Kansas Health

Utah Medicaid in the spotlight

[Kirk Johnson and Reed Abelson, "Model in Utah May Be Future for Medicaid," The New York Times, 24 February 2005.]

Former Utah Governor Mike Leavitt is now head of The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees Medicaid. Having taken bold action in his home state on the program and with The Bush Administration keen on reform, it would probably be worthwhile to review his work thus far:

In Utah, Mr. Leavitt's plan departs from the traditional Medicaid program on two main fronts. First, it spreads out a lower, more basic level of care to more people, and reduces coverage for some traditional beneficiaries by imposing co-payments for services. And second, it relies on the generosity of doctors and hospitals to provide specialty services free of charge.

In doing so, the state has in many ways reframed and reshaped the national debate over Medicaid and health care for the indigent, experts say, broadening the focus from the question of who does and does not have health insurance, to what constitutes basic health coverage.

[Leavitt] has said in his recent speeches and in testimony before Congress that while no state will be the blueprint for the Medicaid overhaul, a main goal of the administration is to provide coverage for those now left out of the system, by spreading that coverage around and, perhaps, reducing benefits for some people now covered. Repeated requests to interview Mr. Leavitt were unsuccessful.

"Wouldn't it be better to provide health insurance to more people, rather than comprehensive care to a smaller group?" Mr. Leavitt asked in a speech this month. "Wouldn't it be better to give Chevies to everyone rather than Cadillacs to a few?"

While the plan is at odds with the idea of restoring true insurance through catastrophic coverage, it does represent an innovative approach that is worth keeping an eye on, especially with its main proponent in such a powerful position.

[Matthew Hisrich, “A Backgrounder on Kansas Medicaid,” The Flint Hills Center, 19 July 2004.]