts

« La. man arrested in R.I. on child pornography charges | Main | The snow has arrived, temperature about to dip/ Photo »

Review of Medicaid deal first goal of R.I. Senate

9:25 AM Wed, Dec 31, 2008 |
Maria Armental    Email

By RAY HENRY
Associated Press Writer

PROVIDENCE (AP) -- Rhode Island's state government may lack the medical resources necessary to carry out a first-in-the-nation overhaul of the state's Medicaid system for the elderly, disabled and poor, incoming Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed said in an interview yesterday.

The state Senate's first task after reconvening Jan. 6 will be vetting an agreement Governor Carcieri reached with the Bush administration to limit growth in the Medicaid system, which provides care to about 200,000 state residents.

Among its major goals is keeping at least 475 elderly residents out of expensive nursing homes by providing more at-home care, for example, visiting nurses, delivered meals and electronic monitoring. In an interview with The Associated Press, Paiva-Weed questioned whether Carcieri has lined up enough at-home services to make the agreement, called a waiver, work.

"It does not appear the administration has taken any of the necessary steps to prepare for implementation of the waiver," said Paiva-Weed, whom the Democratic majority has endorsed as its candidate for Senate president. "That really is probably one of our primary concerns."

The agreement would set a five-year, $12 billion spending cap on the state's Medicaid program, which is funded by the state and federal government. In return for accepting limits that save money for the federal government, Carcieri would win freedom to use Medicaid money in new ways, including his effort to reduce the state's reliance on expensive nursing homes.

Carcieri sent the agreement to the Democratic-dominated General Assembly on Dec. 19. They have 30 days to reject it. Otherwise it becomes binding.

Carcieri has already boosted funding for home-based care providers, said his spokesman, Amy Kempe. The governor expects companies will offer more at-home care as the overhaul of the state's Medicaid system creates demand.

Besides questions about care, Paiva-Weed said she wants to know whether state lawmakers can amend the Medicaid deal and how Rhode Island could end the experiment if it goes badly.

The debate over Medicaid comes as the state struggles with massive budget deficits. Lawmakers estimate the state is facing a shortfall of $366 million for the year ending in June and a $486 million shortfall for the coming year.

Paiva-Weed said the deficit could grow worse if the economy continues to weaken. Unemployment in Rhode Island stood at 9.3 percent last month, one of the worst rates in the country.

While outgoing Senate President Joseph Montalbano refused to raise personal income, sales or business taxes, Paiva-Weed was noncommittal. She said she wants to see the recommendations from a tax advisory panel assembled by Carcieri before making any decisions. The panel is expected to release its final report next month.

Read a story published last week on similar concerns from the state's Congressional delegation.

social bookmarking

 Tags  global Medicaid waiver Gov. Carcieri health-care system state budget

Comments

Scared Taxpayer said:

Doomed I tell you. We are all doomed.

Link | December 31, 2008 10:14 AM
Report Abuse

concerned said:

Those idiots can't fix anything.

Link | December 31, 2008 11:59 AM
Report Abuse


Leave a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.




Type the characters you see in the picture above.