State senators will debate a division of Alabama’s oil spill settlement funds that could help fill an $85 million hole in the state’s Medicaid budget. The Alabama Senate is expected to take up the bill Wednesday. The debate could get contentious as senators have squabbled over how much should help Medicaid and how much should go for road projects in…
Louisiana is becoming the first state in the Republican-dominated Deep South to expand its Medicaid program. More than 233,000 people – largely the working poor – have been enrolled so far in the government-financed insurance coverage offered under the health law championed by President Barack Obama. The expanded coverage starts Friday. Medicaid expansion fulfills of one of Democratic Gov. John…
U.S. Attorney George L. Beck Jr., Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, United States Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch, and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell, announced today an unprecedented nationwide sweep led by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force in 36 federal districts, resulting in criminal and civil charges against 301 individuals, including 61 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals,…
Alabama lawmakers will hold hearings this week on the state’s Medicaid program. The House and Senate general fund budget committee have scheduled a joint meeting Wednesday to discuss funding for the health care program that covers approximately a million Alabamians. House Speaker Mike Hubbard said last week that lawmakers plan to question Medicaid officials about the agency’s finances and costs….
Alabama lawmakers could give final approval to the General Fund budget on Tuesday, setting up an expected veto by Gov. Robert Bentley over Medicaid funding. Bentley said Monday that the spending plan is unacceptable and he will veto it. The budget is $85 million short of the amount Bentley says is needed to adequately fund the state’s Medicaid program. Senate…
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – The Alabama House of Representatives has approved a General Fund budget that Gov. Robert Bentley already has threatened to veto over Medicaid funding. Representatives approved the spending bill on a 65-35 vote Tuesday after a five-hour filibuster by black lawmakers. Democrats harshly criticized the proposed spending plan, which is $85 million short of the amount Bentley…
The Alabama Senate has approved a lean General Fund budget that could mean cuts to Medicaid services in the state. Senators approved the$1.8 billion spending bill Thursday on a 24-10 vote, sending it to the Alabama House for consideration. The Senate-passed budget does not provide additional money for Medicaid. Medicaid Commissioner Stephanie Azar says the agency needs an additional $100 million…
