Medicaid – Eligibility Changes Under the Affordable Care Act

ACA Affordable Care Act Federal Legislative Positions Legislative Position Medicaid

Federal

Date: 5/7/12

Bill Number: CMS-2349-F

Medicaid Program; Eligibility Changes Under the Affordable Care Act of 2010; Final RuleMedicaid Program; Eligibility Changes Under the Affordable Care Act of 2010; Final Rule

Summary

Permits eligibility-determination functions to be contracted out to private entities

Our Position: Oppose

Public accountability for Medicaid eligibility determinations is essential. The best way to ensure accountability is if governmental staff carry out these functions in the best interest of the public, free of bias or conflicts of interest. This has been the policy in Medicaid for decades: to change it without a process for notice and comment would be highly unusual and set a bad precedent.