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Breaking News on DOL OT Rule
RCPA received the following alert from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE):
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DHS Awards Landmark Medicaid Agreements
Pennsylvania Continues Shift to Outcome and Value-based Payment Structure
On April 27, Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Ted Dallas announced that the state has agreed to move forward and negotiate contracts with eight managed care organizations (MCOs) to deliver physical health services to Pennsylvanians through HealthChoices, Pennsylvania’s mandatory Medicaid managed care program since 1997.
“These agreements mark the most significant change in Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program since we moved to managed care 18 years ago,” said Dallas. “Over the next three years, MCOs will be investing billions of dollars in innovative approaches that reward high-quality care that improves patient health rather than just providing services for a fee. The result will be higher levels of quality care for the 2.1 million Pennsylvanians served by Medicaid.”
HealthChoices delivers quality medical care and timely access to all appropriate services to children, individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, and low-income Pennsylvanians. For more information, visit the HealthChoices website or DHS website.
DHS has selected the following MCOs to proceed with negotiations to deliver services in Pennsylvania beginning in 2017. The agreements are awarded in five geographic regions:
| Southeast Region
|
Centene (Pennsylvania Health and Wellness) Health Partners Plans United Healthcare of Pennsylvania, Inc. UPMC for You, Inc. Vista–Keystone First Health Plan |
| Lehigh/Capital Region | Centene (Pennsylvania Health and Wellness) Gateway Health United Healthcare of Pennsylvania, Inc. UPMC for You Vista—AmeriHealth Caritas Health Plan |
| Southwest Region
|
Centene (Pennsylvania Health and Wellness) Gateway Health United Healthcare of Pennsylvania, Inc. UPMC for You Vista—AmeriHealth Caritas Health Plan |
| Northwest Region | Aetna Better Health of Pennsylvania United Healthcare of Pennsylvania, Inc. UPMC for You Vista—AmeriHealth Caritas Health Plan |
| Northeast Region | Geisinger Health Plan United Healthcare of Pennsylvania, Inc. UPMC for You Vista—AmeriHealth Caritas Health Plan |
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House Republican Leaders Give Ultimatum to the Governor
House Republican leaders told Governor Wolf he has 24 hours to prove that he has enough votes in the House to pass a spending and tax proposal he supports. If he cannot show he has the votes, House Republican leadership said they will propose a stopgap funding bill to end the state government’s five-and-a-half month budget stalemate.
According to House Majority Leader Dave Reed, he wants to hold final votes this weekend. As of today, the governor, both caucuses in the Senate, as well as House Democrats, support the $30.8 billion budget as well as the $1 billion-plus tax plan. The House Republican majority wants a pared down $30.2 billion budget which would include smaller spending and tax increases.
It should be an interesting day at the Capitol. The governor must have all 83 (Rep. Louise Bishop resigned on Wednesday) of the House Democrat Caucus be in favor of the budget – to date, not all members of the Democrat Caucus have supported the governor’s budget proposal. In addition, the governor would have to pick up between 20 and 30 Republican votes, depending on whether members of his own caucus go against him.
Stay tuned! RCPA will continue to provide updates on the budget. RCPA encourages members to continue to contact the governor and state legislators to inform them why it’s necessary for them to pass a state budget sooner rather than later. Questions, contact Jack Phillips.
State Budget Update
This article from Capitolwire is a good and extensive overview of what is going on with the budget here in Harrisburg. Health and Human service budget line items are still fluid until the House and Senate negotiate a final budget deal. RCPA will provide updates on any budget deal, and RCPA encourages members to continue to contact the governor and state legislators to inform them why it’s necessary for them to pass a state budget sooner rather than later. Questions, contact Jack Phillips.
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