President Bush signed HR 2642, which, among other things, enacts a moratorium on Medicaid and Targeted Case Management (TCM) regulations issued in 2007 and 2008. The House and Senate passed the bill by veto-proof margins of 416-12 and 92-6, respectively. The moratorium language was included in a much larger bill titled the "Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008." The language specific to Medicaid and TCM:

• Imposes a moratorium until April 1, 2009, prohibiting any U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) action to implement Medicaid regulations that CMS published in 2007 and 2008 on public provider reimbursement, graduate medical education, rehabilitative services, school-based administrative and transportation claiming, case management, and provider-related taxes. It does not prohibit implementation of the Deficit Reduction Act or any other statutory provisions. It does not prohibit implementation of any other CMS regulations or policies.
• Requires USDHHS to submit a report to Congress by Jan. 1, 2009, about the "specific problems" that the 2007/2008 regulations "were intended to address."
• Requires USDHHS to enter into a $5 million contract by Jan. 1, 2009, with an "independent organization" to further study and produce a report to Congress by Sept. 1, 2009, about the "specific problems" and the impact of the regulations.
• Appropriates an additional $25 million per year to USDHHS/OIG beginning in FY 09 for unspecified activities to reduce Medicaid fraud and abuse. OIG must submit additional reports on this to Congress beginning Sept. 30, 2009.
• Requires states and the District of Columbia to phase in asset verification programs. California, New York, and New Jersey (already part of an asset verification demonstration) must implement their programs by Sept. 30, 2009. USDHHS will consult with other states individually about their timetables, but asset verification must be fully implemented nationally by Sept. 30 2013. Asset verification programs must require (as a condition of eligibility) that all aged, blind, and disabled applicants/reapplicants authorize the state to request any financial record from any financial institution if the state determines it is needed to verify financial eligibility. States may hire contractors to help them implement asset verification at 50% Medicaid administrative FFP.

Broward CSC to Build New Headquarters

The Children's Services Council of Broward County approved spending previously allocated funds to build a new facility in Lauderhill. The 31,500-square-foot building with office space, meeting rooms and a computer lab will be located along West Commercial Boulevard just east of North University Drive. The completion date is scheduled for April 2009.

 

FCSC Joins Governor in Support of Adoption Initiative

The Florida Children's Services Council (FCSC) is proud to announce its partnership with the Governor in support of his Explore Adoption campaign, launched in May. The Florida Afterschool Network also announced its partnership, as did the Heart Gallery of America with galleries in Florida, some of which are funded by CSCs at varying levels. The campaign promotes the benefits of public adoption and aims to find homes for children in Florida's foster care system. Throughout the state, more than 1,000 children from varied backgrounds, circumstances, races and ethnicities are looking for a forever family and a permanent place to call home.

 

Today, FCSC staff attended an event to preview the campaign's television and radio PSAs. Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, Chief Child Advocate Jim Kallinger and DCF Secretary Bob Butterworth were on hand to introduce the PSAs and publicly praise the families who have adopted children. Lt. Gov. Kottkamp also proudly announced that Florida achieved a new state record for adoptions, reaching an all-time high of 3,539 adoptions for the year. The PSAs will air on network affiliate and cable television, as well as radio stations starting this month. See the PSA videos. For additional information about Explore Adoption, visit www.adoptflorida.org or call 1-800-96-ADOPT.

 

AHCA Adds Medicaid Data to FloridaHealthFinder.gov

The Agency for Health Care Administration now provides information about Medicaid services and expenditures on FloridaHealthFinder.gov. The new information includes Medicaid expenditures for hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, hospice, physicians and more. It also provides Medicaid beneficiaries with information on Medicaid services, finding Medicaid doctors, dentists and specialists, choosing a Medicaid Managed Care Plan, and general information on Medicaid and Medicare. Additionally, the web site includes tools to compare pricing and performance on hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, health plans, and nursing homes. Other features available on the site are a health encyclopedia with thousands of articles and illustrations, a list of health care facilities, information about insurance, medications, and seniors, resources for medical care, and consumer publications.