§ 42-7.2-12 - Medicaid program study. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 42-7.2-12

   § 42-7.2-12  Medicaid program study. –(a) The secretary of the executive office of health and human services shallconduct a study of the Medicaid programs administered by the state to reviewand analyze the options available for reducing or stabilizing the level ofuninsured Rhode Islanders and containing Medicaid spending.

   (1) As part of this process, the study shall consider theflexibility afforded the state under the federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2006and any other changes in federal Medicaid policy or program requirementsoccurring on or before December 31, 2006, as well as the various approachesproposed and/or adopted by other states through federal waivers, state planamendments, public-private partnerships, and other initiatives.

   (2) In exploring these options, the study shall examine fullythe overall administrative efficiency of each program for children andfamilies, elders and adults with disabilities and any such factors that mayaffect access and/or cost including, but not limited to, coverage groups,benefits, delivery systems, and applicable cost-sharing requirements.

   (b) The secretary shall ensure that the study focuses broadlyon the Medicaid programs administered by all five (5) of the state's five (5)health and human services departments, irrespective of the source or manner inwhich funds are budgeted or allocated. The directors of the departments shallcooperate with the secretary in preparing this study and provide anyinformation and/or resources the secretary deems necessary to assess fully theshort and long-term implications of the options under review both for the stateand the people and the communities the departments serve. The secretary shallsubmit a report and recommendations based on the findings of the study to thegeneral assembly and the governor no later than March 1, 2007.