With Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, saying he has a "strong interest" in the issue, a Senate panel on Wednesday will start studying the state's Medicaid managed-care program for seniors who need long-term care.
Negron said Monday said the state is approaching the end of the first five-year contracts with managed-care plans after a major overhaul of the Medicaid system. The overhaul required most Medicaid beneficiaries, including people who need nursing-home care, to enroll in managed-care plans.
Negron said he has asked Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Chairwoman Anitere Flores, R-Miami, to head a review of the Medicaid long-term care system.
"I have no intention of just rubber-stamping another five years," Negron said. "I think that we need to get facts together. I view the committee as a jury, and they should call witnesses, and we should hear the entire story. Has it worked? Has it saved money? Has it improved the quality of care?"
The Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee is scheduled to take up the issue Wednesday.
