MRMIB Mulls Options for Easing Impact of Healthy Families Cuts
Today, the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board is scheduled to consider various proposals that could minimize the impact of state budget cuts to Healthy Families, California's Children's Health Insurance Program, the Sacramento Bee's "CapitolAlert" reports.
Healthy Families is under major financial strain after a budget revision package and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R) line-item vetoes cut about $178 million from the program.
Budget pressures compelled MRMIB to freeze enrollment for Healthy Families in July. Last week, the board voted to begin dropping children from the program on Oct. 1.
In order to lessen the effects of disenrollment, MRMIB plans to examine potential adjustments to benefits, copayments and premiums.
Ginny Puddefoot, MRMIB deputy director for health policy, said the board has met with PricewaterhouseCoopers and conducted internal analyses to study the different proposals (Van Oot, "CapitolAlert," Sacramento Bee, 8/20).
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