Need for Legislative Change Affecting the Medicaid Program
HRD-85-9
Published: Nov 30, 1984. Publicly Released: Nov 30, 1984.
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Highlights
GAO has been conducting an ongoing review of the Medicaid program, which is a federally aided and state-administered medical assistance program that currently covers about 22 million low-income people.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress should consider enacting one of the following options: (1) amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to establish ERISA health and welfare plans as primary payers to Medicaid; or (2) amend section 1903(o) of the Social Security Act to restrict the denial of federal financial participation to only state-regulated insurance plans that exclude payment for services covered by Medicaid. |
Closed – Implemented
|
Congress enacted a provision in the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, which makes ERISA health plans primary to Medicaid. The Congressional Budget Office estimated 5-year savings of $160 million. |
Full Report
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Topics
state relationsHealth insuranceState-administered programsMedicaidHealth care plansMedicaid programHealth careEmployee retirementsExpenditure of fundsFederal regulations