Joint Budget Committee

The Joint Budget Committee advanced a sweeping HCPF supplemental package covering Medicaid forecast adjustments, provider rate cuts, and program reductions, with the sharpest fights over children lacking access due to immigration entitlement (passed 5-1, with Kirkmeyer objecting), a 1.6% provider rate reversal (passed 4-2, with Kirkmeyer and Taggart objecting), nursing home supplemental payment withholding (passed 4-2, with Kirkmeyer and Taggart objecting), the senior dental program (department request passed 4-2, with Kirkmeyer and Taggart objecting), and specialty drug rates (motion to reject the department request passed unanimously 6-0, with the department request denied and staff recommendation not adopted). Several items passed 6-0 following staff recommendations, including primary care stabilization payment elimination, accountable care incentives, immigrant family planning, community health workers, recovery audits, and claims reviews. Among the omnibus and procedural items, most passed 6-0, though S6.26 passed 5-1 with Brown objecting and Member Surveys passed 4-2 with Kirkmeyer and Taggart objecting. Multiple items — including HR1 compliance funding, provider rates above 85% of Medicare, and an extra large wheelchair transport rate — were held or deferred pending additional department information.