RCOs

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Thursday, July 27, 2017, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) announced that the long troubled State Medicaid Agency will pursue alternatives to Regional Care Organizations (RCOs). Gov. Ivey said, “I support Medicaid’s shift in reform strategy, which has been fully shared with Legislative leadership and other key stakeholders.  I spoke … Continued

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Medicaid is funded for 2017, with $105 million for 2018, which gives legislators an opportunity to do nothing controversial or terribly important in an election year. Strange, how these little things happen to workout, I guess. Governor Bentley received his Medicaid dollars so he can stop worrying about the … Continued

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter With only three days remaining in the 2016 Special Session, lawmaker’s willingness to come together for a Medicaid solution is waning, and hopes of letting the people vote on a lottery are faint; if not totally beyond reason. If we believe that, “The sleep of reason produces monsters,” then … Continued

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter On Monday, August 15, the Alabama Legislature will return for a Special Session to address lingering problems with the State General Fund (SGF). This is the third Special Session that Alabama Governor Robert Bentley has called to address chronic problems in the SGF caused by rapidly increasing costs of … Continued

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter On Tuesday, March 22, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley told doctors and other employees at Monroe County Hospital, that a lottery is probably the only realistic option for raising more money for Medicaid. Alabama Citizens Action Program Executive Director, Joe Godfrey, said in a statement, “If God’s people do not … Continued

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter On Tuesday, February 9, the Alabama Legislature met for the third day of the 2016 Legislative Session.  While neither House has passed either budget yet (the primary purpose of even having a legislative session) the first bills began moving out of their houses of origin. State Senator Shay Shelnutt … Continued

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—On Monday, Alabama Medicaid announced that the state of Alabama will have five Regional Care Organizations (RCOs) rather than the seven many people had expected. (see full map) As part of the landmark Medicaid reform legislation passed by the Alabama Legislature and signed into law by the governor the … Continued

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—On Thursday, Alabama Governor Bentley (R) signed Executive Order 40 which establishes the Alabama Medicaid Pharmacy Study Commission. According to the Governor’s announcement the commission members will review the Alabama Medicaid pharmacy delivery and reimbursement system. The commission is tasked with comparing Alabama’s handling of Medicaid pharmaceutical benefits with … Continued

By Beth Clayton Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY–Governor Robert Bentley signed legislation into law yesterday that would reform Medicaid in Alabama. The Governor was joined by the SB340s sponsors, Senator Greg Reed (R-Jasper) and Representative Jim McClendon (R-Springville). The law will establish regional care organizations (RCOs) to manage patient care, however it excludes pharmacies, dentists and … Continued