WASHINGTON — Governors of both parties are warning that a little-noticed regulation proposed by the Trump administration could lead to big cuts in Medicaid, restricting their ability to pay for health care for low-income Americans.
The arcane fiscal accountability rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services — or CMS — would tighten federal oversight and approval over complex financing strategies states have long used to help pay for their share of the $600 billion program. Also targeted are certain payments to hospitals that treat many low-income patients. Public comments closed last week amid a chorus of criticism from hospitals, nursing homes, insurers, doctors, and advocates for the poor.
Against the backdrop of an election year, governors are warning the administration of potentially dire consequences.
“States may be unable to adequately fund their Medicaid programs, which could lead to unintended consequences that would negatively impact Medicaid beneficiaries across the country,” wrote Govs. Kate Brown, D-Ore., and Charlie Baker, R-Mass., on behalf of the National Governors Association.
But CMS administrator Seema Verma says the vast health care program needs closer scrutiny and has expressed concerns about “shady” financing schemes that abuse the system and drive up taxpayer costs.
In a statement Wednesday, Verma said her agency recognizes the “critical importance” of the state financing but said it has to lead to better value and improved care for Medicaid beneficiaries. Under the proposed rule, “we are increasing transparency, integrity and clarity,” she said.
An agency spokesman said the rule is not intended to reduce Medicaid payments. But the policy comes from an administration that has repeatedly moved to scale back Medicaid. Trump has tried to repeal the program’s Obama-era expansion, supported block grants that would cap federal spending, and allowed states to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients.
The latest proposal could lead to cuts of $37 billion to $49 billion a year in total Medicaid spending, or 6 percent to 8 percent of program funds, according to a study by Manatt Health consultants for the American Hospital Association. Payments to hospitals could be cut up to 17 percent.
A CMS spokesman said the agency doesn’t believe those estimates are credible. In the rule, CMS says that the fiscal impact of its plan is “unknown.” Critics say the agency did not do a full analysis.
If the federal government curtails financing methods states now rely on, governors would have to seek broad tax increases, cut payments to hospitals and doctors, reduce benefits, restrict eligibility, or some combination of such measures. States can set their own Medicaid policies within federal requirements.
Medicaid covers more than 70 million people, or about 1 in 5 Americans. That includes many pregnant women, newborns, elderly nursing home residents, and severely disabled people. In states that have accepted the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion it’s also a mainstay of coverage for low-income adults.
“Medicaid is the backbone of the U.S. health care system; you weaken the backbone and the whole system gets scoliosis,” said Matt Salo, head of the nonpartisan National Association of Medicaid Directors, which has also raised concerns.
