A first-of-its-kind Medicaid block grant proposal that’s being closely watched by providers around the country was denounced as a “radical” plan by a United States lawmaker.
Public hearings are being held across Tennessee on the proposal, which was recently unveiled by state officials. The proposal has been opposed by skilled nursing providers in the past.
U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) said the proposal is “partly the result of (Tennessee’s) refusal to expand Medicaid” during a hearing on Tuesday in Nashville, the Daily Memphian reported.
“And this waiver request not only doesn’t help, it moves us backward. This radical, [President Donald] Trump-inspired plan would treat Tennessee like a guinea pig,” Cooper said.
The proposal also faced heavy questioning during the hearing from citizens. Matt Steinhauer, a pastor, called on the Governor Bill Lee (R) to rescind the proposal.
“I hope Governor Lee will see the greater challenges that will lie ahead if Tennessee receives a block grant, and I hope he will rescind his request that, if granted, will present harm to vulnerable Tennesseans,” Steinhauer said.
Turning Medicaid into a block grant system has traditionally been opposed by nursing home operators.
Jesse Samples, executive director of the Tennessee Health Care Association, said the proposal must be “carefully evaluated in sufficient detail to show how providers and patients will continue to be adequately protected within the Medicaid program” when details about it were first released.
Under the proposal, Tennessee would receive its Medicaid funds in a lump sum. That amount would be calculated based on projected costs for providing care to the TennCare member population. Federal Medicaid funding currently pays states a percentage of healthcare costs for eligible beneficiaries.
The estimated block grant amount for Tennessee is $7.9 billion.
The proposal is “going to be a big win for Tennessee if we get it done. I feel really, really good about the prospects,” the governor said, according to reports. “But it’s not perfect, so we want to make it more perfect by getting public comment.”
