UPDATE
FROM AAP-CA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KRIS CALVIN, MA
August 2004
Medi-Cal
Redesign: "No Go" this year
I am very pleased to report that the Governor has opted to defer,
until next year, his plans to trim $400 million dollars annually
off the state Medi-Cal budget through a massive redesign. While
the Administration's general frame for the redesign was a positive
one, numerous critical issues were on the table that had not been
resolved. This time extension permits a more thoughtful approach,
one that will be far more likely to yield effective cost cutting
strategies that do not jeopardize quality. Please contact the
Governor to let him know how much we appreciate this important
policy decision (916-445-2841; fax 916-445-4633), to email visit
http://www.govmail.ca.gov/
AAP-CA has worked tremendously hard, in coalition with like-minded
partners, to advocate that a longer, more thoughtful process is
needed to improve Medi-Cal, rather than the quick mega-waiver
action the Governor had originally sought. To that end, I participated
in over 20 meetings on this issue on your behalf. Further, AAP-CA
lobbyist Jackie Miller and I had extensive one-on-one and joint
communications with key state officials, legislative offices and
coalition partners. Our message was clear. While we support redesign
of Medi-Cal to improve the program, cost cuts cannot be the primary
consideration. (California's per capita Medicaid cost is already
$2000 less than the national average.) Perhaps most importantly,
the waiver process the Governor was considering would require
per capita "budget neutrality", meaning California was
potentially signing away the open-ended entitlement we currently
have to a federal match under Medi-Cal.
Debate over the redesign of Medi-Cal was expected to dominate
legislative discussions between now and the planned October submission
of the waiver. Deferral of this until next year is a tremendous
victory. Please let the Governor know that you appreciate his
understanding of the complexity of this issue and the extension
of the timeline to permit thoughtful input and design.
Thanks for your help.
Best regards,
Kris
