Strong words for a sweeping Medicaid reg

From public comment letters on the proposed rule

“IU Health does not agree with CMS’ imposition of arbitrary limits on practitioner payments based on the Medicaid base payment, nor do we agree with CMS’ outright elimination of (average commercial rate)-based supplemental payments. In particular, this proposed change would negatively impact access to quality care and compromise innovation at IU Health.”

Tory Callaghan Castor Senior vice president of government affairs Indiana University Health Indianapolis

“We urge you to withdraw the Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation proposed rule. Children are the largest beneficiaries of the nation’s Medicaid program, and the changes proposed in the rule will present fundamental threats to their health.”

Paul Viviano President and CEO Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

“The proposed rule would severely curtail the availability of health care services to millions of individuals across the country and hundreds of thousands here in Colorado. Many of its provisions are not legally permissible. Therefore, we request that the agency withdraw the proposed regulation in its entirely.”

Elizabeth Concordia President and CEO UCHealth Aurora, Colo.

“CMS states in the MFAR preamble that the agency is merely clarifying policies regarding providers’ role in funding the non-federal share of Medicaid; however, the rule goes far beyond clarification and introduces new, vague standards for determining compliance.”

Efrain Garcia, Supply chain operations manager CHI St. Luke’s Health–Patients Medical Center Pasadena, Texas

“In its current form, the proposed rule does not provide a transition period commensurate with the magnitude of the changes under consideration. For instance, in Florida, the new state fiscal year is just a few months from now.”

Tommy Inzina, President and CEO BayCare Health System Clearwater, Fla.