Iowa's privatized Medicaid saving less than predicted

[47of74]

Surprise, surprise

A new report says Iowa's controversial shift to privately managed Medicaid will save the state 80 percent less money this year than originally predicted.

The Des Moines Register reported Saturday that a quarterly report prepared by Iowa Department of Human Services staff members says the state now stands to save $47.1 million this fiscal year by having private companies manage the $4 billion program.

Former Gov. Terry Branstad, who ordered the privatization that began in 2016, had declared the move would save the state $232 million in fiscal year 2018.

And of course the Reynolds people blamed this on their staff rather than the fact that this was a fuck up from the get go. Brainfart was in such a hurry to do this for his wealthy sugar daddies that he pulled that number out of his hind parts.

[SWBTATTReg]

1. See what I mean...this is NOT how to govern...

A warning to all other surrounding states to IOWA.

We're dealing w/ real dollars and cents, and real people and their health. These guys pulled numbers out of a hat...nothing more, nothing less. Very irresponsible and no way to govern. Period. A waste of taxpayers' time and money.

Why can't goals be objectively and realistically created?

Instead of blaming others for shortfalls, etc., be responsible and take credit for failures and move on. Fix it or get out of the way!

Enough of the excuses!!

For a party that is so 'business-oriented', this failure to even establish reasonable and measurable goals is idiotic, to say the least. So says the Party that is using the term 'Fake' to win any argument when it has no evidence what-so-ever to support its argument.

A housewife (sorry to offend anyone here) could and would do a better job...

Makes you think, doesn't it?

[SWBTATTReg]

2. Hey 47of74, thanks for IOWA article...

I meant to thank you for informative article.

[progressoid]

3. Highland did not explain why the estimate of state savings for 2018 was 60 % lower.

So...they haven't figured out the "methodology" to cook the books yet.

Department of Human Services spokesman Matt Highland said in an email to the Register on Friday that staff members are "working to develop a more comprehensive methodology to calculate managed care savings which looks at all associated costs, such as non-medical costs which include administrative costs, care coordination and quality improvement activities. Once the methodology has been finalized, the department will provide updated numbers and will use this new, comprehensive methodology moving forward."

Highland did not explain why the DHS staff members' estimate of state savings for 2018 was 60 percent lower than their estimate of savings for 2017. The two reports include almost identical descriptions of how the estimates were made.

Randol recently came to Iowa from Kansas, where he was Medicaid director during that state’s controversial shift to managed care. He describes himself as a firm believer in the efficiency of having private companies run the program, which is jointly financed by state and federal governments.

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2018/01/05/medicaid-privatization-saving-iowa-80-less-money-than-predicted-state-report-says/1008693001/

[rurallib]

4. I am sure the $47.1 million is a bullshit number also

especially when they look at results for those who are in the Medicaid system.

What has there been - 12 or more deaths that shouldn't have happened? There should be some accountability for that.