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Hinkle introduces bill to
give state more flexibility
for Medicaid programs
13th District legislator wants patients to have
more say in their health care decisions, reduced costs for the state
Rep. Bill Hinkle,
R-Cle Elum, has introduced a bill that would provide more flexibility in
benefits and cost-sharing designs for Medicaid programs. The top ranking
Republican on the House Health Care and Wellness Committee believes
House Bill 1490 would lead to Medicaid patients having a stronger say in
their health care benefits and cost savings for taxpayers.
“There is a significant disconnect when it comes to the state’s Medicaid
patients and those delivering and paying for their health care. Simply
put – these patients are not empowered to make decisions regarding their
own health care needs. This needs to change,” said Hinkle. “The measure
I introduced would allow the state’s Department of Social and Health
Services to develop and test an alternative system for delivering
Medicaid benefits. I believe this would eventually lead to better health
care services for these patients and fewer Medicaid costs to the state.”
The Federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 allows states to redesign
their Medicaid programs to create more flexibility in benefit and
cost-sharing designs as long as they are in compliance with federal
regulations. This, in turn, gives enrollees more opportunities to decide
how to use their health care benefits.
“We must address the structural problems of government-purchased health
care. The current approach has led to runaway costs, limited access and
a lack of funding,” said Hinkle. “Some suggest enrolling more people in
government-sponsored health care programs. But before we strain already
limited resources, the state should focus on doing a better job of
delivering services to the people already under its care. My bill
addresses this.”
Hinkle believes his measure is an important piece of a more
comprehensive plan put forth by the governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on
Health Care Access and Costs. He was appointed to the 12-member
commission in May. The commission has met since then to look at ways of
providing accessible, affordable health care for citizens and just
recently submitted a report to the Legislature.
“I thought the Blue Ribbon Commission was a positive experience in terms
of developing bipartisan consensus on complex health care issues. Now is
the time to put words into action,” said Hinkle. “We must carry this
consensus forward in the form of new legislation – but only in the ways
in which they were previously agreed upon. It doesn’t matter who gets
the credit – Republicans or Democrats – it’s about reforming our health
care system in meaningful ways.”
Hinkle can be contacted at (360) 786-7808 or hinkle.bill@leg.wa.gov.
For more information on Hinkle visit: http://www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/Hinkle/
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