The Jessie Ball duPont Fund asked researchers at the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University to examine two key components of Florida's medicaid reform debate: What can be said about the impact of the Medicaid managed care pilot on beneficiaries in the affected counties? What lessons have been learned during the last five years that should inform public policy decisions in Tallahassee?
The result does not speak well for the pending legislation in Tallahassee. First the report does not show where the pilot programs offered any cost saving or increase to the Medicaid program. What it did find: "Children, parents and people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid have experienced enormous disruption as a result of plan turnover in Broward, Duval and surrounding counties." It also appears that people did not stay with the HMO when given the choice.
The likely reduction in spending is around 1/6th of what is being touted by supporters of the bill. The Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar and numerous other organizations have offered other measures that can accomplish a similar reduction without a reduction in services. For example take a look at this open letter provided to our office by West Florida's Council on Aging last week: http://www.fcoa.org/Advocacy%20Brochure%20FINAL%201-7-11.pdf This position paper has the endorsement of numerous organizations who work with seniors around the state.
For the full Georgetown study: http://hpi.georgetown.edu/floridamedicaid/index.html
For an overview: http://hpi.georgetown.edu/floridamedicaid/pdfs/Overview_Findings_FL_2011.pdf
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