Since moving away from capitated managed care plans in 2012,
Connecticut’s Medicaid program has enjoyed
enormous success. Per capita spending is actually down, making Connecticut
the best
performing state in the US at controlling costs. Even better, those savings
were achieved while Connecticut also made
enormous strides in expanding provider participation in the program, access
to care, and quality improvement. However, this progress is fragile. Ongoing
state budget pressures and uncertainty at the federal level threaten
achievements. A new state administration next year
offers both concerns and opportunities to continue and expand our progress
into the future.
The Medicaid Study Group, a collaboration of independent
consumer advocates, is offering state policymakers
a set of recommendations to both protect the progress we’ve made to date
and to build on those efforts to benefit both consumers and taxpayers. Recommendations
cover regulation and limits on risky, failing payment models, strong program
evaluation, consumer education, data-based policymaking, strengthen Medicaid
oversight leadership, limits on burdensome, pointless waivers, and strong Conflict
of Interest provisions to protect competition.
