Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services To Reform Maine's Noncategorical Medicaid Program

Sec. 1. Reform Medicaid program. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall make reforms to the state Medicaid program for noncategorical Medicaid recipients that will contain costs until the State can sustain a more generous system. The department shall evaluate the program and propose reforms to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature and any legislation needed to implement reforms; and be it further

Sec. 2. Limitation on eligibility and benefits. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall limit the eligibility and benefits for noncategorical Medicaid recipients during fiscal years when the state and local tax burden ranks in the highest 1/3 of all states as determined by the Revenue Forecasting Committee, the State Tax Assessor and nongovernmental organizations that represent differing viewpoints, including the Maine Center for Economic Policy and the Maine Economic Research Institute; and be it further

Sec. 3. Higher levels of benefits. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall increase benefits only when the state and local tax burden ranks in the middle 1/3 of all states as determined by the Revenue Forecasting Committee, the State Tax Assessor and nongovernmental organizations that represent differing viewpoints, including the Maine Center for Economic Policy and the Maine Economic Research Institute.

summary

This resolve requires the Department of Health and Human Services to make reforms to the state Medicaid program for noncategorical Medicaid recipients that will contain costs until the State can sustain a more generous system. It would require the department to evaluate the program and propose reforms to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature and any legislation needed to implement reforms. The resolve requires the department to limit the eligibility and benefits for noncategorical Medicaid recipients during fiscal years when the state and local tax burden ranks in the highest 1/3 of all states as determined by the Revenue Forecasting Committee, the State Tax Assessor and nongovernmental organizations that represent differing viewpoints, including the Maine Center for Economic Policy and the Maine Economic Research Institute. It would allow the department to increase benefits only when the state and local tax burden ranks in the middle 1/3 of all states as determined by the Revenue Forecasting Committee, the State Tax Assessor and nongovernmental organizations that represent differing viewpoints.