Ohio Medicaid IT Issues Delay Provider Payments

The ongoing debate in Congress regarding budget baselines could significantly impact health care spending, particularly Medicaid, as Senate Republicans consider a 'current policy baseline' that may reduce the pressure for spending cuts. This contrasts with the 'current law baseline,' under which tax cuts would need offsets to avoid increasing the debt. In Ohio, the state's Medicaid system has been experiencing IT issues, hindering timely payment to providers, including doulas, which has raised concerns among healthcare professionals. Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, the Department of Human Services is facing scrutiny over a proposed $21.1 billion budget that includes fears of federal cuts to Medicaid, which could lead to significant enrollment reductions and increased uncompensated care for hospitals. Advocates warn that such cuts could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, particularly in rural areas. The future of Medicaid remains uncertain amid these fiscal challenges and administrative hurdles.