Congress Considers Additional Medicaid Relief for States
Both Senate and House versions of health care reform legislation include some form of additional Medicaid relief for states, much like the funding that was given to states in February's federal stimulus package.
The House version includes an extension of federal Medicaid relief (where the federal government pays a larger share of health care costs, depending on each state's unemployment rate) for six months, extending the current program from its current expiration at the end of 2010 through June 2011. The Senate version currently extends Medicaid relief for three years, through 2013. Of course, the Senate version is still being debated and there are not yet any indications of what a final bill what look like.
Despite the uncertainty regarding the details of the final agreement, reports from NACo indicate broad-based support for extending Medicaid relief to states. The National Governors Association and a number of national state legislative organizations support the extension.
If the current Medicaid relief plan is extended along the same lines as the existing program, Arizona counties would benefit through decreased contributions to the state's long-term and acute care systems.
Special Session Update: Drafting an Agenda
Legislative leadership and staff are meeting with members and drawing up a tentative agenda for a potential special session that could begin as soon as December 14.
Lawmakers are considering a number of items that would help to solve the state's
estimated $1.5 billion FY10 shortfall. Items on the tentative agenda could include a discussion of Governor Brewer's proposed temporary sales tax increase, as well as changes to voter-protected spending. Anonymous reports from legislative aides indicate that the GOP caucus may forward additional spending cuts and future income tax reductions for consideration.
The legislature must act before the end of December to forward a temporary sales tax increase to the ballot in a March election. Although the legislature will covene its regular session on January 11, convening a special session would allow any changes made to take effect more quickly. Otherwise, any changes made in the regular session would not be effective until 90 days after the session adjourns (unless a bill is passed with an emergency clause).
Governor Brewer is expected to release her budget proposal in mid-January.
Register for NACo Webinars on Forest Health, Juvenile Justice
The National Association of Counties is continuing its series of free educational webinars. Two more webinars will be held in December.
The first, Wildfire Planning, Inspecting and Insurance Costs, will be held on Tuesday, December 15, from 2:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m. EST (12-1:15 AZ time). Learn about wildfire risks facing residents and business owners across the country and the importance of undertaking wildfire mitigation measures to reduce the risk of wildfire while at the same time reducing insurance costs. The webinar will explore the role of county elected officials, planners, and fire officials in implementing appropriate mitigative practices and ensuring that affordable and adequate fire insurance is available to all homeowners.
The second webinar, Youth Detention Reform: Saving County Dollars and Achieving Results in Tough Times, will be held on Thursday, December 17, from
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST (12:00-1:30 AZ time). The current economic crisis presents an opportunity to implement youth detention reform strategies that save money without sacrificing public safety. One such effective strategy is the Annie E. Casey's Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). Learn about savings implications, how county leaders are essential to youth reform, and the great results JDAI has achieved on behalf of justice-involved youth in the past 15 years. The presentation will be given by Bart Lubow, director of programs for high risk youth at the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
