health

Ogden's GOP-condoned compromise replaces about $3 billion in rainy-day money by underfunding Medicaid, pushing those payments to the end of the budget period. Absent increased revenue from an improving economy, the budget would then force across-the-board cuts to state agencies other than basic public school operations. Ogden's plan underfunds public schools by about $4 billion. It cuts reimbursement rates to Medicaid providers by 6 percent, compared to more than 10 percent proposed in the House. Senate leaders are bracing for tough negotiations with the conservative House. The state is facing a revenue shortfall of at least $15 billion. The legislature has until May 30 to reach a deal and avoid a special session to resolve the issue.

VERMONT: The House last week voted to approve a single-payer measure, which now advances to the governor's desk for signing. Governor Peter Shumlin is expected to sign it. The bill passed in the House by a vote of 94-49 and was passed earlier in the Senate by a 21-9 vote. In addition to establishing a single-payer system, the bill would establish new rate review requirements and a Vermont Health Benefit Exchange that would be operational by 2014, in accordance with the ACA. A single-payer system would begin in 2017, when the ACA begins to allow states to request waivers to opt out of many of its requirements, or earlier with federal approval.

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