2013 January Health Care News

State governors must decide whether to take federal funding to expand their Medicaid programs. The January issue of Health Care News reports there are plenty of options for state lawmakers to consider, chief among them a pilot program in Florida that has demonstrated improved quality of care and cost savings.

Also in this issue:

• Although the original version of the government-run public option was not included in President Barack Obama’s health care law, an alternate approach, which may represent a stealth version of the unpopular proposal, will be rolled out in 2013.

• An Internal Revenue Service ruling on the implementation of federal and state exchanges has been put in the crosshairs by an Oklahoma lawsuit.

• Ohio Gov. John Kasich decides against implementation of the health insurance exchange mandated under President Barack Obama’s law.

• Texas Gov. Rick Perry announces he will not implement a state health insurance exchange or the mandated Medicaid expansion.

• Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker announces he will opt for a federal exchange under Obama’s law. He has not yet decided on the Medicaid expansion.

• South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and her allies prepare for a legislative battle over the expansion of Medicaid in the Palmetto State.

• After initially considering implementation of a state exchange, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell rejects it in favor of a federally run program.