Georgia Health News reported today that the proposed Medicaid waiver program to insure low-income Georgians is facing significant pushback from the Department of Community Health. Grady Health System has led the charge on the program, known as a Section 1115 Waiver, that would serve as alternative to expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
According to the GHN report, the state health agency has taken issue with the proposed program's costs. Grady officials are studying the response and exploring possible adjustments.
Medicaid waivers have become a popular alternative to the Medicaid expansion, expanding access to health insurance through premium assistance rather than state-administered coverage. The federal government has approved a handful of such waiver programs already and will match funds for qualifying programs as it would under the Medicaid expansion.