October 2016 Public Meeting

In the opening session of MACPAC’s October 2016 meeting and a follow-up session in the afternoon, Commissioners resumed deliberations on the design elements of a package of recommendations on the future of CHIP and children’s coverage, to be finalized in December. The discussion focused on a time-limited funding extension for CHIP funding to stabilize children’s coverage, and state-based approaches that would move toward a more seamless system of coverage.

The Commission examined several policy options to better target disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments to providers and DSH allotments to states, laying the groundwork for future DSH recommendations to Congress.

Later the Commission reviewed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed revision of regulations governing state Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs). It also considered issues which could provide the basis for comments on a forthcoming evaluation of the Money Follows the Person demonstration program, created to provide states with resources to transition people with Medicaid from institutions back to the community.

The October meeting devoted two sessions to Medicaid prescription drug policies. The first session provided an introduction to prescription drug cost containment strategies—including tools currently employed in the private sector—that might help state Medicaid programs constrain drug costs. The meeting wrapped up with a session describing the impact of the opioid epidemic on the Medicaid program, looking at claims data for insight on the use of prescription opioids, and reviewing state policies on substance-use treatment coverage and those designed to limit misuse of prescription opioids.

Presentations