Bill Aims to Block HMO Cuts in Medicaid Reimbursements
Senate panel hears emotional testimony on potential harm to children, elderly and disabled.
A state Senate committee has moved to set up roadblocks in the face of reimbursement cuts planned by HMOs that oversee New Jersey’s Medicaid program. Often-emotional testimony by health-care providers and workers helped convince the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee that cuts by Horizon NJ Health and the other HMOs would hit services for the frail elderly, children with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. The committee already was inclined to act as its chairman, Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex) sponsored legislation -- S2241 -- with Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) to require state administrative approval before the HMOs can lower reimbursements. Weinberg declared that the issue is of “increasing …
