Latest news with #BasicHealthPlan
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
DC Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services discusses cuts to Medicaid
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — With a reduced budget from the federal government, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and her administration were forced to make drastic cuts to the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026. As a result, Medicaid in the District may have new eligibility requirements that would essentially kick more than 25,000 residents off the state-federal health care. 'We have a … fairly robust plan,' said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Wayne Turnage. 'We identified several goals when we were approaching the need to cut — actually $182 million — out of the budget on the Medicaid side. And one of those goals was to reduce eligibility by focusing on those on the highest eligibility income thresholds and those who have options for alternative coverage on the exchange.' RELATED COVERAGE: 25K+ DC residents could lose Medicaid. Now what? Here's what you can do. Knowing cuts were imminent, Turnage said there were three main things they looked at: eligibility, benefits, structure and provider rates. 'If you have to make significant reductions in Medicaid, you have to do it by touching some combination of those three,' he said. However, the District said it plans to assist those losing access to Medicaid. One such method, available to around 90% of individuals impacted, includes a Basic Health Plan, which is being developed by the D.C. Health Exchange. 'This will allow people … whose income is between 100-200% of federal poverty to access a program that they will design to mimic Medicaid,' Turnage said. The remaining 10% of impacted individuals will be asked to consider health insurance on the health exchange. Turnage said this was a 'very very difficult budget.' In years prior, the District has seen large revenue growth and surpluses, but projections for the next four years show negative growth, he noted. 'In Fiscal Year 2026, growth will be negligible,' Turnage said. 'I think less than 1% — negative — it'll be -0.5%.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
25K+ DC residents could lose Medicaid. Now what? Here's what you can do.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Mayor Muriel Bowser's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026 would leave more than 25,000 D.C. residents without health insurance due to Medicaid cuts. On May 2, the Bowser Administration urged Congress to maintain the District's Federal Medical Assistance Percentage, saying that changes will have severe impacts on the city's entire health care system. DC Council votes to pause July 1 wage bump under Initiative 82 Twenty days later, on May 27, cuts to Medicaid were announced during her budget presentation, with more than 25,000 residents expected to be impacted. Adults without children and adult caregivers between 138%-200% of the federal poverty level would be moved to D.C. Health Benefits Exchange, according to the mayor's presentation. The D.C. Health Benefits Exchange is expected to help around 90% of those losing access to Medicaid under the proposed eligibility changes, said Wayne Turnage, D.C. deputy mayor of health and human services. 'It won't be precisely the same benefits structure, but it will be very close,' Turnage said. See full interview with Turnage below: The Basic Health Plan is being developed by the Executive Director of the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority, Mila Kofman, in order to serve those individuals. Those eligible for the exchange program will need to apply once the program is fully up and ready in order to receive those benefits. DC police recinds request to close Dupont Circle park during WorldPride after pushback from DC community For the other 10% not covered by the program being developed, you may need to consider health insurance. Shadow Rep. Oye Owolewa (D) said these changes could potentially lead to a health care 'crisis' in the District, but he plans to take every step to ensure residents are prepared. 'As a pharmacist, an elected official, Ward 8 resident, we are reaching out to all of our residents who take or use D.C. Medicaid,' Owolewa said. 'We are trying to find them alternative strategies to get health care. We are also going to be doing a lot of men's health round tables to make sure folks who are using D.C. Medicaid, or folks who are 21 years or older, know how to get their health insurance.' Many who lose access to Medicaid may need to rely on hospitals and clinics that offer uncompensated care, said Zach Gaumer, managing principle of Health Management Associates' Washington, D.C. office. The company specializes in Medicaid and Medicare policy consulting for providers, payers, etc. 'Medicaid is often thought of as the insurance of last resort for low-income individuals,' Gaumer said. 'In a lot of cases, what happens to individuals when they lose Medicaid coverage is that they go uninsured. They have to turn to sources of care that are uncompensated.' Residents may also be able to go directly to their providers for additional resources and help on where they can get care at a reduced price or even at no cost, Gaumer said. Health care prices are the number one reason people go uninsured, he added. 'It's very expensive to insure individuals at this point in time, and it can be thousands of dollars a month to buy insurance,' Gaumer said. Republicans eye cuts to Medicaid If you become ineligible for Medicaid, there are still ways to have lower health insurance plans and pay less for premiums. The Health Insurance Marketplace allows low-income families to explore health care plans that are tailored to their income. Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Benefits and Coverage, also known as 'Obamacare,' matches individuals with health care plans with the goal of being affordable. This is offered by private health insurance companies rather than through the federal government. Register here. DC Health Link offers users the option to compare plans to see if they qualify for lower monthly premiums. To assist with premiums, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers tax credits to help cover premiums. It's a refundable tax credit for eligible individuals and families to cover premiums purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace. To get this credit, you must meet certain requirements and file a tax return with Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit (PTC). This includes not being eligible for Medicare. Click here for full eligibility requirements. Fredericksburg mother voice fears about potential Medicaid cuts D.C. Exchange has a hotline of (855) 532-5465 that's available Monday through Friday to assist with questions. PAN Foundation The organization helps with health insurance premium grants for patients being treated for various disease states. U.S. Citizenship is not a requirement, and you must have an income that falls at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level. The grant can help cover a portion of the premium costs for the following diseases: Fabry disease premium Hemolytic uremic syndrome premium Hemophilia premium Hypophosphatasia premium Inherited retinal disease premium Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency premium Myasthenia gravis premium Neurofibromatosis premium Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria premium Pompe disease premium Short bowel syndrome premium Additional programs can help with prescription costs, HIV/AIDS treatment and more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
