19
Mar
2012
A public hearing on the House Republican amended education bill took place Monday at the
State Capitol. Although the Republican version of the Governor's bill was officially slated for debate, the
hearing involved points on the Senate Democrat version and the Governor's original plan as well. The
House amendment contains a delay on the third-grade "retention" which would go into effect in 2016-17
and removal of a section of the Governor's plan expanding online-only education.
I have received many comments from my constituents concerning the Medicaid cost containment
proposals impacting physicians. The reduction is a change
in the way Iowa pays for services where the patient is
covered by both Medicaid and Medicare. Currently, a
physician bills Medicare first and then bills Medicaid for the
remainder of the bill. As I understand it, a provider can be
paid more by Medicaid and Medicare for these "cross-over
claims" than what the state would pay if the patient was just
eligible for Medicaid. We are concerned about the level of
Medicaid reimbursement. You may be aware that states are
not to pay more than what Medicare pays. That is a problem
for states like ours, where Medicare rates are among the
lowest in the nation. I am hopeful that, by the time the Legislature has adjourned for the year that we will
have found a way to address your concerns.
For the most part the House this week has been taking up a lot of non-controversial policy bills,
but in the coming weeks debate could become a little more heated.
If you have concerns or questions I can be reached at the Capitol by emailing
steven.olson@legis.state.ia.us.
State Capitol. Although the Republican version of the Governor's bill was officially slated for debate, the
hearing involved points on the Senate Democrat version and the Governor's original plan as well. The
House amendment contains a delay on the third-grade "retention" which would go into effect in 2016-17
and removal of a section of the Governor's plan expanding online-only education.
I have received many comments from my constituents concerning the Medicaid cost containment
proposals impacting physicians. The reduction is a change
in the way Iowa pays for services where the patient is
covered by both Medicaid and Medicare. Currently, a
physician bills Medicare first and then bills Medicaid for the
remainder of the bill. As I understand it, a provider can be
paid more by Medicaid and Medicare for these "cross-over
claims" than what the state would pay if the patient was just
eligible for Medicaid. We are concerned about the level of
Medicaid reimbursement. You may be aware that states are
not to pay more than what Medicare pays. That is a problem
for states like ours, where Medicare rates are among the
lowest in the nation. I am hopeful that, by the time the Legislature has adjourned for the year that we will
have found a way to address your concerns.
For the most part the House this week has been taking up a lot of non-controversial policy bills,
but in the coming weeks debate could become a little more heated.
If you have concerns or questions I can be reached at the Capitol by emailing
steven.olson@legis.state.ia.us.
