PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2017
Contact: CMS Media Relations
(202) 690-6145 | CMS
Media Inquiries
Verma Outlines Vision for
Medicaid, Announces Historic Steps Taken to Improve the Program
New Policies Help Ensure States Can Focus More Resources, Time
Achieving Positive Health Outcomes for Beneficiaries
Today, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator
Seema Verma discussed her vision for the future of Medicaid and unveiled
new CMS policies that encourage states to propose innovative Medicaid
reforms, reduce federal regulatory burdens, increase efficiency, and
promote transparency and accountability during a plenary session at the
National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) Fall Conference in
Arlington, Virginia.
During her first major speech on the subject, Verma noted that when the
federal government established Medicaid, it was intended to be a
partnership with state governments to care for society’s most vulnerable
citizens. With the growth of the program over the last several years came
increased federal and state spending, which naturally meant increased
federal oversight and regulation, said Verma.
“Our vision for the future of Medicaid is to reset the federal-state
relationship and restore the partnership, while at the same time
modernizing the program to deliver better outcomes for the people we
serve,” said Administrator Verma. “We need to ensure that we are building a
Medicaid program that is sound and solvent to help all beneficiaries reach
their highest potential.”
Verma emphasized her commitment to “turn the page in the Medicaid
program” by giving states more freedom to design innovative programs that
achieve positive results for the people they serve and pledged to remove
impediments that get in the way of states achieving this goal. She
announced several new policies and initiatives that break down the barriers
that prevent state innovation and improvement of Medicaid beneficiary
health outcomes:
Web Site Content on Section 1115 Demonstrations: CMS
updated Medicaid.gov to give states a clearer indication of how their
reform strategies might align with a core objective of the Medicaid
program: serving the health and wellness needs of the nation’s vulnerable
and low-income individuals and families. The revised web site content
signals a new, broader view of Section 1115 demonstrations, in which states
can focus on evidence-based interventions that
drive better health outcomes and quality of life improvements. The
update signals CMS’s willingness to work with state officials requesting
flexibility to continue to provide high quality services to their Medicaid
beneficiaries, support upward mobility and independence, and advance
innovative delivery system and payment models.
In a significant shift from prior policies, in speaking about the new
approach to Section 1115 demonstrations, Verma emphasized the agency’s
commitment to considering proposals that would give states more flexibility
to engage with their working-age, able-bodied citizens on Medicaid through
demonstrations that will help them rise out of poverty. As Medicaid has
expanded to able-bodied individuals, the needs of this population are even
more imperative, she said. During her remarks, the Administrator made it
clear that CMS will openly consider proposals that promote community
engagement and work activities.
“Every American deserves the dignity and respect of high expectations
and as public officials we should deliver programs that instill hope and
say to each beneficiary that we believe in their potential,” said
Administrator Verma. “CMS believes that meaningful work is essential to
beneficiaries’ economic self-sufficiency, self-esteem, well-being, and
health of Americans.”
Streamline and Improve 1115 Demonstration, State Plan
Amendments, and 1915 Waiver Processes: CMS released several new
policies that improve federal and state program management, specifically
through improvements in the review, approval process, and monitoring of
1115 Demonstrations and Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program
(CHIP) state plan amendments (SPA) and 1915 waivers. Taken together, these
policies include provisions that will allow states to:
- Request approval for
certain 1115 demonstrations for up to 10 years;
- More easily pursue
“fast track” federal review, which makes it easier for states to
continue their successful demonstration programs;
- Spend time
administering innovative demonstrations by reducing certain 1115
reporting requirements;
- Expedite SPA and
1915 waiver efforts through a streamlined process and by participating
in a new “within 15-day” initial review call with CMS officials.
In addition, the policies will improve how waivers and demonstration
projects are monitored and evaluated. Waivers and demonstration projects
that are less complex and have been running smoothly will require much less
reporting, and waivers and demonstration projects that have a good track
record of producing positive results will find an easier path to renewal.
In her remarks, the Administrator underscored that these new policies were
intended to relieve the regulatory burden on states, avoid increasing administrative
costs for taxpayers, and refocus time and resources on improving the health
outcomes of Medicaid beneficiaries.
Creation of First-Ever Medicaid and CHIP Scorecards:
CMS is in the early stages of developing Scorecards that will provide
greater transparency and accountability of the Medicaid program by tracking
and publishing state and federal Medicaid outcomes. In her remarks, Verma
said that the Scorecards were a “historic opportunity” to demonstrate to
taxpayers that their hard-earned tax dollars were being spent
appropriately. In addition, the reporting will provide validation to
Medicaid beneficiaries that the $558 billion spent on Medicaid is producing
positive results and improved health outcomes.
To close her remarks, Administrator Verma noted that federal and state
officials have a higher purpose than “just handing out Medicaid cards and
being a financier of healthcare.” She stressed that the Administration’s
new vision for Medicaid, and the new policy changes outlined today
represented the results of a promise to Medicaid beneficiaries and to the
American people that fund the program.
“We will not just accept the hollow victory of numbers covered [in the
program], but will dig deeper and demand more of ourselves and of you,”
said Verma. “For those unable to care for themselves, we will create
sustainable programs that will always be there to provide the care you
need, to provide choices and allow you to live as independently as
possible. For those that just need a hand up, we will provide you the
opportunity to take charge of your health care and assist and empower you
to rise out of poverty and government dependence to create a better life
for yourselves and your family.”
To visit the new updated Medicaid 1115 Demonstration Project page click here.
To view the Section 1115 Demonstration Process Improvements
Informational Bulletin, click here.
To view the State Plan Amendment and 1915 Waiver Informational Bulletin,
click here.
Information on the new CMS Medicaid Scorecards will be publicly
released when more information becomes available.
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