February 21, 2013
Virginia lawmakers have called for reforms of the state’s Medicaid program as part of any move forward to expand health insurance coverage to more low-income Virginians. Some argue that Virginia should delay expansion in order to pursue reforms first. But many reforms are already in place and underway — and can save the state enough money to offset the cost of expansion.
In addition, the report finds that Virginia could pursue additional reforms — based on promising outcomes of recent health care delivery system improvements both here in Virginia and elsewhere — that could help reduce costs over the long-term even more.
According to the report, reforms currently underway will produce an estimated $325 million in savings from fiscal year 2014 to 2022. The report also found that additional Medicaid reforms could produce immediate savings and are fully within Virginia’s control to implement now.
