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Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has found a part of Obamacare he loves
http://www.vox.com/2015/1/11/7528187/medicaid-expansion-tennessee-haslamThe Volunteer Plan is what is especially different about Haslam's proposal: it would use Medicaid dollars to help low-income workers who qualify for Medicaid buy private coverage through their employer instead. Instead of having the worker contribute a premium, the state would step in to cover all or part of the monthly premium.
Tennessee estimates that 54 percent of Medicaid-eligible residents are working or have worked within the last year, making them potentially eligible for the new program.
This is not something any other state has proposed to the Obama administration, and it could be controversial. It's probable that the employer plans would cover fewer benefits than Medicaid typically does (Medicaid, for example, often covers transportation to the doctor, a benefit that does not turn up in private coverage). Tennessee says it wants permission to put Medicaid enrollees in plans, then, that do not cover all Medicaid benefits. It's not clear that the Obama administration would be on board with this.
The second program, the Health Incentives Plan, tries to make the public Medicaid program look more like private insurance. It adds in co-payments and premiums (the lowest-income Tennesseans would be exempt, and there are caps on how much an enrollee could spend). Plan members could also lower their costs by participating in "healthy behaviors." The plan doesn't yet specify what these healthy behaviors would be, but a similar Medicaid program in Indiana rewards members for getting an annual health screening.
Tennessee estimates that 54 percent of Medicaid-eligible residents are working or have worked within the last year, making them potentially eligible for the new program.
This is not something any other state has proposed to the Obama administration, and it could be controversial. It's probable that the employer plans would cover fewer benefits than Medicaid typically does (Medicaid, for example, often covers transportation to the doctor, a benefit that does not turn up in private coverage). Tennessee says it wants permission to put Medicaid enrollees in plans, then, that do not cover all Medicaid benefits. It's not clear that the Obama administration would be on board with this.
The second program, the Health Incentives Plan, tries to make the public Medicaid program look more like private insurance. It adds in co-payments and premiums (the lowest-income Tennesseans would be exempt, and there are caps on how much an enrollee could spend). Plan members could also lower their costs by participating in "healthy behaviors." The plan doesn't yet specify what these healthy behaviors would be, but a similar Medicaid program in Indiana rewards members for getting an annual health screening.
