Governor Bentley Signs Executive Order Establishing Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission
By: Blake Deshazo
Updated: October 25, 2012
MONTGOMERY
- With the goal of reforming Medicaid by improving financial stability
and patient care, Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday signed an
executive order establishing the Alabama Medicaid
Advisory Commission.
The
Commission will be tasked with evaluating the financial structure of the
Alabama Medicaid Agency and identifying ways to increase efficiency
while also helping ensure the long-term sustainability
of the agency. The Commission will make recommendations to Governor
Bentley prior to the 2013 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature.
"We
are committed to increasing efficiency, eliminating fraud and
maintaining patient care," Governor Bentley said. "We believe we can
deliver higher-quality care while also controlling costs.
The Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission will help us accomplish this."
"The
Commission will include members who are all dedicated to quality
healthcare," Governor Bentley added. "We'll listen to the perspectives
of consumers, physicians and many others. By receiving
their input and thoroughly reviewing Medicaid's finances, we can make
informed and responsible decisions about increasing efficiency and
improving care."
The
Commission's work will help the state achieve fiscal certainty for the
Alabama Medicaid Agency in future years. Commission members will study
various options for reforming the Alabama
Medicaid Agency and will be tasked with recommending a care delivery
system that is supported by a long-term, sustainable funding structure.
Additional recommendations are expected to include potential methods of
increasing transparency and fairness in the
system.
State Health Officer Dr. Don Williamson will serve as chair of the Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission.
"This
is the next step in the transformation of Medicaid," Dr. Williamson
said. "This represents an opportunity to fundamentally change the
funding and delivery system for the better. I am
honored to be asked to help with this important task."
In
addition to care providers, the Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission
will also consist of members of the Alabama Legislature, including
designees of House Speaker Mike Hubbard and Senate
President Pro Tem Del Marsh.
"The
Alabama Medicaid Agency is among the largest consumers of tax dollars
in the General Fund budget, and if it is allowed to grow unchecked and
unreformed, it has the potential of bankrupting
our state," Speaker Hubbard said. "I am convinced this Commission can
find innovative ways to continue providing adequate healthcare to the
poorest among us while also keeping those services affordable and
accountable to the taxpayers who fund them."
Representative
Greg Wren, who serves as chair of the Permanent Joint Legislative
Committee on Medicaid Policy, will be among those serving on the
Commission.
"The
Legislature looks forward to working with Governor Bentley and Dr.
Williamson as we address the critical Medicaid financing issues in
advance of the 2013 Legislative Session, beginning
February 5, 2013," Representative Wren said. "Taxpayer funding for
Medicaid programs has doubled over the past 10 years and now consumes
nearly one-third of our state's General Fund budget. Building a
sustainable Medicaid finance structure is imperative."
Senator
Greg Reed, vice-chair of the Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on
Medicaid Policy, and chair of the Senate Health Committee, will also
serve on the Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission.
"The
decisions we make regarding Medicaid will have an effect on healthcare
for all Alabamians," Senator Reed said. "Our goal is to make the right
decisions for today and for our healthcare
future. I look forward to serving with this Commission."
"There's
a great deal of credit owed to Governor Bentley, Senator Reed,
Representative Wren, Dr. Williamson and each member of this Commission
for their willingness to join forces and work
toward finding long-term solutions to systemic problems in Alabama's
Medicaid program," added President Pro Tem Marsh. "Working together,
along with providers and end users, our goal is to reduce costs to
taxpayers without jeopardizing critical services to
those who rely on Medicaid."
"This
is the latest step in an ongoing effort to increase efficiency across
state government," Governor Bentley said. "We are committed to making
the wisest use of the resources given to us
by taxpayers, and this Commission is the latest example of how we are
following through with our commitment."
