List date(s) this work was published or aired.
7-Mar-11
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The National Governors Association on Feb. 28, 2011, met on Capitol Hill to discuss struggling state budgets, rising Medicaid costs and efforts by some states to remove hundreds of thousands of people from Medicaid. National mental health field leaders support President Obama’s recommendation that a bipartisan group of governors be established with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to find ways to lower costs and improve the quality of care for Medicaid beneficiaries. Meanwhile, in Arizona, officials were considering an end to Medicaid coverage for $280,000 adults beginning Oct. 1.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
A report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities revealed that a Medicaid block grant would shift financial risks and costs to states. Local Arizona news article on Google site reported on Medicaid challenges in the state.
Explain types of human sources used.
Kevin Martone, president of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) provided a national perspective about addressing Medicaid costs. Martone is also deputy commissioner for the N.J. Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Laura Nelson, M.D., assistant director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, Division of Behavioral Health, discussed the state’s Medicaid program coming up for reauthorization on Sept. 30, 2011. Nelson also said the state was submitting a phased out Medicaid plan to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Peri Jude Radecic, executive director of Arizona Center for Disability Law, discussed how the state’s Medicaid plan would impact people with serious mental illness (SMI).
Results:
Reported on Arizona’s Medicaid challenges four months later for Mental Health Weekly’s State Budget Watch series as the state awaited its Medicaid eligibility changes.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
BA
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
NA