Mass. Medicaid waiver hits roadblock; N.Y. enrollment reaches 5 million

Politico reports that despite its health reform efforts, Massachusetts is having trouble getting the federal government to issue a waiver for Medicaid programs. The Wall Street Journal reports on the growing needs in New York.

Politico: Medicaid Waiver Entangled In Safety Net In Massachusetts
The extension of the Medicaid waiver that allows Massachusetts to operate its landmark health care reform has hit a roadblock over funding for "safety net" providers, who are facing a growing demand for care even though the state's coverage expansion was supposed to limit their burden of caring for the poor (Millman, 10/11).

The Wall Street Journal: N.Y. Medicaid Rolls Reach 5 Million
For New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state policy makers, it's a milestone that comes with mixed blessings: five million New Yorkers on Medicaid. If New York hasn't already eclipsed the mark this month, it's nearly certain that the Medicaid program will get its five-millionth New Yorker this year, experts said. In August, there were 4,963,000 people enrolled in the government program for the poor and disabled (Gershman, 10/12).

Kansas Health Institute: Kansas Attorney General Announces $300,440 In Medicaid Recoveries
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt today announced that Kansas has recovered $300,440 as part of nationwide Medicaid settlements. The settlements are with three pharmaceutical companies that improperly charged Medicaid for off-label uses of anti-epilepsy drugs, according to a release from Schmidt's office (10/11).