Wednesday 26
independent consumer advocates wrote the Lieutenant Governor supporting
DSS’s decision to evaluate outcomes after the first wave of 200,000+ members
into the new Medicaid shared savings program, MQISSP. The advocates support
DSS’s prudent plan to assess the impact, good and bad, and make revisions
before moving more people into the untested program. Enlightened policymakers incorporate
robust evaluations in all programs, and use them in revising programs to limit
harm and build value. More mature shared savings programs in other states and
programs have struggled, many have not saved money, and quality improvement is
weak. Given the state has recognized the higher danger for inappropriate
underservice for Medicaid members in financial risk models, DSS’s plan to evaluate
and adjust based on the evidence is especially wise.
